Haunting Memories (part-1)

"May I know your way mam", "excuse me" mam" "Yes yes," may I know your way?" "Badlapur"

"Okay, here's your ticket." "thanks"

Sigh.

I was on my way through the bus to Badlapur just to escape reality and to start a very new life

Fortunately, I got the comfortable window seat and a little old lady sitting beside me.

Looking at the window at the shitting rain I could rewind and go back to the flashbacks to every day I had with him.

Rain was over and it was cold everywhere.

I was rubbing my hand just to feel a little warm.

This warm cold evening took me to the day when I first met him!.

7 years ago, 

In the strawberry park, I was tense, worried, confused busy searching for my ring. As it was a rainy day, everywhere around it was mud and I wasn't able to search it properly.

The rain started again, all the people around went back to their homes. It seems I was the only one in that heavy rain at one corner of the park.

I was not bothering it though I was totally wet.

And there I saw a boy on the road beside the park. I was starring at him for more than a few seconds. it made it all awkward as he too was looking at me.

Unfortunately, I sneezed with a little loud voice. And that sneeze brought him towards me. I was again tense and not know what to answer if he asks something.

He came close and I started stealing his eyes and pretending to be unaware of his existence.

"Why are you not home?" I was again pretending to be unbothered about him and searching my ring.

"Is something lost? Hello? I'm talking to you?!"

I was busy ignoring him. He walked and came towards me, standing in front of me, he started repeating all the previously asked questions.

And this hesitate me more. I took two steps back closing my eyes I shouted loudly with my answer

"Yes I'm not home I've lost my very favorite ring and I'm searching for it. Do you have any problem with it?" He giggled within himself.

"Are you serious? Here I'm searching for my ring and not knowing if I'll find it or not and you standing there looking and laughing at me" 

"I found you" he murmured. "What?"

"Can I find it for you, I mean can I help you, for searching it?" He corrected himself as if he was hidding something what his heart said. "Yes, please have me a favor," I answered in a hurry with a confused mind. Rain was gone and it was cold everywhere. I sneezed for a second time

"You should go home" He suggested 

"No, I can't go home without finding that ring" Understanding my concern he started searching again. 

Due to rain, the electric connection was disturbed and there was no light in the city. Searching for the ring under mobile flash was becoming a bit difficult. 

"I'll search it near the sea-saw" he informed. "Okay." 

Hiding from me he took out a ring from his pocket and started acting to search my ring. I thought he might be doing his stuff so I ignored him.

 After a few minutes, he shouted "Hey, here is your ring I found it" 

I ran towards him gladly. The ring he showed me was little strange but though I accepted it as it was dark and I was unable to identify it. "Thank you so much for this, I would have rather cried now". He smiled and took his hand ahead introducing himself. 

" myself Roovi" I too took my hand ahead "Myself Kia" we shook hands. "helping hand starts the good friendship" he added. I smiled a little, just to hide my unknown anxiety. I started walking toward my scooty and before that, I sneezed once again. 

"Wait" he shouted from behind I stopped at that place but didn't turn back.

He walked towards me and took out his jacket and put it on my shoulders from behind. And Came in front of me took my hair's bit away from my eyes till the ears. I was all quiet without any move. Not knowing what to feel as it was all unexpected. UnFortunately, my eyes caught my watch on my wrist. "Oh no, it's too late" avoiding the awkwardness between us I moved away holding his jacket on my shoulder with both hands I started walking a bit fast. I reach the scooty and 

I was wearing that jacket. He came running towards me, 

I was about to go till then he shouted, "when are we meeting next?" 

"Not necessary, I'll keep your jacket here in the morning by 7, take it by your way,"

 I said pointing towards one of the benches at the left side of the park" until he could say anything I was gone."

And next day at 7am  I was sitting on the bench which I showed him the day before. It seems that I was surely waiting for him. And from that day it was almost every day we started meeting

This is how the story began, innocent and unexpected love!

I was lost in my world of him till then the bus came across the speed breaker and brought me out of our story.

It was almost 3 years since we parted but not a single day or night went without his thoughts and unnecessary hopes that it isn't ended yet. 

 Its been years I have heard his voice,         Waited for him but couldn't still Find.

To be continued...

~Sakshi💛