Chapter 3 - Second encounter

That mysterious stranger had disappeared in the crowd so I focused on looking for my friends. I was walking carefully trying to avoid the mass of swaying bodies. Suddenly I was knocked off by one the exuberantly dancing fellow.

I fell backward and closed my eyes expecting to fall on the hard floor instead I was cushioned by strong pairs of arms. Knocked out of breath I opened my eyes and I saw those deep blue goggles again.

My breath stopped for a minute. Not by the impact but by THE IMPACT.His face was so near I could have kissed him. He had an amusing half-smile on his face.

For no reason, I was shivering.

He helped me stand straight then said, 

"Careful! I won't always be around to rescue you."

I felt a blush creeping up my neck "I thought you left".

He replied "Dont worry I am not following you. I was going in the same direction as you".

"No, I didn't mean that...I..mean I didn't realize you were still here."

He smirked, "Isn't it good that I was still around?"

I giggled "Yes...Thanks again" I spotted Swati at some distance.

"I found my friends...Bye."

He was looking intently at me "But I think I lost mine."

"What?" I blurted out.

He laughed "Nothing I have lost track of the person I was supposed to meet in this mayhem".

"Oh, I am so sorry".

"Dont be...I am not complaining" He grinned.

"Well I should go now my friends would be frantic..umm..see you around ", I just wanted to move away and he wasn't persistent at all which was interesting.

He smirked again "I sure will...Bye".

I turned and walked away as fast as I could. He was the type of guy who could make one go weak in the knees but his aura screamed danger.

"A total heart breaker,"  I thought.

I found frantic Swati.

"Where the hell were you? Why is ur phone switched off" Swati screamed at me?

I looked at my phone and realized it had been drained out of battery.

"I went out for some time, my phone battery died".

Swati said "you know how worried I was. It's not safe to move around on your own especially when you dont know this place. Why are you looking so flushed anyways?"

I replied, "It's a long story, will tell you later."

I looked around but couldn't find that tall stranger again.

Swati said, "We are leaving now let us go".

I nodded absentmindedly...

Once we reached home I narrated the entire story to Swati. She was looking at me in disbelief.

"Are you sure you didn't dream this whole thing up?" she asked.

"Come on I wasn't that drunk! I got a marriage proposal and got rescued by a HOT guy twice ! all within a few hours. Phew !"

Swati said, "And why didn't you show me that Hot guy?"

"I couldn't find him he disappeared somewhere".

"So who was he ?" Swati asked.

I realized I didn't know his name.

"I dont know I forgot to ask".

"Shit!! it always happens anyway next time you bump into a hot guy please dont 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 graduate with a brand new job in a brand new city to explore, and some new and old set of friends.

I was posted in an MNC as an s/w engineer. The day I had to leave for Pune my parents were freaking out. I am their only daughter along with a pesky younger brother. They loved me to the point of smothering!

My mom cribbed "Why can't you stay in Delhi beta...how will you stay alone there ?"

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. I had opted for Pune because I wanted to be away from Delhi. I loved my parents but craved the freedom of staying independent. I knew they would emotionally blackmail me into marrying pap suitable guy in a few years. I wanted to explore everything, do everything before the inevitable happened. 

I didn't want to have any regrets later on. 

I consoled my mom saying "Mom I won't be alone, Swati would be there. Trust me mom I will be fine and you can visit me anytime you wish."

My mom said "I know you are ambitious. Just take care of yourself."

After a tearful adieu, I was finally in Pune. Swati's parents owned a flat in Pune. And I was staying 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. 

"Guess what. I have an awesome plan for the weekend" She declared excitedly.

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

Swati gave a sheepish smile recalling last week's date she had forced upon me. The guy could not keep his hands off me and we had to walk off in disgust.

Swati said, "It's not my fault that you are so beautiful".

" It's not about being beautiful. It's about being gentleman enough to keep their hands to themselves. Anyway, what's the plan ?"

Swati said "tomorrow morning we are going hiking with some of the gang and others. It's a big group."

I said, "Seems exciting do I know them ?"

Swati said, "a few, you know Gaurav, Rahul, Astha, Priya already."

"And how are we going ?"

"I am still trying to figure it out but there are 2 cars and few boys are bringing their bikes. It will work out."

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 yawned. I hadn't even decided what to wear yet. Since it was hiking I didn't have to think much. I chose my most comfortable jeans, a black tee, and a hoodie just in case it would be chilly in the evening.

I combed my curls into a ponytail and applied some sunscreen and lip balm.

"That's it I am done" I declared while grabbing my goggles.

I heard a gaggle of voices and knew that the first batch had arrived.

Gaurav was the last one to arrive. He came in accompanied by a tall stranger. 

My first thoughts were "I have seen him before"  but I couldn't recall where.

To be Continued