|| Combined FF : Dented Scars || Part 9 , Pg 33 - Page 3

They both came back to their rooms and engrossed themselves
in studies. If there was one thing that took their minds off each other, if
only for a while, was engineering. Hours passed and soon, the sun made way for
the moon. With the moon, came numerous heavy and dark clouds. It was only a
matter of an iota of time before the rain and the dry earth would meet.

A few minutes passed and invariably, the earth's thirst was
quenched. But the plummeting of raindrops left two people reminiscing about
their past, albeit dourly.

It was almost a year ago when they began seeing each
other. The FITE campus and their syllabus helped them very little to spend an
agreeable amount of time together, let alone go out of the campus for a date,
officially their first one.

After weeks of rescheduling projects, assignments and tests,
they finally made enough time to go out of the campus, have an ethereally
pleasant time and make it back before curfew. They left the campus at about 7
in the evening, her dressed in a royal blue knee-length dress and him in a
white shirt and dark blue jeans. Their company to each other, was like fire to
water, yin to yang, restlessness to peace. They completed the other in all
respects. He was the practicality to her insane yet utilitarian ideas. She was
the calm to his storm of a heart. And that day, they were dressed like absolute
opposites who complemented each other.

In a matter of minutes, they reached their destination, Caf
Blue Mountain. It was a breathtaking, open-roof caf built on a wooden deck,
with an extraordinary view of the surrounding mountains. They took their seats
at a table for two, at the edge of the caf, closest to the largest mountain.
They spent their available 2 and a half hours chatting and laughing away. Who knew
Mr. Shekhawat had such an incredible sense of humor and Ms. Agarwal such a
tinkling laughter?

The restaurant staff had eyes only for them. This couple was
so endearing and captivating. At last, the waiter asked them for any last
minute orders, as the caf was about to close for the day. The two realized the
amount of time that had passed and made their way back to college. That must
have been the world's most unique date as Sanyukta didn't let Randhir pay the
entire bill. She paid her part, insisting that she didn't want to be a thief in
the form of a girlfriend. Randhir had had such a fantastic time that he didn't
want the night to end with an argument. So he chuckled at what she had said and
gladly let her pay half the bill.

Soon, they reached college and entered their common
dormitory building. None of the two wanted the night to end. But unfortunately,
it had to end as both their wardens were waiting for them and their irritable
glances weren't helping the cause. They bade each other a good night, by a
quick peck on the lips and entered their respective rooms. Their roommates,
Jiggy and Kaustuki had never seen them like this before. They were beaming from
ear to ear, literally.

Their smiles were so wide that their roommates feared that
their jaws would break anytime. They were in their La-La lands and there was no
meaning in trying to bring them back to reality, so Jiggy and Kaustuki didn't
even try.

Then, the clouds started pouring just like they did on this
night. They both felt like going to the terrace of their dormitories. And so
they did. Sanyukta reached first for her second name was pluviophile. She
inexplicably loved the rain. Randhir, on the other hand, sauntered his way to
the terrace, mesmerized by each heavenly drop.

She reached and wished that he would intuitionally come too.
So he did. As soon as he arrived, the sight that greeted him was nothing short
of marvelous. There was his Sanyu, ball dancing with an imaginary him. He
quickly ran and sent the imaginary Randhir away and replaced him by himself.
Sanyukta knew no bounds of joy. This was going to be the perfect end of their
first ever date.

He slid his hand around her waist. She gasped. She put one
hand around his shoulder and with the other, held his outstretched hand. He
smiled. A song like this one was playing silently in their minds.

Kabhi Jo Badal Barse,

Main Dekhun Tujhe
Aankhein Bharke,

Tu Lage Mujhe Pehli
Baarish Ki Dua.

Tere Pehlun Main
Rehlun,

Main Khud Ko Pagal
Kehlun,

Tu Gham De Ya
Khushiyaan, Saathiya.

They came closer, much closer. Their faces were millimeters
apart. As if so perfectly orchestrated, their faces leaned in and they shared
their first kiss. In the rain. His hands went from her waist to her back,
pulling her closer. Her hands went on to cafun his hair and clutch his shirt,
asking for more. The heavens were joyfully witnessing the union of two souls.
They were beaming from ear to ear again. They had more than enough reason to.
She rested her head on his heart and felt it beat in her ears. He kissed her hair
and took in the rain's fragrance. Never had they felt so content in their
lives. It was the 15^th of July. This day was now a part of their
history, never to be forgotten, always to be cherished.

Tears were streaming down their cheeks. They were broken
because of such a beautiful memory they had recollected. She was broken because
she was reminded of the moment of his betrayal. He was shattered because he
would never be the reason for her happiness.