Chapter 2 - Meeting the mysterious stranger

The house was buzzing with energy. There were guests, relatives, and friends who all contributed to the mayhem. The sound of dholak and shahnai ascertained the fact that there was a wedding. Wedding of Aarya Mathur.

Aarya and Shashank had practically grown up together.

They went to the same school, though Shashank was 2 years senior.

Shashank was also Arya's best friend. They were so close that most of their friends assumed they were in a relationship. This was far from true.

Their relationship had always been platonic.

"Aarya careful you will spoil your Mehendi " Asha's voice broke her reverie.

Aarya smiled looking at her friend.

"Dont worry Asha I will be careful."

Asha came and sat near her looking at her Heena "Lovely design. Where's the groom's name?"

Aarya laughed "Asha you know I hate these cheesy things."

Asha said "Silly girl! did you see your wedding dress? It arrived from the boutique."

Aarya smiled "Yeah it must be kept somewhere I saw it during the fittings".

Asha looked intently at Anandi "Aarya are you happy with this wedding? You seem so disinterested".

Aarya sighed "I am fine Asha, just that all this chaos is getting on to me. I am tired."

Asha said, "For a girl who is getting married to the love of her life you seem extremely disinterested."

" Love of my life!" She laughed.

"You know Asha sometimes we pine for something that it becomes our life's goal and when we get them we realize they were not meant for us at all. Our destiny was something else."

Asha looked confused " I dont understand you Aarya. What's the matter?"

Aarya said "I am a terrible person Asha. I should not get married."

Tears stung her eyes.

Asha hugged Aarya "you know I am your school friend. We used to share everything with each other. Tell me what is the matter. You can trust me."

"I have to meet Shashank, "Aarya said suddenly.

" What? You cant meet him before the wedding."

"It's important. I have already fixed a meeting with him. You just need to cover up for me."

"Aarya what are you planning to do?"

"Getting off my guilt."

"Guilt?"

"You won't understand, "  Aarya said.

*******

Aarya composed herself as she waited for Shashank in a coffee shop.

Shashank saw her sitting in a corner seat and his face cracked into a smile as he approached her.

"Hi," he said and took the seat opposite her.

"Hi" she smiled.

"So what was the hurry to meet just before the wedding ?"

"Shashank, before we get married there is something you should know."

"Is it ?"

"This might change your mind regarding our wedding."

"Is it? I am all ears" he smiled.

"I am not joking Shashank this might even ruin my image in your eyes but I have got this off my chest". She said.

Shashank's smile vanished. He held her hand and said.

"Nothing will ruin your image in my eyes. I promise."

She took a deep breath and started off.

"We have been friends since school days."

"Yes," he replied, " how is this relevant here?"

"Do you love me ?"

He looked away "I dont believe in these things. I am marrying you because I feel we'll make a good pair and we are compatible."

She felt relieved. Love scared her.

"I used to be like you then Ishan came in my life."

Shashank raised his eyebrows?

"You know I was in Mumbai for my internship in the final year. You had already left for Masters. I was staying with Swati, my friend....."

2 years ago (Aarya's POV) -

I admired myself in the mirror, dressed in a pencil skirt and a stylish top I think I looked good.

"How do I look ?" I asked Swati.

Swati whistled in appreciation "Wow, Aarya, had I been a boy I would have proposed you right now".

"And like any sensible girl, I would have rejected the offer."

Swati was my dear friend and lived in Mumbai. I was staying at her place and doing my summer project.

"Let's go to Phoenix," I said referring to one of the new swanky disco/clubs.

"How do you know about Phoenix?" Swati asked.

"It's all over on Instagram, every single friend of mine has posted about it" I replied while scrolling through the app.

I am not exactly a party animal but I love to unwind once in a while.

Swati replied, "It opened barely 6 months back and already quite famous".

"Let us go" I replied.

"Let me call the gang," Swati replied.

The gang was my group of friends, acquaintances, and friends of friends who usually hung out together. We all were either young students or professionals who needed company as most of us were staying away from our families. So we had formed a WhatsApp group where we used to plan out outings, parties, etc.

I wasn't particularly close to anyone else except Swati.

In the next hour, we were standing at the entrance of "The Phoenix".

I met some of the gang at the entrance, a few were already in, few didn't turn-up. Some friends used to turn up with their other friends, roommates, etc. Hence the number of gang members was always floating.

"Hey, Aarya !" I turned around to see Ankit and my smile vanished.

Now Ankit was one of those guys who hits on every girl he knew, even after they refused he stayed persistent. He was clingy and couldn't take no for an answer.

"Hi Ankit, how are you ?"  I faked a smile at him. He was holding two beer mugs in his hands and offered one of them to me.

"I dont drink beer Ankit, but you carry on" I gave him a dazzling smile and mingled in the crowd.

A few hours later, I was having a headache. No, I wasn't drunk. Continuous loud music gives me a headache. I walked out of the club.

The night was cool and I walked towards the parking lot. I was startled by a loud Hello.

I turned to see Ankit giving me his usual stupid grin.

"Hello, what are you doing here ?"

He replied "The same question. Why are you here? You left so suddenly...everything all right?"

"Yeah, I am fine. If you dont mind please leave me alone for some time."

Ignoring my request he said "Arya I have wanted to talk to you for so long. I was not getting a chance. I really like it."

I rolled my eyes " Here we go again".

I said, "Ankit see I understand your feelings and I respect them but I am not interested in all this right now."

Suddenly he was on his knees holding my hands "Aarya I know you are a good girl. You won't indulge in all this. I am also a good boy I really really like you. You are my dream girl.....Will you marry me?"

"WHAT !!!" I almost screamed.

"This is worse," I thought.

I had a strong urge to burst into laughter but I composed myself, "Ankit please get up and stop all this nonsense."

But he was the clingy types and he held my hand "Aarya please say yes. I can't live without you."

"Ankit please leave my hand dont be childish. Do you even realize what you are saying"?

He said "Aarya please say yes. I really love you".

I jerked off my hand and said "Ankit you are drunk we'll talk later".

I walked away from him. He followed me.

I stopped near a car and told him off

"Ankit stop following me. I said no. Just leave me alone".

Suddenly the car door behind me opened and I heard a voice saying

"The lady does not want to be bothered dont you get it?"

A tall man was suddenly beside me. I had to literally bend backward to catch his face. I could see his chiseled jawline.

"What a handsome profile," I thought.

He was dressed in a white shirt,  dark trousers, and half of his face was covered with sunglasses.

"Who wears goggles at night, " I thought.

Ankit looked terrified but he stammered  "See it's not what you think. It's our personal matter."

I pitied him. He was just desperate.

I said "Ankit just go away. I dont want to talk".

Ankit still persisted, the stranger said in an authoritative voice "Didn't you hear what the lady said?"

With a sullen face, Ankit walked away.

I sighed with relief "Thanks".

I felt him staring at me from behind the sunglasses of course.

He said, "Parking lots are not very safe".

For a minute I couldn't answer. I was distracted by his looks, tall, broad-shouldered, chiseled jawline if only I could see his eyes. He was the embodiment of every girl's dream rescuer. It was hot!

Hot in the sense he could send pulse racing. Any hot-blooded female or in some cases even males would have a strong urge to pin him to the wall, rip off his shirt, and ...

"God ! why am I thinking all this," I thought?

"I know I just came out for some air and Ankit followed me, "I said.

"Ah! fight with your boyfriend?"

"Hell no! he's not my boyfriend. He is just an acquaintance I barely know him."

"So? Is he troubling you ?"

"Not really just proposing marriage !"

The stranger laughed showing a row of perfect white teeth. "Well, that's pretty harmless. Why did you break that poor guy's heart ?"

"Dunno, maybe I am commitment-phobic."

He laughed again "I like you."

"I should go now. Thanks for your help" I said.

He said, "If you dont mind may I accompany you?"

I raised an eyebrow.

He continued "To ward off any other prospective spouse. That guy might still be lurking around."

I shrugged "Ok".

As we walked in silence from the parking lot each moment was crackling with tension. I could feel his eyes constantly following me.

As soon as we were in the club, I turned around to face him and said "Thanks".

He simply smiled and said, "It was my pleasure".

Then he disappeared in the crowd.

To be continued.