Sneha goes down to the bank of the river. She has a towel flung over her shoulder. She looks up and down the vast stretch of the bank on both sides. Far away she can see a boat getting closer to the opposite bank. She also finds the street lights on the other side coming alive over the barren fields. The conch-sound is heard from the temple reminding her of the time, she visited Banaras with her parents. The sight of the orange-coloured, loin-clad priests standing on the cemented platforms, offering prayers to the Ganges, is something she will remember for life. Her Ma told her if someone prayed at that time from the bottom of her heart, her prayers would always be answered by the river mother.
She’d prayed to be Ashish’s bride even then! Sneha notices the footmarks on the bank on her left. Despite the repeated warnings, the boys have been fishing secretly.
Ashish keeps brushing his teeth, sitting on the slab above. He has his lungi rolled up, showing his masculine physique. Sneha is driven to madness by an all-consuming desire. He catches that girl looking at him but doesn’t bother. A little boy comes running from somewhere and puts his head playfully in-between his knees. The next moment he gets out of Ashish’s reach and comes running down. Before Sneha can figure out what is happening, he dives into the river, splashing water all over. Sneha understands that there is absolutely no reason for her to worry.
Ashish goes past her after his boy. As he goes past her, he smells of sugarcane and lemon. The gentle wind carries a whiff of her hair-oil to him. That is when he looks back at Sneha for the first time. Love is in the air.
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