Episode 1: A Picture, A Pause
My name is Shankar. I live in a small village called Gopalnagar in the Purulia district. I run a small shop and do online work on a computer. Though life is monotonous, it’s still my own.
One day, my elder brother called. He lives in Kenjuakura village.
He said, “I’ve sent you a photo on WhatsApp. Take a look and tell me how it is.”
I opened the photo—and paused.
A stranger’s face, yet somehow familiar. Peace in her eyes, a gentle smile at the corner of her lips.
I asked, “Who is she?”
He said, “My sister-in-law. Her name is Rachana. She lives in Bishnupur.”
That was it—I got more curious. I looked her up on Facebook.
Found her profile, sent a friend request. She accepted a while later.
Then began our silent understanding.
She posted a photo—I saw. I posted—she saw.
No messages, no words. Just quiet noticing.
One day, I visited her house with my family.
We met face to face.
Her eyes spoke—quiet, but deep.
When I came back home, I found my mind stuck in her photo.
Days passed.
Then one day, a missed call on my phone…
I rubbed my eyes to see—Rachana’s name flashed on screen!
My hand froze.
My heart beat faster.
I couldn’t decide—should I call back? Or wait?
From that single missed call… everything began to change.
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Episode 2: On the Other Side of the Call
The phone rang once and stopped—but my heart wouldn't settle.
Inside me was a rush of excitement, a bit of shyness, and so many questions…
Two minutes…
Five minutes…
Finally, I couldn’t hold back anymore. I called.
A familiar, soft voice from the other side:
“Hello… this is Rachana speaking…”
My throat went dry. Still, I said,
“Hi… this is Shankar. I saw your call… is everything alright?”
She giggled a little and said,
“Yes, all fine. Actually… it was nothing. I was trying to call… but didn’t know what to say…”
That moment… felt like time froze.
For the first time in my life, a girl asked—“How are you?”
I was in a dream.
Then we talked.
About school days, Bishnupur’s roads, favorite books, childhood memories—even what kind of music I like.
Slowly, we started coming closer.
Not by holding hands, not by gazing into eyes—
But through these words. This was the first bridge of our love.
Every night, we reserved a few moments for each other.
I’d return home, close the shop, and she would call.
Sometimes I’d say,
“Today was hectic. I’m really tired…”
She’d sweetly reply,
“Shall I sing for you? Just close your eyes…”
Her voice—was my medicine, my healing.
But…
Does love always grow this smoothly?
Or is a storm hiding somewhere ahead?
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Episode 3: The Festival by the River
By now, our friendship had grown into a strong bond.
Every night we talked, morning started with her messages, sometimes even a short video call.
But deep inside, I had one wish—
To see her again, spend a little time together, face to face.
Then, one day Rachana said,
“There’s a festival near my brother-in-law’s house by the river. Everyone’s going. Will you come, please?”
I hesitated.
Family… shop… what will people say?
But finally, I thought—this is the chance.
I must see the girl I’ve only known through words.
I left with my brother.
The riverside festival was lively.
No formal invitation, no obligations—just a happy, playful gathering.
And there she was…
Wearing a black dress, a spark in her eyes.
When she saw me, a wave of surprise and a sweet smile lit up her face.
We didn’t say much.
We were a little quiet, a little happy.
She pulled me aside, and we sat on the ground eating puffed rice mixed with onions and chilies… and occasionally stealing glances at each other.
She whispered,
“If you hadn’t come, I would’ve felt so sad…”
My heart skipped.
“If I didn’t come, I would’ve missed you too… wouldn’t you have missed me?”
She didn’t say anything.
Just looked down and smiled.
That smile… is still fresh in my eyes.
But the festival had to end.
Before dusk, everyone started leaving.
So did I—but something tugged at my heart.
That day became another turning point in our story.
But what happens when others start noticing a bond that’s grown so strong?
Episode 4: “That Valentine’s Day and Saraswati Puja…”
After returning home from the festival, my connection with Rachana deepened even more.
Her message would be the first thing I’d see in the morning, and her voice would be the last thing I’d hear at night.
It felt like we were tied by an invisible thread.
Then one day, Rachana said something special—
“You know, this year Saraswati Puja and Valentine’s Day fall on the same day… Will you keep that day just for me?”
I didn’t think twice.
“Yes, I’ll come… just for you.”
But of course, I couldn’t tell my family I was going out on Valentine’s Day to meet someone.
So I lied—
“I have some urgent work outside.”
That morning, I took my bike out.
Only one thought in my mind—
“Today is our day. Just me and Rachana.”
I reached her house and called her out.
She had been waiting.
That special glow in her eyes made my heart skip a beat.
Without saying much, she got on the bike.
We set off together, toward Bonolata Park.
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Episode 5: “The First Touch, A Gentle Tremble…”
That Saraswati Puja day at Bonolata Park felt like a dream.
Rachana sat beside me, fixing her saree’s anchal again and again, smiling softly, talking gently…
And I just kept looking at her.
The afternoon sun was warm and golden.
We found a quiet corner in the park and sat down.
A light breeze flowed through the trees, and rays of sunlight danced on her hair and eyes.
Time seemed to stop.
She smiled and asked,
“What are you looking at for so long?”
I didn’t answer.
Instead, I stretched out my hand—gently touched hers.
Silence.
Her eyes showed a flicker of surprise, then a blush, then a downward glance… and a soft smile.
She didn’t say a word.
And she didn’t pull her hand away either.
In that moment, I felt one thing—
“This touch wasn’t just skin deep—it touched the soul.”
Her hand was cold, but my heart burned warm.
It felt like a thousand colorful flowers bloomed inside me.
The breeze hummed a tune I’d never heard before.
Rachana whispered,
“This moment… I’ll never forget it…”
I replied,
“This touch… it’s the touch of my first love…”
That day, we touched each other for the first time.
But it was more than a touch.
It was a bond—unspoken, invisible, eternal.
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Episode 6: “In the End, You Became Mine”
After that day in Bonolata Park, our relationship only deepened.
Every conversation felt more intimate, more meaningful.
Every morning started with her “Good morning,”
Every night ended with her sweet “Good night.”
Sometimes she would say,
“I wish I could see you just once today…”
By then, Rachana wasn’t just a name—
She had become my morning, my longing, my dream, my day and night.
Then one day…
Our families began to talk.
There was hesitation, a few discussions, some concern…
But the pull between our hearts was stronger than anything else.
Eventually, our families agreed.
The wedding date was fixed.
We circled that date with red ink on our shared calendar of dreams.
And finally, the day arrived.
During the sindoor ceremony, Rachana looked at me and smiled—eyes full of tears, but face glowing with peace.
And I said—
“From today, you’re not just Rachana… you are my life.”
In that moment, I felt—
All the love that was once only in texts, calls, and silent stares…
Today, it became complete.
But this story doesn’t end here…
This is the beginning of a whole new life.
