Dhimahi's POV

The moon didn't completely descend in the horizon but the orange gradually started cascading the sky, a beautiful Breeze soothed my soul and this was the time that I entered the step well to fill my pitcher. But I wasn't ready for the sight that interrupted my view.

There in all his glory stood- Arya Kulshrestha submerged in the pool till his torso, his यज्ञोपवीत hung across his shoulder. In a posture, with joined hands, he was chanting स्नानमंत्र-AUM शन्नो देवीराभिष्टये...

His face looked so calm, his features were absolutely striking, he was so handsome. Did I just say handsome? Oh God! It's a sin to look at a man in this condition.

I quickly turned to leave, which resulted in a loud sound as my pitcher striked with a nearby stone. Satyanash !

I quickly started climbing the steps avoiding the movement sounds in my background but a deep Masculine voice managed to send chills in my spine "धैर्य से चलिए,फिसल जाएंगी तो हम नहीं छू सकते आपको"

I don't know why but the thought of him not touching me unnerved me so much, I turned around and declared without stuttering or fumbling in a loud and clear voice, which shocked me more than him" Aap chhu sakte hain, hum bhi Brahmin hn"

He chuckled (Am I imagining? Because Arya Kulshrestha never displays any emotion)

"Oh, trust me this caste system will eat this nation someday, the thing is I can't touch you as u r a grown up woman and I'm practising Brahmacharya." He said, all the while wrapping a shawl around his shoulders and never for once looked in my eyes.

Again he lifted his head, still avoiding the eye contact"Aap galti se aayi aur agar humari wajah se koi asuvidha hui to hume kshama kijiye"

With this he started climbing the steps, maintaining a distance between us and I could smell the faint lingering smell of Chandan. He picked up the broken pieces of pitcher. I immediately intervened, "Chhodiye hum utha lenge"

"Ji nahi, agar galti se aapke hath ya pair m lag gya to, brahma murt m devi ko chot pahuchakr nark jane ka shauq nhi h hume" He started tying the pieces in his white gamchha, when my gaze fell at his feet, there was a piece left there, now I couldn't let it hurt this pure man. I bent to pick it up, when he immediately stepped back and said in a stern tone"Ye kya kar rhi hain aap?"

"Vo tukda reh gya tha"

"Humse kahiye, hume nahi pasand ki koi stree kbhi kisi charnon m jhuke, itna to aapko bhi samajh m aana chahiye ki ... Chhodiye"

He picked up the last piece and left, I kept staring at his back. When my gaze shifted to the floor, I noticed a trail of blood, I followed the trail and my breath hitched.

At last, he was hurt by the piece when he recoiled back when I was bending down. Foolish man, should have allowed me to do what I was doing, I'm habitual of succumbing to people's desires. But this man is different.

Who are you Arya Kulshrestha and why are you like this?

Target for next chapter: 10 comments