Page 1 of Since You Came Along

Chapter 1

Ugh, Delhi traffic is the worst!was the first thought to cross Meera’s mind that morning. She had the same thought every morning as she tried to make it to the college where she taught on time. Each morning, stuck in traffic, she prayed her students wouldn’t beat her to the class. During that time, she thought of the different places she would rather be at, things she would rather do, or the profanities she would love to yell at the people who were making her late.

The only time she could unwind and enjoy the drive was on her way back home, but today was the opposite. For once, she hoped for more traffic than usual as she drove back home. She drove at a slow speed, letting her favourite playlist fill the car as if delaying her arrival could somehow make it easier. The heavy traffic made her late, but not late enough for the guests to leave. Since they had come specifically to meet her, she knew there was no escaping it. With a resigned sigh, she headed home to get it over with.

Meera saw that the traffic timer showed 45 more seconds to wait and switched off the ignition. Her eyes drifted to her bag on the seat beside her. Almost instinctively, she picked it up and pulled out a photograph of Raghav Sareen, the man who was waiting at her house with his parents to meet her.

It was a candid shot. In the picture, he was turned slightly to the side, a broad smile lighting up his face. The sleek black aviators hid his eyes, but there was no denying how striking he looked. His chiselled jawline and dimpled smile, framed by trimmed stubble, gave him a look that could make anyone do a double take.

Meera was still staring at the photo when a knock on the car window startled her. Outside, a young boy stood, holding upgajras. Her heart twinged at the sight of his starved figure and hopeful eyes. She rolled down the window and asked him the price.

‘Fifteen rupees, madam,’ the boy replied.

Meera hesitated, knowing no one in her family woregajras. Still, she reached for her purse. The flowers were fresh, their jasmine scent wafting through the open window, and she bought two, for her mother and Raghav’s mother, Gayatri.At least it’ll make Mom smile for a moment, she thought.

A quick glance at the traffic timer confirmed she had less than 10 seconds left. The boy stood next to the car, dangerously close to the middle of the road. Without a second thought, she reached behind her, grabbing two biscuit packets from the gift basket she had prepared for the Sareen family.

‘Ye lo aur jaldi jao, signal green hone wala hai,’ she urged, handing him the biscuits along with thirty rupees.

The boy nodded with a smile, his small hands clutching the biscuits and money like treasures.

Meera watched him scurry away in a practised fashion and wave at her once he reached the sidewalk. She waved back as she turned on the ignition.

While Meera made the little boy smile, Raghav sat back at her house, trying to maintain the fake smile plastered on his face.

A quick glance at his watch told him the girl he came to meet was over 15 minutes late. Her mother had assured him she was on her way, stuck in traffic, and would be there any moment.

Still, this wasn’t how he had planned to spend his Saturday. He had been looking forward to a football match with Abhay, followed by drinks at their usual hangout spot. Instead, here he was, waiting.

As the conversation around him continued, his thoughts drifted to the other girls his family had introduced him to. He’d met a few over coffee, but none had sparked even the slightest interest.

Why would this one be any different?he wondered. At least the others had shown up on time. This girl hadn’t even managed that much.

Though, he grudgingly respected the fact that the girl had gone to work despite this meeting. To him, integrity and dedication were essential traits, ones he valued as a self-confessed workaholic. Still, he couldn’t help wishing it was him stuck in traffic or tied up at work instead of sitting here.

His mind raced with the endless meetings on his to-do list for the day, so he nodded and smiled when required, but inside, he was counting the seconds, hoping it would all end soon.

Scanning the room, he noticed there wasn’t a single picture of her on display. His parents had sprung this meeting on him only last night, giving him no time to prepare. Abhay, of course, had been quick to pounce, teasing him relentlessly about meeting a girl he hadn’t even seen.

Naturally, Abhay had tagged along, determined not to miss the drama. Right now, he sat grinning next to Raghav’s father, enjoying the situation. Raghav could still hear his taunts from the night before when he’d said, ‘Bro, you’re doomed.’

To make things worse, when Raghav had asked his mother what the girl looked like, she’d waved off his concern with, ‘Don’t be so hung up on looks, son. What really matters is a good heart and loyalty.’ The way she’d avoided the question had made him uneasy, and Abhay’s teasing had only added to his nerves.

Just then, Damini Diwan, the girl’s mother, reached for her phone as it buzzed and answered in a hushed voice. It was probably her daughter. Raghav caught himself referring to her as “the girl” in his thoughts, realising that such a slip in a conversation could be disastrous. He needed to remember her name.

Damini ended the call with a small smile. ‘Meera will be here soon. She had to leave in a rush this morning, so please excuse her.’

Gayatri responded with a smile. ‘You mentioned she had a meeting. These things happen. Raghav’s work often comes up unexpectedly too, so we understand.’ She reached over and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, silently encouraging him to stay patient.

‘Yes, one of her junior students got into trouble with a senior. She had arranged a meeting with the student’s parents last week, but they didn’t turn up. Today, out of the blue, they showed up to meet the Dean, and he asked Meera to come in. That’s why she had to leave in such a rush.’

Hearing this, Raghav realised he’d been too quick to judge. His frustration stemmed from his own obsessionwith punctuality. Abhay seemed to have reached the same conclusion. He flashed a polite smile at Damini and complimented the house, shifting the mood. Raghav felt a sense of relief that Abhay had come along after all. For all his teasing, Abhay always knew when to turn on the charm, one of the many reasons they were such close friends.

When Raghav glanced at the clock again, Damini noticed.

‘Don’t worry, son, she’ll be here any minute. Come, let me show you her artwork. She loves sketching.’ Her tone was so warm and inviting, he couldn’t refuse.

Damini led Raghav down a narrow passage and gestured to the door at the end. ‘This is her room. She always has some paintings or sketches lying around. Make yourself comfortable. I’ll bring you some tea.’

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