Love Infinite

"I have no way to repay your love. I can give you myself."

- RAMAYANA (RAMA TO HANUMAN AS THEY EMBRACE)

"Oh my God, that's another round that you have completed, shona. See, you are sweating profusely. Come, I will rub your face." So Rai took out a handkerchief from her blue jeans. She gave it to him, but he refused, saying, "You sit in the chair under the banyan tree. I will join you in five minutes."

"How many rounds have you taken today? Shall we go and have a cup of coffee? Raghav, did you hear what I have said?" "Yes, love. I had," Raghav said. "Chalo, let's complete a few more rounds together, and then I promise we will sit for coffee." "But my body has already started aching," said Rai. "So, do you want to sit for some time?" Raghav asked. Rai asked, "Would you like to see the lotus bloom? I can't keep pace with you. So, you continue your walk while I would go and collect a few wild flowers." Saying so, Rai disappeared while Raghav continued his jogging.

"Rai, are you done? Shall we go now? It's late already. You know I have a meeting tonight. Chalo na baba der ho raha hai. (Let's go, we are late)," Rai replied from under the banyan tree. "No, wait. You complete a few more rounds, and by that time I will complete collecting a few more flowers for my bun. Jua aru olop douri aha. (Go complete a few more rounds.) Na moi najau, tumi janai sun aji mur online session ase. (No, I will not go, you already know that today I have an online session.) I need to deliver a talk this evening to school students." So, it ended up Rai getting up from the lone bench in the lawn that had become both of their perfect places to spend time together every evening.

Reaching the restaurant, Raghav asked Rai, "What are your plans for the evening? You know I am on a diet, so I will accompany you, but you are not gonna ask me to have anything." She smiled, that smile which had become every reason for him to be smitten. Her grace and elegance, her bangles, her bindi, and her anklet had long become the lyrics of the songs composed by him on different occasions. He ordered one cheesecake for her and two cups of coffee for both of them. Rai was wearing a blue salwar with golden jhumka on her ears. She looked the prettiest. Her long hair was tucked into a low bun. She went and sat in the usual place they often preferred in the restaurant whenever they visited it together for a cup of coffee.

"Rai, so what's your plan for Durga Puja this time? Are you returning home for the vacation?" Rai didn't reply. For most of the time they sat in the restaurant, she was lost in her own thoughts. When in the office, every time she would get some free time, she would daydream. Her thoughts would take her to different parts of the world. "Rai, did you hear what I said? Are you going home for Puja?" Rai replied, 'No.' "I wish to be here in Kolkata and go pandal hopping with you. So, are you staying back as well?" Raghav responded with a nod.

They talked for a few more minutes, and by the time they decided to leave, it was raining heavily. Their clothes got wet. Both of them got into Raghav's car. The next few minutes went planning their vacation, the places they would visit. Rai was holding one of his hands like she always did when they went for a drive. He planted a kiss on her forehead before dropping her in front of her house. Raghav shared a few furtive glances and left.

It was three years back when Rai met Raghav in the city of dreams. Miles away from home in a new place, initially, it was hard for her to adjust. For days she would miss home. She felt happy on meeting Raghav. Though their workplaces were different, they would meet every Sunday. Rai knew not when she started having feelings for him. As the days passed by, she developed a strong connection with this person who felt at home in a new place. They traveled to different parts of Kolkata together. They became close friends. A time came when Rai found it impossible to think about a situation without his presence in her life.

It was the time of Durga Puja in the year 2020. Draped in a yellow saree, she got ready early in the morning. Raghav came to pick her up, and together they went to visit a Puja mandap. She looked so pretty in the saree. Raghav was wearing a blue kurta and white pants. They offered their prayers to the Goddess. On the eighth day of Durga Puja early morning, they went together to offer prayers to Maa Durga. On their way, Raghav brought a gajra for Rai. He gave it to her. She considered that to be her precious gift for the festive season. The pandal was packed with people when they reached around 9 a.m. Offerings were given to Maa.

After the puja, Raghav decided to spend the whole day with Rai. The entire city of Kolkata was decked up like a newlywed bride. People in colorful clothes, lights from the pandals, sweets in the roadside shops, and the rush of people to the pandals all added to the beauty of the city. It was altogether a very different kind of feeling.

They went to spend some time in a park. "Raghav, you see the white ducks in the pond? See how beautiful they look. Seems they are love-soaked. You hear me, shona? Hello, where are you so engrossed in love? Shall I snatch your cell phone? Shona, you hear me?" "Rai, you are breaking the silence. Please don't. Can't you be quiet for some time? Now tie your hair into a low bun. Why, Raghav, you said I look better with open hairs? Raghav, I forgot to bring almonds for you." Raghav was like, "Kitna bolti hai ye? (How much does this girl talk?)" And Rai be like, "He doesn't listen to me." Raghav pulled her closer and gave her a tight hug. Rai blushed. Above, the cirrus clouds pushed against each other. Then he made her listen to some old Bollywood numbers of one of his most loved singers, Lata Mangeshkar. He even hummed some of the songs. When they left, it was around 7:30 p.m. in the evening.

He stopped his car near the Howrah bridge, a black car that he had purchased from his first salary. They had lots of memories in the car, moments of grief and celebration. Rai went outside to enjoy the beauty of the place around. The view of the Howrah bridge was spectacular. She had many fancies of couples spending time

 together on the Howrah bridge so many times as a teenager. She also had dreams of being with her love on a boat ride under the Howrah bridge. Raghav did something amazing that evening, which definitely changed the course of her life. He got down on his knees. With some red roses in one of his hands and a ring on the other, he proposed to her. It was pitch dark except for the lights of the Howrah bridge. He said, "I feel a different connection with you, and as you have become part of my dreams and my existence, I wish to thank you for the lovely memories that we had together—to the ocean of dreams that you had led me into, Rai, I dedicate this evening. As the sound of the dhak gets louder, let me embrace you and let this moment slip into eternity. Will you be my partner for life?" Rai blushed with her plump cheeks covered in red. Raghav gave her the most beautiful love story that she could ever dream of. It was the most beautiful evening of her life. Rai was graced by the love of Maa Durga. They went pandal hopping on the ninth day of Durga Puja. Clad in a beautiful red and white saree, she looked like a rose in full bloom.

On the day of Dashami, she wore a beautiful saree and visited a Puja Mandap with Raghav. For her, he was home away from home. They were united in the divine presence of Maa Durga. She became part of Sindoor Khela. What a sight it was for onlookers. It was as if Shiva and Parvati were walking together. She gave a perfect smile, a smile that he cherished the most. It was a blessed meeting.

So love won hearts, and within a year, Maa Durga blessed them with the most precious gift of their life. An angel was born. They named her Sakshi. As the days passed by, love for each other increased manifold. For Rai, it was a dream come true to have Raghav in her life. For Raghav, he got so much love that he gave all his heart to her.