I still couldn’t believe the feelings inside me. We were on our way to auntie’s home from the airport. Reena was busy describing the location of the airport and the major interstate routes it was connected to and the general map of the city. We were going south to the bay area, where Reena and Arvind worked, and settled down.

I was paying very little attention to what Reena was saying, as my mind was going through the incidents that happened in the last six hours and trying to analyze every minute detail, actions and reactions on my part. I still couldn’t figure out, if I could have done anything different and what could  have been the outcome, if I did do them.

Maybe I shouldn’t have let go of her arm and made her listen to my side of the story and get her details. But with the cops rushing towards me, I panicked and let go of her. Now I will never be able to see her again. I should have taken her details while we were on the plane, but she never talked to me and slept through most of the journey, so I had no chance there.

I could feel the pain in my chest, realizing that I was never going to see her again. I felt so disappointed and sad and felt like I was going to throw up.

“Are you okay Yudhi?” my aunt turned back and was looking at my face.

I saw Abhi moving to the far corner, she thought I was going to throw up.

“I am ok, just tired from the journey” I recovered quickly and turned sideways to look at the passing cars and hide my feelings.

This was new to me, never felt like this about any girl. I think, she made a huge impact on my mind. I spent most of the time watching her sleep and the way she moved her hands over me and the way her head was trying to create a comfortable zone around my shoulder. I could still smell her perfume on me and the feel of her soft skin. Oh God !!! I think I am going to go crazy thinking about her.

I was not sure how long it would take for me to recover from her assault and become normal again. Luckily for me , Reena thought, I was exhausted from all the travel.

Soon we turned into the driveway of a beautiful home. I really liked the surroundings, as it was a big lot with a huge lawn and surrounded by tall trees. Very private and well maintained home. As soon as we entered, Reena  asked Abhi to show me to my room and give me a tour of the house, if I was up for it. She wanted to set the table ready for lunch, so that I can sleep off the travel  exhaustion after lunch.

Abhi took me upstairs to the spare guest room and I liked it. Abhi was explaining to me how it looked before, when it was Arohi’s room, and how Reena converted it for me.

“I can show you rest of the house after lunch, if you want to freshen up and get ready for lunch now” Abhi was looking out and talking to me.

I realized Abhi was avoiding me and was not looking straight at me while talking to me. 

I stepped in front of her and lifted her face with a finger under her chin, so she was facing me.

“Is something wrong ? Did I do anything to offend you ? I have a sister your age at home , in India, and was hoping we would have the same kind of relationship”

She was suddenly taken aback with my actions. “Sorry Yudhi, I didn’t mean to be rude. It is just that you are very different than what I was expecting.”

After that I noticed a change in her and she was more comfortable and started to make eye contact with me while showing me around the house. Finally we entered Arohi’s room.

As soon as we entered, my eyes fell on an ugly bear in a corner of the room , with a big “Y” scribbled on it. Before I could say anything, Abhi rushed to pick it up and threw it inside a closet.

“Just one of her stupid toys. Arohi likes toys even now and does not like others touching them.”

There was something going on there that she didn’t want me to find out. It was strange, the speed with which she disposed of the toy, before I could take a good look at it. Also  there was no one in this home whose name starts with “Y”, and of course my name starts with “Y”. Also it was clear that it was not one of the favorite toys, as I saw the condition of rest of the toys in the room and they look as if they were being taken care of, whereas this toy looked as it was man handled. I need to find out more about this, once I settle down.

Lunch was simply great. After eating airline food for two days I was dying for some homemade food and auntie spared no effort and made lot of dishes. Actually Arvind started complaining about it, as he was teasing Reena, that she never made him anything special and she is doing it for me.

“Yudhi, we will be going to the airport again, later in the evening to pick up Arohi. She is coming from Texas today. Since you are tired, I think you should take rest at home.”

The word airport was enough to make my heartbeat rate go faster, maybe my dream girl is still out there waiting for her connecting flight.

“ I will come auntie. I need to stay awake till nine pm at least to overcome jet lag and fall into normal routine. Is she traveling alone ?”

“No she is coming with her friend Kim. They both are childhood friends and are doing the same course and always travel together.”

I spent rest of the afternoon talking to Arvind and browsing through some magazines. I was able to unpack and move my things into closet. I also handed over some special packages mom sent for Reena.

But still I was unable to get rid of the uneasy feeling in my chest. Even though I was trying my best to deviate my thoughts from the mystery girl, her sleeping face would slowly fill my vision increasing the  pain in my chest and then spreading outwards. Remembering the  way she licks her lip, even in her sleep, creates the tingling sensation in my toes and makes me want to grab her tongue to taste and explore her mouth.

I wanted to get back to the airport as soon as possible, as the window of opportunity of finding her keeps on shrinking every minute. Finally , everyone was ready and we piled into the car again for the trip to airport.

I was excited with expectation this time, unlike when I was leaving the airport in the morning. I know the chances of meeting her were slim, but at least I was making an effort and that counted. By the time we reached the airport Kim’s family was already there and Reena introduced me to Kim’s parents. Her sister Kat was also there, but she was busy on phone, so I didn’t get a chance to get introduced.

I moved away from the family and was trying to check as many places as possible hoping to suddenly run into her, when I saw Abhi walking towards me. I didn’t realize I was standing near Kat, who was on phone.

“Hey honey, how u doing ? Did your geek monkey arrive today as expected? I heard about all the plans you guys were making, so please include me, as I deserve to have some fun too.” Kat asked Abhi, while putting down her phone.

Abhi was speechless with horror on her face. She couldn’t believe Kat would say something like that in front of me. She was looking at me and Kat and clearly didn’t know how to handle the situation.

“Hello , I am Yudhi, son of Reena’s friend and most probably the person you were referring to earlier” I introduced myself.

Now it was her turn to get dumbstruck and look at me in horror.

“Oh my God !!!! I am so sorry. Really, please forgive me. You don’t look anything like you were described to me by Arohi. Please don’t judge me by that outburst. I sincerely apologize.” Kat was almost in tears.

“Don’t worry at all, its fine, apology accepted and no offence taken” I smiled at her. She looked really beautiful when she smiled again and took Abhi to a corner.

“Why didn’t you warn me ? Jesus  !! He is all hunk and cute … what is wrong with you guys, you gave me completely wrong profile.” I was still able to hear her ask Abhi.

“I myself was shocked and was on my way to introduce you, before you blurted out” Abhi was still shaking her head. “ I had no clue that he was a hunk and we should warn Arohi and Kim, I am sure they will be shocked too.”

“Ok, you need to get to Arohi before she blurts out something stupid” Kat was already scanning the arrivals.

“There I see Kim, go get Arohi” I looked in the direction she was pointing and saw one white girl and an Indian girl  walking together.

Not bad, I thought, looking at Arohi. She was tall and thin and smiling at something Kim was showing. I saw Abhi rush to meet them and then she broke off in the direction of the baggage claim. I was looking around still hoping to find my dream girl, but looks like my luck was running out.

Reena was talking to both the girls and suddenly pointed them to me. I could see the surprise in their eyes and they waved at me. I acknowledged them with a nod, and was still trying to linger around to check out more people. My plan was to maximize the opportunity at hand in trying to search for her. I was sure there were no more trips to airport in the near future and anyhow she is probably gone by now.

Arvind and the girls managed to get the entire luggage and were heading towards the car park. Abhi was signaling me to come and I was hoping to stick around till the last second, which came and went , but no sight of her. My only option now was to keep on dreaming and hoping for some stroke of luck in the future.

Kim, left with her sister and parents. I got into the car with Abhi and Arohi, they moved to the back seat and I was alone in the middle row.

Suddenly the car door opened and one other girl got in. I turned to look at her and I couldn’t believe my eyes.

It was her.

She had the same face and features, but the short skirt and makeup were gone. She was in jeans and a casual white shirt, in fact she was much more beautiful than before. I felt like my eye balls would pop out of their sockets, my throat went dry and my brain froze.

All I could register was Reena saying that Arohi’s friend Karuna was coming with us and her parents would pick her up later in an hour or so from our home.

So it is Karuna. Wow!! I thought. I was gripping the chair so hard, that I felt, I would fall of the seat even for the slightest movement. Breathe …breathe.. I commanded myself. I need to get my heart beat going again and let the blood flow to my brain, so that I can think this through.

I glanced a few times at her, but she was looking straight ahead and was acting as if I was invisible.

After ten minutes, I could feel my body parts again. Once I regained my composure, the first thing that came to mind was to get her details before she vanishes again.

But as I was thinking about getting her details, I realized I was in trouble. The very fact that she was sitting in the same car as me isn’t a good thing now. She knows about me. I could get her details from Arohi , whenever I need, so that is not an issue anymore.

I was not sure what kind of game was being played, but I was in the middle of it. I remembered Kat saying some kind of plans to make fun of me, so this all looks like part of it. I was afraid what she might tell Reena and Arvind about me. I didn’t want my reputation to go down without even getting a chance to explain myself. I need time to think this through. Then I realized she was going to leave in an hour or so and I felt relieved and decided to not to do anything until I know what is going on.

As soon as we reached home, I excused myself and went up to my room and hit the bed, hoping when I wake up tomorrow she will be gone and I can work with Arohi to get the more details on her friend Karuna and her mystery journey with me.