November Rains

Rohan wakes up from his dreams. He was dreaming about seeing her again. Dressed in a pink top and blue jeans, she was desperately trying to get an auto. It was raining heavily. Rohan rushes towards her, but something pulls him from behind. He wakes up, with a thud. One of his classmates is pulling him as the period is over, and people are departing from the class, while he was still asleep.

He smiles gently. He nods and gets up to leave the class.

The story shifts back, three weeks ago:

Rohan is going to a debate competition. He is the only one, selected from his college. So, he must go in spite of  having heavy reluctance. Besides, to add to his grief, it's raining heavily. But, as he has already got a call from the venue, almost four times, he dresses up and steps outside. 

The rain is not seeming to stop. His umbrella along with him, gets completely washed up, only 5 minutes after he comes out on the road. He runs to the nearest stop, and eagerly waits for an auto. An auto comes, after waiting for 15 minutes. He holds his hands out, and the auto stops. But, suddenly out of nowhere, a young girl comes up. She is completely drenched in rain.

Rohan looks towards her. Although, completely drenched, she is looking too beautiful. She is wearing a pink top and blue jeans, with a short hand book and her hairs although folded, is scattered, making her more adorable. She asks the driver,"NIFT college?"

The driver looks towards Rohan, as he had first called for the auto. Rohan was not willing to share, but he changes his mind. After all, who wouldn't share an auto with such a beautiful girl. They get inside and the auto starts.

"Hi! I am Roshni. Thanks for the ride. It's raining too much outside, and there is no auto around. I wouldn't have been able to reach my college,had I not got this auto. Thanks once again." - Roshni says with her loveliest smile.

"Sure. Welcome, anytime. I am Rohan. So, where do you live. You don't seem to be a localite"? - Rohan asks.

"I stay in Bandel, which is about 15 kms, from here. I take a train to Howrah, and from there I board on a bus or an auto to Salt lake. Today, I was late and over that, it's raining so much. So, I ran to get this auto." - Roshni replies, again with her charming smile.

"Okay." - Rohan replies, after which they remain silent for a while. Rohan wishes to talk again, but being shy, he declines.

"So, what do you do?" - asks Roshni, breaking the dreadful silence.

"I study engineering. I am a student in IEM. Today, I am going to attend a debate on behalf, of the college." - Rohan replies, wishing to ask more, and change the topic.

"Oh wow! All the best." - Rohni replies.

She is about to speak more, when the driver says, that NIFT college, has arrived. She pays the fare and bids good bye to Rohan.

"Bye. All the best." - says Roshni.

Post that event, it has been almost three weeks. But, Rohan hasn't met Roshni ever since. He tried many times to wait near Howrah station at the same time and place, he met her, but, to no results.

Besides, the rains have really made Kolkata awful. Generally, rains don't occur in November, but now it strangely, is raining. The roads have turned too much filthy. In such conditions, people avoid roads as much as they can. Rohan however, prefers the other way.

Everyday, he goes and waits at the place, where he had met her. He wishes to see her, once more, He didn't even take her phone number, on their first and only meeting. The meeting was too short, but, she had charmed his heart, right then and there.

The story shifts to present day:
After completing classes, Rohan comes out of the college. Today also, he had gone to the same place, but to no profit. He rides on his bike and lost in her thoughts, moves towards his home. It's raining heavily, today also.

He sees a blue auto on the way. He had seen a similar auto that day also, as per what he remembers. Blue autos are very rare to find these days.

He smiles and rides towards his home. Near Howrah station, at exactly the same place, his bike breaks down. He kneels down and tries to find the problem, but fails to understand. Besides, in this heavy rain, it will be difficult to reach the nearest petrol pump or repair shop. His home is nearby and walking it to his home, would be a better option.

He gets up to walk his bike, but suddenly some one taps him from behind.

"Hi Rohan. How are you? How was your debate? God! I tried searching for you here, so many times. Lucky, that finally I found you, today." - A familiar girly voice speaks.

Rohan's heart starts beating fast. He turns around. Roshni is standing in front of him. He runs at a loss for words. He feels like hugging and kissing her, instantly.

"I was so angry, that I couldn't come out of college on time. But, it is right, that whatever happens, happens for a reason. Today, I guess the reason is you. Come on! say something. Didn't you recognise me?" - Roshni asks. Rohan sees a little drop of tear come out of her left eye.

"Oh yes. I was waiting for this day to happen.Trust me, I have remembered you, at every breath of my life. How are you? Please don't cry. I missed you so much. I Love you." - Rohan says in his mind, but his tongue refuses to co - operate.

Ultimately, he says ,"Yeah, Hi! How are you?". His throat has already dried. He runs at a loss for words.

Roshni gives a sweet smile. She must have understood Rohan's unsaid words.

"Come. Let's go the only tea stall open, there." - Roshni smiles again and says. Rohan accompanies her.

Thus, begins a friendship of two strangers, who met during November Rains......