Unexpected Encounters

From Campus to Forever ~ 2

Nandini makes her way down the stairs, holding her saree so she doesn't trip and fall, making a fool out of herself in front of them.

"Raghav, have some more.", Nandini over hears her mother talk to someone. She suddenly stops, the face of a certain person flashing in her mind. A person with the exact same name. She had not expected to hear that name in her life again, much less her house. She took hesitant steps towards the hall, and peeked in to see him sitting there. He looked just like how he was all those years ago in college. Black slacks, light blue button down, messy hair and the watch. The same watch from 3 years ago, they watch she had picked for him. However, her heart squeezed painfully at the fact that he still wore it. Because, despite the fact that she picked it, the watch was gifted to him by his then girlfriend, Pooja.

Suddenly, she felt her breath stutter when she felt dark brown eyes look up and into her eyes. She traced the lines of his face, the same sharp nose, full lips and high cheekbones. He gave her a once over, his lips lifting in a slight smile as he liked what he saw.

"Dang it", she muttered under her breath. It had not even been a full minute she met him and he still had an effect on her. His half smile highlighted his striking features, making her heart flutter unnecessarily.His eyebrows rose in amusement as he understood what she muttered by the curve of her lips.

"Nandu, come here ma.", her father, Shankar calls out to her, making everyone stop talking and focus their attention on her.

Nandini smiles tearing her gaze from his face and walking to her father before exchanging pleasantries with Raghav's parents.

"Do you guys know each other? I heard you went to the same college.", Geetha asks looking between Raghav and Nandini expectantly.

"I might have seen him around.", Nandini replied politely, while Raghav raised his eyebrows.

"We were in the same batch, she was in the class next to mine.", Raghav speaks finally, his voice so familiar she could identify it in her sleep.

Nandini's eyes widen in surprise, because he remembered her. She had never talked to him in her 3 years of college life, except maybe a smile or an 'excuse me' here and there. She knew she never played as huge a part in his life, as he did in hers. Her stupid heart stuttered at his words, because he remembered her. After all those years, he recognized her.

"Oh is it?", Raghav's mother speaks, carrying the conversation forward while Nandini sat there lost in old memories.

"Appa, I want to speak to him. Alone.", Nandini exclaimed suddenly. Her boldness surprised Raghav and his parents. Normally, it wasn't the girls who asked this.

"Yeah of course. Nandu ma, take him to the backyard.", her father says, not unkindly.

Nandini gets up and starts walking making Raghav follow her.

"Hi Raghav", Nandini exclaims, after they reach the garden behind their house.

Raghav smiles slightly before replying, "Hey, Nandini. Do you actually not remember me?"

Nandini flushed lightly before thinking that if he actually knew how much she thought about him, he wouldn't be saying it. Heck, it's embarrassing to even think about it.

"I do remember you. Vaguely. I do remember that you had a steady girlfriend, and everyone thought you would marry her.", Nandini adds after a brief pause, wondering if she brought out the topic at a wrong time.

Raghav's smile falters slightly, "Oh yeah, we broke up during our graduation."

"I'm sorry to hear that.", Nandini states, wondering whether she should ask the question that has been bugging her.

"You look like you want to ask something. Go on.", he laughs a little, shaking his head.

Nandini smiles sheepishly before blabbering, "Um do you still have any feelings for her? I know this is arranged and all, but I'd like to give this a try. However, I do not want to interfere in anyone else's relationship. I don't think I'll be able to deal with its aftermath."

Raghav thinks for sometime before replying honestly, "I don't know for sure. I believe I have moved on, but one can never be sure of their feelings."

Nandini looked down, feeling disappointed at his ambiguous answer. She looks up and comes to a decision, "I'm sorry. I won't settle for this, unless you are sure about your feelings for me. I feel like I'm holding the shorter end of the stick here, since I'm the one that might end up getting hurt. We can only go ahead with this when you put your heart into giving this a chance. And why can't a person know what they want? It's wrong to think that. They should just listen to their heart to understand their feelings. Feelings don't fluctuate frequently, it all depends on the time that has passed and the people they meet."

Raghav stares at her in shock, as he mulls over her words. Both of them snap out of their daze, when they hear Geetha calling for them.

Nandini sigh giving him a small smile and saying, "It's your decision Raghav. I won't think bad of you if you choose to reject this alliance."

Raghav was lost in thought, not for the alliance, but the way she said his name. It was warm and natural, as if she held authority over him.

Nandini places her hand on his arm, shaking him from his stupor before gesturing towards the door. She walks ahead and he follows her, quietly making up his mind.

Four faces turn to them expectantly as they re-enter the living room. Nandini says nothing, opting to gaze at Raghav too see what his decision would be. Honestly, she was not hoping for much, knowing that he was very unsure about his heart.

"It's a yes from me.", Raghav smiles and answers finally, bringing joy on the four faces seated on the sofa.

Nandini who had looked away when he started talking, snapped her head to gaze at him in shock.

"Nandini ma, what about you?", Raghav's mother asks her. Nandini smiles warmly at the way the lady addresses her and she nods a yes.

The four of them rejoice and begin a new conversation. This time about their engagement and marriage.

"Are you sure?", Nandini questions, her voice soft, as her brows furrow in contemplation.

"About you? Yes, I am.", he responds, causing a myriad of butterflies to take flight in her stomach.

***