Vansh stared at the familiar streets of Pune through the window of his hotel room . He had stepped into the city after years. He had never looked back after passing out from the college. He had been in two minds about attending the this Alumni meet, but when through a common friend he got to know that Ragini too was attending , he couldn't stop himself from coming here. He had to see her , tell her what he felt . He had not been able to have sound sleep since their last meeting.

Vansh recalled the final days at college , he had been rude to her and she kept to herself. She made sure to skip the gatherings and outings in which he was present. There pre-convocation was scheduled after 2 weeks of exams. They were being provided with provisional certificate and 6 months later they were supposed to get the degree in a big convocation ceremony. He expected to see her there, but she didn't attend like many who couldn't due their jobs and other commitments. Vansh recalled the a day before they all said good bye to each other , he had found her reading a book in the lawn . He knew in a day they would all go their own ways. He wanted to let go all the negativity between them; ''Hi Ragini, busy?''

She didn't look at him; ''Tell me why are you here'' Vansh sat next to her ; ''Look , we all are going to go our separate ways in 2 days and I just want to end this coldness between us. All I wanted was to wipe those feelings of your heart''

''How?'' she asked now looking into his eyes; ''How Vansh? by letting everyone know that a silly simple looking book worm lost her heart to you. Vansh you and others discussed my feelings as if they were just some gossip. You guys never cared about how it would affect me . No, you guys hardly cared. All you cared was about the gossip so that you can kill your time. I don't know how many stories I have heard about myself in last one year''

Vansh sensed her anger, she was right. She had been shy reserved kind of a person. Thinking the group to be her friends she started opening up, but they broke her trust. Since, they had known of her feelings, people had started making their own stories about her. But he had been the worst of all, after knowing of her feelings he avoided her like a plague. He would turn his eyes away if she happened to cross his path. He recalled , when their gang would group up for pictures, he would make sure to take other corner of her , or if the friends made them stand together for fun, he would intentionally just spoil the picture ; ''Ragini, I know we all have hurt you. Specially me, I don't want all of us to depart with anger and resentment''

''You know what Vansh, I actually don't care. I just want to go'' She picked her books and brushed her skirt to walk off, Vansh blocked her path; ''Ragini please, we just have 2 days. Give a chance, I want to make amendments '' She thought, he was right. It was just the matter of 2 days, after this she would never meet any of those. She would never get a chance to see Vansh again; ''Tell me''

Vansh smiled; ''An outing, how does that sound???'' Ragini replied after a minute , she expected him to say no; ''No Vansh, I want a date. A date with you'' Vansh was left stunned, speechless. He stared at her thinking what to say , She smiled; ''I know the answer. Goodbye''

''Fine with me Ragini, be ready by 9:00 AM tomorrow '' Vansh's words halted her moving steps. She gave him a side glance and nodded once before moving back to her hostel.

Vansh leaned on his bike checking for Ragini to arrive , she did after 15 min. He was expecting her to doll up , but she stood there in her usual self; ''Are you sure Vansh?''

''Why do you ask that'' She smiled; ''Nothing, few months back you were irritated about giving me a ride on your bike. You didn't wanted to be the part of anything related to me'' Vansh huffed; ''Can we leave that aside for one day''

''Not a day Vansh, hours. The moment I am back , I go back to my usual self'' Vansh said nothing, he climbed the bike and waited for her to join him. She did but kept the distance between their bodies, he felt like an untouchable. Vansh took her to different places , malls they had lunch and then decided to watch a movie . She interacted normally , smiling and enjoying every moment to the max After the movie he, he parked his bike near his hostel and offered a walk to hers. Walking in silence for few miutes he asked her; ''Do you still love me''

''You don't have the right to know the answer'' She replied smiling softly, he nodded. ''Can we be friends'' He asked little hesitant . ''No, I want to move on. I am not a girl who fall and forgets at the snap of fingers. Everything leaves as imprint on me, changing me in some or the other way and the change made here is, I will never be able to trust people the way I used to'' Vansh stared into her eyes, he saw how hurt she was. With others even he was to be blamed, he enjoyed the gossip and attention he got. Though, he had no intention of returning the same. ''I should leave'' Ragini said after checking her watch. Vansh nodded, he watched her walking towards the hostel, she stopped; ''Can I hug you once'' Vansh didn't know how to respond, but something made him open his arms. Ragini jumped into them holding him tightly, he held her close wrapping his arms around her. He body shook with silent sobs, she was crying for the unanswered first love , her broken trust. She cried for the Ragini whom she will never see. Vansh felt different, his arms suddenly wnet tight around her as he buried his face in her thick hair; ''Stay happy'' his voice suddenly woke Ragini, calmed and her grip around him losen, she pecked his cheek; ''Stay blessed Vansh'' With lightning speed she turned and ran off. He stood there watching her vanishing into the building, he wanted her to look at him for once . But she kept her word, she didn't turn.

***

After the ceremony, everybody congratulated each other and started taking pictures as a part of remembrance. Vansh too celebrated with his gang , his eyes searching for Ragini. She saw her laughing with Jaspreet, his friends called him from a group picture of the he nodded and joined them. Sapna too asked Ragini to join , who did nod but then vanished from their eyesight. She didn't speak or interact with Vansh for the whole day, he couldn't believe she was the same girl who hugged him yesterday. As the day ended, Ragini kept her interactions minimum and formal. Next day she left giving an emotional hug to Jaspreet. Vansh had seen her leaving, she just shook hands with him formally before leaving the campus

***

''Room service'' Vansh pulled open the door letting the waiter in, he tipped the waiter before locking himself again in the room. All these years he had tried getting in touch with Ragini, but she had not responded to his friend requests. It wasn't just him she blocked the whole gang. He knew their stupidity had scarred her for life.

He was desperate for chance to speak to her, she was the reason he had decided to attend this alumni meet. Vansh recalled how Sapna refused him stating she already was committed, when he confronted her about using him she replied that it was his fault that he made himself so disposable. Vansh rubbed his face as memories hit him back with full force.

***

''What am I doing with you, it's a function for aluminise '' Rohan asked irritated. Ragini smiled; ''we are allowed to bring one person along''

''That's for spouse or someone from family. I am none of that'' He replied annoyed. ''Then be by fiancé for tonight'' She replied trying to hide her smile. Rohan frowned; '' do you know how difficult that is for me? Do you even care for my emotions'' Ragini held his hand; ''this is the last time I am asking you the favour, please'' Rohan agreed after whining a little

***

The campus was decorated beautifully to welcome its alumina. There were surprised gasps and laughter all around. Ragini entered dressed in a off white knee length one piece, she moved her eyes around soaking in the memories again. Rohan touched her arm; ''all good'' She smiled affectionately at him; ''In few hours it will be the best''

''Ragini!!!!'' They heard hearing someone calling her name, next moment Ragini was engulfed into a warm embrace by Jaspreet; ''You look stunning''

''And you finally gained weight'' Ragini replied teasing her friend. ''Effects of motherhood.'' Vansh watched standing at a distance as Ragini smiled and laughed with Jaspreet. She went about meeting more of her batch-mates and then walked to the gang while Rohan excused himself to get a drink Sapna gasped; ''My my you look stunning, looks like finally you realized looks are important''

Ragini smiled; ''I always knew that, its just that my priorities were different then and its different now'' She replied but didn't give a glance to Vansh. Sapna nodded feeling a little jealous, all knew Ragini had made a brilliant career. The glow of success was so evident on her face. None of them had ever thought that a simpleton like her would survive the corporate so long. Ragini felt suffocated standing with them and excused herself. Vansh had been waiting for the moment, he followed her; ''How are you''

''Great . How about you'' she kept it formal. He nodded once; ''You never accepted my friendship requests '' Ragini gave him a wide smile; ''because we were never friends. Vansh I don't add people on social media to increase the no. and then turn my face away when meet them in person. I add them because I condiser them my friends''

''And I was never one'' he completed painfully. She didn't react; ''Ragini, I wanted to speak to you about something important..'' Vansh 's words were left incomplete when Rohan dragged Ragini along for a dance; ''Thanks for rescuing me'' Ragini whispered to Rohan

''Welcome! I saw you fidgeting '' He replied moving slowly on the music. ''You are not still over him.'' Ragini looked into his eyes; ''I am , I just didn't wanted to hear what he had to say''

''Why'' Asked Rohan. Ragini smiled; ''because it doesn't matter now. I am moving on'' Rohan wasn't sure of what she said, but chose not to probe. The gang sat together during the dinner as Ragini was suddenly the topic of interest for all; ''By the way Ragini, who is this handsome lad with you'' asked Jaspreet

Ragini slapped her head lightly; ''My bad, guys meet my fiancé Rohan'' There were gasps and wishes but no one heard the breaking of Vansh's heart. He realized she had really moved on. Vansh left the campus with a broken heart, he realized he was paying for his own mistake. He chose looks over heart and today he own heart was being crushed. Vansh checked out from the hotel that very same night leaving the city forever.

''He loves you'' Rohan broke the silence of the car. Ragini looked at him; ''I don't''

''Really? He is your first love. That emotion never dies'' he countered her. Ragini smiled; ''. True I still have those emotions, that girl was different and I am different.'' Rohan didn't counter her. Reaching the hotel they retired to their respective rooms. After about an hour Rohan heard a knock on his door; ''Ragini , all good?''

Ragini walked in and closed the door behind her, she went on her knee extending a single rose bud to Rohan; ''will you marry me?'' Rohan started at her stunned; ''You still love him''

She stood up; ''No, I love you. For him I was an option and for you I am a choice. You accepted me for who I am and he rejected the real me. I took you there as my fiancé because I meant that with every breath. Say something'' Rohan rubbed his face for a minute and then smiled, he took small steps to her; ''Yes'' Ragini squealed jumping into his arms. Today she was free

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