She could not believe her eyes. He was still the same-tall, dark, handsome with that killer smile.
She wiped away the tears, a tribute to those old days.
But she could not stop watching him even after those five stormy years.
She was lost in thought when he suddenly he came in front of her and held out his hand.
"Hi!"
"Hi ..." she said sheepishly.
"I went to the film festival last week. I wasn't aware that you were so talented. Congrats."
"Thanks ....how are you?" she asked.
"So-so yaar, life is playing nasty tricks on me."
She did not want to discuss anything personal with him. But she blurted out in concern: "Why? What happened?"
"Strange! You don't know? "
"I went abroad for a shoot... so...but what happened?"
"After our break-up I was going around with Smita. She was killed in a car accident. I just don't know what made her drive the car to Salt Lake at 1am. Then I was engaged to Ananya. She fell from the top floor of her flat. I was accused and was held in the custody for a few days. But there was no proof. It seems my life is cursed."
He stopped to take a breath.
She loved him with all her heart. "So sad. What are you doing now?" she asked.
"I am the heir to our family business and recently we have founded a management school near Alipore."
"Good. So get married now."
He smiled, "I am engaged to someone."
"Who?"
"Neha. We were in the same institute for our MBA."
"Great."
He smiled again, "She is a nice, caring, understanding girl...."
She was silent.
He checked his watch, "I have some business to attend to. Best of luck with your career. I watched the movie where you acted as the murderer. That was simply great. Good night."
He walked away.
She clicked her tongue. "Good night," she whispered, a smile on her sensual lips.
Neha would be the next one on her list.
By Namrata Deb Roy, Times of India, Kolkata