Jab we met for the second time - By Aakrutie Rathod-Rugunanan

Written By: Aakrutie Rathod-Rugunanan

Category: Short story

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

Aakrutie Rathod-Rugunanan presents "Jab we met for the second time," a captivating short story that explores the complexities of love, regret, and redemption. As a participant in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, Aakrutie masterfully weaves a narrative rich with emotional depth and vivid imagery. This poignant tale invites readers to reflect on the power of second chances and the journey toward self-forgiveness and understanding.

About the Work

"Jab we met for the second time" delves into the intricate dance of past love and missed opportunities. Through rich character development and evocative imagery, the story captures the essence of regret and the hope for redemption. Aakrutie Rathod-Rugunanan's narrative style brings forth a sense of longing and introspection, encouraging readers to ponder the impact of time and personal growth on relationships.

Jab we met for the second time

Original Submission by Aakrutie Rathod-Rugunanan

Aakrutie Rathod-Rugunanan Jab we met for the second time

Aakrutie Rathod-Rugunanan About 14 065 words

Parklands, Cape Town

South Africa

7441

aakrutie@gmail.com

+27 084 404 1994

Jab we met for the second time

By A Rathod-Rugunanan

It was a hot summer’s evening. The sun was setting as I stepped out on the balcony of my hotel room. The sky was painted in deep neon pinks mixed in with warm shades of orange. I had on a light pink polo shirt and matching black slacks. The meeting with the foreign delegates just ended and I was having a whiskey on the rocks to unwind from that meeting. I needed this week to go well. The future of my company was hanging in the balance.

I ran a logistics company that I built from the ground up. We were one of the top startups in South Africa that were making a name for themselves in the market that’s already so saturated and so naturally a lot of eyes were on us. As a risk taker, I shot my shot in the overseas market and hoped for the best. Imagine my delight when I discovered one of India’s leading companies were interested in doing business with us. So, I made sure I would personally handle this account and meet with them in person. I believed the human touch was a cherry on the cake in the world of AI and technological advances.

I wanted to showed them I cared enough to show up, when I could have easily sent a representative in my place. The company, Nykaa, an online platform that allows sales of a range of products from beauty, health, clothing and more, listing products from India’s top brands in the industry is looking to bring their services into South Africa. Although we many such platforms in this country, we lack a certain range of products for the Indian diaspora community living here. We are generally late to the market when it comes to receiving the latest fashion in Indian wear, food, beauty products and household products.

How would a 31-year-old male running a logistics company know this? Well, I have three older sisters who made it known when they were unhappy about not having the disposal of choosing from a good quality range of products in the local shops. Every festive time they would be annoyed not finding the in trend/ fashion Indian wear or jewelry. I don’t think they were particularly ungrateful for what they had but I know they prided themselves in wanting the best quality of products available. So, although I found this highly annoying hearing them moan about this conundrum, this particular piece of information has come in handy. My sister Sai was especially ecstatic when I asked her if she knew anything about the company called Nykaa. I hadn’t revealed I was meeting with them yet, but that didn’t stop her excitement from bubbling over.

I was frankly a little surprised how did they hear about us, but I chalked it up to probably them hearing about us at one of the business networking events our company attends namely the ones hosted by the Indian consulate in South Africa. They are truly doing some inspiring work. The experts I met at one of those events were so knowledgeable and inspiring, it motivated me to dip my toes in the international market. Nykaa’s CEO just happens to be speaking at one of the networking events scheduled for tomorrow. We agreed to continue the business discussions tomorrow once the main event is done. Tonight was just the introduction with a few polite exchanges of words till we said good night.

Usually I would be so wired, hence why the whiskey, but there was something about the Cape Town air that just made you feel so relaxed. I was not sure if it was sea, the mountains or just the café free vibe of this city had but I wasn’t going to complain about it. I was simply enjoying the calm before the storm. Tomorrow was a big day for me and for my company. If I land this deal, then the world is my oyster and I fully plan to make it mines. For now, I retired to my bed enjoying the softness of the duvet to further relax my body and allow my mind to drift to the possibilities of tomorrow.

#

I was awake before my alarm this morning. After showering and a clean shave I dressed into beige slacks paired with a navy-blue button up and brown formals and a brown belt. I had a zipped folder with important documents and business cards ready to distribute when needed, the folder also came with a note pad but I also had an app on my phone which could do the same. I was ready by 8:00am and left the hotel heading to my rental car. This place was approximately 1 hour away from where the hotel was, Stellenbosch University. The even only started at 11:am so I planned to take a slow drive there and get coffee and a bite to eat somewhere close by the venue.

Reaching the venue, I signed up at the welcome desk and got a name tag and I went inside and began mingling with other people attending. I was mid conversation with a guy who is an IT professional with his own start up also from Johannesburg when I heard a voice that sounded vaguely familiar. “...definitely. I think today is going to be a very productive event. They have some very influential guest speakers here today...” The voice faded away as if walking out of range of hearing but that voice startled me because the last time, I heard it was 13 years ago. But it can’t be her. I haven’t seen or heard from her since we graduated from matric(grade 12). “Are you okay?” the guy I was speaking to asked. “Oh, yes I am. Sorry about that Sashan.” I apologized. We continued talking as we found our seats but my mind was rattled. Surely, it was playing tricks on me because I was nervous to speak to a potential big client. This step could put my company on the map internationally and nationally. Right now, my company is just about breaking even so this deal could mean big business.

If what I understood correctly what the COO of Nykaa hinted at last evening was they want to use a one contractor for all their logistics handling. It means we would have all their business and if they do as well as they do in India then we are set for a good while. With that thought in mind we went to take out seats as the event started. Usually, I’m very focused and paying attention to what each speaker says, pocketing the nuggets of wisdom they have to offer but today my mind seems slightly distracted. That voice I heard for maybe 2 seconds but it’s been playing on repeat like some song stuck in my head. That voice brought on a variety of emotions that were probably lying dormant somewhere in the dusty corner of my heart.

I felt guilt well up in my chest, tight like it was coiled, ready to spring from years of being wound up. I was a sort of a shitty person back then. I was selfish, ambitious, confused, hurt and arrogant, I admitted to myself. Despite being a less than desirable person, I was treated like I was something precious. My father was diagnosed with cancer, something I didn’t just share freely, because I didn’t want the pity and the stares that come with it, and also because I wanted to pretend everything in life was dandy. Yet in one moment of weakness, where I felt like someone would truly understand me, I let it slip to the wrong person. I thought she cared for me the way I did her. My affections for her were instant, attracted by her beauty and fairness, but little did I know the beauty was only skin deep.

She strung me along, knowing my feelings for her, using them to pull me closer to her. I thought we may have had something genuine, although we were teenagers, I romanized the idea of high school sweethearts. Had someone found that tad-bit of information out I would have denied it. Yet I found the idea so appealing, building something real with someone you knew when you both were figuring yourselves and this world out, seeing all the different phases they go through, until they finally find their authentic selves is nothing short of watching a beautiful flower bloom day by day until it reveals its ultimate beauty shining from deep within.

I later came to realize that I was just a pawn in her plans, a means to an end, used to attract someone else’s attention she was hungering for. As this guy strung her along for whatever reason she strung me along until eventually, we decided to part ways and remain friends. I don’t think I ever healed properly from that experience. When someone you truly like and have feelings for hurts you so badly, you sort of become hard after that. The world seems more harsher, crueler and everyone else who comes across you after that will just meet a broken, version of you cast in greys and blacks and white. Life has a way of testing you so completely that every facet of your life seems to be going through a tornado, only leaving destruction in its wake. Pieces of what once was a normal life now the wreckage was lying on the ground where I looked.

All this was happened while my father was battling cancer, we took him to the city’s most top specialist hospital that specializes in treatment for many types of cancer. The late nights, the long drives, the studying, trying to keep my grades up and dealing with the disaster that was my love life and friend circle was too much. I eventually decided to just focus on my grades, the family and because I also needed an outlet, parties and cars. Even then the cars that gave me such some freedom and fun became sad when it took the life of one of my friends.

They say sometimes living life in the fast lane will cost you your most precious thing dear to you, sometimes that happens to be your own life. It was such a shock because we were barely out of school and starting our lives. Some of us were studying at university, others had jobs, some were working and studying -depending on their financial situation. Life showed us that we were never in control, we only had the illusion of control just as the mirage in a desert shows a hope for water.

#

On that somber note I excused myself to get some fresh air. I had no idea why my mind was dredging up all these old painful memories but I needed a moment to recollect myself. I came here for a specific purpose and I didn’t want to do anything to jeopardize it. I moved down the main hallway just into a small alcove off the pathway away from wandering eyes when I turned and bumped into someone. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know anyone was here- “I stop mid-sentence. “I apologies, I was looking down when I bumped into you.” Came her melodic voice the same time as mines. My hands instinctively went to steady her by her arms. Her thick curly locks were blocking her face as she was fixing the pleats of her black and white sari. The sari itself was simple with an intricate floral border woven in black and white but it was the way the sari sat on her that made it so extraordinary.

When she finally looked up my heart truly sped up beating erratically in my ears. Those beautiful brown eyes were extenuated by the Khol lining her eyes-widen a fraction, giving away the only sign of recognition. Her lips parted slightly as if to say something then closed. I supposed I deserved that. The sun glinted off the silver Jumkha’s she was wearing causing me to avert my eyes back to hers. A million emotions crossed my heart. With the memories running fresh in my mind from the reminiscing happening not so long ago. But I didn’t allow myself to get to those memories, where the guilt was heavier than lead. The pressure of it threatened to consume my chest, I took a deep breath to get much needed oxygen in but what I inhaled was the most intoxicating scent I’ve smelt. Vanilla with a hint of bergamot and cherry.

The silence stretched on for what seemed like hours but was probably seconds till I finally breathed her name “Aaradhya...”. Her step faltered and I caught her elbow to steady her. “After all this time,” she spoke softly her voice laced with hurt but her eyes were furious.

“I-I, how are you?” I stammered and defaulted to the stupid polite greeting. I felt like face palming myself. I bump into her at this place of all places and that’s the first thing I can say to her in 13 years since I’ve seen her. I’m surprised she is still here at all. I half expected her to leave but she has always been the kind soul I’ve known her to be. “I’m fine thanks.” She answered, her attention going to my hand still holding her elbow. I remove it hesitantly and run my fingers through my hair, a habit I do when I’m anxious or frustrated. She is much curvier than I remembered her being. She has filled out in all the right places, and the sari she is wearing does nothing to hide her curves but to add to her alluring beauty.

“I supposed I deserved that.” I sigh. “It’s been a while hey,” I admitted half hoping she wants to continue speaking to me. “Thirteen years to be exact.” Comes her prompt response. “Yeah, I guess you could say that.” I didn’t expect her to know the exact number of years and that only adds to my anguish of how I treated her all those years. Like I mentioned earlier, I was selfish, arrogant and a flat-out arsehole. When everyone around me was full of lies and deception, she was the one person who stuck through the truth no matter what it cost her. Which was only her entire friend circle, a fall in her academics and becoming the target of jealousy unwarranted.

I only know this because when it was too late and everyone had moved on did, I find out the truth behind everything. “I don’t think sorry is even enough of a word worthy of saying but I can only attempt to apologize for the way I treated you all those years ago.” I say with shame and remorse. I see shock register on her face for a second before she is closed off. “I have no idea what you are talking about.” She spoke. I never thought I would see her again, although we lived in the same city we never bumped into each other. I didn’t have social media anymore, never was a fan, and I didn’t see how else we would contact each other besides a phone call. I had her number but I didn’t know if it was the same or she had changed it but I suppose these are all excuses I made to justify my behavior and lack of an apology. I could have tried calling but I was too embarrassed and drowning in my own guilt and anger for being so despicable.

I told myself I didn’t deserve her forgiveness or friendship. I used that anger and channeled it into the only thing that I could think of: my start-up logistics company. After my silence she took it as a cue to leave and moved past to walk away when I pleaded, “Please, don’t go like this. I want to talk, truly honest talk, and explain myself. I know I don’t deserve a chance, but I’d be grateful if you give me a few moments of your precious time.” My voice almost cracking in the end. I had no idea seeing her like this after all this time would affect me so severely. It literally knocked the breath out of my lungs but I suppose it’s a tiny pay back, karma has a mysterious way of working. I joined my palms in front of me to show how serious I am about this. I could see her debating internally where or not to let me say my piece but I also knew this was not the time nor the place for that, so I was hoping she would agree to meet after the event.

“There’s a coffee shop on the campus; we can meet there after the event is over.” She said matter-of-factly and then left without giving me a chance to thank her. She always had a kind heart and empathetic heart and it never failed to show. I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

#

The rest of the event went by in a blur. I mingled with the crowd making polite conversation with those necessary but my eyes were restless and kept searching for the black and white sari silhouette. She was seated on the far end of the hall and she stays on her end of the hall but as soon as people started leaving, I couldn’t spot her. I spoke to the CEO of Nykaa for a few minutes and then she got busy with the other patrons also vying for her attention so we agreed to meet up another day when she had a free hour or two to discuss the business opportunity. I asked a few students walking to class for directions to the coffee shop and made my way there. The walk was scenic enough to calm my nerves enough to from rational thoughts again.

There were many old trees on the campus and lush vegetation of the cape flora and fauna to make this a therapeutic environment. Considering how stressful university can be I think it’s only apt that this scene of nature surrounds it. As I round a corner, the coffee shop comes into view. There are already a few people enjoying a cup of coffee or working on their laptops while some engage in conversation. The waiter asks me if it’s a table for one and I reply that I’m meeting a friend. We walk through past the table until I spot a table in the back out in the patio under an umbrella, seated there is Aaradhya – a sight for sore eyes. As I’m led to the table, she’s looking down at her phone but looks up when I near her. The waiter asked if we would like anything to drink, takes our orders and leaves with a lingering look at Aaradhya. She is isn’t looking at me directly but that is fine. Just sitting in her presence again, brings an odd amount of peace and excitement.

“Thank you for agreeing to meet and hear me out. Before I can say my part, how have you been all this time?” I asked her curiously. I wanted to know everything she would allow me to know. What she has been up to all this time, does she stay in Cape Town now? What work does do? Although my mind raced with questions, I sat back allowing her the space to share what she wishes, if she wishes to share anything. I noticed those Khol lined eyes were strained, a few red lines in the white space of her eye. I saw no proof other than that that she was crying. Her make up seemed the same as before but an uneasy pang forms in my chest that she was crying because of me. When she finally looks me in the eye, the breath leaves my lungs in a rush with the force of the emotions I can see swirling in her brown irises.

Our drinks arrive, and I take a sip of my coffee as Aaradhya sips on her mango juice. “Honestly, I’ve been good, in fact I’m doing well since you last saw me in school. Until you showed up in my life again. What could you possibly have to say to me after all this time?” Aaradhya asked boldly not backing down. Her hands crossed in front of her. I leaned forward. “I know I was an arse back then. We were such good friends and I always loved how you were always so nice to me and kind. I think I was grossly unfair towards you. You were one of the only honest people in our group of friends, when everyone -including me- cast you out for speaking up it was not fair. There is no excuse for the way we all treated you. While I can’t speak for everyone else, I can speak for myself. I was going through a really tough time at home with my dad’s health, and although it didn’t seem so on the outside my studies were affected, then that whole debacle happened with our friends and the gossiping, and after that whole back and forth with Jiya, I found out she was just stringing me a long for another guy. Even after you told me about that and you were there for me, “I paused to take a breath. Aaradhya’s eyes never left my face.

“I pushed you away. I used you and kept you at arm’s length, I knew you were very much capable of moving up in the top 10 so I used to ask you for your homework or if you had gotten some an answer for some of the difficult math problems just so I could get ahead and when I saw your marks take a fall, it sort of gave me an opportunity to climb up again. It sounds very petty now that I’m saying all of this out aloud but you deserve to know the truth even if it’s a little too late. I realized all this a long time after school was done and ever since then I’ve been carrying this burden on my chest. I am truly and utterly sorry from the bottom of my heart. I apologize for not being a better friend, for being a shitty person, for not being there for you when you most needed a friend. I apologize for taking advantage of you the way I did, knowing you had feelings for me and using that to get ahead of you in school.” My voice breaks towards the end but I’m not embarrassed if she hears it.

“Why did you still behave nicely towards me during all those years? Even after how horrible I was towards you?” I asked her. I needed to know how could she find in herself to not be nasty to me?

“Because I loved you.” Came the confident and soft answer. My eyes snapped to hers. Her eyes are red, I see a myriad of emotions swirling in those brown orbs, pain being on the forefront and anger and hurt but also disappointment. Knowing that I am the cause of it further unsettles me. There is no happy ending here, it’s fucked up, complicated but I needed to do this because it was the right thing to do.

“You think it was easy seeing the guy I loved day in and day out for 5 years straight knowing he will never be mine in the way I wished for him to be?! Do you know the kind of pain I have carried with me from all that you caused me? No! you can’t. I saw what you were doing to me but my stupid heart wouldn’t listen to reason, it still thought maybe one day you would realize that you could also have feelings for me and care for me in the same way I did for you. But that day never came. I had to live with the fact that I would never receive the apology or acknowledgement that I deserved. And you know what, I thought maybe I would feel better after hearing you say all this, finally my heart would be at peace but the truth is I feel none of that. Instead, I feel furious at you for bringing this up now, for walking into my life after I have moved on from that bullshit and the you and everyone else gave me.” A single tear falls over her left eye and drops onto her cheek like a dagger to my heart.

Her chest is rising and falling more rapidly, the pallu of the sari draped on her shoulder shifting with that movement. I opened my mouth to speak but her hand went up. “I’m not done yet. Even my parents warned me against you and that foul bitch who was a poor excused of a friend but I chose to see the good in you guys. I suppose you two deserved each other and got what you had coming to you. I considered you my best guy friend; you took my trust and manipulated me to your advantage. You know when Jiya told me that I didn’t want to believe her. I thought she was trying to poison my mind against you so she could have you all to herself, and who knows she was probably playing many games with everyone from what you are saying. So, she could have been warning me for her own motives, do you know she had the audacity to still message me during our first year at varsity only to find out she wanted to speak about her ‘boy problems’ as usual because she couldn’t trust anyone yet or she didn’t have proper friends. She is such an opportunistic parasite that I blocked her and she had the audacity to ask me why I blocked her off everywhere.” Aaradhya finished her voice a tad louder than when she started speaking.

If someone walked past our table now, they would think I’m upsetting Aaradhya so badly, and I am the course of this outburst but I also feel she needed this and I’m going to let her vent because it’s the least, I can do. It won’t make up for years of shitty behavior but it’s an attempt to make an apology. I offer her a hanky chief which she hesitantly takes, dabbing her eyes. I gently tell her to have a sip of her juice in an attempt to console her. “Why did you never tell me how you felt?” I asked her.

“After we had that conversation where I admitted I liked you and you mentioned you wanted to remain friends because you don’t want to ruin a good friendship, I thought if not as a lover, then at least I still have you as a friend, I guess I just counted my blessing. But when you told me you like that Jiya I felt there was no use, because you will never look at me the way you look at her. Seeing you every day knowing you would never be mine in that way, made me die a thousand deaths but it didn’t do anything to dampen my feelings for you, in fact I fell deeper in love with you. I suppose it was also the whole psychological effect-where you want what you can’t have. It didn’t help that the entire school thought we were dating, even some our teachers thought so too.” The tears weren’t flowing as much as earlier but she was still visibly upset. Yet, she looked stunning sitting across from me in that gorgeous sari.

“I-…I had no idea you had to go through all this by yourself.” My hands reached for hers on the table. She didn’t react. Her face goes still and if I didn’t see her chest rising and falling, I would have thought she stopped breathing. “No amount of sorry could come close to righting the wrongs of the past. I thought about you often in the years and about everything that happened. But we never met, until now. I honestly thought that we would never meet ever again. As painful as this has been meeting unexpectedly, I am eternally grateful to the universe for it. For giving me a chance to make the wrongs right, as much as one can do.”

#

We decided to go for a walk on the lawns and found a bench to sit on. “You are right. Nothing can make the wrongs right nor any apology can make it better. But I think I needed to hear this. I suppose there is a reason for everything that happens even though we may not know it at the moment.” Aaradhya said looking out in the distance. After she said her piece, it made the wheels in my head turn. It seems the people around us were playing many games with each other. Jiya being the main instigator, later resorted to bullying and intimidating Aaradhya via a friend and too cowardly to do it herself, keeping her hands clean. I clenched my fists, anger boiling over in my chest. I would never hit a woman, but the despicable acts Jiya has done to Aaradhya, left a bitter taste in my mouth. I can’t believe I ever had feelings for her.

We stayed in silence for a while; each lost to our own thoughts. “I need to leave. Thank you for the conversation and the apology. For what it’s worth. Enjoy your stay in Cape Town.” She got up to leave. I held her hand stopping her from walking away. She turned to look at me, “Are you in Cape Town for long?” I asked hopeful.

“Yes,” she answered “Why?” she arched an eyebrow. “I was hoping we could meet up again, catch up properly and maybe start our friendship again. I could see her debating this offer in her mind. “Veer, at the risk of sounding rude, why would you want to do that? We have too much of a past, too much hurt and heartache.” Aaradhya said rather straight forward. I’m coming to find that I find her straight-forwardness rather refreshing. But I was determined to win her trust over again.

It’s currently October which means spring is afoot, I remembered that it’s also her birthday month, using that as an opportunity to get her to say yes, I asked, “What are you doing for your birthday this month?”. She retracted her hand from my palm and lifted the pallu of her sari, adjusting it on her arm, which revealed a tattoo on her forearm peeking out. I couldn’t make out the writing but it definitely made me curious. “I have plans.” She said clipped. I get up so we face to face although she is a few inches shorter. “Let me take you out, treat you to a birthday outing.” She arched her eyebrow in a very sexy and annoyed look, “Of your choosing of course, whatever you want to do or where you want to go, it will be all on me.” I added.

“You do realize you dug yourself a hole you can’t get out of here. I could choose anywhere to go to and I could choose something very expensive just to spite you.” She mused out loud. “If being in this hole will get you to say yes then I’d gladly dig this hole for myself. Just do me one favor?” I pleaded. “And what’s that?” She asked annoyed. I lowered my mouth to hear ear, “Wherever you choose to go, just wear a sari like you did today. You look gorgeous in it.” I whispered watching goosebumps come on her skin and a blush rising on her cheeks. She takes out her phone and hands it to me in a gesture to put my number in it but as I typed my number I see she still has it saved on her phone. I simply clear my throat and hand the phone back to her as she leaves.

After all this time… It’s still there. Could it possibly mean...? I shake my head. No, I’m sure it doesn’t mean that.

#

An entire two days have gone by and I haven’t heard from Aaradhya at all. I am sipping my cappuccino on the balcony of my hotel room on Thursday morning, thinking about how well the meeting with the CEO of Nykaa went. She was impressed with my vision and drive in business and she loved that I wanted to bring Indian owned and made products into the country, further supporting her vision for her company. She seemed very interested in my personal story of how I got my business from the ground up with no backing but my own. Although I found it odd but I was glad to divulge a little of my back story seeing as we would be going into business with each other. What I also noticed is people from India loved the human connection, they wanted to know the person behind the brand/business that’s how they did business back there.

I decided to check my phone for the millionth time. No call, no message or WhatsApp. I had many other WhatsApp’s, emails and messages to read from my team but my eyes were eagerly awaiting that one message from her. Begrudgingly, I open my laptop for a team’s meeting and get cracking with the pending work. I’m halfway through my meeting when I get a call. Usually, I would put my phone on silent or vibrate during meetings but I seemed to have forgotten to do that today. I excused myself from the meeting telling them to carry on and I will catch up. “Hello.” I answer, the number wasn’t one I recognized so I was naturally curious who could it be. “Hi, is this Veer?” came the melodious voice. “Yes. Aaradhya?” I asked eagerly. “Yes, I thought about what you said. I’m willing to give you another chance at friendship, but that’s all it is. Friendship.” She punctuated the word through emphasis on it that I would catch. Message received. “Duly noted. Thank you for agreeing to give me another chance. Does that mean I’m forgiven?” I teased.

“You wish. You didn’t serve any penance for your forgiveness yet.” She huffed out. “Fine, then I will make it a birthday to remember to make up my penance. Have you decided where do you want to go?” I asked her excited at the prospect of having her in my life again. “Well, yes. I want to go see the whales and dolphins that come up the southern coast this time of the year and I want to try the wine tram in Franshoek.” She said confidently. “Consider it done. Your birthday is next week Friday, does the weekend sound good?” I asked mentally noting to ask my admin assistant to help with the booking. “Uh no.” she says too quickly. “I already have plans for that weekend. But I’m free this weekend…” she trails off. I had to go back on Wednesday but I was waiting for her call to confirm plans so I could reschedule my flights for a later date. I’m momentarily disappointed but I remember she must have a life before I came back into her life again. “Of course, excuse my silliness. Let me get all the bookings for the activities and I will confirm the times and itinerary for this weekend. May I WhatsApp you on this number to confirm everything?” My mind is already on planning mode but I will just need a little help to get this task done.

“Yes, you may.” Aardhya confirms. “Perfect, I’ll drop you a message soon, I do have to run as I was in a meeting just now. Sorry to cut the call short.” I apologized wishing I could speak longer with her. “No problem. Chat later.” And the call cuts. I let out a breath, feeling a sense of relief flooding through me. As I rejoined the meeting, I quickly typed a message to my admin assistant and told her to get cracking on the itenary. I spend the day in and out of meetings, because of this new business we need to look at potentially expanding our premises and in turn look at finances before we can even think of acting on it.

#

By the time I’m done for the day I’m exhausted in a good way. Satisfied with getting the necessary work done in order to grow this business. I changed into sport wear for the gym and plugged in my ear phones as I start with my work out for the day. As I’m busy lifting weights, a call interrupts my music. “Hello,” I grunted as I controlled my breathing in time with lifting. “Hi Veer, Dominque here. Did I catch you at a bad time?” my admin assistant said. “Not at all, just in the gym. What’s up?” I said putting the weights down. “So, I’ve got good news, the tickets for the wine tram are booked. The marine 5 tour has also been booked; they are within a two-hour drive of each other. I have booked an Airbnb for you and your friend. While I was speaking to the company that does the wine tram, they suggested booking over somewhere for the night as driving back after tasting all that wine is not safe and the police have gone stricter. So, you guys are booked in for the weekend at this accommodation. I’ve sent you all the details via WhatsApp and directions to the place. Is there anything you need from me?” Domique spoke professionally.

“No, Dominque. That’s great! Thank you so much for your help. Have a lovely evening.” I greeted her. “It’s only a pleasure. By the way, the marine 5 tour said it is weather dependent and any sightings aren’t guaranteed on any particular trip. Thanks, you too!” She informed me. “Noted, thanks again. Bye.” And we hang up. I get back to my weights and spend another 15minutes in the gym then head to my room for a shower. After a nice hot shower, I put on my boxers then begin to towel dry my hair. I decide to message Aaradhya before I could get busy with something else.

Me: Hey😊 I hope I’m not disturbing you. Just wanted to let you know everything is booked for the weekend. I’m sending through the details so you can have a look at them.

I hit send and forwarded the details to her. In the meantime, I ordered some Indochinese food from Mr. Delivery app and changed into a t-shirt and shorts.

Aaradhya: Hey, thanks for letting me know. I see we will be staying over Saturday and Sunday in Franshoek…

Me: Yes, so my assistant found out from the wine tram company, they suggest staying over nearby and not driving home after the wine tasting as the cops are quite strict.

I go down to fetch my food and get back to my room. Ready to dig in. My phone chimes with a message tone as I grab a fork and take a bite.

Aaradhya: I hope there are separate rooms booked for both of us. I don’t want any awkward moments.

I frown. There are two rooms booked for us and I assure as much after which we say goodnight. I wanted to chat more with her but I didn’t want to push too much either. I often wondered before what I would say to her if I ever met her again, what would it be like? I didn’t expect it to be so surreal. As much as it happened when anyone least expected it to happen, I really hope we can cultivate a healthier friendship than what we had before. I don’t want the past to taint the present or future so I will make sure not to repeat the past mistakes again. She deserves to be treated like the amazing person she is.

I can’t stop thinking about how gorgeous she looked in that sari. Her open curly hair that always set her apart from all the other girls who had straight hair. She was much tinier in school but now she has filled out into a curvy silhouette. She had this aura where she walked, people couldn’t take their eyes off her. I noticed how the waiter seemed to be eyeing her and other students around us. I don’t know why it made me feel annoyed and almost unsettled, maybe because being a guy I knew how dirty the male gaze can be and what they might be thinking about her.

I was such a coward and idiot for not seeing her and appreciating her back then. She was one of the honest and genuine person out of everyone. I realized the hard way that not all that glitters is gold. It’s very easy to get carried away when something looks too good to be true. Now that I’ve been given a second chance by life, I won’t squander it. I will work hard to earn her trust again and retain it. I will treat her right because she truly deserves it. Not once did she shun me away back then, even after I just used her, she still had faith in me that I was a good person and I want to show her that she wasn’t wrong back then, I was simply misguided. I am truly looking forward to this weekend. With that thought I finished up and relax until Its time to go to bed.

#

Saturday morning was sunny and clear skies so I hoped it was going to remain this way because Cape Town’s weather was very unpredictable. I left with my hand luggage and valuables to pick up Aaradhya; I was currently waiting in front of her complex gate for her to come out. The place was about 20 minutes’ drive from my hotel in CBD so it wasn’t too far. I was just looking at nothing in particular when I heard the gate opening and there, she was walking towards me. I got out of the car to help with her bag.

She wore an off-shoulder light blue top with black jeans and her curls were loose down her back. “Hi, how are you?” I greeted. I wanted to hug her like we used to but I think it’s too soon. “Hi, I’m good thanks and you?” she replied. “Here let me take that,” I gestured to the weekend bag she’s carrying. “I’m well thanks.” I replied as put the bag into the boot and close it. “Ready to leave?” I asked before I took off on the road. “Yeah.” Came the reply. The radio was on softly so it wasn’t completely silent. After a couple minutes Aaradhya spoke. “Thank you for coming to pick me up. I would have been fine driving on my own though.” I glanced at her and her eyes are lined with kohl as last time, she has a silver hoop nose ring that glints when the sun shines on it.

“It makes more sense to go together if we both are going to the same place. Besides I said it’s my treat, right? So, you should basically just relax and enjoy the time.” I told her as I drove. I had my phone connected to the car, so I had my Spotify playlist on, some 90s RnB songs with rap and hip-hop hits. Currently, Rihanna and Eminem’s ‘Hate the way you lie’ was playing. We drove in silence for a few minutes until Aaradhya broke the silence. “Can I ask you a question?”. I glanced at her for a second, before keeping my eyes on the road. “You just did.” I joked, then I heard her huff of frustration as the corners of my lips curved upwards.

Some things don’t change, same old Aaradhya but I just couldn’t resist annoying her like I used to before. She was so easy to irritate. “But yes, you can ask anything you want.” I added the same light tone. “Don’t you find this a tad bit weird?” she asked. “What do you mean?” I asked genuinely confused. She sighed. “This-us- like this talking again after all this time like nothing happened, going on a road trip together like we the best of buddies or something.” She gestured in the space between us. “Honestly, it feels more surreal to me than anything. I never thought we would ever meet again in this lifetime, but I always hoped and prayed that we do. So, no, it does not feel weird to me.” I answered her surprised by my own honestly. I did not have any intention of lying to her but being so raw, so vulnerable just felt right that I never thought about it before answering her.

She was quiet for a few moments. I got worried I may have said something wrong that upset her. “You prayed that we would meet again?” she asked in a soft voice. I heard the surprise and curiosity in her voice. “It took me a while to realize what I did back then was very wrong, no matter how I felt or what was happening in my life, it was no excuse for me to behave so horribly to you. I can only imagine how much my actions must have caused you pain. If I hadn’t been a stupid guy back then, whose ego meant more than a person we probably would have still been in each other’s life now. But I gave the wrong person a chance and only after I came close, I realized I was chasing a shiny stone while I let a diamond slip through my hands.” My voice thickens with regret. I clear my throat. “Too often we only realize what we had after we lost it.” I finished letting it settle between us.

“Thank you for being honest with me…It’s so rare to find people admitting when they were wrong and owning up to their mistakes.” Aaradhya thanked me. Her voice sounded more gentler, as if somehow my confession shifted something in her. If she thought she’d never meet me again, that could feel unsettling, to think about receiving an apology you thought you would never get.

The rest of the way we the conversation drifted almost normally around what we do and what’s current in our lives. I learnt that Aaradhya works as an office administrator for a small business that does IT solutions and support for businesses. She moved to Cape Town about 6 years ago and has been living here since then. I told her about my logistics company and how there could be a possible expansion soon. I studied business administration and I wanted to complete my MBA soon. I didn’t expect things to pick up where we left off 13 years ago but gradually get to that point where we trust each other enough to speak freely. I noticed a slight hesitance from her while speaking and I understand why her guard is up. She has every right to be cautious, but I know I’m not the same guy I was back then. I will try my best to not ever hurt her again.

#

We arrive at our Airbnb that’s situated in a quiet but scenic place of Franshoek. It’s on a wine farm owned by an old couple who owned it for over 35 years. As we are shown the cottage we are going to stay in, I’m just inspecting the property out to make sure we received it in a decent condition when I reach the bed room. There are two double beds as requested but in one room. I assumed the two beds were in two different rooms not one room. I’m just about to turn to speak to Aaradhya when she walks into me and I catch her by her arms to steady her. “Uuff! Sorry I didn’t expect to you be standing here.” she apologizes a little breathless. I chuckled. “It’s okay, seems we’ve made this into quite the habit hey.” I teased. A blush starts to form on her cheeks and I see her throat bob. “Not a very good one. One day someone is going to fall and get hurt if we keep bumping into each other.” Aaradhya looks up to me; those big brown eyes look intense with the kajal. “I’ll make sure to carry pillows to soften the landing.” I joked. My hands were still on her when she cleared her throat and we took a step back from each other. “Very funny. I was looking for the other bedroom when I bumped into you.” She said changing the topic.

“About that...” I spoke scratching my head. “So, when I saw that the place had two beds, I naturally assumed two bedrooms which is not the case now.” I said apologetically.

I waited for an outburst of some kind or shouting but none of that came. “If I remember correctly, this is the only cottage they rent out to Airbnb.” She sighed. Nodding sheepishly, because I was so silly to miss this detail and I’m very particular about details.

“Well then, since you’ve already paid for it and we won’t find new accommodation in a short space of time, because we have to leave for the wine tram soon, I’ll overlook the oversight. But it means you have more making up to do.” She tsked. “This is not looking good for you Mr. Singh.” Aaradhya went to the bed on the left side while I took the right. The cottage was a face brick quaint dwelling with a shower and bathtub in the bathroom. It was adjacent the main property where they served breakfast and surrounding us was a vineyard, lush and different shades of green. There was a little flower garden in the front just before going into the vineyard. Back inside the cottage, there was a plush two-seater in-front of the fire place and a little kitchenette to the side of the of the living area. After leaving our luggage and checking in, we left for the wine tram which was quite busy when we get there. The lines go smoothly despite a lot of foot traffic; it’s sorted out in different lines and our is the grey line.

Once we got out tickets and climb aboard the tram we choose to sit two rows after the exit. Aaradhya took the window seat while I took the aisle seat. We were given two plastic champagne glasses as the guide announces how the tram works and which line gets off where, all the while filing everyone’s glasses with complimentary champagne. I took a sip of my champagne letting the bubbly drink slide down my throat, leaving a sort of citrusy after taste but it was strong. I didn’t even know this wine tram was a thing until Aaradhya mentioned it. Apparently, it’s a big hit with locals and tourist alike. I could see why, at each stop you got a wine tasting of 5 different wines, your whites, reds and rose. After the first two tasting I was beginning to feel a bit tipsy, I guess my alcohol tolerance wasn’t what it used to be in my twenties.

I shake my head because Aaradhya is being silly, I told her I won’t drink too much because having two drunk people navigating our way back to the Airbnb cottage won’t be a sound idea. “Come on, you know I’m right.” I try to convince her. She pouts at me and sticks her tongue out at me. “Don’t be such a party pooper. You used to drink much more than this if I’m not mistaken.” She casually joked. I chuckled at her antics, but also feel very surprised that she remembers such small insignificant details about me. “Hey, that’s not fair. Besides I have to keep you safe.” I sipped my water. “Pfft, excuses-excuses.” She huffed. “Besides you have making up to do remember?” she cleverly mentioned. “Hmm, even tipsy you do have a point but I’ll indulge you a little bit.” I bargained with her hopping she agreed, because Aaradhya can be very stubborn when she wants.

“Fine. Deal.” We shook hands on it and it was the first time that we touched on purpose. I felt a little tingle shoot through my hand and chalked it off to the wine, that sent shiver down my spine. Aaradhya was gazing into my eyes like, she too, felt that tingle through her hand. I noticed the pretty crystal bracelets on her wrist, a tattoo on her forearm in Hindi, going up her arm. Her mauve colored lips parted indicating her shallow breathing, that nose ring was like a kryptonite to me but the show stopper were her big gorgeous honey chocolate-colored eyes that had the depth of the Indian ocean that surrounded much of South Africa’s eastern coast. Those eyes always had a way of captivating anyone gazing into them, like she could read into their souls without the other person saying anything.

A few of the people in our group hollering for us to come, broke the moment. It was time to go to the next stop on our line. This was the second last stop and they had some live musicians playing good local tunes that almost everyone up and dancing. We met some cool people in our group, the one gay couple and another pair of friends. I was feeling a bit thirsty and I wanted a break so I let Aaradhya know I was going back to our table. While asking the waiter for two glasses of water and just admiring how Aaradhya was enjoying herself on the makeshift dancefloor, the one the guys of the gay couple came to sit down by me.

“Well, that was a blast of a time. I really like this wine farm. Are you getting some rest before you can join again?” he asked me. “I think I’ve danced enough to make up for lost times. I’m good. What about you? You were enjoying the last track hey.” I conversed with him but my attention was on Aaradhya. She was a natural at dancing it seemed, another interesting fact I’m learning about her. “Oh, I’m here to hydrate then join mister back for the next song. But you are a lucky guy hey. You partner is gorgeous and talented it would seem. You need to probably practice to keep up with her.” He jested with me. I chuckled but answered him, “Oh we are just friends actually. We meet after a long time and are here to celebrate her birthday.” I explained. The waters came while we were speaking, so I take a big sip of my glass.

“Really? Man, I’d swear you guys were married or something. The chemistry between you guys is just electric. Even my Kevin agreed with that and the rest of the group. We were just admiring you guys together.” He said so casually, his name was Danny, I think.

It made me think of the small moments we’ve shared so far and how I can’t help but keep admiring her, no matter what she wears and just hanging onto every word she spoke. “Truly we are just friends. I mean I don’t even know if she sees me in that way or if she has someone in her life already. I wouldn’t want to come on to her and make her feel uncomfortable.” I sort of rambled to a complete stranger I met hours ago.

“Take it from me, life is too short to spend it on what-ifs. The only way you will know is by shooting your shot. If she does have someone or doesn’t feel the same way, it’s not a train smash. You can still remain good friends but at least you both will know where you stand.” After that rejoined his partner and leaving me thinking about something I was probably scared to even imagine till now. Would she even accept me in that way after I rejected her before and after everything that happened, did I even deserve a chance with her? I’m grateful she even agreed to speak to me and rekindle our friendship but I don’t want to take advantage of her good nature. A part of me is attracted to her, it has since she bumped into me at the event but we are in a very fragile space right now.

#

We ordered some pizzas after all that dancing. I didn’t realize someone could possibly get drunk like this on wine but now I’d seen it with most of the people who came for the wine tram. So many of them were wasted; laughing and talking boisterously as we made our way back to the entrance. I ordered a uber as me made our way back so at least we wouldn’t have to wait too longer. I was laughing at a joke one of the guys made and saw Aaradhya joined in on the laugh. That dimple on her right cheek showed prominently, she looked so carefree and young as if the years have been kind to her. “You guys are quite the pair. Are you guys driving back to Cape Town?” one of the girls asked. I looked to Aardhya to see her reaction, the last I wanted her was to be uncomfortable.

She just chuckled. “Oh no, we aren’t together-together. We’re just friends, but we have rented an Airbnb not far from here.” She answered cooly. Even if she was uncomfortable from the question, she didn’t let it show in her tone, but I saw her fidget with the edges of her top and twirl her ring around her finger. “Are you okay?” I asked putting my hand on hers to comfort her. We began disembarking from the tram and said goodbye to everybody.

She simply nodded. “How far is the uber? I really need to pee.” She bounced on her feet. Checking the app, I saw the uber was one minute away. “One minute away. Why don’t you go here?” I recommended. “Nope.” She said popping the ‘P’. The uber arrived and I confirmed the driver’s details as we got in and then it was another 10 minutes to our Airbnb. We thanked the driver for dropping us off and I opened the door to our cottage as Aaradhya sped past me inside. Chuckling at her antics, I made sure to look the door and sat on the couch when my phone chimed with a message. I see that the group they made for the people on our line was active as people were sending all the pictures we took today.

I was simply going through them when I saw a picture of Aardhya and I dancing but we were looking at each other fondly, smiling and totally carefree. There was another where I was looking at her but she was looking at the scenery of mountains and valleys of wine farms. Her curly hair framed her face; she appeared to be glowing from within. “What are you smiling at?” came Aaradhya’s voice from the room. I looked up to find her staring at me.

“I was just looking at the pictures from today they sent on the group. It was kind of cool of them to create this group.” I answered her. “Yes, I wouldn’t have thought about it. But it’s usually something you create with friends, you know.” She spoke. “So…” Aardhya trailed off. “So?” I asked confused. “I don’t know about you but I’m too buzzed to go to bed. Plus, its way too early and it’s not even dark yet.” She pouted. I raised my eyebrows in question. A pouty Aaradhya was a very cute Aaradhya. “And what do you suggest we do?” I enquired intrigued by her. “Let’s dance!” she exclaimed her eyes lighting up. Some music started playing as I turned around. I chuckled. “You really are something.” I walked to the kitchenette.

“Come on! Don’t be a party pooper.” I could feel her following me at a close distance so I poured the water in a glass and turned around. “Here, please drink some water, I don’t think I saw you drinking any water today.” I said offering the glass of water to her, I realized after the first wine farm she was enjoying the wine but she made no conscious move to drink any water to keep hydrated. That’s when I decided to cut back on the wine drinking. I needed to be coherent enough to take care of her. She shook her head side to side. “Nope.” She said popping the ‘P’. I took a step forward.

“Come on, you don’t want to wake up with a hangover from hell tomorrow.” I cajoled her. She paused, tilting her to the side, with a faraway look. “You noticed that I wasn’t drinking enough water?” she asked softly. “Yes, I noticed.” I answered though she already knew. “Drink.” I said gently. I tipped the glass to her lips, as she obliged me. She drank slowly, deliberately, keeping her gaze on me. Little drops of water escaped her lips, sliding down the corner of her lips. She stopped drinking, my hand unconsciously goes to wipe the water away as she lifts her hand to also wipe the water away. Our hands collide and stopped there.

We stood there as time seemed to stop our eyes doing the talking of what we never dared to admit the things we were thinking of. She seemed to be cradling my hand to her cheek, her eyes full of longing and maybe want but restraint as well. A visible war being fought within herself. My body seemed to respond of its own accord by closing the gap between us. Our breaths mingled, warmth fanning out. “Why are you noticing after all this time, Veer?” came the breathless whisper. The music changed to a slow tempo, the water glass long forgotten on the counter, my one hand still at her cheek, while the other found her waist. “Why wouldn’t I notice everything about you?” I answered with a questioned of my own. Her redness graced her cheeks.

Her breath hitched. I began swaying us. She laid her head on my chest as we swayed to the music. My heart beat slightly faster, my breaths came a tad bit faster but the peace I felt in this moment was unmatched to anything I had ever felt before. It felt as if the universe conspired just for us to have this moment after all this time. “You know how many times I wished you would just look at me the way I look at you?” She spoke, her voice a little horse and thick with emotion. I sensed this was something personal and probably very difficult to share so I kept quiet, letting her have the space to speak. “How many times I wished you would just hold my hand when we were chilling, or how I longed to have you hold me a little longer when I hugged you in the mornings, so that everything would feel alright even though it wasn’t. I ached to hear you say words that never came out of your mouth. To just hear you say you appreciated me as a friend or even that you saw me for who I am. But…none of that came. Instead, every day I put on a smile knowing that you liked someone else who didn’t even notice you until she found out that I liked you. A little part of me died every day, seeing you, pretending to be happy to just be your friend and be there for you whenever you needed me. Even then I felt I wasn’t enough. Because you shared things with everyone else but me. If you even spoke a few measly words of affection to me, I would have been over the moon, I would have given our friendship everything, I did give our friendship everything I had and it still wasn’t enough.” I felt my shirt dampen. I tightened my arms around her trying to convey the comfort to her without interrupting her. I heard her breathing go deeper and faster.

I stopped us swaying and lifted her chin with my index finger under it. Fresh tears rolled her cheek, that broke my heart leaving an aching pain in its wake. I bent to capture each tear with my lips. I smoothed her hair back from her face. “No one should have to go through such torture, least of it alone. Most of all you, you didn’t deserve to be treated like a nobody. You are a Queen. You always were and will always be. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise, even if that person is me. I can’t take away that time but I can only strife to do better, to live up to your standards. Let me show you that you deserve so much more than anyone could even think of giving you.” I spoke, each word was sincere and I meant each one. Her big brown eyes, lined with kohl, slightly red and glassy, looked gorgeous. They always seemed like they could read your deepest darkest secrets, reading into the dusty corners of your soul that no one saw.

“Veer…don’t.” she said strained. “Why not?” I asked not missing a beat. “Because I will fall in love with you again. And you won’t fall in love with me, again. I managed to pull myself together after the first time but I won’t be able to a second time.” she confessed. Those words became my undoing. She stepped away to walk towards the door, when I caught her arm. Her eyes grew big but I gave her no time to protest as my lips descended upon hers. My restraint broke, in the softest ways possible. Whether this was the wines doing or this moments vulnerability I couldn’t tell.

Her lips were soft and salty from the tears but I didn’t mind. My hands cradled her face moving into those thick curly tresses. She didn’t move her lips for a few seconds then her resolve broke and she kissed me back. The kissed that started off slowly, turned steamy and passionate like a starved woman who hadn’t seen her lover in years. She arched herself into me unconsciously, it was like fanning the flames of passion higher. I held onto her tighter, my other hand going to her waist to squeeze it, which earned me a moan. Her hands were at the nape of my neck playing with my hair and running her fingers in that area.

I let out a groan. We broke apart, both breathless, heated and flushed from the kiss. “Maybe this time I will fall in love with you.” I said tucking a loose curl behind her ear. I saw a myriad of emotions pass through her face: blushing, shock, delight, shyness and something that looked like guilt. The last one stayed the longest before the walls seemed to slowly come up again. “You don’t get to waltz into my life unannounced, say a few sweet things and then kiss me in a vulnerable moment thinking it’s okay and that will be a happy ending.” She said coldly. Her demeanor changed, withdrawing from me removing her warm body from my embrace, my hands fell to my sides.

I took a step forward but she took one back. I stopped. “I never once thought this would be so easy to seek your forgiveness but I meant it when I said I will continue trying. I didn’t expect this to happen. The kiss just happened organically in the moment; I had no intention of taking advantage of you. Please believe me when I say this, I meant the kiss. I wouldn’t take any of it back.” I reassured her.

I still saw the conflict flickering in her eyes, her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her top. “If I gave you some space by going for a walk, would that help?” I asked instead of seeing her struggle with herself like that, which made me feel helpless to help her. She nodded and I left without saying a word.

#

The next morning things were a little awkward to say the least. We barely said more than a few words to each other before we left for the whale watching. The whole drive there was spent in silence. I wanted to speak to her, hear what she was thinking since last night but I didn’t want to add to her anguish so I decided to let her choose when she wanted to speak. When we got to the tour place, we checked in for our tickets and then boarded a boat that was taking us for a ride to see the marine five. Although they said sightings were never guaranteed and also weather dependent, we were fortunate today turned out to be sunny and warm.

As we boarded the boat, a guide welcomed us, guiding us to our seats. We sat on the top deck, next to an old couple. The tour operator announced that today although the sunny weather, they expected big swells on the ocean and the wind was blowing slightly. But other-wise they didn’t expect any hiccups. The boat sailed for about 20 minutes before we came to stop at a spot as everyone stood to see over the rails, when the tour operator announced we had arrived at a spot where a few people were shark cage diving. Aaradhya sat quiet and contemplative beside me the entire ride. So, I let her be, I wanted to speak to her about last night, it was eating away at me, like the two sharks that popped up to eat the dead meat thrown at them but I also didn’t want a public scene.

There was a silent awkwardness that was brewing and I don’t think this could be healthy for either of us. The sharks weren’t coming fully up but we could see their fins sticking out the water. People were clicking away taking, pictures on their phones and Aaradhya was also enjoying the sights. A big swell came and the boat lifted and dipped with the current Aaradhya nearly slipped but I stood behind her and held her by her elbows to steady her. She had both hands on her phone and fell into my chest. She looked back and her kohl lined eyes found mine, “Are you okay?” I asked concerned. She seemed surprised but also a slight relief. “Yeah, thanks.” “You’re welcome. Try putting your hand in the strap so it keeps you steady while taking photos.” I suggested. She looked forward and to her left was a bright orange strap secured to the thick steel railing. I didn’t think she would listen to me but she surprised me by putting her hand through the strap and secured herself to the railing.

#

The rest of the ride went by uneventful. We spotted a mother and calf pair of southern right whales, where the calf seemed curious of the boat and followed us from a distance. We spotted few more of the whales, then we visited the seals and penguin islands which are protected habitats. The seals were friendly and even put on a show for us floating and doing some kind of dance in the ocean. We didn’t see any dolphins on our trip but the trip was very educational and fun. I spoke a little to some people who stood near us by the railing when we were watching for the whales, lots of tourists but also a few locals from around the country. The one couple was here for their honeymoon from London; they were just thrilled to be in the warm sunny weather right now since they were approaching their colder months up north.

The old couple next to us was here with their family from India. They were friendly and struck a conversation immediately. They asked us where we were from and turns out they were from Pune, Maharashtra. They were heading to CBD after this hoping to see the touristy spots there before they had to head back to Johannesburg to catch a flight back to India. They asked if we were married and thought we made a handsome couple. We both kind of fumbled for words and told them we were only old school friends, the conversation sort of drifted and died off there, probably because they sensed the awkwardness between Aaradhya and I.

I was contemplative the entire boat ride about how to approach Aaradhya so that we could have an honest conversation about what had happened. It was a very delicate matter. If I was so mystified about this situation, I could only image how Aaradhya was feeling. I wanted to remedy our friendship hence why we were on this trip to celebrate her birthday and I thought maybe we were making a tiny bit of progress when she started speaking a bit more casually with me, and even seemed to enjoy herself on this trip. But then that one stupid kiss seemed to ruin all the progress we’ve made till now.

Her confession took me by complete surprise! I never thought she still had any feelings for me in that manner or that she even loved me. I didn’t realize how I began to fall for her ever since we bumped into each other. It’s true that when I realized how sincerely she liked me, I wished that if ever we meet I would give her a chance as more than a friend but I never imagined we would ever meet again. So here we are in a pickled mess of a situation that’s complicated as fuck. I still feel guilty as hell for the way I treated her back then but I know nothing can take it back and I suppose that’s a worse kind of torture to put yourself through. I have too many regrets from my past but I also know I’m not that person anymore.

At least I’d like to think I’m better than what I was. How do I make her see this? How do I make her realize, that I’ve learnt my lesson and that I cherish what we had? I know it can’t be the same but I’d like to try and build something even better than what we had. When I saw my number still saved in her phoned, I thought even after all this this she still has feelings for me but I didn’t want to presume anything. So, I pretended to add my number and handed her the phone back. She said she would fall in love with me again and I won’t fall in love with her again… what did she mean by that? Was she still in love with me currently? Or did us meeting again awaken those dormant feelings? Or did she not love me anymore because she mentioned it took her a long time to get over me.

I sighed, running my hands through my hair for the millionth time today. We were currently waiting in line to get off the boat. As we made our way back to the car parked up the road, I saw Aaradhya turning to go into a trinkets shop that sold souvenirs; from shells, to fridge magnets to wind charms to tiny ornaments that looked too delicate to be touched and some jewelry. I watched her admire some pieces and it she even enquired about the price on a shell bracelet but for some reason she didn’t end up purchasing it. Instead, she just took a fridge magnet. So, I went in after her and then bought the items she admired and I bought a fridge magnet to take back to home in Joburg.

It was past 1pm so I asked Aaradhya if she would like to eat here or we could find a restaurant on the way back to the cottage. She said she was fine with a restaurant on the way back. She seemed lost in thought but not so tense as this morning so I took that as a good sign. She was admiring the scenery on the way looking out towards her window. There was something peaceful about driving through the mountains on one side and the ocean the other side. It felt refreshing and liberating, almost like you are reconnecting with a part of yourself that you lost touch with, like a sort of coming home.

I felt like I could think clearly, without the pressure of everyday life and actually breathe better because the air was purer. Looking at her in my passenger seat, in a pink and white floral maxi dress with her curl’s half tamed on top her head and half left open to be wild and free. The dress hugged her body in all the right places; the golden sunlight shone on her dusky skin making it shine like liquid gold. That slender neck adorned with a silver hanging earing and a thin silver chain sat around her neck. I stole glances of her in-between stops on the road, wanting to capture her essence in my mind just the way she was in that moment. No worry lines graced her forehead; her face was completely relaxed. There was a sort of calmness on her face, almost like contentment. I wished she felt this everyday of her life or at least remembered it when she was having a bad day to cheer her up.

We stopped by an Indian fusion restaurant, trying some famous Indian foods with a fusion twist. As we waited for our food to arrive, Aaradhya cleared her throat. “Thank you for a lovely birthday weekend. I’ve been wanting to do this for a very long time and this weekend you finally made it happen.” She thanked me sincerely. Her voice soft and clear. It was a stark change from last night. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’ll consider this mission successful.” I teased and she chuckled. That melodious laugh made my chest fill with warmth and I smiled genuinely.

We ate in silence but it was comfortable, not the type where you needed to fill it with idle chatter. We have samosa fritters, a paneer tikka burger for me and she had a veggie wrap with mushrooms, garnish and sauce. “Would you like to take a walk with me outside after we are done here?” She asked. I looked at her and she had this almost expectant but very sure aura around her. “Sure, I’d love to.” We finished our meals and I paid for the meal then we walked a little to the side of the restaurant and there were benches situated on a sloping path down to the beach. The benches overlooked the beach giving a spectacular view of its vastness of blues and greens that was a visual treat.

We sat down and one of the first benches, “You must be wondering why I’ve been so quiet since last night.” She began while facing the ocean and looking out to it but I couldn’t keep my eyes off of her. “Truth is, I was shocked and embarrassed. A lot of wine, you saying all the right things and me feeling so vulnerable, turns out to not be such a good combination. Note to self.” She laughed self-consciously. “I’m grateful to you that you didn’t push the matter or insist on anything. I know you could have easily convinced me that what we were doing was right and taken things further but you chose to walk away and give me the space.” She spoke.

“I honestly wasn’t sure if you did remember anything or not. I didn’t want to bring anything up and upset you again.” I confessed. She looked at me like she was seeing me for the first time. “You really have changed, haven’t you?” She asked. I nodded my head sheepishly. She sighed. “This is not going to make it easy.” She mumbled but I caught it. “I beg your pardon?” I asked unsure. “I honestly thought you were putting on a show and just saying the things you thought I wanted to hear, I was ready to tell you that we should just part ways here. But now…” she trailed off.

“But now?” I prompted her. “I don’t know, okay! I-The reason I was going to also tell you that, I have someone in my life right now. I was finally trying to move on with my life and then life brings you back into my life. Only this time you have reformed and are not the spoilt arrogant idiot you were back then and you are somehow saying all the things I yearned to hear back then, it’s like my years old wish was coming true. Then I have this truly good guy who genuinely likes me for who I am, and takes good care of me. I really felt like life is just taking a piss at me right now.” She laughed sarcastically.

A sense of envy filled inside me soon as she mentioned this other guy who shows an interest in her. I only got to feel her in my arms for a few moments last night. He must get to hold her hand whenever they are out or put his arms around her waist showing everyone, he was with her, or even kiss her gentle pouty lips whenever he wanted to and hear her melodious laugh. “You should know I would have never taken advantage of you last night, tipsy or not. I had no idea you had someone in your life. I honestly thought maybe you were single or at least I hoped you would be.” I spoke honestly. I took her hand in both of mine. “I didn’t know if I’d ever meet you again but now that life or the universe, whatever you want to call it, has brought us together again I would be damned if I left you go without a fight. I’m by no means trying to compete with this other guy but all I ask is for a fair chance to show you that I meant what I said. If by the end of it you don’t feel the same way about me the way I do about you, I will walk away peacefully.” I finished with determination. She looked pensive, eyebrows pinched together. She opened her mouth as if she was about to say something when her phone rang. Her hand slipped out of mines, “Sorry I have to take this.” She said excusing herself and walked a few feet away.

As I watched her with the phone next to her ear, she was smiling, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her smile so brightly before. She was twirling one of her curls on her finger and speaking. The dress flowed around her with the wind and she looked like a vision against the seaboard. That warmth from earlier began to flow even more freely over my chest giving me a sense of solace. Just being by her side this weekend has been nothing short of magical. Whatever it is that I felt for her, seemed to grow more as I spent time with her. A part of me told me I’d be stupid to let her go a second time. I was inclined to agree.

She didn’t know it yet but I was going to win her over this time even if I had to move my entire life around to make it happen. Aaradhya Prasad was going to be the bane of my existence but I’d happily let her be.

The End. Or is it?

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a prestigious event celebrating the finest in literary creativity. It showcases diverse voices and themes from around the world, offering a platform for writers to share their unique stories and perspectives. This competition continues to inspire and engage audiences by highlighting the transformative power of words.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Aakrutie Rathod-Rugunanan for sharing "Jab we met for the second time" with us. This compelling entry into the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 offers a profound exploration of love and redemption. Thank you, Aakrutie, for allowing us to journey through this heartfelt narrative.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.