What was she doing? Goofing around with her newfound friend who was almost like her soulmate? That too in the rain? That too at night! Wasn’t it way too romantic and filmy? Why did she feel connected to this person even though they had just met. Can someone really find their soulmates like that? Why now?

Way too many questions but Kahaani wanted to live in the moment and enjoy without any unsettling thoughts. After all they were just two people amidst so many around them, getting wet, feeling romantic. errr STOPPPPP. Argh her brain was just too complicated.

Kahaani and Vedant had just met at the Oxford bookstore. She was a diva since she was born. The aura around her was magical and mystical to say the least. Always had tons of friends and followers in school and college. Her beauty made her stand out. Quite literally. She was mischievous as hell. Her impeccable behavior and manners were the perfect concealers to her pranks, such that no teacher initially believed that she could be a prankster and when they did, she was sent out of the class. Thus, verifying the fact that her beauty made her stand out. You should know, her parents loved reading historical books and thus when she was born, they named her Kahaani. The one who writes her own story.

Vedant was no less than her. He was a stud in real sense. Cool, rich boy with macho instincts, could make any girls heart go weak with just one look. Loved looking at everybody (read girls) with his puppy eyes and everything was just set for him. He loved being in love and he was kind of a playboy but believed someday he would truly fall in love and that would be final. Stuck with his name but quite opposite to his character, he was intellectual and wise. He was like an open book ready to jump to the next chapter whenever he got stuck in one.

Back to how they met. It was a sunny day with no indication of rain whatsoever. Both of them being bookworms, were often found hanging out at their favorite bookstores whenever they could, but their paths never crossed each other’s before.

Aani was there with Ankush, her best friend. Not boyfriend. Mind it. Oh! How much she hated these narrow-minded labels. Anyways, Ved was alone. He usually didn’t show this side to others to maintain his image. You know? Long story short, they accidently bumped into each other. She had stepped on his brand-new sneakers. Ved was furious to say the least. His love for sneakers came at priority 2. The first one being him. Aani thought he was being a bit melodramatic and like any other hero in action Ankush was ready to fight with Ved, if required.

However, it was Aani who apologized first and with his puppy eyes in action, Ved replied ” If you are really apologetic, treat me to a drink.” Just You and Me.
Aani took Ved aside, took out a sipper from her purse and said, ” Have a go at it but don’t react”.
Ved narrowed his eyes, smelled the sipper and exclaimed ” Whoa! I didn’t expect that in this broad daylight!”

Aani pushed her hair back like a queen and rolling her eyes over said ” Stop being dramatic. You want the tea or not? It’s hot and herbal. You’re going to like it.”
Well! If you say so. Ved took a sip and was surprised. It tasted like lemongrass but very subtle. He felt kind of intoxicated but that couldn’t be true because it was just tea. Right?

Can I leave now? I held to my part of the deal. We had a drink, and I really have to go somewhere.
Aani bought him back to reality by snapping her fingers.

Honestly, I wouldn’t mind dropping you wherever you need to go, and your friend seems to be busy with the librarian. What say? I am Ved btw.

Oh, Hello Ved btw, I am Kahaani, but you can call me Aani. Fine! Let’s go together but we have to walk. A LOT! I hope your sneakers can take the toll.

Sense of humor? Cool! Ved laughed along.

This was the first time; Aani was doing something like this. Going out with a stranger. But she felt at ease. She couldn’t help but notice his blue eyes and well shaved beard. Her mind sang, He is Hawwt! errrrrrr Back to reality. She waved at Ankush gesturing she will be back in sometime.

Looked like they had quite lot to talk and too many similarities to be true. It was only after walking for a while that the weather changed suddenly, and it started raining. Romantic much?

No no noooo! I can’t fall in love. How could that even be possible?
Ved looked at her sheepishly, right at her eyes. What was he feeling right now? Was that love or….
he had this strange feeling that he never had before.

They ran towards a tree but that wasn’t enough to save them from rain. Already drenched, they both looked at each other with a longing. The moon was bright, and Aani looked like an angel. It was just how he had imagined falling in love.

He walked towards her and stumbled towards her. Fell hard and almost on the verge of fainting, brushed past her. He looked at her confused this time.
Already repenting for what was going to happen, she said” I am sorry Ved. We could have been something but maybe in another lifetime.
I never meant to hurt you. Everything will be fine. You will be fine.

Turns out, it was a dare with Ankush. She had to make a random guy fall for her. With that, she even made sure he wouldn’t remember their interaction courtesy the out of the world Herbal Tea. Honestly, she was bored and craving for some harmless fun. It was almost a year that she had behaved herself and wanted to feel her old self. She knew with her looks, boys could hardly ever say no to her, so why not? What she didn’t know then was that even she could fall for someone by doing this.

Just as swiftly as they had met that day, the night erased their encounter, never truly getting to know each other.

Wondering what happened to Ved?
Ved was up and about in few hours at his home. Feeling confused and unable to recall anything.

The next day, Ved continued with his usual routine. He had his protein shake and went to the bookstore. Stumbled upon someone familiar. Strangely familiar. It was a family photo hanging on the wall but there was this girl, a girl with bright smile and warm eyes. He could swear they had some connection.

Excuse me sir. Who’s that girl over there? I think I know her from somewhere. Ved asked the man sitting at the counter.

Beta, that’s my daughter, Kahaani. She was one of a kind. Full of life. With tears welling up his eyes, the man got nostalgic.
Was?
Almost like in a trance, he continued, She and her friend died exactly the day before, a year ago. This bookstore is a tribute to her. This was her favorite place, and I can still feel her presence sometimes.

Ved though somewhat shocked, looked at him with comfort in his eyes. You know what? I believe she is here, and she is having a time of her life.
Half confused with why he said, what he said, Ved left the bookstore with a feeling that felt worse than a breakup.

PS: For all those who don’t have answers to the mystical ways the life works,

I Heart You All  ❤

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© 2024 short story by Rimika R Das.
Feel free to share this story if you liked and let me know your thoughts on it. You can connect with me on Instagram: @Alwaysmissbindas .