Saturday, the xxx-community event.

Sonia was getting ready with a simple mid-sleeved dress in off white (as it was one of her favourite colours). She did a simple make up as usual with simple jewellery and let her long hair loose.

Sonia, her dad, mom and brother arrived at the event in their car. While her brother went to park their car.

At the same time. Mr. Nair and family arrived at the event. Vinay went to park their car.

Mr. Nair saw his best friend and immediately went with his wife to greet them.

“Menon, you are here. oh, this must be Sonia. Hello dear how are you?” He asked.

“I am fine, thank you Sir.” She smiled and greeted them.

“Oh, please call me uncle. Dear.” He replied.

Sonia smiled in agreement.

“You are very beautiful, dear. Simple and cute!” Mrs. Nair said in a sweet smile while holding Sonia’s arm.

“Shall we move inside; it is quite cold outside.” Mr. Menon said.

All agreed and moved inside the hall.

Reena took hold of her daughter and walked along with her family.

Sameer parked the car and was moving towards the hall, when he was suddenly saw Vinay coming from the parking lot.

“Hey, Sameer, how are you?” He said, as he saw Sameer standing outside the parking lot.

“Hey” he replied.

“Shall we go to the hall! We are already late.” Sameer casually replied.

Vinay nodded in agreement. Then they both walked towards the hall.

Menon and family were seated two seats ahead of Nair and family.

“Welcome, everyone to the annual xxx community gathering” welcomed the MC and proceeded with the inauguration ceremony.

After the initial speech, it was time to felicitate the young achievers of the community members.

“It is an honour to start today’s event by felicitating our community members children with their academic achievements.” The presenter started the felicitating ceremony by calling out one by one all the young achievers, starting from the primary to secondary level. Their parents were feeling proud looking at their children receiving the awards.

Now it was time to announce the category in the graduation level.

“Ms. Sonia Menon!” called the MC.

Sonia got up from her seat with a smile looking at her family who were feeling very proud of her.

Vinay looked up to see her side profile. He had a rare feeling inside him which he never experienced before. Her eyes, smile, attire was so simple yet beautiful. Never he had seen such natural beauty in his life.

Sonia was indeed a natural beauty. She didn’t require any makeup to enhance her natural features. She was simple from inside and outside alike.

She slowly walked towards the podium to receive her award.

The guest of honour greeted her and presented her the award. The MC encouraged her to give a speech.

Sonia walked up to the mike to give her small speech of gratitude.

“Thank you so much xxx members for gratifying my achievement in such a wonderful manner. I am grateful to my family, friends and guides to help me achieve this. I am sure to make them prouder in the future with many more achievements like this.” She spoke with confidence. It was not the first time, Sonia to be on the stage. In her college, she had often done MCs for various events. So, she was always confident in speeches, presence of mind and attitude.

“It is also my humble request to the xxx members to not only encourage the students but also those who are best in their professional achievements, too. It is just a suggestion. Hope you could acknowledge it!” with that she ended her speech and walked down the podium.

Meanwhile, Vinay was eagerly watching her with so much awe. As he had never seen a young woman make such a confident remark with such politeness and yet acknowledge the efforts of others apart from herself.

She did make a mark in his mind, which was difficult for him to erase.

She was different from the girls he had encountered.

Indeed, he had stayed in the states for 3 years, but the kind of confidence that Sonia showed was very rare.

This caught his attention. The entire time he was just staring at her with a glint in his eyes.

He wanted to know more about her. Then he saw her sitting beside Mr. Menon which gave a hope in his heart, which was puzzling him.

Dinner Break.

Sonia followed her mother towards the buffet followed by Mrs. Nair.

Mrs. Nair and Mrs. Menon were actually good friends and had often gone for shopping and parties occasionally.

Sonia was confused at what to eat as she was not craving any non-veg. she wanted to take very less as outside food was not her thing.

“You can take the salad with rice and curd. It will be good.” She heard a noise from behind her. She turned to see the owner of the voice. It was not someone she knew.

“Excuse me!” she enquired.

“Well, if you don’t want spicy food, you can always opt this combination.” The unknown person smiled and replied.

“Do I know you?” she asked.

“Sorry, hi, I am Sudhi.” He extended his hand with wide smile.

Sonia looked at his hand and then back at him.

She scoffed and replied “I think I can make the food decision by myself. don’t want anyone else’s advice. Thank you by the way.”

She took the roti and paneer dish and walked away.

Vinay who was looking from far at the drama, just smirked and thought sassy.

He went ahead to have his dinner.

Sonia was sitting with her mom and Mrs. Nair and having her dinner at the table.

Vinay was glancing at Sonia from time to time from the side of his table which was adjacent to her table.

Sonia was smiling at her mom’s and Mrs. Nair’s conversation.

Suddenly she felt somebody was looking at her so she glanced at that person. She was shocked to see Vinay staring at her.

She just broke the glance and concentrated on her food.

Again, she glanced to check. He was staring at her the whole time.

She starting feeling awkward. She excused herself and went to freshen in the washroom.

When she came back, she was shocked by the sight in front of her. Vinay was talking with her mom and dad. They looked very close and friendly.

She slowly approached them to be greeted by her mom.

“Oh, here she is!” Mrs. Menon spoke.

“Sonia, this is Vinay Nair, Mr. and Mrs. Nair’s Son.” She explained.

“Hi, nice to meet you, Sonia.” Vinay greeted Sonia.

“Hello.” Sonia replied with small smile.

“Congratulations on your award. And great speech.” He replied with a cold look

“Thank you.” Sonia replied and immediately looked down as he was continuously staring at her.

“Mom, I have an outing with my friends tomorrow, shall we move?” Sameer spoke suddenly. Everyone looked at him. 

Sonia was relieved, as she wanted to get out of there asap.

“Oh yes, Sameer has an outing with his friends at 8 in the morning. and it’s already 10. We should move. Please try to visit us sometime with Vinay, Nair.” Mr. Menon replied.

“Sure, Goodnight.” Mr. Nair bid their farewell.

She just smiled and hugged Mrs. Nair and side hugged Mr. Nair with a smile.

Menon family left. Vinay was just watching Sonia’s faded figure from afar, all the while.

The whole night Vinay was only thinking about Sonia.

“How can one person be cute and bold at the same time?” he thought.

“She can put forward her opinion without a flinch and yet be cute at the same time!” he just smiled at his thought.

Vinay was quite an introvert and had very few friends. He had maintained that demeanour for a long time. Ever since he was in the states, he had become like this. Only his close friends knew the reason behind his current personality.

He wanted to conceal his true self from others especially his loved ones. He only knew how difficult it was for him to come out of his negative aura, which he had carried for a long time.

The long hour therapy sessions, loneliness and depression had made him to acknowledge his love towards his family who would always support him and his decision.

If it was the Vinay six years back, he would have never cared for such gatherings or family functions. He would have rather hang around with his friends in clubs and parties.

Now he seldom smiled or felt any happiness in anything for that matter.

Now for him, his world was only his family and his close friend.

Now for him, his approach was only to fulfil his family wishes and dreams.

Now for him, he was happy in his family’s decisions.

Now he was living for his family.

“Why do I have a feeling to talk to you, meet you, know you?” He was thinking deep about his possible encounter with Sonia.