Happily Ever After- 2

-The New Phase-

"I secured 92.7% in my 12th boards. Delhi University was probably the best in the country for everything. I got admitted into Rajeshwari College for a BA (Hons) in History. All throughout my college life, until Ph.D., I studied in DU. Viv and Abeer took up B.Com. (Hons) from DU as well. Z went crazy when she got admission in Hindu College for Political Science. She became the school topper and made all of us proud.

Matt went back home for college. Anirudh went to Canada to study and stay with his brother. Syaahi went to US. Stranded, yet we tried to keep up with each other. However, due to the huge time difference, we lost touch. And once again, some important people of my life became profiles on Instagram and contacts in the phone.

So, I went to Delhi to set my stuff up. Accommodation wasn't an issue. My aunt and uncle lived in Delhi and since they had no children, their house was to me. Reena aunty and Viv help me shift my stuff at the place. I tried my best to make it vibe like home. I frickin' missed Gwalior and I didn't want to be homesick. It was a 3 BHK flat which was more than enough for me. A new phase of our lives had started.

Every second week we went out to some or the other place. Viv was our guide and since none of us had seen Delhi properly earlier, we decided why not do it then.

Everything was perfect. I had a family again. I found my parents in Vivaan's and my friends turned into my siblings.

It took me a month to adapt to the place and before we knew, it was already August. The month which gave me everything and took it away 18 years later.

I did not want to celebrate my birthday so I didn't mention anything about it but my friend surprised me anyway. Vivaan had an alternate key to my apartment so they sneaked into the house and surprised me at 12. It was a normal friends thing, no glam, no party. They understood the intensity of things and that is why they declined my suggestion to go out and party. Ultimately, we settled down for cooking at home. We cooked, watched Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and passed out on the couch.

Overtime, it became up our hangout spot. We hosted parties, celebrated festivals, did sleepovers there.

It was also during the college time that my dating life went back on track. For me, a connect with the other person is the most important thing. Dates, hangouts are something I love a lot. So, I started going out on dates sometime after joining college. Some dates were brought to me by my dearest friends and the others by Tinder.

There was one such date which I can never forget. His name was Qabeer and his bio said-

19
Travelling, trekking, cooking <3
Free but not so free, still caged in emotions and memories, 2 AM guy, pillowtalk over lust, into fantasies because reality is overrated

More than his face, I was interested in the stuff that he mentioned. I am fond of witty and intriguing bios and his surely was an interesting one.

We talked for some 2 weeks before we finally met. We met at this cafe that was near my college. He reached before time. Oh, quite punctual!

So, I went in and we greeted each other. Initially, we talked about random stuff like college and assignments and shit. As we grow into the conversation, I realise he was funny, smart and most importantly, mature. Or so did I think. After an hour and half, he suggested that we could walk. It was around 6 then, so I agreed. We started walking towards home. On our way, Qabeer said that he was craving for chocolate ice-cream, so be stopped by to buy some. We sat on a bench in the park, eating ice-creams when he suddenly started crying. I was taken aback. Did I say something wrong? "What happened?" I asked him.

He said that he missed his ex-boyfriend. I consoled him and after another half-an hour, we went to our own ways. We did talk after that, but the spark had faded. I mean, I had no issues with the guy stuck up on an ex, but I didn't want to be a rebound at that moment."

"Why sir? Would it not have been good to help him out as a friend?" Ryan, one of my students asked me.

"It would have been godly, dearest Ryan. But you see, sometimes we take decisions based on our instinct. And my instinct helped me. Had I not stopped talking to Qabeer, I would never have, probably, met Ishaan."

"Who is Ishaan, sir?" Ryan asked.

"Ishaan was my first boyfriend."

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Do you also have such terrible experiences? I'd love for you to share them with all of us!
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© Anshul Maheshwari
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