Chapter 4 Unforgettable love story of Dadi and Dadu

When Mahi returned home, she could hear laughter and happy banter coming from the living room. It suddenly struck her that today was the day her grandparents hosted their friends' meet-up. These gatherings were always filled with joy and nostalgia, with their friends treating Mahi like their own granddaughter, never letting her feel alone.

As she entered the room, a chorus of greetings welcomed her. Everyone hugged her, asking about her life and studies. The warmth of their affection enveloped Mahi, making her feel truly at home. She decided to make fritters for everyone, knowing how much they enjoyed her cooking.

When she emerged from the kitchen with a tray full of crispy fritters, she overheard Dadu's friends teasing him about Dadi. Her curiosity was piqued, and she insisted that Dadu tell them the story of how he met Dadi and fell in love with her.

Ravi, her grandfather, chuckled and leaned back in his chair, ready to recount the tale. "It was a day I'll never forget. I was on my bicycle, heading to college, when I saw your Dadi. She was carrying a big bouquet of flowers and didn't see me coming. In her hurry to cross the road, we collided. She had the most beautiful long, wavy hair, and I was completely mesmerized by her beauty. So much so that I forgot to help her up. She yelled at me, 'Hey, what are you looking at? Can't you see I need help?'"

Dadi interjected, laughing. "You are such a liar, Ravi. I didn't yell at you, and you didn't stand there like a statue. You did help me up, eventually."

Ravi winked at her. "Well, I might have exaggerated a bit. But you did shout at me for not seeing you crossing the road. And I did scold you back, saying you should look before crossing. That was our first interaction. Despite the anger, I couldn't get her out of my mind. I kept seeing her beautiful, angry face flashing before my eyes."

Mahi's eyes sparkled with interest. "Then what happened, Dadu?"

Ravi laughed heartily. "I didn't know where she stayed, but I was determined to find her. So, I took Harish with me and started our 'Dreamgirl Search Mission.' Right, Harish?"

Harish, one of Ravi's old friends, nodded vigorously. "Yes, Meera. He made all of us search for you. We never had stayed up all night for studies, but this guy made us stay up late night to come up with different plans for finding you. We even got into trouble a few times for asking around about a girl with your description. But it was worth it, because that's how I found my Geeta," he said, looking lovingly at his wife.

Mahi was captivated. "Then what happened, Dadu? How did you find Dadi?"

Ravi's eyes twinkled with nostalgia. "I was at Harish's home when his sister brought a new friend over. When our eyes met, we both exclaimed, 'You? What are you doing here?' And then we started laughing. I told her, 'I'm waiting for a beautiful girl who stole my heart.' Your Dadi shyly replied, 'Oh, stop it.' We exchanged pleasantries, and I started waiting for her outside her college every day. Slowly, our love blossomed, and we decided to marry each other."

Meera, his wife, continued the story. "But before we could tell our families, my mother gave me shocking news. She told me that they had fixed my alliance with a well-educated man from a good family. His mother had become my mother's friend, and they decided to tie us together."

Mahi looked at her grandmother with wide eyes. "What did you do then, Dadi?"

Meera smiled. "I told my mother that I didn't want to get married yet as I was still in college. She insisted I meet him at least once. Reluctantly, I agreed, hoping to find a way out. I was scared out of my wits. When I told Ravi about it, he mentioned that his mother had also found an alliance for him. Our hands were sweating, but we were adamant about our decision to marry each other. We decided to meet our prospective matches and find a way to reject them."

Ravi laughed. "I went to meet the girl with my mother, determined to say no. I told Ma not to pressure me into giving consent to the marriage. My answer is 'No'. I am going to meet her just for Ma's sake."

"We met at their common friend's home. The girl came out with tea tray in her hand. But when I saw her, I jolted out of my seat and couldn't help but say, 'Yes, yes, Ma. I want to marry this girl.'"

Mahi surprised, couldn't help but squeal, "What? How could you do that to Dadi?"

"My mother teased me, but I insisted that her judgment was always right. But Ma said, 'But girl doesn't want to marry you. She is yet to complete her graduation. Right, Meera?'"

Mahi was surprised. "That girl was you, Dadi?"

Dadi chimed in. "When we realized that our families had unknowingly arranged our marriage, we were overjoyed. It was like fate had brought us together."

Mahi gasped. "Dadi, that sounds like a fairy tale!"

Dadi smiled warmly. "From that day on, I got two mothers and a lifetime of love with my prince charming."

The room filled with laughter and teary-eyed smiles. The love story of Ravi Dadu and Meera dadi was known for its commitment, compassion, and respect. They were the epitome of a perfect couple.

As their friends continued to share anecdotes from their past, Mahi felt a deep sense of contentment. After a while, she excused herself and went to her room, feeling lighter than ever. She took a shower and stood on the balcony, drying her hair. The sunset painted the sky in hues of orange and pink, a sight to behold. Her gaze landed on the bench across the opposite house, stirring memories of Mihir.

With a soft smile on her face, she whispered to the fading light, "One day, maybe you'll come back too, Mihir."