C H A P T E R - 5

We came out of the hotel and took a cab.Tani told me to wear something descent  as we were going to visit a Roman Catholic Church and second reason is that it's chilling outside..

I thought Italy's climate is hot.

I observed every single passing object from a local shop,to fine restaurant and centuries old houses.I loved the aesthetic of the city.I am not a fan of historical places actually I never visited one except London Tower and Buckingham Palace during my stay in London three years ago.

"Someone fell in love with Venice,"I heard Tani chuckled.I turned to her.

''Tani I am so excited..I had never visit a Roman Catholic Cathedral..and yeah I love this place.''I exclaimed in joy.

''San you know most of the people here believe in Roman Catholicism....and we are going to visit ''Basilica San Marco Church''..the biggest church in Italy..,''she added more excitement into me.

"Ohh That will be more exciting..old rustic walls..paintings on roof and those gigantic windows.."I imagined everything which I saw in movies or internet.

The Church was 48 km from our hotel,we reached within one and half hour.The atmosphere around the Church was pure and soothing my soul.I could feel relive and energetic....due to some divine power.



''Wow..its..its magnificent!''only these words came out frim my mouth..as I was busy adorning the place of God on the Earth.

''This Church is more than one thousand year old San,''Tani told me about its existence.I was listening to her with a aww.

I felt peaceful calmness.

We entered  inside.The architecture of its inner building was..that I can't describe in words...I would be a stupid person if I denied Tani's request to spend our Christmas vacation here..I had could missed this divine feeling.



  The walls were painted by famous Italian artists of middle ages.I touched every single carvings to feel the Almighty .



Defining the life of  Christ...and Christianity.

I stood in front of the Holy Cross and prayed-

'' Dear God,

If my adherence towards You is genuine 

My heart is pure; my intentions clear.

I ask for your guidance and your help

In finding my soul mate, my most perfect partner.

I seek a partner who enhances me by his very being...

Who brings more love, joy, peace and prosperity to my life...

Who I can love fully and who can fully receive my love...

Who loves, honors and cherishes me completely, and always...

May I know love when my true love comes to me.

May I let love in.

May I be willing to allow my soul to know the truth

May my heart be open and my head be clear.

May my life be ready to welcome True Love..

I opened my eyes and feel lightened but next thing which I noticed that someone was gazing at me with a shocking expression on his face.

Wait why is he staring me and for how long?

For an unknown reason his eyes seemed familiar and it gave me a shiver.

I took out my mirror and checked whether something is wrong with my face but it was perfect.

I narrowed my brows at him and gave a question look to Tani who was controlling her laugh looking at that Italian man.

''  Sei in reale?''he uttered after his gazing session.

''huh..excuse me Mr. I can't understand Italian''I said to him but it seemed neither he understood what I said.

''Why he is checking me out like I am an alien from another planet,''I whispered into Tani's ears.

''May be he is your fan after Paris fashion week,''she winked(what can u expect from this girl).

"Chill San he is our most faithful housekeeper and my brother's personal favorite.Nicola..he has been with us since childhood...it just he never saw me with an Indian friend in all these years..thats why I think he reacted this way..''she said and I shrugged my shoulders may be she was right.

Nicola  ran back from the Church..like he saw a ghost.We gave each other a surprising look.

''San lets not waste our time on that dumbass Nicola and see the rest of the Church,''Tani suggested and I nodded.We roamed around there for next three hours.

******    *******   ********    *********

Randhir...

"Ya..plz keep a check on the working process of  machines..we have to prepare the software within 6months...it will be a mile stone in Europe's space research..lis,''I was instructing my best engineer's group on a ambitious software developing project  when I saw Nicola..stood at the door huffing badly if he came running from a marathon.

''Excuse me,''I said to engineers and moved towards Nicola.Nicola gulped hard seeing his boss coming in his direction coz I hate intruders while I am  busy in some important work or painting.

'' Che cosa è successo, perché stai scherzando?''( what happened,why are you huffing)

'' Signore ... Signore ... Io ... l'ho vista''.( Sir....Sir...I..I saw her)

'' Chi ... la tua Madre morta''.(Whom..your dead grand mother)

I laughed on Nicola as he used to scare of ghosts.

'' Ho visto la ragazza in realtà ... la ragazza del tuo ritratto ... tua ragazza da sogno.''he said.

(I saw the girl in real..the girl of your portrait..your dream girl).

'' Nicola credo di aver bevuto ultimamente in festa,' ( Nicola I think you over drunk last night in party) I said not believing in Nicola's words.

'' Giuro di Cristo la ho vista in Chiesa con la signora Tanya,''(I swear on Christ I saw her in the Church with Tanya madam)Nicola said pinching his throat.The pale expression on his face .

My facial expression changed coz I knew very well that being a Roman Catholic..Nicola can never take a false swear of God.

'' Quando l'hai vista?(when did you saw her?)I asked Nicola with twinkling eyes.My every body cell filled with a different energy as well as excitement.

''one ora''(one hour).he replied.

''The meeting is postpone till tomorrow morning..I have a very urgent work right now.. sorry guys I need to be somewhere else''I apologize to the engineers and rushed out of the office and drove away for home.

I dialled Tanya's no. crossing my fingers,if Nicola's words were true,she might be staying with Tani.

She picked up the call within few rings..this few seconds were the longest moment of my life.

''Hello bhai,...how are you?''she asked over the phone.

''Tanya..my baby I am fine but whats your plan for tonight...can we meet at evening?''I expected the reply in positive.

''Sorry bhai..you know I can't say no to you but...San..I mean my friend wanted to see sea coast at night...we'll see you at breakfast tomorrow...promise...may I bring her too?''Do she really seek my permission?

Thats what I wanted from ages to meet my Ms. Cindrella.My lips curved into a smile.

''Why not Tanya..she is our guest..come at sharp 9:00am.

I cut the call and went into my art gallery.I  uncover my Cindrella's portrait.

  Zindagi ne ki hai kaisi saazishein

Poori hui dil ki wo farmaishein

Maangi duaa ek tujh tak jaa pahunchi

Parvardigara, parvardigara

Kaisi suni tune meri khamoshi

O parvardigara....

''Ms. Cindrella..till last night..I thought you were a mere dream which often comes,But...now I came to know that you are real,''I said to her picture.

For the first time I feel she could listen to my deep buried feelings for her.

Ye fitoor mera laaya mujhko hai tere kareeb

Ye fitoor mera rehmat teri

Ye fitoor mera maine badla re mera naseeb

Ye fitoor mera chaahat teri

O parvardigara, parvardigara

Dheeme dheeme jal rahi thi khwaishein

Dil mein dabi, ghut rahi farmaaishein

''I touched you last night..and I feel a strange shiver,I fell in love with you already but today when Nicola confirmed that you aren't my imagination  but reality,''

Banke dhuaan wo

Tujh tak jaa pahunchi, parvardigara..

Deewangi ki hadd maine nochi o parvardigara

Ye fitoor mera laaya mujhko hai tere kareeb

Ye fitoor mera rehmat teri

Ye fitoor mera maine badla re mera naseeb

Ye fitoor mera chahat teri

O parvardigara, parvardigara

God listened to me however I didn't go on His place since I lost my parents.. I became pessimistic,he accepted my prayer through Nicola..and I promise I'll come to You(God) with my true love..with my Ms. Cindrella.One day very soon."

''I can't wait for tonight to get over and tomorrow's morning will bring my love to me 'Forever'.

Then I turned to my lady love.Who was smiling .

"Its time for us to meet.I want to see you and love you with all the love I have for you in my heart in person...and make you fall for me . You are mine Ms. Cinderella and I won't let you disappear from my life again."I spoke to the portrait with same determination in my heart.

**************************************

Precape-

''San meet my brother Randhir Singh Shekhawat..and bhai meet my bestie San..I mean Sanyukta Agrawal.

Sandhir shake hands but feels the same shiver like Party night.

****************************************

Trishla Singh😃😃😃