Her sister nudged her, mother was calling them, Avantika didn’t realised she has been staring Rehaan for too long Rehaan, her first love, her school crush, her first kiss, though it was years back, still, memory is enough to bring a red tinge on her cheeks like right now. He has been the reason, why she is still single, even years later she can’t get over her first Love, she corrected herself her first crush, which she never expressed or shared with anyone . Rehaan was her first and only experience of falling in love. She still can’t believe Rehaan is sitting right in front of her…she never imagined she will ever get to meet HIM again. He had moved to States after X standard and they have not been in touch since then. Infact, they have never been to close as friends, she even wonder if Rehaan remembers her? She has to admit, he has turned more handsome over the years, she remembered Rehaan as fun loving cheerful boy, a very bright person; he was captain of football team, he was more fond of music, he was member of school band too, he was a Rockstar in school, girls used to go crazy over him singing on stage in his deep voice. She was one of those crazy girls, he was the reason she developed interest in music and she started learning music too. She never missed attending his performances. She always thought he will become a good singer. Rehaan has always been flamboyant, having fun with his friends, could be found in canteen, joking around, playing harmless pranks. Always active and excited for his music performances, more than studies. No wonder it surprised Avni when his brother in law just stated, that Rehaan was serious student in US, and is all set to join the business. She kept staring at Rehaan, trying to find the always smiling & cheerful Rehaan. +++++ It was the moment Rehaan looked up while sipping his coffee , which this demure looking girl handed him. He was sure he could feel a pair of eyes staring him, he is trying to figure out why this girl has been blushing from moment he saw her, she was staring at him just moments back, but look at her, now acting as if she wasn’t. To be honest, he himself can’t take eyes off her, he has to agree she is beautiful and looked innocent, he was trying to place, she looked familiar- Where he had seen her? He had his share of girls back in States , he always managed to attract girl’s attention and most of them used to talked to him first, flirted with him ….but this girl Avni, she is just silent around him, for a moment he doubted if she can’t speak, but she can talk as she is chatting with his sister, she is giggling away, he just noticed she has deep dimples when she smiles. He came out of his thoughts when his brother in law nudged him to talk to Manasvi. That reminds him, he is here to see Manasvi, his prospective bride and he is busy gawking at Avni Manasvi tried to engage him in small talk, as they were asked to chat in another corner of room, he responded absent mindedly, as his mind is occupied with thoughts of Avni, pushing back his thoughts, he tried to concentrate on Manasvi talks. Avni glanced at two of them conversing, she was in dilemma, should she tell her parents that Rehaan is her first love, she wants to marry him ….but other part of her had seen how excited her Di had been for this alliance, she had rejected all previous proposals, her parents have been trying to find suitable match since past 5 years . Does she have heart to hurt all of them?? Most importantly, she doesn’t know if Rehaan will accept her not? She won’t be able to accept rejection and see her one sided love Falling apart. Somewhere She felt guilty, as she ought to be happy for her sister….but she wants Manasvi to reject this proposal like she did others. She came out of her thoughts when Rehaan’s sister shook her waiting for reply….She was asking abt her education, her schooling years … Avni answered- I am St Francis School alumni …. Rehaan stopped in his tracks when he heard his school’s name, he and Mansavi just returned after completing their conversation. Rehaan did a double check -So you were also at St Francis School….you are Avantika kapoor?….the singer who wanted to join the band ? Even though failed audition… Avni nodded a nervous yes, she was not sure what else he remembered.
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7 years back
All the students were returning from the school auditorium after giving their auditions, she was disappointed she was rejected, she liked singing and she wanted to join band… she was dragging her feet to go back home, as she was walking, she felt a hand rested on her shoulder, he was standing very close to her. I am sorry, you are not selected, try harder next year if you really interested to join. (Teased) or you wanted to join cause you like me? Avni stared at him shocked, wondering if he knew about her crush , She hesitated and was scared to death at his question….she was thinking what to reply, she looked up and saw his face inches away from hers, he came closer and kissed her lips and then said, “Now…decide whether you like me or not…” he smiled and left her standing there flagbasterred Rehaan never gave her any more attention later and after a month, she got to know he has moved to States, she never saw him again till today. +++++
Rehaan’s parent were excited to have Manasvi as daughter in law, they liked her, they were waiting for Rehaan’s decision, who is taking his time to decide. Few weeks later, Rehaan was out for dinner meeting his school friends who had been pestering him to meet him since he moved back to India. While sharing old memories, his group of friends also shared some old pics from one of their performances, when one group pic caught his attention, it was after audition, where girls had requested for a group photograph with him, and just beside him was a girl with sullen face, He instantly recognised her…. Avni, who was the only girl in pic not smiling, cause she had failed the audition. It struck him, memories of kiss came rushing to him …he remembered how Avni’s sad face had affected him too, if it was upto him he would have selected her but she was still a novice at singing, they needed someone experienced. He recollected he had rushed behind her to cheer her up, for some strange reason, her innocence, her friendly nature had left impression on him… he has noticed her attending their band performances…She did stuck a chord somewhere in his heart, he didn’t knew what it was but he could not see her so sad.
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Rushing out of his office, he checked his watch, Avni should still be at her music school like her mother informed, he doesn’t know why he again feels like a teenage boy all over again excited to meet his girlfriend. He doesn’t even know, if remembering First kiss again has rekindled his feelings for Avni.. He saw Avni, with groups of kids, practicing music… he can make out, she has come a longway as a singer, she is good at singing now and not to mention she has turned prettier over the years. She looked so happy , her eyes shining so brightly… her eyes always spoke volumes, they didn’t need words to communicate, It was her eyes, that always attracted him . He can watch her whole life like this always happy and cheerful. He will do anything to keep this smile on her face. He shook his head, is this what people call, Falling in love, just in a moment, without any specific reason, it was love beyond words, beyond any reasons …you simply just want to be with someone…He came out of his thoughts , when Avni smilingly walked towards him. He felt dejavu, he again moved closer to kiss her lips I am still waiting for my answer “Do you like Me? Avni hugged him, as she remembered that he had asked her the same question, the first time he had ever kissed her in high school.
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