Serendipity [Temporarily Discontinued]

Chapter 13

Viyaan nonchalantly strolled through the streets of his lovely hometown. The weather was crisp with the autumn winds blowing. He had his leather jacket on; something that his mom had dearly sent from far away Greece. He had been missing his mom since past few days and when he saw the jacket hanging in his closet he pulled it out and embraced it. Sometimes he hated his life; what with his parents being so busy with their professional life. His mother worked at the American Embassy in Greece and his father was already into politics. His mother hardly visited the US. It was like twice a year or some odd number like that.

Viyaan shook his head and tried to not miss his mother so much so that he cried his heart out. Yes he had his weak moments sometimes-everybody does. He was lost in his thoughts regarding his parents when all of a sudden the flash of peach and white pulled his attention. The combination was oddly familiar.

He did not have to rack his brains enough to come to the conclusion that it was none other than the love of his life. Just the mere glance of her face was enough to make his heart skip a beat. Yes, it sounded girly and he-for a split second-felt emasculated, but he let the feeling go and rather focused on the object of his affection.

Piyali was walking down the sidewalk with a couple of books in her hand. She had her brown handbag slung on one shoulder. Viyaan noticed her blouse and remembered the time he had gone shopping with her and in a haste he had picked up that particular peach blouse which by coincidence was what Piyali was looking for. He hadn't seen her wear it before but today. The loose material of the blouse hung to her body. Her sleek brown skin was barely visible under the translucent material. It was times like these when Viyaan wondered when he had started noticing such minute details about her. He hadn't realized it but probably it had been too long already.

Viyaan hadn't meant to stare but these things were beyond his control. He noticed how Piyali's face brightened up when she took notice of him. Her steps became hurried and she strolled towards him with a wide smile on her face. Viyaan wished the way his heart raced for her, someday she'll feel the same about him.

"Viyaan," his name left her lips and she hugged him. It was customary for her to do so. That time when they weren't on talking terms, he had missed these hugs. Yes he had wished for her hugs to mean more than just friendly ones, but now he was content with the way everything was; or so he tried to show. "Where had you been? I had tried calling you but your phone was out of reach."

He placed his arm around her shoulder. "Been a bit busy these days. Should have probably started preparing for the mid-terms like you did."

Piyali gave him a 'told you so' look but let the topic drop. "So what you up to?"

"Nothing actually. Was just out strolling. But now that you are here," Viyaan looked around and particularly to the general store across the street. He tried looking for the Saee's familiar face from the glass door. "There's someone who I want you to meet." He grabbed her hand and crossed the street towards the store.

The ringing of the tiny bell on the door signaled everyone inside that a new customer had arrived. Out of habit, Saee peeked from the back of the counter with a smile on her face to greet the new comer. Only this time, she had seen him already and kind of already knew who might be the girl besides him. Piyali.

Saee tried not to show it on her face but she was well beyond faking it. She knew with one look Piyali-and probably even Viyaan-would find out that she was just pretending to be nice. With a smile plastered on her face, Saee walked from behind the counter and approached them both. She extended her hand for a friendly hello and threw a smile towards Viyaan.

"So you are the friend for whom this guy over here walked down the streets when it was pouring buckets outside," Saee didn't mean to sound rude but it kind of came out that way. "None of my business but I am not accustomed to seeing guys like that."