Author’s Note

If you are expecting a hardcore romance & heartbreak, this is not for you. If you are looking for something simple and emotional unrequited love. You are in right place.

This is my very first frictional story and I hope you all like it

Dedicated to:

My imagination

Declaration

The following story is fictional and does not depict any actual person or event. Any resemblance to actual person, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved:

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without prior written permission of the author.

Chapters 01 | COINCIDENCE

Pawan Rao

It's Friday morning at 9.30 AM, and everyone in our home is either getting ready or preparing to welcome the groom's family. I am doing the same. I am getting ready after finishing the preparations. It is an important day for me as a father. Of course, I have to look good as the father of the bride-to-be. We are going me meet her future family. I hope they are good people. I wish she will be happy being part of that family. While I was getting ready, my wife called me to inform me that the groom's family has arrived.

I am in hurry, I am a little nervous, last month when she said that she loves a boy and wants to marry him. I was happy that she chose to speak with her parents regarding it rather than trying to elope. But still, I don't know anything except that she loves someone. I wanted to meet that person & his parents to decide, whether to approve or decline.

While walking down the stairs to meet the groom's family I felt a sense of déjà vu. A familiar voice, a familiar laugh. I am stunned and not even shaking a bit, my throat felt dry, heart started beating fast. I can't believe my own dam eyes.

Hari? I asked to confirm.

The Woman standing next to my wife turned towards me in amusement and answered

Harani: Pavan? is that you?

Soumya: do you both know each other?

We both answered yes with a big smile.

Harini: How have you been? it's more than 25 years right? since the last time when we met?

Pavan: It's been 28 years.

Harini: yes, I guess so

Sanjay: It's better that you both know each other.

Pavan: She was my best friend back in college. After college, we lost contact.

"Let me introduce myself formally, Namaskara, I am Pavan Rao, this is my wife Sowmya"

"We are Neha's parents"

Sanjay: Namaskara, as you know, I am Sanjay Kulkarni this is my wife Harini, and that's our elder son Rakshit.

Rakshit: Namaskra Uncle, Aunty.

Sanjay: As you, both are aware our son Rakshit & your daughter Neha love each other. As their parents, we came to discuss this with you.

As the actual conversation started and both families discussed their kid's relationship then decided to share their opinion after some time may be a week later.

Sowmya gave her house tour to Harini. While Rakshit & Neha was in the living room with Sanjay, Pavan.

Sowmya: My husband always used to tell me about his best friend. I never thought I would meet her through my

daughter. it's such a coincidence.

Harini: Yes, it is.

Sowmya: Since when you got to know about my daughter?

Harini: I know her since her college days being her lecturer. But about them, since last month.

Sowmya: I think we met once in a temple do you remember?

Harini: we?

Sowmya: Yes

Harini: oh

Harini Handing Sowmya a gift they brought

Harini: This is a gesture from us.

Sowmya: You are making it too formal

Harini: No, I am not, please accept it.

Sowmya nods with a smile and collects.

As Sanjay calls Harini both of them went back to the living room where the other four are waiting for them (Sanjay, Pawan, Neha, Rakshit).

Sanjay: "It was nice meeting you all. We will let you know about our answer."

Harini while smiling said, " We will be leaving". Sanjay & Rakshit nodded.

The Kulkarni family left.

Pawan Rao

The Kulkarni Family Left. Me standing near the door, folding my arms around still looking toward the way their car left. it's out of my sight now but I just wanted to watch her more, just a little more. I shut my eyes close taking a long breath to calm down.

Hari... Harini. My best friend & my first love. It has been 28 years and still it feels like yesterday. It was worth to look at her smiley face and a happy family. She looks so beautiful. Her style is changed for sure. If I look back, she used to look cute but now she looks elegant in that silk Saree. Of course, it is my first time seeing her in a saree. I always wanted to see her in a saree. Finally, when I saw her, I can't take my eyes off her.

At a time when I should be warrying about my daughter's future, I am just relieved that I finally saw my first love after these years. She getting older so gracefully like a fine wine. That gray hair fits so beautifully with her mature personality. She didn't even try to hide it with colour. As expected from her. She is never conscious of her beauty. That one thing always makes her special. Not hiding anything. Always ready to face everything that gets in her life.

Neha: Appa, Appaaa?

I opened my eyes, and look at Neha's excited and curious eyes.

Pavan: What?

Neha: How do you know her?

Pavan: With a small smirk: didn't I tell you all earlier that she was my best friend during my college days?

Sowmya: It sounds so interesting. His mother is your best friend and her favourite lecturer. And I am

Neha: Amma, now please don't tell me that you know his dad.

Sowmya: Yes. I do

Neha: Seriously, noooo

Sowmya: ha ha I am just kidding. I was saying that I am just unaware of this fact till now. This must be your fate to get into that family. They seem like good people. and looks towards her husband. He nods yes.

Neha was still looking toward her father with puppy eyes for the answer. he says "Fine, I will tell you". When I was in my first year of engineering college, I met her. We both have pretty much the same personality so somehow, we became friends. We loved to read, I loved to play and she enjoys watching games. She used to calm me down in every fight I get into. Neha agrees to say that it suits her. I nod and continued the story "Because of my short temper, it was mandatory for her to attend every Kabaddi match that I was participating in". We both used to compete very badly for our marks. She was our class representative & I was the sports representative. My college days where so much fun, thanks to her. After graduating, I came back to Mysore and we lost the touch. That's it.

Are you happy now? that now you know everything? "A little Appa" Neha smiles and asks " But I have a question" what's that? Pavan repays. Why didn't you just call her after college. If you both where best friends didn't you have her phone number? Come on, it was 1995. Sowmya repays that they didn't have social media those days. So, they need to register a call in the telephone booth to call someone. Thinking about the long process of calling, Neha Stopped questioning.

Sowmya asks her husband what he thinks about the Groom family. He says that need to check about their family background before deciding anything. Sowmya agrees.

Harini Sanjay Kulkarni

Sanjay was driving the car, I sat next to him and Rakshit was in the

back seat. It is about 30 min journey if there is no traffic. Again, it's

Bengaluru, you can’t guess the traffic guru. I was simply smiling while looking

out the window. Both father and son were looking at me. “Shrimati seems too

happy; don’t you think Rakshit?”. “Yes, I do. Appa. I wonder what the reason

is” I turned toward my husband and son and said “Yes, I am. The reason is

simple meeting my old friend reminded me of my college days.” “Hmm” Sanjay

looks back to me while driving.

 Harini: Looking at his mischievous smile I asked

“What was that?

Sanjay: “I am just driving” he answers with a small

smirk.

Harini: “Oh, are you?”

Sanjay: “Can’t you see?”

 Harini: “No, I can’t”

Sanjay: “So that’s why you should not leave your glasses at

home. You are getting older remember” I pinch him with an annoyed

expression.  As we both are busy with our chit-chat, Rakshit is busy

chatting with Neha and discussing today's successful meeting. They think both

families going to agree.  We all became busy with our work as soon as we

reach home.

***

 It was 12.30 AM and Sanjay just came back from the work. It was a tough

day for him considering meeting Neha's family and going back to work as soon as

we came back. He returned home after 12. Being a surgeon, he always wishes that

he could get some more time with his family. Again, he can't help when it's

about someone's life and death situation.

As he enters the room, notices the absence of Harini and starts

searching for her. Harini was standing on the balcony looking at the streets.

It was very cold out there so puts a shawl on her. Harini senses the presence

of certain somebody and turns toward him. Their eyes meet, and looking at the shawl

in her arms she asks “You came?". "Hmm," Sanjay says while

kissing her forehead. Both were looking at the street.

He asks " Is everything okay?" I answered

"Hmm" Looked toward the street.

" Are you worried? "

" Yes, A little" I put my head on his shoulder and ask him

what he thinks about Neha. Sanjay says that he will answer tomorrow. Sanjay:"

it's pretty late and Hari should go to bed " I nod. we came back to our

room. I close my eyes and try to sleep but I can't. The past incidents are

running in front of my eyes like a movie.

30 years ago, when I first met Pavan in our classroom. How naturally we

came friends to close friends. How we both used to call each other. The fight

and last meeting. Everything came in front of my eyes. Somehow thinking about

the past, I fall asleep.