Ruhanna's POV :

By mid September, the autumn leaves started to fall off their branches. I always loved autumn. It is the welcoming of winter season. It brings a message that our past is just like these dry autumn leaves, sometimes, it is better to keep them aside.

I picked up my favourite pair of Jaipuri earrings and hooked it. A tint of my dark red lipstick, little but not enough foundation, a stroke of Kohl, and finally his favourite black bindi completed the look.

The blue saree complemented me, I hoped so.

My phone beeped. It was Shibani's call.

"Are you ready?"

"I think so..." I sighed looking at the mirror, "Did he tell you something?"

"Nothing that I can tell you, sweety. Just don't break his heart, alright?"

"I will try...but thanks for calling, Bani..."

"Please don't....anyway, you must be getting late. And yes, do let me know everything when you return home. I mean every detail..." Shibani squeaked in excitement.

"Okay okay, gossip queen."

And I hung the call. I am a tall creature actually but these pair of heels won't make him look any shorter.

I booked a cab and reached the given venue properly on time...Alfresco Grand. I think I have reached the correct place. I opened the tall door and entered with a jittery feeling in my stomach. It was a restaurant cum cruise. My eyes shone scanning the ambience. The large chandelier and the shimmery lights were breathtakingly beautiful. I have never been very much comfortable with all these places but I am already in love with this one.

The place smelt of rich crimson. I walked to the reception counter and asked them if Siddhant left any message for me.

The restaurant was an elegant one with the beautifully crafted chairs and the round tables. People from various parts of the country were having their food. A few singers were performing on the platform.

The waiter greeted me with a smile and placed a glass of water on the table. I smiled back and called up Siddhant. No answer yet.

Suddenly another waiter came to my table with a red rose, escorting me to the roof of the ship.

"Are you sure he told you to drop me here?" I asked him.

"Sir has booked the balcony." He smiled. "Have a great evening ma'am."

And the door swiped close.

I walked in the ship hatch nervously. The cold wind blew my hair in all possible direction. As I stepped closer, my eyes widened to see the mesmerising view. There were fancy candles lit up and colourful lights everywhere with a perfectly arranged table for two in the middle. The mighty river was in front of me.This was all too extravagant for me, far beyond my expectations.

Siddhant stood near the edge of the ship, hands in his pocket. As my heels click clocked on the floor, he twisted his head slightly. He walked forward and stopped near the table, folding his arms. He wore a black shirt and dark blue Blazer. After many days, I saw his clean shaved face and he couldn't look more handsome.

I did not know whether I should stare deep into his eyes or look away like a shy lady. Everything was so beautifully arranged I had no words to describe it at the moment.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Open sky, stars above and the moon. I am simply enjoying this beautiful night with an extremely beautiful woman." He passed a flirtatious smile.

"You still don't know how to flirt."

"Come on, I wasn't flirting. Cruel woman." He shrieked.

I smiled and pulled the strands of my hair back, looking away from him. The sound of the river water resonated in my ears.

"Did you hear any news from Jaaiz?"

He passed a sluggish smile.
"He has helped me to get Tanmay areested and now, he is hitting on your beautiful neighbour."

Beautiful. That hurts me, now.

"You mean Heena...?"

"Yeah. He likes her or maybe loves her, I don't know." Siddhant shrugged.

"Oh! She is too sweet for that devil." I laughed out."But I am happy he has finally found an amazing girl. Let's hope he doesn't scare her away with his stupid jokes."

"Lets hope...but you never told me about that girl. She is really pretty."

I passed a murderous look at him and he finally shut his mouth.

"I love this place anyway." I said staring into the reflection of moonlight in the water.

"I know that." He smiled."Can you hear the waves hitting the river bank? That's my favourite."

For a moment, I couldn't stop looking at his face, admiring every flaw in him until he waved his hand in front of me.

"Emerged in some deep thoughts?" asked Siddhant.

"Huh. Did you ever imagine we will meet again after all these years?"

Siddhant walked beside me as I faced the river. My hand gripped the railing as he laid his cold hands on my bare waist.

"Maybe I did. After we separated, Ruhi, I was shattered into pieces...I thought after I become an IPS officer your parents will finally approve of me. But I was late. You were married and it pained more than anything." He pulled me back closer, his nails digging into my skin. I took in a deep breath.

"But I never stopped loving you. As the law of nature goes, I married Sana and fell for that woman after many years. She knew how much I loved you, Ruhanna. Sometimes, I wonder how she lived with a man who was still in love with another woman."

"You never loved her?" I asked softly.

"Of course I did. But it took a long time for me to accept her as my wife. I still feel guilty for everything I did to her. I wasn't a bad husband. I did everything a loving husband should do for his wife. But at night, when she tried to kiss me, I turned away Ruhanna. My desires, my urge, everything seemed so dead. I always wanted to lose my virginity with you, not any other woman."

He wasn't drunk and yet he was speaking so many things without even my asking. He never talked about Sana and when he did, I could feel the accumulated guilt he carried. There was love and his smile imparted that.

"Then...?"

"Then one night, I was extremely drunk thinking about you and my meaningless marriage with Sana. She told me she would file for a divorce instead of seeing me die everyday. She said she didn't need my love as long as I was not ready. I still remember her words. She was so upset. Divorcing her wasn't the solution so instead I ended up falling for her kind heart slowly and steadily."

"Then?"

He set me lose and stepped back.
"I-i-m sorry. I drifted away..."

His eyes shone in the moonlight. I knew how much he struggled to hold back those tears.

"She must have been a wonderful woman."

"Yeah....she was." He gave a wry smile which formed a frown, "I wasn't supposed to discuss my past here. Let's order something to eat."

I nodded.

I wasn't very hungry considering all the reckless things going inside my head. Somewhere in my heart I felt sorry for Sana. I prayed for her soul to rest in peace. I never had the ill fate of my husband's rejection to my love. My husband wasn't mean to me. Never.

There were so many questions I needed to ask Siddhant. How did his heart turn so cold for a woman who cared so much?

While he was eating his desert silently, I asked gathering some courage "Why were you such a mean husband?"

He stopped eating and glared at me.
It took some time for him to reply.

"Because you were on my mind day and night..." He answered and continued eating.

I found it safer not to ask him anything further.

"How is your job going?" He asked keeping the bowl aside.

"Hectic but I am liking it."

"Is there a chance of transfer?"

I knew what he was trying to ask me.

I stood up and turned away. This stillness of the air and chaos of the water was causing an emotional imbalance in my mind. Truthfully, even if there was a chance of transfer I would never leave my hometown and friends. My heart raced as I heard his footsteps getting closer.

"I am leaving tomorrow Ruhanna." His voice cranked.

Turning to him I sighed. He was so beautiful. I never wanted him to leave.

"Aren't you gonna say something?" He asked moving his rough hand gently on my cheek.

"There is nothing left to say."

He pulled his hand away.

"I have got something to say."

I blinked.

"You are right..." He gave a sad smile. "I was a mean husband, Ruhi. Perhaps the worst. This guilt won't be any less. But, when I started loving Sana she tagged me as the best husband in the world."

"But you were really cold hearted."

He amusingly smiled back.

"Love takes time Ruhi. You know I never believed in love at first sight. I don't feel love unless that person touches my soul. Maybe, that's the reason I love more than I should." He held my hand tight, staring deep into my eyes, "You don't need to my Juliet, just be my bossy and wild Monica and I will love you more than Chandler..."

"Sidd---"

He didn't let me finish my sentence.

Under the moonlight, he got down on his one knee and took out a box from his blazer. It was a medium sized box.

"Sid what are you doing?" My eyes widened.

He ignored my question and opened the box.

I thought it was a ring or something but what I discovered inside brought a big smile on my lips.

"Miss Ruhanna Sharma...will you watch these Superman, Iron man, Spiderman, Batman and all the god damn fucking superhero movies in the world with me for the rest of my life?" He asked showing me stack of DVD's inside the box.

I couldn't believe my eyes. He collected all my favourite movies in one small box. I covered my mouth awestruck.

"Are you proposing me?"

What a stupid question I asked. Of course he was!

"You were never fond of the ring and rose proposals.." He said. This man remembered every tiny detail. Somebody give him the best lover of the year award.

"This is so sweet, honey. Now give me that box." I recklessly snatched it from his hand.

"What about your answer?" He asked storming up straight.

"You got the romantic flicks too? You are too good, Siddhant." I was so excited that I skipped his question and blew him a flying kiss .

"I am always good with the people I love, especially you." He said as a matter of factly.

"Oh my God!!! The Perks of being a Wallflower!!!" I squeaked. "This is my favourite."

I kept looking at every DVD carefully. He got me the best collection ever.

Suddenly he cloaked a cough.

I turned my eyes at him extremely irritated. Such a hasty guy!

Keeping the box on the table, I slowly walked to where he was standing. I stood a inch shorter than him with my heels. I took off my heels.

"Are those heels hurting?" He asked concerned.

"No..."

He passed me a confused stare.

I pulled his hand and placed it on my waist. I pushed him to the edge, pressing my body against his. He looked down to find the strong river currents and then returned a frightened glance at me.

"Scared?" My brow arched, "Don't worry I won't throw you in the water."

"I know how to swim..."

"And I know how to kiss." I whispered and pressed my lips on his soft lips, moving my hand on his back. He pulled me closer by my waist and grabbed my hair. I heard my hair pins drop on the ground. His lips tasted like chocolate ice-cream and this time, I bit his lower lip. He squirmed but didn't stop kissing me. I could hear him moan as I kept kissing him deep. I stopped kissing him when he started craving for more. He got extremely aroused.

"I love you Siddhant Qureshi....I love you so much. Don't you dare leave me again." I jumped up, hugging him tight.

This is after so many years I said these three words to Siddhant that I felt like screaming it out to the world. I felt like that teenager once again who just fell in love without thinking and without calculating the future. I like this kind of love where the brain doesn't interfere.

"Easy easy...wild cat. I will never leave you." He chuckled caressing my hair. "I love you more."

As we parted, I passed a smile. And he smiled back touching the blood on his lip.

"Sorry for that."

"Never mind." He winked.

He blushed like a young boy bringing back the memories when I saw him for the first time. As he smiled, I tripped over his dimpled smile once again.

Like always, he is my ocean of mystery. Like forever, he is my Known Stranger

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