So........We Meet Again

Aastha left her home, chirpy as usual, wearing a tight black dress on a Saturday evening. Today was the fifth time her best friend Payal was trying to set her up with a new guy. Since she was the only one single remaining in their group, being a third wheel had almost become a habit for her. She enjoyed her single status and flaunted it proudly, especially when her friends in relationships fought with their respective partners. At every party or social gathering, Payal introduced Aastha to eligible singles, hoping she would find ‘ Mr. Right’ one day. Even though Aastha didn’t take it quite seriously, she respected her friend’s good intentions.

It was Payal’s boyfriend, Rahul’s birthday party at a posh hotel. This time, the man in question was one of Rahul’s family friends. For a small place, the party was overcrowded with people. Aastha literally had to wait in line to greet the birthday boy. After exchanging pleasantries, Payal pulled Aastha in a corner.

“I’m glad you actually took some efforts this time. Girl, you’re looking hot.”

“So, which one of these guys are you going to introduce me to?” Aastha giggled, pointing towards Rahul who was busy talking to his group of friends.

“Actually, none of them. Your guy hasn’t arrived yet. Wait till you see him.”

Payal fluttered her eyelashes on purpose. “He’s a total babe!”

“Oh really! I hate latecomers. Hope he’s cute. What’s his name?”

“Sumit Rathod. Nice, right. Aastha Sumit Rathod. It actually sounds nice.” Aastha punched Payal playfully in the stomach.

“Don’t get your hopes too high. I met four guys before, remember.” For some reason, she felt the name Sumit Rathod seemed pretty familiar. And she didn’t have a good feeling about it.

The interactions with the last four guys had been nothing but mere jokes for Aastha. She never took any of them too seriously nor did she discourage Payal for trying to play Cupid for her. She found it fun and cursed herself for thinking too much. Maybe the guy wouldn’t even turn up. And even if he did, it wouldn’t mean anything to her. She chatted with her other friends and forgot about a certain Sumit for a while.

When Sumit finally arrived, Payal couldn’t control her cupid instincts and grabbed a talking Aastha from the middle of a busy conversation.

“What the hell are you doing, Payal? At least, you could have waited till I excused myself properly.”

“Oh shut up! The others can wait. Sumit is here!” Payal shrieked as the others stared at both the girls. Aastha raised her eyebrows at her friend, who had no care in the world. “Look! There he is!” She pointed her finger towards a guy dressed in a blue t-shirt and black jeans, from a distance. He was tall and had a good physique, just as Payal had described him. He was speaking with Rahul and his back was faced towards Aastha.

“I can’t see his face. Why don’t you…………………?” Before Aastha could finish her sentence, Payal had grabbed her arm again.

“What are we waiting for? Let’s go!!! Payal shrieked again, irritating Aastha this time. Payal cleared her throat, as they approached the boys, which made Sumit turn behind and face them. “ Sumit, meet my best friend, Aastha. The one I told you about.” “Aastha, this is Sumit.”

It was a déjà vu moment for Aastha, recognising Sumit immediately whom she had met two years back. Their families were introduced to each other through a common friend. A typical meeting of two strangers for an arranged marriage, she had been rejected by him. At that time, Aastha was glad that it happened or she would have rejected Sumit herself. Despite being attracted to him, his rude and arrogant demeanour had annoyed her. The snobbish corporate lawyer in him had totally disregarded her and her profession, making her feel worthless towards the end of their conversation on that dreaded day.

And two years down the line, was this dreaded day with the same man in front of her eyes. While Aastha stared at him blankly, lost in her own thoughts; Sumit did not shy away from checking her out. His fixed gaze on her somehow brought her back to life. She realised that he was wondering if he was actually seeing the same girl. When he had come with his parents for a visit, she had worn a loose salwar kameez chosen by her parents. Today, she was wearing a tight dress which showed off her curves perfectly. Rahul and Payal looked at each other in confusion, as both parties failed to acknowledge each other’s presence.

“Guys!!!! Don’t you think a hello would be nice?” Rahul held Sumit’s shoulder from one side and Aastha’s shoulder from the other. Aastha had no idea how to react to this sudden chain of events and chose to keep her head down. Luckily, for her, Sumit was more spontaneous. He offered his hand to greet her.

“So……………. We meet again, huh. What a coincidence!” Payal intervened in the middle, coming right in between Sumit and Aastha.

“Wait!!! You guys actually know each other.” She looked at her friend, her eyes reaching up to her eyebrows. Aastha hated Sumit even more for not keeping his mouth shut. She was quick to respond this time.

“We don’t know each other. We just met once.” Her eyes shot daggers at Payal first and then at Sumit. An amused Sumit let out a sly laugh.

“It was one hell of an interesting meeting. Don’t you think?” His eyes met hers and he shook his hand, indicating that she still hadn’t greeted him. Reluctantly, she obeyed his orders as that was the best thing to do. “So, how’s your interior designing work going on?” Aastha forcefully pursed a smile on her lips, wondering for a minute that he had actually remembered.

“Fantastic! Couldn’t have been better. It was a pleasure meeting you again, Mr. Rathod. Could you please excuse me for a minute? I actually need to make an important call.” Sumit nodded his head as he half- smiled. As if he knew that she was actually trying to run away from him.

Aastha stormed out of the hall, Payal following right behind her.

“What the hell just happened in there, Aastha? How do you even know Sumit? And how come I wasn’t aware about it.”

She narrated the entire story to Payal, who felt guilty of putting her friend in an embarrassing situation.

“I am really sorry, Aastha. I had no idea.” Aastha held her hand in Payal’s, trying to reassure her.

“You don’t have to be. It’s none of your fault. I am okay. I’ll just ignore him and I’ll be fine.” Both friends returned back to the party.

If only it was that easy to ignore Sumit Rathod! Wherever she went, she could feel his eyes following her. He sat in a corner of the room, sipping his drink while observing her. At one point, when she actually caught him staring at her; it surprised Aastha that Sumit didn’t budge for even a second. His eyes were a combination of surprise, mockery and lust, piercing through her soul. She didn’t like the way he looked at her. Even though she had never liked him, his mere presence irritated her and she had no idea why. Why did Payal have to introduce him, of all people?

Fortunately, for Aastha, Sumit got bored of his stare game soon enough. When he stopped looking her way, she didn’t like it either. She saw him talking to a girl, prettier and taller than her. She looked nothing less than a supermodel. Both looked comfortable in each other’s company to such an extent that Aastha actually felt a bit jealous. This wasn’t like her at all. What did she actually want? To get rid of her jumbled-up thoughts, she drank and danced with several men throughout the party with no care in the world. Something she wouldn’t have done normally. Payal warned her from time to time but she didn’t listen. She pretended to enjoy herself in front of others, but on the inside; she felt miserable. It felt like everyone pitied her. Moreover, she pitied herself for staying single all this while. She felt sorry for herself.

Why was she the only one who was still single? In a party full of couples, she always felt like an odd man out. Just like this one. Even though she had already passed the ‘I don’t need a man’ stage ages ago, she couldn’t help the way she felt. When Aastha’s emotions became too much for her to handle, she left the party hall without informing a soul. All she wanted was a breath of fresh air.

It was winter and the air outside was chilling. Still, it felt like a refreshment and distraction from the environment inside for Aastha, who was too drunk and could barely walk. She glanced at the beautiful night sky, hoping to be swallowed by it. As tears welled up in her eyes, she felt a strong hand touch her wrist. The touch felt awkward and she immediately turned behind. A mysterious man guffawed at her for no particular reason, looking just as drunk as she was.

“Hey! Where are you going? Let’s go back. I missed you so much.” Aastha stared down at him in astonishment, wondering who he was. He still hadn’t let go of her hand.

“ Who are you?” She pulled her hand from his grip with force but he held it back, holding it even tighter than before.

“Daniel. We were dancing together. Let’s go. I feel like dancing again.”

“I don’t want to dance with you. I want to go home. Leave my hand, will you?” Aastha pulled her hand again, but this time she failed miserably. No matter how much she tried, she just couldn’t get rid of his hold on her. Daniel roared with laughter again, scaring her this time. “ C’mon! Don’t be such a party pooper! We’ll have fun.”

“Leave me!!! I don’t want to go with you.” The more she restrained, the more Daniel enjoyed. He was pulling her towards the hotel even though she didn’t want to. When nothing was working out, Aastha bit his hand before a familiar voice alerted her.

“Leave the girl alone. She’s with me.” It was Sumit. The man she despised at the moment.

“AAaaaahhhhhh!!! What the hell!” An angry Daniel pushed Aastha, causing her to fall but Sumit grabbed her and helped her get up.

“Whatever! Keep her for yourself. She’s of no use anyway.” He went back to the party hall without any further arguments. As Aastha saw him leaving, she too decided to leave.

“Aastha!!!!” Sumit yelled loudly, causing her eardrums to burst.” Don’t you think you’re forgetting something?” She walked back towards him, stared him blankly for a few seconds, then looked downwards and then upwards back at his face.

TO BE CONTINUED…………….