It was the first Navratri after Shefali Pandya 'Ami' La and Sahil got engaged. Both were very enthusiastic about Navratri this year. Sahil had paid huge sums of money for ninety-night Garba passes to different venues as he wanted to make this Navratri memorable with his future partner this year. Neela was also happy to see her future Bharathar so enthusiastic. Navratri started and Sahil told Neela's family that, 'Both of us are going to play garba together on Navratri. Not worrying if Neelu comes home early or late. I will take it from home and drop it off.' Neela's family had no objection to this, as Neela was engaged to Sahil, they were not worried about what other people would say. He had agreed. Neela was amused as Sahil had obtained passes to all the famous party plots of the city and all the places where Garba was praised. She used to be ready at ten-thirty that night. Sahil used to pick her up on his bike and both of them would go out to play Garba during Navratri. Every day new steps, unique styles of chania-choli, various ornaments and the companionship of Mana Manigar – it was as if Neela could not think of anything else. For four-five days of Navratri, both of them played garba in different places with great enthusiasm. One night when both were returning, Neela said, 'Sahil, go sit somewhere and have a cold drink. I am very thirsty and tired too.' Sahil parked the bike near a cafe. Neela told him, 'Don't go inside. You bring me a cold drink. Then let's sit here somewhere.' Sahil agreed and went to the cafe. When he came back with a cold drink, Neela was sitting on a bench a little away. There was light from the cafe lighting, but not quite. The kingdom was covered in darkness almost all around. Sahil came to Neela and gave her a bottle of cold drink and said, 'Neela, why are you sitting here in the dark? Come on, let's go and sit in a cafe.' Then Neela said, 'No, Sahil. How peaceful it is here.' Sahil didn't like it, but he silently sat there on one side. After taking a sip or two, Neela slid a little closer to Sahil. Sahil said, 'Neelu, drink a cold drink quickly. Then I will leave you at home.' Neela did not listen to him. She was calmly taking sips of cold drink. Sahil was reading messages on his mobile. Suddenly Neela grabbed her in her arms. Sahil was absolutely beaming. Then trying to get out of Neela's grip, he said, 'Neela, what is this doing? Someone will see… plant me…' and he started to stand up. Neela pulled it with a jerk. Neela started touching Sahil's neck and face with her other hand. His breathing was going fast. Sahil realized that if Neela stays with him for more time, then the limit line between the two may not be crossed before marriage. And at the same moment, Sahil separated from Neela's grip. He stood up from the bench and said to Neelu, 'Neelu…behave yourself. Do you realize what you are doing? Go stand up, I'll drop you home…. Come-on quick…' Hearing Sahil's slightly stern voice, Neela realized what she was about to do… She was embarrassed and ashamed of her behavior. Who knows what Sahil will think of himself? It stood up quickly. After a while, Sahil and Neela were going towards Neela's house on a bike. Coming to Neela's house, Sahil stopped the bike. Neela got down. She came slightly forward and said to Sahil slowly, 'Sorry Sahil, I… I… who knows how you…. In this way…' looked down. Sahil held Neela's hand and said, 'Sometimes, Neela. It's not your fault. You and I are of such age that if we are a little careless, we will not slip often… Such cases happen a lot during Navratri and that is why this festival which is considered as a festival of devotion gets the most bad name…' Saying Sahil started his bike and Neela After saying goodnight, he took a turn towards his home.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
Joban Chalke: The True Feeling of Relationships
