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Chapter 1: The first meet (after the years)
The morning sun bathed the quiet neighborhood in a warm, golden glow, casting a tranquil aura over the picturesque scene. Trees swayed gently in the breeze, their lush green leaves rustling softly. A kaleidoscope of vibrant flowers adorned neatly kept gardens, adding a burst of color to the peaceful tableau. It was a serene, idyllic setting, a slice of tranquility that momentarily lifted Arjun's spirits.
Inside his car, Arjun stirred, dizziness clouding his senses as he blinked repeatedly. The world outside the car window spun for a moment, and he clutched the steering wheel, his head swimming with confusion. He looked at his watch, which said it was 9:08AM.
Amidst the disorientation, Arjun took in the tranquil surroundings. Through half-opened car windows, he beheld the picturesque scene – towering eucalyptus trees swayed gently, casting dappled shadows on the quiet street. Silver-green leaves rustled with the rhythm of a gentle morning breeze, and the distant melody of birdsong filled the air, as if welcoming him to this serene place.
Arjun wasn't familiar with the row of houses that stretched along the serene street. As he gazed at them, he couldn't help but appreciate their charm. Each house had its own unique character, with vibrant gardens adorning their front yards. The morning sun cast a warm, golden hue on the scene, making it all the more picturesque.
The gentle breeze ruffled the leaves of the trees, creating a soothing symphony of rustling sounds. Arjun felt a sense of calm wash over him as he took in the beauty of this quiet neighborhood. It was a world away from the hustle and bustle of his own life, and for a moment, he allowed himself to be lost in its tranquility.
However, amidst the tranquil surroundings, a sense of tension simmered within Arjun. He had come to a sudden halt in front of one particular house, Swapna & Uday, it read on the nameplate. His heart raced as he stared at those familiar names, and a mixture of emotions churned within him.
Arjun couldn't deny the twinge of apprehension that gripped him. Could it be the same Swapna he had known years ago? The mere possibility sent shivers down his spine. He contemplated making a hasty escape, but his frantic search for car keys yielded nothing. Trapped inside his own vehicle, he felt vulnerable, his mind racing with questions and uncertainties.
Just as anxiety threatened to consume him, a gentle knock on the car window shattered the silence. Startled, Arjun turned his head, and there she was – Swapna, standing beside the car. Her face held a mixture of surprise and curiosity as she peered in at him.
Arjun was caught off guard. The years had been kind to Swapna; she looked as beautiful as ever, and a rush of nostalgia washed over him. He hadn't expected to see her again, let alone in this manner. He rolled down the car window hesitantly, still grappling with the realization that he was parked in front of her house.
Swapna, with a warm smile, broke the silence, "Why don't you come inside, Arjun?"
Arjun, still a bit dazed from his unexpected surroundings, slowly nodded and reached for the car door handle. But as his hand touched the door, he couldn't help but curse himself for not ensuring it was locked before searching for the keys. It easily swung open, a glaring oversight on his part. Frustration welled up in him as he realized his own carelessness.
Gathering himself, Arjun finally stepped out of the car and followed Swapna into her house.
Arjun, still lost in his thoughts, remained quiet as he entered her house. It felt like déjà vu, reminiscent of their first encounter as seventeen-year-olds. Arjun was a picture of disheveled nostalgia, his hair unkempt, wearing a worn-out, plain t-shirt. His gaze remained fixed on the floor, just as it had been back then. In contrast, Swapna looked as radiant as ever, dressed meticulously, adorned with a delicate bindi, and her smile, though tinged with a hint of nervousness, lighting up the room.
Inside, Swapna's house was a reflection of her elegance and attention to detail. The tastefully decorated living room boasted plush furniture and an ambiance that exudes warmth. She gestured toward a comfortable sofa, inviting Arjun to take a seat.
A heavy silence hung in the air as Arjun and Swapna found themselves in the same room after what felt like an eternity. In reality, only a minute or so had passed since Arjun had entered the house, but the weight of their shared history seemed to stretch time itself.
It was Swapna who finally broke the silence, her voice warm and inviting as she offered Arjun a cup of tea. He accepted it with a nod, their fingers briefly brushing as he took the cup from her. Arjun's eyes wandered around the beautifully decorated house, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings.
As he took a sip of the tea, he couldn't help but steal glances at Swapna. She looked just as radiant as he remembered, and he found himself momentarily lost in her beauty. However, his gaze quickly shifted to the floor, his discomfort evident.
Swapna, sensing his unease, decided to initiate the conversation. She asked softly, "How have you been, Arjun?" His response was short and guarded, a simple "good" escaping his lips. Swapna studied him for a moment, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "I know this is awkward," she admitted, "but Venkat called me just five minutes ago and said you were outside my house."
© The Usual Guy
Inside his car, Arjun stirred, dizziness clouding his senses as he blinked repeatedly. The world outside the car window spun for a moment, and he clutched the steering wheel, his head swimming with confusion. He looked at his watch, which said it was 9:08AM.
Amidst the disorientation, Arjun took in the tranquil surroundings. Through half-opened car windows, he beheld the picturesque scene – towering eucalyptus trees swayed gently, casting dappled shadows on the quiet street. Silver-green leaves rustled with the rhythm of a gentle morning breeze, and the distant melody of birdsong filled the air, as if welcoming him to this serene place.
Arjun wasn't familiar with the row of houses that stretched along the serene street. As he gazed at them, he couldn't help but appreciate their charm. Each house had its own unique character, with vibrant gardens adorning their front yards. The morning sun cast a warm, golden hue on the scene, making it all the more picturesque.
The gentle breeze ruffled the leaves of the trees, creating a soothing symphony of rustling sounds. Arjun felt a sense of calm wash over him as he took in the beauty of this quiet neighborhood. It was a world away from the hustle and bustle of his own life, and for a moment, he allowed himself to be lost in its tranquility.
However, amidst the tranquil surroundings, a sense of tension simmered within Arjun. He had come to a sudden halt in front of one particular house, Swapna & Uday, it read on the nameplate. His heart raced as he stared at those familiar names, and a mixture of emotions churned within him.
Arjun couldn't deny the twinge of apprehension that gripped him. Could it be the same Swapna he had known years ago? The mere possibility sent shivers down his spine. He contemplated making a hasty escape, but his frantic search for car keys yielded nothing. Trapped inside his own vehicle, he felt vulnerable, his mind racing with questions and uncertainties.
Just as anxiety threatened to consume him, a gentle knock on the car window shattered the silence. Startled, Arjun turned his head, and there she was – Swapna, standing beside the car. Her face held a mixture of surprise and curiosity as she peered in at him.
Arjun was caught off guard. The years had been kind to Swapna; she looked as beautiful as ever, and a rush of nostalgia washed over him. He hadn't expected to see her again, let alone in this manner. He rolled down the car window hesitantly, still grappling with the realization that he was parked in front of her house.
Swapna, with a warm smile, broke the silence, "Why don't you come inside, Arjun?"
Arjun, still a bit dazed from his unexpected surroundings, slowly nodded and reached for the car door handle. But as his hand touched the door, he couldn't help but curse himself for not ensuring it was locked before searching for the keys. It easily swung open, a glaring oversight on his part. Frustration welled up in him as he realized his own carelessness.
Gathering himself, Arjun finally stepped out of the car and followed Swapna into her house.
Arjun, still lost in his thoughts, remained quiet as he entered her house. It felt like déjà vu, reminiscent of their first encounter as seventeen-year-olds. Arjun was a picture of disheveled nostalgia, his hair unkempt, wearing a worn-out, plain t-shirt. His gaze remained fixed on the floor, just as it had been back then. In contrast, Swapna looked as radiant as ever, dressed meticulously, adorned with a delicate bindi, and her smile, though tinged with a hint of nervousness, lighting up the room.
Inside, Swapna's house was a reflection of her elegance and attention to detail. The tastefully decorated living room boasted plush furniture and an ambiance that exudes warmth. She gestured toward a comfortable sofa, inviting Arjun to take a seat.
A heavy silence hung in the air as Arjun and Swapna found themselves in the same room after what felt like an eternity. In reality, only a minute or so had passed since Arjun had entered the house, but the weight of their shared history seemed to stretch time itself.
It was Swapna who finally broke the silence, her voice warm and inviting as she offered Arjun a cup of tea. He accepted it with a nod, their fingers briefly brushing as he took the cup from her. Arjun's eyes wandered around the beautifully decorated house, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings.
As he took a sip of the tea, he couldn't help but steal glances at Swapna. She looked just as radiant as he remembered, and he found himself momentarily lost in her beauty. However, his gaze quickly shifted to the floor, his discomfort evident.
Swapna, sensing his unease, decided to initiate the conversation. She asked softly, "How have you been, Arjun?" His response was short and guarded, a simple "good" escaping his lips. Swapna studied him for a moment, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "I know this is awkward," she admitted, "but Venkat called me just five minutes ago and said you were outside my house."
© The Usual Guy
