The Unseen Part Of My Life

The Knowing

20 years ago.

"I am so confused" Ria cried. "Why?" Khushboo asked. "I don't know what to wear. I wanna look my best today. He finally asked me out." Ria said. "Wear that little black dress which you bought a week ago" Khushboo suggested. "Well okay, I will wear and show it to you wait here" Ria said.

Ria wore that black dress. It had little lace detailing. The lace detailing made the dress look beautiful. Ria had long hairs. She let it open for the first time. She applied maroon colored lipstick which belonged to her mother. She wore a silver bracelet and loop earrings. She wore a pair of her pencil heels and came out finally. "Wow beautiful" Khushboo said. "I am ready, thanks. I am looking okayish right? Nothing over the top?" Ria asked curiously. "No. Its all perfect" Khushboo reassured her. "Okay. Thank you so much" Ria said.

Shaan was supposed to pick Ria at 8 pm for their very first date. Ria had convinced her parents for late night outing and she took Khushboo's name. Ria was 16 years old at the time. Khushboo lived alone as she belonged to Nagpur and she had shifted to Mumbai for further studies.

Ria was ready at 7.30, she was so excited that she couldn't stop herself from smiling. She spent the half hour talking to khushboo.

Exactly at 8 pm like a gentleman that he was, Shaan came upstairs to pick Ria. He got a bouquet of 30 roses along with him. He handed the flowers and asked Ria if she loved it. She loved it. He then asked if they could head out for dinner, as she was ready she said yes. She left the bouquet at the table and headed out with him.

They went to one of the finest restaurant in Mumbai. Ria couldn't stop blushing and Shaan couldn't help but notice. Ria was the happiest.

She had been in love with Shaan forever. They both belonged to same school. They ended up in same junior college. It was  good luck that they both were always together. The fate was trying hard to unite them. Ria was a normal girl with average popularity. She wasn't popular. Shaan was one of the most popular guys in the college, but he had his eyes on Ria since school days. He never had the guts to confront her.

There was some college fest going on and Ria participated as an actor. She loved drama but her parents didn't. So the only way to fulfill her dream was through college shows. She was the leading actress and Shaan leading actor. It is from there that they started talking to each other.

Rehearsals and break time is what got them closer. She used to hang out with him and he loved her company. The chemistry between them was insanely good onscreen and off screen. It seemed like they were made only for each other. They never dated anyone. They waited for each other and look how fate united them.

Ria belonged to a very conservative family while Shaan belonged to a very open minded family. Shaan wanted to do something in bollywood line. Shaan and Ria rocked the show and whole college couldn't help but adore how those two ruled everyone's heart.

After a few months Shaan finally gathered his guts and confessed his loce to Ria and Ria didn't react. She tried to play cool and that is when Shaan thought she didn't like him. So he took a step backwards. But Ria had something else on her mind. She wanted to surprise Shaan. She ignored Shaan for about a week and Shaan was obviously devastated.

One fine day she asked him to meet her in the canteen. So he did. When he entered he was surprised as she had bought a cake and people behind her were holding a banner which said, "Will you be my boyfriend?", He couldn't help but smile like an idiot. He said yes.

Nobody could do what she did. She surprised him and that is how they started dating. They were adorable and people shipped them.

Ria found her soul in him. He was the love she had been looking for. She was homesick for his arms. She grew more and more healthy. Her face became brighter. She looked happy from the inside and maybe that is what love does. It makes you happy from the inside. It makes you healthy.

They had never been out together so Shaan decided to take her out. He asked her to give him one evening and leave the rest on him. She was hesitant but somehow she convinced her parents.

When finally the night arrived her stomach was full of butterflies. She was nervous and shy. She didn't know how it would go.

Present

I opened the door. Flashbacks hit me as hard as they could. I am nervous like I was 20 years ago. Shaan is standing on the door with a bouquet of Roses again. He knew exactly what I loved. The only thing changed now was that I was married and we couldn't ever get back together. I took the bouquet placed it on the table and we headed out. Nothing had changed. He got flowers. I don't know how he feels for me. Whether he is married or not. There was so much we had to talk about and how badly I wanted to tell him what I have missed in the last 15 years.

We reached downstairs. He had already booked a cab. He opened the door for me and then he sat inside.

"So you were already ready I see" Shaan said trying to control his smile. "No, I wasn't that is why I got late" I said trying to convince him. "I know you" He came closer and whispered, "You are still the same", "Please maintain distance" I said trying to avoid eye contact. Shaan went backwards and said, "Do you realize that you can't look me in the eye?". I said, "I can please don't say all these things. It doesn't feel right", as soon as she completed her sentence the driver told them that they had reached their destination. They got down and went inside the restaurant.

"Table for two" Shaan told the receptionist. The receptionist then guided them to their tables.

Shaan pulled the chair for me and then he went on his side to sit. "Wine or still beer?" Shaan asked trying to tease me. "Wine" I replied. Shaan ordered Wine. As soon as the wine was served we started sipping the wine. I was nervous and shy. "So what your husband does?" Shaan asked. "He has his own business" I replied. "Okay. Just so you know I am married too" Shaan said. It broke my heart a little. I knew this was going to happen but I wasn't ready to hear it. "Oh, What's her name?" I asked. "Bhoomi" He replied. "Okay that is great. Why are we here then? We both are married shouldn't we not be meeting?" I asked. "I know. There is something. We both travel to the same city alone. Without our partners and run into each other. Fate has something planned" Shaan said. "I don't care what is planned, I am married and I don't want to ruin that" I said. "Okay. Let's just take these few days for ourselves and forget for a while that we are married" Shaan replied. It was an tempting offer, but it wasn't right. "I can't. I love my husband" I said. "Okay. I was just testing you. Don't get me wrong. We can be friends and I am meeting you as a friend right now" He replied. "Okay. So let's order something?" I asked. "Yeah sure please check the menu" He said. I checked and ordered some food and he did the same. He still loved Roasted Chicken with Salad. "So where do you work? What is his name? Do you have kids?" Shaan asked curiously. "Yes, I have two kids and my husband's name is Rihaan and I am an housewife" I replied. "Okay" he replied, I asked "Do you have kids?", he said "Yes I do. One daughter. Her name is Kaya", I replied, "Beautiful. I have one daughter and one son. My daughter's name is Angira and Son's name is Samarth", "Oh nice name" He said. "Show me their pictures" Shaan insisted. So I did. I showed him their pictures. As soon as he looked at the pictures he said, "You aren't happy. Are you?", "I am very happy" I lied. "Pictures speak for themselves" He replied. I sipped on some more wine. How did he know. "I can see it in your eyes that you are lying, what's wrong?" Shaan asked. I kept quiet. "Let's order some more wine" He ordered more wine. I drank more and kept quiet while eating food. Shaan noticed everything. He was curious and I wanted to tell him everything. How badly I missed him. How badly I wanted to go back and change things. I wasn't happy because I was homesick for him all these years. My heart only wanted that love again and only he could give it to me. I tried to keep quiet but alcohol started playing its role and I started saying things I shouldn't have.