She met him after 5 years.

Not wantingly. Just by chance.

It was a windy day. Cloudy sky.

Relieving day for the Delhiites.

She caught a glimpse of him. And turned away, her breath catching for a second.

She didn’t think he’d notice.

But sometimes, memory notices before the eyes do.

The streets of Hauz Khas were buzzing with people enjoying their weekend.

Cafes overflowed. Laughter spilled out of tables.

The aroma of coffee and old emotions hung in the air.

Just as she was sneaking past, a small child tugged at her kurti, asking for food.

This unplanned meeting felt…written.

His gaze lifted. The child’s voice snapped him out of his trance.

And their eyes met.

He was hit. By thunder.

Time had carved grace into him. Made him calmer. Gentler.

He masked his surprise.

Both, looked into each other’s eyes.

She tucked her hair behind her ear, her bangles jingling.

Then, he smiled.

But she didn’t.

She remembered. The outburst.

How could she forget?

She couldn’t just stand there.

Dropping a ten-rupee note into the child’s hand, she turned to walk ahead.

In the back of her mind, she wanted him to stop her.

He didn’t!

After a few steps, she turned back.

And there he was. Still standing there.

The same damn smile on his face.

Ohhh, the arrogance.

Angrily, she stormed back.

Crossed her arms and daringly looked in his eyes.

“What?” she spat!

“What?” he echoed, smile still intact.

“Why are you smiling?”

“How are you?” he whispered.

“None of your business,” she snapped.

“True…” he said softly.

Silence engulfed them. Thick enough to cut.

Her anger softened. Melted into a kind of sorrow.

“I didn’t think you’d smile if we ever met again. How could you after.…”

He looked at her. Calm.

“It doesn’t affect me anymore. You don’t affect me anymore” he replied calmly.

“If you think acting like this is going to make me fall at your feet, keep thinking. I was going through a bad phase…” she said, her irritation rising.

“Yeah, I know,” he said. “It’s alright. I’m not waiting on an apology.”

A storm was brewing. In the air and in his mind.

How could you?
Why did you?
Why me?

Questions that echoed but never left his mouth.

He knew there was no point.

But the coolness in his voice cracked, just a little.

Slapping back his ego and his thoughts he spoke, broken “I did love you, you know.”

And just like that… she did break.

She blinked.

The mask dropped.

Her voice trembled. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry for everything. I… I…”

“Shivam.”

A voice cut through the storm.

“Shivam. What the fuck is wrong with you? Snap out of it.”

There she was, speaking.

Sonali.

“You were standing here… lost. You okay?” she asked, eyes full of worry.

What the actual fuck?

Was it all…

Yes.
It was all in his mind.

But something made him turn.

And there she was, far down the road.

She stood still.

Barely visible.

Looking at him. One last time.

She turned.…

And all he could see… was her shadow.

“ummm…who was she?” Sonali asked.

Uh Oh!