"Come soon Akshitha we are already late.” Sourabh called out looking at his watch for the nth time that evening. "Coming" she answered as she rushed down the stairs. She looked gorgeous in a black and red georgette saree that she adorned and was trying to tie the lace on the back of her blouse as she climbed down the stairs.

Akshitha and Sourabh had an arranged marriage. They knew nothing more than each other’s name, qualifications and professions at the time of their marriage. A month after their marriage, not much had changed, they were still strangers to each other. Love hadn’t yet found its place in their life.   

Sourabh was mesmerized by her beauty. He was a busy man and never really had the time to sit and admire her beauty. A smile struggled through his lips as he saw her struggling to tie the lace. 

'Come near I'll help you with it' he said as she was trying to tie those knots. ‘Sure’ saying this she turned her back towards him. He pushed her hair aside. His touch felt electric against her soft skin...  Ignoring the sensation she closed her eyes.  'Here you go' he said tying the last knot to perfection. Keeping her voice steady she thanked him. "You are welcome." he replied as he turned to walk away.

They were going to attend Sourabh's best friend's wedding reception; Akhil was Sourabh's best friend and had strictly instructed him to bring Akshitha along. On their way to the venue Saurabh kept stealing glances at Akshita, he couldn’t take his eyes off his beautiful wife. He kept cursing himself for not seeing earlier how beautiful she was. Not just by face but even her inner beauty was remarkable. She agreed to attend the reception just for his sake. He knew she would be around hundred unknown faces yet she came along. Akshitha caught him looking at her, and her mind instantly filled with questions and she shot each one of them at him "What? Is there something wrong with my saree?  Is my make up clumsy? Or my Kohl too dark and bold? Isn’t my bangle suiting this saree??' a smile appeared on his face as he saw how innocent she was. "You look PERFECT" he said giving the smile that showed his dimples making Akshitha blush.

At the party.

As they entered Sourabh's gang of friends came to receive the newly wedded couple who were making their first public appearance. 'Akshitha bhabi! How are you?' Akhil asked. 'I am fine' she replied Meet my wife Pooja.’ Akhil introduced. And both the ladies shook their hands. Sourabh formally introduced Akshitha, to almost every friend of his who was present there and vice - versa. And though she was not comfortable being a part of so many unknown people she still played game. 
As Sourabh got busy with his friends, she quietly walked away without disturbing him to get herself an orange punch. 
The dance floor was getting crowded. Everyone was dancing their hearts out including Sourabh. After a while, Pooja came and sat beside Akshitha 'You don't like dancing?' she asked. I do…It’s just that...' she stopped. 'Akhil did tell me that you both had an arranged marriage and neither of you wanted it that way.’ Pooja spoke as she took a sip of her cocktail. 'That’s right. We never  spoke to each other properly before our marriage.’ Akshitha sighed. 'Hmm. Then speak to him.’ Pooja advised. 'Do you want to join the dance floor?' Pooja asked and Akshitha just nodded for a NO. Again leaving Akshitha all alone Pooja went back to the dancing floor... 

After an hour.... 
Sourabh came searching for her.. Though she was completely bored she never came to complain or pester him to leave the party. She did not disturb him. He felt guilty for leaving her alone all this while. "Akshitha. I want to show you something" he said taking her hand and making their way through the crowd.

As they made their way through the crowd, to the parking lot, she asked reluctantly "Sourabh why are we leaving? Trust me I'm enjoying" she lied. “Just come with me." he said as he opened the door of the car. 

They drove for half an hour in silence....
She got down and found herself on the shore of a calm beach. Moon shining brightly over their head and the hustling sound of waves was soothing and a refreshing relief after that loud music at the party. "Why are we here?" Akshitha asked as the wind ruffled her hair. "Would you do me a favor?" he asked as he held out his hands.  She looked at him with surprise. "Would this Princess like to dance with me?" he asked. "Here?" she was pleasantly surprised. Without another word he moved closer to her, locked his eyes with hers, slipped his hands around her waist and gently pulled her towards him. She closed her eyes and leaned on his shoulders and they danced to the music of silence. 

"You know what Akshitha. I never knew you were so beautiful. You knew you were going to be amidst hundred unknown faces yet you came along to keep my heart.” he said in a husky voice. "For an hour I was not near you and yet you did not complain." he continued. "And everyday even though you are late for work you make sure you did everything for me form making my breakfast to my tie” and Akshitha listened to him calmly. "And I don't even thank you for doing all this for me..." he admitted. And looking at him she smiled her most beautiful smile. "I know we were strangers. But today I would like to change this.” he continued. "Will you be my girlfriend?" he asked.  She looked at him surprised. "Girlfriend?" she asked sweetly. "You know I always wanted a love marriage. But because of my mom I had agreed to marry you.” he admitted. "So, I did not have the chance to love you and then marry... So now that we are married I want to love you.” he said all his words not really making sense to her... Akshitha's lips just turned into a beautiful curve and her face turned red with his love. And both understood it was not a bad decision after all. 

They finally found their DAY OF LOVE!!