It was a bad day for Ranvir, the previous night fell on a date, which he dearly wanted to forget. He has been trying since last six years but could not forget a bit of it! As a result like all the previous years, he desperately tried to submerge his sorrows in rum until he was dead to the world. As a result, he overslept, sprung out of the bed after getting rid of the cacophony of the alarm clock that went on for forty-five minutes and finally reached his office late with a serious hangover! It was no better even there. He got a solid dressing down from Mr. Dhamija, his grumpy boss for missing the early morning meeting. His sour mood and the hangover prompted Ranvir to call an early day. He left his office and started walking lazily by the busy roads of Greater Kailash in south Delhi. After walking aimlessly for a while, he finally decided to have some hot coffee and entered a bistro located close by, which was his regular hangout spot along with his colleagues. He got comfortable at one corner of the café; ordered his favourite drink and looked outside towards the hustle bustle on the busy road right in front of him.

Suddenly he saw ‘her’ crossing the road and approaching the cafe. She looked gorgeous as ever but suddenly the figure disappeared and instantly Ranvir knew, it was yet another illusion. He felt blue and looked carelessly towards the other tables that were occupied in that cafe. Suddenly his roving eyes saw someone and instantly his eyes congealed. He was contemplating whether it was another illusion. He waited for a while, as if waiting for the illusion to disappear but it was a different story this time. Ranvir realized it was not any chimera but she was really present there in front of him after six long years! She didn’t change much, only she was looking feeble as if almost frail. Her eyes were nevertheless still the same… the same eyes, for which Ranvir could have died for! She was occupying a table for two although she was sitting all alone. Ranvir couldn’t believe his eyes but it was true … she was indeed his love, Payel!

Ranvir first met her in their MBA College and it was a love at first sight. Ranvir, a Punjabi lad, was the most handsome guy in their class and Payel was a sweet and cute Bong beauty. They clicked instantly and soon became the most happening couple in the institute. It made all others think that how perfect match both of them made. In the next two years of their MBA course their bond became stronger and they were madly in love with each other. They got through campus and both got placed in Bangalore working for the same MNC. Those were the most memorable days of their life. Work was always quite hectic but the weekends helped both of them to be recharged for the following week. During weekends, they made short trips to near by places like Mysore, Coorg or Kabini forest and it made them feel that both were on top of the world. Without even realising two years elapsed. They finally planned to get into the wedlock and spend the rest of their life together. Soon they planned to inform their respective families but they didn’t know that will change their lives forever!

Both the families were very conservative, after hearing about their marriage proposal; their eyebrows rose, as if it was a deadly crime for a Brahmin girl to fall for a Khatri guy and vice versa. Ranvir and Payel tried hard to convince their parents but all were in vain. Both families were not even ready to meet each other for once. Sadness engulfed both Ranvir and Payel’s lives. They didn’t know what to do, they couldn’t even afford to loose each other and finally they came to the decision that they didn’t ever dreamt in their wildest dream. They planned to get married without informing their families. Payel was very close to her father, so she thought that she must at least go and meet him for one last time before they would take the ultimate step.

One-day Ranvir said, “Hey love, as soon as you come back from Kolkata, we will get married. I will take care of everything here. I will keep everything ready to start our new world…” She smiled and hugged him, tears rolled down her cheeks thinking that she is going to take the most important decision of her life without the support from her parents. Before leaving for her hometown, they both went to shop for their wedding. She bought her wedding dress, a red lahenga, while Ranvir bought a white Pathan suit, which would perfectly match with his personality.

They both bought their engagement rings and planned to have the engagement before Payel departs to meet her father. They organised a small get together for their engagement. Only their close friends got the invitation. Payel on the engagement day was clad in a sea green colour sari and resembled almost like a bride. She was looking exceptionally pretty and it was difficult for Ravnir to take his eyes off her. Ranvir on the other hand wore a black sherwani in which he was looking dashing and handsome as always. They exchanged their rings and enjoyed the rest of the evening with their friends. Next day Payel was off to Kolkata.

It became hectic for Ranvir, as he had to attend office as well as do the wedding preparations. He bought a lovely two bedroom flat and decorated it with the perfect shades of curtains and cushions. He used the colours that Payel liked and by end of ten days, their “sweet home” was ready. Ranvir informed the registry office ten days before Payel left for Kolkata, so that they could finish the formalities as soon as she returns. With just two more days left, Ranvir had lots to catch up with. He invited all their friends from office and their college; they planned to do the registry in the registers office and he booked a marriage hall where the reception party would be held. Ranvir was very excited but couldn’t take any chance to call Payel on her cell phone even! Just a couple of days to go for their union and Ranvir felt out of the world. He kissed the engagement ring, and thought, “The countdown has begun. Its only 58hrs 23mins left before we get married… and then you will be all mine. Love you baby”.

Finally, the day had arrived. Ranvir could not sleep the whole night in excitement.  Next morning he got ready and reached the airport by eight, although Payel’s flight was suppose to land at ten only. There was an announcement at 10.10 am,

“Kingfisher flight from Kolkata has just arrived”… Ranvir’s heart started to beat faster and faster. The passengers came out one by one, but Payel was not there. Ranvir became upset and thought Payel might have missed her flight and will come in some other flight. He waited in the airport for the entire day, one by one all the flights from Kolkata came, but Payel did not show up. Ranvir sent a text to Payel but there was no reply. He called up her cell and found it to be not reachable; finally, he gathered the courage and called up on Payel’s home in Kolkata. To his surprise, no one took the call. He was very upset and knew something for sure was wrong. From then each and everyday he waited for Payel to return, giving him a surprise. However, she never turned up!

After five long years, Ranvir finally gave up. He sold his dream house and moved back to his hometown, Delhi.

Ranvir came back to his senses; he had an overflow of the memories. The girl was sitting right there, who made his life miserable. Each and every day of the last six years was like terror, it only had pain, tears and memories. Suddenly he felt a rage within him, without thinking for the second time he instantly got up on his feet went to the table where Payel was sitting.

“Hey, remember me? I am that stupid guy who was or may be still in love with you. See I still have the engagement ring in my finger!” – He barked, “Why did you do this to me? You are the one who made my life miserable and I guess by now you are happily married to some tycoon!”

There was no reaction from Payel and she stared at him blankly.

“Why are you looking at me so blankly? Now don’t say you don’t remember me?” – Ranvir blasted. A girl who was taking a call outside the café, rushed inside and said, “That’s true actually that she does not remember anything!”

Ranvir looked baffled. The girl added, “She met with an accident six years back and succumbed to amnesia!”

Ranvir couldn’t believe to what he was listening. He asked the girl, “Who are you? And how do you know all these?”

“I am Payel’s cousin; I got married two years back and now settled here in Delhi. Payel came to my place for a vacation.” – She replied.

Then she described how Payel met with the accident, just a day before returning to Bangalore. She was coming out from a shopping mall when a reckless driver lost control and the car banged her head on. Her body recoiled out of impact and her head hit the pavement hard. She was admitted to the ICU under fatal condition. The doctors fought hard and saved her. Slowly her wounds healed but the memory was lost forever! She was undergoing treatment since then.

Ranvir stood there and witness, the world to collapse in front of him. He felt as if his heart stopped its rhythm and only tears rolled down his eyes!

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