Chapter 18: The Purple Saree

The next morning, Veeresh drove to one of the finest saree stores in Rajgarh.

Rows upon rows of beautiful silk, chiffon, Banarasi, and designer sarees filled the showroom.

The store manager welcomed him respectfully.

Manager: "Welcome, Mr. Rathore. How may we help you today?"

Veeresh: "I need a saree... and matching bangles."

The manager smiled.

Manager: "For the bride?"

Veeresh gave a small nod.

Within minutes, dozens of sarees were displayed before him.

Red.

Maroon.

Pink.

Emerald green.

Royal blue.

Gold.

Veeresh looked at each one, but none of them felt right.

Just as he was about to ask for something else, his eyes stopped on a saree placed on another counter.

It was a beautiful purple saree with delicate lavender embroidery, elegant and graceful without being overly flashy.

He couldn't look away.

The manager noticed.

Manager: "That's one of our newest collections."

Veeresh walked closer.

His fingers lightly touched the fabric.

"Purple..."

It had always been his favourite colour.

He smiled to himself.

"Why am I so interested?"

He frowned immediately.

"I'm not marrying because I'm in love."

"This marriage was forced by circumstances."

Yet...

He asked to see more sarees.

The staff showed him at least twenty more.

Every one of them was beautiful.

But somehow...

His eyes kept returning to the purple and lavender one.

Finally, he smiled.

Veeresh: "Pack this one."

The manager nodded.

Manager: "Certainly, sir."

Veeresh then chose a beautiful set of matching lavender and purple bangles.

Once everything was packed carefully, he asked for a sheet of paper.

The manager handed him elegant stationery.

Veeresh sat quietly for a few moments before writing.

To Poornima,

I don't know what your favourite colour is.

In fact, I don't know much about you at all.

My eyes simply fell on this saree the moment I entered the shop.

Purple has always been my favourite colour, and somehow I couldn't look away from this one.

I saw many beautiful sarees today, but every time I tried choosing another, I found myself looking back at this one.

I don't know if this colour will suit you, and I don't even know whether you'll like it.

Please don't feel obligated to wear it.

If you're more comfortable wearing something else on the wedding day, I have absolutely no objection.

Your comfort is more important than any tradition.

I simply wanted to send this with respect.

– Veeresh Rathore

He folded the letter neatly and placed it inside the gift box.

The package was wrapped carefully and sent to Bikaner.

As the courier vehicle drove away, Veeresh stood watching it disappear.

He couldn't explain the strange feeling in his heart.

He had met neither the woman nor her children.

He didn't even know whether she would like the saree.

Yet...

For reasons he couldn't understand...

He found himself looking forward to her receiving it.