Chilly October winds everywhere, an empty road, almost midnight, everything seemed perfect with only the sound of  his laughter reverberating in both of her ears, there was no greater source of happiness for her than knowing she made him laugh. her palms felt his heartbeat rise when he laughed with his head back rolling like a little kid, oh how could you not fall in love with him. 

he let out a huge sigh, the chuckle came to an end, and she already started to miss it. 

"dekho coffee mujhse achi koi nahi bana sakta, puri duniya bhar mein dekhlo...it's a fact.." stated dushyant proudly, as rashmi giggled at his antics, the confidence was infectious. 

"calligraphy bhi badi achi hai tumhari...woh bhi chocolate syrup ke saath, puri duniya mein kahan milegi coffee..." recounted rashmi, as dushyant just shamelessly shrugged casually in response. 

"itna confidence kahan se aata hai, seriously..." expressed rashmi her bewilderment, as dushyant seemed to actually think carefully about his response. 

"viraasat mein mila hi yahi hai, ab kya karein mere papa bhi, bechare middle class aadmi ne jab tak college ke fees bhari, bechare ke baal bhi udd gaye saath...ab aur maanga toh pata nahi kya udd jayega..." replied dushyant hilariously, as rashmi snickered in laughter. 

"bangalore hain toh mehenga..."  noted rashmi, as her laughter faded, and dushyant couldn't help but nod instantaneously. 

"tabhi maine first semester ke baad hi bol diya, ki mera kharcha hai, main utha lunga...sarr pe joh baal bache hain, unhe bacha lo..." recounted dushyant, as rashmi noted something new she learnt off him. 

"isliye wahan cafe mein kaam karte ho?"  confirmed rashmi, as dushyant nodded. 

"haan, ab mera hi nahi, meri rita ka bhi toh kharcha hai..." stated dushyant casually, as rashmi raised her brow. 

"rita..." pointed dushyant to his bike as rashmi just smiled. 

"bas MBA ho jaye...placement se naukri lag jayein...aur ek ghar lelo apna...meri taraf se meri life set hai..." expressed dushyant his modest dreams, as rashmi looked at him with adoration. 

"ghar mein akele hi rehne ka iraada hai kya?" questioned rashmi, as dushyant had a shy smile on his face. 

"ho jayein koi taiyaar rehne ko toh mujhe toh koi takleef nahi hai..." replied dushyant playfully, as melancholy took over rashmi, with her faded smile. 

"i don't think maine tumhe bataya hai...mera pura naam rashmi sethi hai..." admitted rashmi, a little repent in her voice, as dushyant was evidently left shocked. 

"tumhare papa uday sethi hai, sethi industries ke maalik?" questioned dushyant, still in utter disbelief, as rashmi could sense this already getting over. 

the silence grew uncomfortable, as rashmi let her grip around him loosen, which he sensed and was hurt by it. 

"mujhe naye dost bhi banane ka nahi mann karta isliye...dukh hi lagta hai baad mein...jab-jab lagta hai logon ki samajh ho gayi hai, tab-tab ek aur dhoka khaati hoon. bahar mera naam matter nahi karta, as long as woh mere papa ke naam ke saath juda hai...it's so strange, because woh meri life ka itna bada hissa hote hue bhi meri life mein hi nahi hai...kabhi-kabhi, ghar ko tod daalne ka mann karta hai, aisa lagta hai ki yeh deewarein khaa jayengi mujhe...lagta hai jaise, beghar hi hoon..." spoke rashmi of the empty loneliness she felt, as dushyant let go of his hand from one of the bike handle to place it onto hers, lying down his waist now, she felt awakened by that sensation. 

"main aish aur araam ki zindagi toh nahi de sakta rashmi...ek bada ghar toh bas, sapne mein hi dekh sakta hoon...bas ek home loan pe liya chota sa ghar, jiski kisht bharta rahunga jab tak retire nahi ho jaata...uske kaaran paise nahi honge itne..par, khushi ki kami nahi hone dunga.." promised dushyant with such sincerity, that it touched right her heart. 

she buried her head onto his shoulder, giving him a hug from the back with as much tight of a grip as she could muster, and she closed her eyes, like it was a day she would cherish forever. he couldn't take his eyes off the mirror on the bike handle, glancing at her with such affection a loving smile not leaving his face, as he just drove away, not ever wanting to stop. 

                                                                        ***

a year later...

a boy's hostel's terrace couldn't be fathomed as even remotely neat, and that image held true for this terrace, as rashmi and dushyant were seated in a corner quietly, amidst a never-ending maze of water tankers and amount of garbage that screamed of health code violations. but it seemed too far away from bothering them. 

they both sat against a tiny wall, as rashmi had placed her head onto dushyant's shoulder, her fingers playfully tickling around his chest, as he caressed her hair gently with the arm he had around her, while his other hand was busy stroking her arm. 

"final exams, aur placement ka assesment saath mein hi padd gaya, it's just so stressful...ab tumhare saath hota hoon, toh thoda relax hojata hoon..." stated dushyant his condition, as rashmi looked up right into his eyes, brushing her fingers across his hair in a gentle stroke, he only looked at her more intensely, while her gaze got more penetrative, he closed his eyes, leaning in slowly for a kiss, for which she was welcoming, her eyes closed too, as he locked his lips onto hers, and they both started to get lost into each other. 

unfortunately, they were interrupted. the door to the terrace opened with a loud swing, as they both separated immediately, only for them to look at the intruder and their eyes sufficed to say, that they knew they were in trouble. 

                                                                       ***

author's note: i know i said at afternoon and it's evening already, but there is a third installment left for today as well which will be up by 10 pm, so stay tuned for that as i'll finally end the dushyant-rashmi saga.