Chapter 3 - Second encounter

Because that intriguing stranger had vanished into the crowd, I concentrated on finding my buddies. I was cautiously walking, attempting to avoid the crowd of undulating bodies. One of the exuberantly dancing fellows suddenly knocked me off my feet. I fell backwards and closed my eyes, expecting to hit the hard floor, but was instead cradled by two strong arms. I opened my eyes, out of breath, and saw those deep blue goggles again.

For a brief moment, my breath came to a halt. Not because of the impact, but because of THE IMPACT. I could have kissed him because his face was that close to mine. He had a half-smile on his face that was humorous. I was shivering for no apparent reason.

After assisting me in standing up straight, he said, "Careful! I won't always be available to help you."

"I thought you were gone," I said, a flush crawling up my neck.

He responded "I'm not following you, so don't worry. I was heading the same way you were “.

"No, I wasn't implying that... I mean, I had no idea you were still here." I fumbled, embarrassed.

"Isn't it nice that I was still around?" he smirked.

I laughed out loud. "Yes...Thank you one more."

I spotted Swati at some distance.

"I found my friends... Bye."

He was staring at me carefully. "However, I believe I misplaced mine."

"What?" I just blurted it out.

"Nothing," he laughed, "I've lost track of the guy I was meant to meet in this chaos."

"I'm really sorry," I said.

He grinned and said, "Don't be...I'm not complaining."

"Well, now my buddies would be frantic...umm...see you around," I said, just wanting to get away. He wasn't persistent at all, which I found amusing.

"I sure will...Bye," he smirked one more.

I quickly turned around and went away. He had the kind of charisma that made people weak in the knees, yet his demeanour screamed danger.

"This is a complete heartbreaker," I thought.

Swati was frantic when I found her.

"What the hell happened to you? Why is your phone turned off? " Swati yelled at me.

When I checked at my phone, I saw that it had run out of battery.

"I was out for a while and my phone battery died."

Swati remarked "You have no idea how concerned I was. It is dangerous to travel around on your own, especially if you are unfamiliar with the area. Why are you so flushed in the first place?"

"It's a long story," I said, "but I'll tell you later."

I searched the area but couldn't find the tall stranger.

"We're leaving now, let us go," Swati remarked.

I gave a half-hearted nod. When we arrived at our house, I told Swati the whole story. She was staring at me, speechless.

"Are you sure you didn't make this all up?" she inquired.

"Let's face it, I wasn't that inebriated! I received a marriage proposal and was twice saved by a HOT guy! All of this happened in a matter of minutes. Oh, my goodness!"

"And why didn't you show me that Hot guy?" Swati inquired.

"I couldn't locate him; he had vanished."

"Who was he, then?" Swati was the one who inquired.

I realised I had forgotten to ask his name.

"I'm not sure, I didn’t ask."

"Shit!! Anyway, the next time you run into a hot guy, please don't keep him to yourself?"

"Done!"

I was leaving in a week for my final semester. I felt a little disappointed about never seeing that nameless stranger again.

After a few months...

I was a recent graduate with a new job in a new place to discover and some new and old friends to hang out with. As a software engineer, I was employed by a multinational corporation. My folks were freaking out the day I had to leave for Pune. I am their only daughter, with a nagging younger brother. They suffocated me with their love!

I replied "Mom I will be fine... I stayed for 4 years in a hostel so what's the problem?"

"Yeah, but you can get a job in Delhi as well, so why not find a job here".

I replied "Mom you know I put my first option as Delhi, but they gave me Pune what can I do. I can't let go of this opportunity mom. It's a campus selection".

I had lied. Because I wanted to get away from Delhi, I chose Pune. I adored my parents, but I yearned for the independence of being self-sufficient. I was well aware that they would use emotional blackmail to force me to marry an acceptable guy in a few years. Before the inevitable came, I wanted to see everything and do everything. I didn't want to live with any regrets in the future.

I comforted my mother by stating "Mom, I won't be alone; Swati will accompany me. Mom, trust me, I'll be fine, and you're welcome to come see me whenever you want."

My mother stated "I'm aware of your ambition. Simply look for yourself."

I arrived in Pune after a sorrowful farewell. Swati's parents were the proud owners of a flat in Pune. And I was planning on sticking with her. I joined my office and was soon immersed in the daily routine of thousands of youngsters. Weekdays vanished at work. Weekends were mostly spent on shopping, movies, some occasional outings, and trips with " The gang". I was actually still clueless about what I wanted to achieve in life. One Friday night when I reached home Swati was on phone talking excitedly. I went inside to change and freshen up.

"Let me tell you something. For the weekend, I have a fantastic plan "She exclaimed ecstatically.

"Good," I answered, "but I hope it doesn't involve a date with a weird guy."

Swati smiled sheepishly as she remembered the date, she had imposed on me last week. We had to walk away in disgust because the guy couldn't take his hands off of me.

"It's not my fault you're so lovely," Swati said.

"It's not about how attractive you are. It's all about being polite enough to keep your hands to yourself. So, what's the game plan?"

Swati remarked "We're going hiking with some of the gang and others tomorrow morning. It's a sizable crowd."

"Seems excited," I answered. "Do I know them?"

"A few," Swati explained, "you already know Gaurav, Rahul, Astha, and Priya."

"And how are we going?"

"I'm still not sure what's going on, but there are two cars and a couple boys riding their bikes. It'll all come together."

I didn't think much about it "Ok whatever suits you. what's for dinner?"

The next morning, I was being shaken by an over-excited Swati "Aarya get up...we have to leave in an hour".

I woke up bleary eyes and checked my watch "Swati it's only 6 am! let me sleep some more."

Swati pulled off my blanket and said, "No get up now we have to be ready before everybody arrives."

"All are coming here. Why?"

Swati said, "Yup I have told them we'll start off from here".

I sighed and yawned. I hadn't even made up my mind about what to dress. I didn't have to think too hard because we were trekking. I dressed in my most comfortable trousers, a black top, and a hoodie in case the evening turned cool. My locks were arranged into a ponytail, and I applied sunscreen and lip balm.

"That's it, I'm done," I declared as I snatched up my goggles.

I knew the first group had come when I heard a swarm of voices. The last person to come was Gaurav. He was accompanied by a tall stranger.

"I've seen him before," I thought to myself, but I couldn't recollect were.