One Shot: Their First Meeting
The story in my head isn’t just a one-shot, but a small journey leading up to their chaotic runaway wedding. However, my past track record suggests that I never finish my stories. Since this felt complete, I decided to give it a try and post it here.
He asked "College mein hum pehli baar mile the; woh din yaad hai?"
Slow motion transition moves them back in the time.
And the flashback:
The rain was relentless that afternoon. Water streamed down the old college building, the sky wrapped in thick grey clouds that showed no intention of clearing. Students hurried past the entrance, laughing, running, shielding themselves from the downpour.
And there she stood.
Shalini waited near the doorway, just beneath the small shelter of the building. Her eyes were fixed on the rain, a quiet impatience visible in the way she shifted her weight slightly. A few strands of hair clung to her cheek because of the damp air, but she didn’t seem to notice.
He stepped into the hallway, closing his umbrella and shaking the raindrops from it before folding it neatly in his hand. His mind was set on simply getting through the rain and into class, paying little attention to the crowd moving around him. But his steps slowed the instant his eyes landed on her.
That was the moment Shivprasad Deshmukh saw her.
She wasn’t doing anything extraordinary.
Yet everything around him seemed to pause.
The sound of rain softened in his ears. The movement of people blurred. There was only her — standing there, waiting for the storm to pass.
He quickly looked away, steadying himself. This was foolish. He didn’t get distracted. He adjusted his bag and began walking toward the entrance, trying to ignore the unfamiliar pull in his chest.
The marble floor near the doorway was slick with rainwater carried in by hurried students.
In one swift, unfortunate moment, he lost balance and fell.
The sound echoed slightly. A few students nearby burst into laughter. Someone whispered. Another pointed.
Shiv froze in embarrassment, heat rising to his face faster than the rain outside. He pushed himself up slightly, painfully aware of the attention.
And then something changed.
The laughter faded into the background because one person stepped forward.
She didn’t laugh. She didn’t hesitate.
She simply walked toward him and extended her hand. Calm. Steady. Unbothered by the amused crowd around them.
For a second, he looked at her hand — and then at her face.
She wasn’t mocking him. She wasn’t dramatic. She was just there.
He placed his hand in hers. She helped him to his feet with steady ease, her fingers firm around his as she pulled him up.
As she steadied him, their eyes met properly for the first time. Her expression remained neutral, composed, almost unreadable — yet something in her gaze felt warm. For Shiv, that brief meeting of eyes felt nothing short of magical.
Thunder cracked across the sky, breaking their quiet moment.
Both instinctively glanced toward the rain outside. It was heavier now, pouring in thick sheets across the gate. A faint disappointment crossed her face.
He noticed.
Without saying a word, Shiv opened his umbrella.
He didn’t think about it. He simply stepped closer and held it above her head.
She looked at him, surprised for just a heartbeat.
Then a small smile appeared — soft and genuine.
She gestured toward the gate where her car was parked. He nodded slightly. Just like that, they began walking.
Side by side. Close enough to share the umbrella, careful enough to keep a respectful distance.
The rain crashed around them, but within that small circle of shelter, it felt strangely peaceful. No one laughed now. No one whispered. It was just the steady rhythm of rainfall and two strangers walking in silence.
He held the umbrella firmly as they crossed the wet pavement. Water splashed near their shoes, wind pushing droplets sideways. He tilted the umbrella subtly toward her side, making sure she stayed protected. His shoulder slowly grew damp, raindrops soaking into his sleeve, but he didn’t adjust it back. The umbrella remained steady above her.
When they reached her car, she paused before getting in. For a brief second, she looked at him properly — though the rain fell heavily between them, softening the edges of everything. His face seemed slightly hazy through the curtain of water, droplets slipping past the umbrella blurring the moment. It wasn’t a long look. Just a quiet pause — as if her mind tried to register the boy who had slipped, stood up, and walked her through the storm.
Then she stepped inside.
The door closed gently. Through the rain-streaked window, she gave him one last soft smile before driving away.
Shiv stood there for a second longer than necessary.
The rain continued pouring.
The campus continued buzzing.
But something small and quiet had begun.
No words were spoken. No promises were made.
Just a fall, a hand extended, and an umbrella shared in the rain.
He looked at the umbrella in his hand and smiled faintly.
From that day on, he never stepped out without it.
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Tum Se Tum Tak
