Ek ladki ko dekha toh aisa laga

Chapter 1

It was another night of fake smiles. Potential investors were visiting again, this time from London. They had brought along their son and daughter, both of whom were apparently near Sweety's age. Of course she had to be present to greet them that night. There was no way she could say no to her father's request. Not after everything he had done.

But tonight, tonight Sweety wished she could. Everytime she so much as left her room she was bombarded with talk of marriage and the line of potential suitors waiting to take her away. She could only smile and nod at their questions for so long and tonight, she didn't think she had the energy. She just couldn't anymore. Yet as dinner approached she donned her new salwar kameez ( traditional Indian suit) and made her way down the staircase like the polite and obedient girl she had always been.

The investor's son had been making eyes at her all night. Raza, as he'd introduced himself, was as forward and enthusiastic as any of the other young men she had met on nights like these. It was as if he was doing everything in his power to get her attention, from dancing beside her to practically serenading her with his guitar. She had done her best to avoid him by staying close to her grandmother's side, but one more move from him and she would have to excuse herself for the night.

After more agonizing time had passed, she was now huddled in the far corner of the patio, her eyes fixated up at the night sky. She took a few deep breaths and willed herself to relax. The pent up tension persisting in her shoulders began to release in this quiet moment alone to herself. Alone, as she always was and as she always will be.

Just as she was beginning to feel at peace, she heard the sound of someone approaching. Internally groaning to herself, she turned, expecting to see Raza but instead finding his sister, Kuhu, heading towards her away from the rest of the party.

"Is it alright if I join you?" Kuhu asked kindly as she came closer.
"Yeah, sure," Sweety replied.

After spending most of her night avoiding Raza, she had barely spoken a word to the woman beside her past their initial greeting at the door. She had only glanced at her for a moment before returning her gaze to the stars above them. The air around them smelled sweet, very floral almost like roses.

"I think my brother's taken quite a liking to you," Kuhu said with a slight smirk. When Sweety didn't say anything, she playfully nudged her with her elbow and added, "If you were interested, you'd be able to come back to London, you know. You could study there if you'd like."

"Hmm..." Sweety hummed quietly, giving little acknowledgement to that thought.
At her continuing silence, Kuhu seemed to have taken the hint. She, too, didn't speak for a few passing moments, though she still remained at Sweety's side. It wasn't as if Sweety minded that she was there, really. It was just that she preferred her time alone and she couldn't understand what kept her stood there for so long. It was as if she was about to step away when she stopped herself.

"Sweety?" she said slowly. Her voice rang a bit clearer now. It was a bit raspy yet at the same time soft, smooth. There was something in her tone that caught Sweety's attention. It caused her to finally look down at the woman beside her. She was stood in her navy blue salwar kameez, her arms crossed over her chest. Her wavy hair was splayed out against one shoulder and her bright brown eyes were curiously blinking up at her, her face faintly illuminated by the lanterns behind them.

Sweety suddenly realized where that sweet smell in the air had been coming from.

"Sweety, are you alright?" Kuhu asked the woman who after a few moments now had yet to break her stare. The girl didn't respond. She only continued to stare at her, more intently now.

Kuhu arched an eyebrow. Could it be...No. Of course not. She mustn't be silly. This must just be what these smaller village-type women are like. Shy, slightly awkward, and...breathtakingly beautiful. As Sweety continued to silently watch her, Kuhu couldn't help but wonder.

"You know it's alright if you don't like my brother. I know how difficult these things can be," she started quietly. The girl's expression still hadn't changed. A feeling in her gut was telling her she was right. She had to be. But was she? It would sound crazy if she said it out loud. One wrong word might offend this girl forever and ruin her father's chance at a good investment. She feared the response her next words might receive, but Kuhu couldn't hold it in any longer.

"Like back when I had crushes on girls in college." She sucked in a breath, pausing, gauging her reaction before adding, "Yes, crushes on girls in college"
And there it was. Something flashed in Sweety's eyes and for a moment, Kuhu thought she had only imagined it. There was a moment of heavy silence, one that she deeply feared. But then, Sweety smiled. She smiled. And Kuhu didn't think she'd ever seen anything more beautiful in her life.

More to come soon, let me know what you think.