Jagdish felt giddy with excitement. He had never thought they will get a chance to meet again, the news was still unbelievable. He ran to the mirror and stared at his smiling reflection, wondered how did someone he knew only for four months could get his heart and mind stuck on to her for two long years. Especially when they have not met nor spoke to each other even once after they parted ways.

Anticipation had him stay wide awake the entire night, recalling some good old memories they shared. In the past, he used to try hard to get those memories away from bothering him however, it wasn't possible when his numerous attempts failed. The memories then would visit him every once in a while, as if it only happened a few days back. Jagdish had eventually stopped trying to forget and let it be.

The alarm he set in his mobile rang, pulling him out of his memory land.

It was five in the morning and he got himself ready in lightning speed along with packing his essentials. Carrying his luggage to the fourth floor, Jagdish stood in front of Raj's room, pounding on the door.

"Wake up, Lieutenant Raj!" he yelled while knocking the door.

The door opened after sometime, "I think I made a grave mistake to take you along with us" Raj swung the door open and walked back inside.

"Ha, I thought you were still asleep" Jagdish skipped in. "Make way for the Captain, please" he said and pushed Raj away from the mirror. Jagdish begin brushing his hair with his fingers while whistling.

"Move away!" 

"Fine.... Who else are coming with us?" 

"Aarifa, Raghav and Salim" replied Raj.

"Awesome!" he said and laid on Raj's bed while he waited for the latter to finish packing.

------

At the early hour the airport was as serene as it ever was. The people move with ease, quiet rivers of humanity freshly roused from their slumber. The group of five silently went through the procedures to the immigration, security check and finally reached the boarding gate.

While they waited at the boarding area, Raghav Singh who is also a captain in the navy watched Jagdish with question filled face. Contemplating whether should he get his doubt cleared or not as they hardly had conversation apart from discussing regarding work. However, Jagdish's presence in the troop to the wedding urged him to approach the former.

"Captain J? If you don't mind, I would like to ask you something" Raghav begin.

Jagdish who was having a conversation with Raj, stopped and read the face of his colleague, nodding. "I'm curious. You never attended any function of our colleagues. What made you change your mind?" asked Raghav, settling on the seat next to Jagdish. At the same time, he glanced at his watch. They still had half an hour to go before the flight takes off.

Jagdish only smiled and sipped the hot coffee Salim had offered. Remembering his own words he told them when they were invited for the first wedding soon after he was stationed in Vishakhapatnam two years ago.

'I had stopped attending functions like weddings after a couple of years I joined the navy.'

Why? It's because of the most common and undying question of all relatives, 'When are you getting married? When are you settling down?' annoyed him. The fact he was unmarried bothered them like a bed bug. He couldn't stand them nagging about marriage, it became the only matter they worried about him and nothing else. For that reason, Jagdish chose not to meet anyone in such functions that would instigate question of marriage ever again. It's seemed better to stay away from them knowing that none would understand, why he was avoiding to be in relationship.

Jagdish was thankful for his understanding mother who never questioned his decision.

'I don't wanted to make a promise of a lifetime to someone who will end up broken one day because of me'

However, the reason for him to attend this particular wedding was special. Yashodha, her sparkling self, her unique style and mostly her angelic appearance captivated him. Oh, and the pair of brown eyes that held its permanent place in his mind.Not only did her differences attracted him but their same opinion about life hooked them into a unique friendship.

'Live the moment as long as we can. Only give promises that you can fulfil otherwise we will end up worrying about the promises we can't commit' her words echoed in him.

Him joining the troop to Jodhpur was to meet the woman who had torn the anti-love screen he had spread before him, into pieces. Well, he isn't exactly anti-love, it's  the relationship that he wanted to avoid because it will only brings heartbreaks.

Raghav cleared his throat pulling Jagdish out of reverie. "Oi! Where have you lost Captain?" he asked.

"Just thinking about the reason. Someone special is coming" he answered with a widespread smile across his face.

It would be a lie if he says that he had a sudden urge to attend or that he was forced by Raj and Aarifa to join them. Raghav isn't a fool to believe his lame reasons, anyway.

"Ohho... Is it a girl, captain?" Raghav nudged Jagdish's shoulder.

The latter only stuck his tongue out in respond.

-----

Jagdish jogged his way up to the terrace of his quarters after hurriedly changing into his casual outfit. It's been sometime since they met. A startling low rumble rang loud in the cool air, the sky roaring with satisfaction. It was the signal she was here to grace him with her presence. He rushed up to meet his dear friend.

The rain.

Jagdish loves rain as much as he love the sea. The rain gave him a sense of cleanliness in the atmosphere washing away the impurities created by humans. He took a deep breath; a dense earthy smell rised from the ground.

It was a rainy night in Mumbai and what could be the best way for him to enjoy his two-day holiday then drenching himself in the shower the nature offered. Spreading his arms open, facing up the sky with eyes closed, Jagdish let the rain do its magic. Soaking in the huge cold droplets from the sky, he felt alive.

After sometime, Jagdish walked further towards the railing. There was no presence of any humans on the terrace but one. His eyes caught that one figure drenching in the rain on the building opposite to his.

Jagdish could recognise who the person was from far though they had only met once. As he watched her, their eyes locked. A silent, unknown exchange of emotion evolved until the thunder tore their gaze. Neither one could make out what happened a while ago as they looked away rather feeling silly.

He, from far saw her laughing, shaking her head and later she turned back looking at his direction. Yashodha waved towards him acknowledging his presence as he did the same. Avoiding the awkward situation, she moved away looking else where.

With her attention on the other side, Jagdish use it as an opportunity to study her. There wasn't much he could observe from far with the rain heavily blurring his vision however, he quickly noticed her gaze switched back to him. She was signalling something with her hands pointing upwards.

"What?!" he yelled, hoping her could hear.

"The rain! It's getting heavier! Go inside!" she yelled back motioning her hand.

'Well, look who's talking' he muttered and point to her to do the same.

It seemed like she understood as she raised both her hands up waving back to him, Yashodha ran inside.

Watching the retreating figure, Jagdish's mind rewind to the moment happened a while ago. The sudden inexplicable feeling left him clueless. Why he felt so? The thud he felt when their eyes met and the rapid heartbeats was so new for him.

Drenching in the heavy rain, Jagdish let himself soak into the unknown emotion. However, he understood nothing, only the face of Yashodha of the time he met her for the first at the medical domain flashed. He immediately snapped his eyes open.

Panting as if he ran a mile, Jagdish stood rooted to the floor. "I hope this isn't the beginning of what I never want it to happen" he muttered to himself.

--------

Who loves rain?

and what's your favorite rain song?

Don't forget to comment and vote