Author's POV-
The monsoon arrived, drenching the college campus in a symphony of raindrops. Pratiksha and Reyansh found themselves drawn to each other like magnets, their hearts echoing the rhythm of the falling rain.
As they sat under the banyan tree near the library, Pratiksha's notebook lay forgotten. Reyansh traced patterns on her palm, his touch igniting a thousand emotions. "Tell me," he said, his voice soft, "what's your favorite Bollywood song?"
Pratiksha blushed, her cheeks matching the crimson of her dupatta. "Well," she began, "I secretly adore 'Main Agar Kahu' from 'Om Shanti Om.' It's like raindrops on a parched soul."
Reyansh grinned. "A classic choice. But I have a confession." He leaned closer, his breath warm against her ear. "I've been humming 'Tum Hi Ho' from 'Aashiqui 2' whenever you're around."
Her heart skipped a beat. "Why that song?"
"Because," he whispered leaning closer to her looking at her lips, "you're my 'tum hi ho,' Pratiksha. My reason for melodies and madness."
Their kiss blended with the rain.
WHAT THE ACTUAL PHAKKK!!!!!!
Pratiksha's eyes suddenly open, and she scrunched her nose in confusion. The dream had been vivid-too vivid. Reyansh, the bane of her existence, serenading her with Bollywood songs? Impossible!
She sat up, rubbing her temples. "What kind of absurd dream was that?" she muttered. "Him and I are like oil and water. Enemies. Arch-nemeses. Not star-crossed lovers!"
Oh no this was very cringe but Romantic too..no no no..What am I thinking.. He's my bestfriend's boyfriend no Uff- she thought.
She glanced at the window. It was slightly raining as if telling her that her dream is not unreal. As if telling that it was not a dream. As if giving her hint of something.
She got up from her bed and headed towards her bathroom.
After getting ready she went downwards to help her mother in kitchen.
The aroma of masala chai and fresh parathas wafted through the house, she's watching the tea boiling and then remembered her fight with him. A shiver ran down her spine thinking about the morning dream.
Her family was already gathered around the table, their laughter filling the cozy space.
"Ah, there she is! Our sleeping beauty finally graces us with her presence." her mother said while taking the tray from her hands.
"Good morning, Maa. Sorry for oversleeping. I blame the rain-it's like a lullaby."
"More like a Bollywood romance, hai na! Did you dream of Shah Rukh Khan dancing in the rain?", Ishita commented rolling her eyes involving in her phone.
"Ha! Not quite, Ishu. But I did dream of someone serenading me with 'Tum Hi Ho.", she replied while sitting near her grandfather handling him his medicines.
"Ah, the magic of music! In my day, we courted with handwritten letters and ghazals.", her grandfather stated with faint and sweet smile as if remembering his old days.
"And now we have WhatsApp and Spotify playlists. Haha Times have changed, Babuji.", her father said with smile looking at his daughter and father.
They all settled around the table, passing dishes of aloo parathas, spicy pickles, and creamy dahi (yogurt). Pratiksha's mother poured steaming chai into mismatched cups, and the clinking of teaspoons filled the room.
"So, Pratiksha, who was the lucky singer in your dream?", maa asked.
"His name is Reyansh. He's our senior and Niharika's boyfriend. I don't like him, I even had an argument with him yesterday. He is so irritating. Bitc-"she cleared her throat otherwise she would be cleaned out from this house.
"Reyansh? hmm Nice name by the way", Ishita said. Pratiksha ignored her comment rolling her eyes.
"But it was just a silly dream." she cleared so that none of them think otherwise about that guy.
"Dreams are like raindrops-they nourish our souls. Maybe this one is a sign.", Dadu said without looking at her because he know the reaction he would get from her elder grand daughter.
"A sign that I need more sleep, Dadu." Pratiksha said looking at her dadu without any emotion.
They laughed, their voices blending like a chorus. Pratiksha savored the warmth of family, the clatter of cutlery, and the shared stories. For a moment, she forgot about textbooks and exams, lost in the monsoon magic.
As she stepped out of the house, umbrella in hand, she glanced at the tree near the gate. Raindrops splashed on her face, and she wondered if he would be humming any songs today.
She scrunched her nose in irritation. She called Niharika asking if she would be coming to college as it's raining today.
"Arrey ha bhai aungi main, itni baarish beh thodi jaenge hum." ( "Arrey, bro, I'll come for sure. We won't let this heavy rain stop us!") Niharika replied.
With a smile, she walked toward college, ready for whatever the day-and the rain-had in store.
-----
The college corridors echoed with the pitter-patter of rain, and Pratiksha hurried to her next class, clutching her wet notebook. She rounded a corner and-bam!-collided with someone. Her papers flew like confetti, and she stumbled backward, ready to unleash her wrath.
And there he stood: Reyansh, rain-soaked and equally annoyed. His messy hair clung to his forehead. Pratiksha's anger with a mix of surprise and embarrassment.
She remembered morning's dream and then maintained her posture ready to attack him.
"Watch where you're going, Mr!", she furiously said.
"Me? You're the one who-"
Their eyes locked, and time hiccupped. Raindrops slid down Reyansh's cheek, and Pratiksha's heart did a Bollywood dance. His lips moved, but she heard nothing. Instead, she noticed the droplet on his lower lip, glistening like a stolen secret.
Why is he so close? And why do I suddenly want to taste rain?, she thought, more like her heart said.
Why does she smell like monsoon and chaos?, he thought, more like his heart said.
Then reality snapped back, and they both scrambled to collect her scattered notes. Their hands brushed-a jolt of electricity-and Pratiksha's cheeks flushed crimson.
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-", Pratiksha apoligized.
"No, I know it's your mental problem. You are always so clumsy " he said without any hesitation and then realized. He glanced up at her like a puppy.
"What did you just said?", she gasped.
"So you are deaf as well." he instantly closed his mouth with his hand.
Hey bhagwan saari cheeze ulti hi kyu bol rha hu main. (Hey bhagwan, why do I always end up saying things in reverse? It's like my brain is doing the moonwalk while my mouth tap-dances!) he cursed himself mentally.
Pratiksha's notebook was a soggy mess, she glanced at her notebook and then him furiously. She clenched her fist, and said.
Pratiksha's eyes narrowed, and she held her soggy notebook like a weapon. "Mental problem? Oh, please. At least I don't trip over my own shoelaces like you do!"
Reyansh scoffed, flicking raindrops from his sleeve. "Shoelaces? You are the one who collided with me, And please don't forget our first encounter."
Pratiksha's cheeks flamed. "You were the one who got stumbled and yeah I can never forget our first encounter. You were the one acting like a villain who robbed his money!"
"Is that so, Pratiksha. It was our shooting, for heaven's sake. The only thing which is acting like a villain is your common sense."
She gritted her teeth. "Well, at least I don't-"
"-I don't accidentally wear mismatched shoes to college?" Reyansh pointed at her feet. "Left sneaker, right sandal. Impressive."
Pratiksha glanced down, mortified. She gasped "It was dark when I left home!"
"Dark? Pratiksha, it was just. It's morning ."
They stood there, rain dripping off their noses, locked in a battle of wits and sarcasm. Pratiksha's notebook was forgotten, and Reyansh's hair was even messier from their banter.
"You know," Reyansh said, wiping rain from his forehead, "You are very lucky that you collided with me. Here, take this I had Niharika's sandals unfortunately as she got new scandals on her way to college." He threw the bag towards her staring at her face.
He don't know why always give her cold replies maybe he is Muphat but he always find it fun or any other feeling when he is with her. Whether they fight or not.
"If it was not the situation and these were not Niharika's scandals, I would have banged your head with these sandals. But thankyou, and yeah this thankyou is also because of your relation with Niharika." She glared at him while taking the bag and putting them on.
He stared at her while she was wearing the scandals. He noticed her light blue suit she was wearing, her fashion sense is very different and old as compared to other girls in college though he don't judge girls' outfit but he found her dressing sense very adorable.
She always wears Indian dresses he noticed since there first encounter. He chuckled at the thought of the first encounter. This thought always pop in his mind at night.
She glared at him when he chuckled and showed him her finger to shut up while wearing another sandal as one of her button got stuck. He leaned down to help her but she stopped him while glaring at him.
He stared at her again when she wore the sandal. His vision diverted towards her misplaced dupatta around her chest, her below collarbone area was visible. Suddenly morning's dream blurred his vision.
He diverted his gaze from as he got uncomfortable by standing there as she was in front of him.
She looked at him while standing up. She got confused looking at his red face, she raised her brows asking him.
But he left from there in hurry.
................................................
Hmm, What did Reyansh dreamed about ?
Any guess?
KYA RE TAKLE KYA DEKH RHA HAI!!!!
sorry :) Daure padte hai mujhe...
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