The Rendezvous

I could sense the chill in my spine. I did not expect this. I checked the RSVP list. Twice. Her name was not there. But there she was right in front of me. My first crush / infatuation /fling or whatever one can call. Standing in full, 20 m away. Sipping a cup of tea and chatting with a few others. Her posture was majestic and she had an aura around her. All those around her were looking so petty. "Mrs.Ramesh" read her name tag. No wonder she did not call me to her wedding. We had a messy break up long back. The nervousness was not because of any latent feeling i harbour but the dread of an awkward rendezvous. 

Keeping my face stoic i remained as far away from her as I could and did not want to give my eclectic band of maverick buddies a chance to poke fun at me. But still her presence stirred up more than a few memories from the past. Her presence made me forget that I had brought my wife here for a couple of minutes. The tenth year reunion of my Alma matter is not exactly the best place for her to socialise. Still she was doing way better than I expected. She knew everyone from the gang and they were busy explaining her, what a wonderful haven this place was. She was one more reason I did keep my distance from Mrs.Ramesh. Thankfully it looked like she was enjoying her time. This is our first trip together after our marriage. "Guys lets go to the cafeteria. It’s been a long time and I have been telling too many delicious stories about it to Namratha. I am sure she would love the snacks there. " I smiled at my wife. We are getting to know about each other better every passing day. The entire gang was ready and the cafeteria used to be our favourite hangout spot during the college days.

Two rounds of bajis and a glass of fresh juice quenched our appetite for food and nostalgia.  “Hey karthik!! How have you been doing!!? Its been a long time”.  It was Mrs.Ramesh. Bloody hell,  Why this kolaveri di!!  “Hey anitha!! Yup its been more than a decade now. How are you??” “I am a wife, mother and a corporate gal. You are still at ABC corp?” “Yup, the same place. Sort of used to the comforts there. “  And then she started to greet the rest of the people. “ Heard you got married.  Wont you introduce me to your wife? “ She asked this with a naughty smile. The very same awkward moment that I wanted to avoid is now thrust upon me. I smiled at her and called Namratha. I could hear a few giggles amongst my friends. I somehow avoided and rather forgot to mention anitha to her till now. “This is Namratha. We got married last month. And she is working in XYZ corp. “ Before i could introduce Anitha, she said “I am Anitha!! I was his classmate in college. Hope he mentioned me to you about me. We were quite an item during our college days.” My heart skipped a beat. I did not expect this. Why the hell one bring up a forgotten chapter now?  “Of course he had told me about you. It’s nice finally to meet you”. There was a complete silence and I could hear nothing. The same words kept ringing in my head again and again!! Rest of the conversation did not register in my head at all. I am just glad that I had this rendezvous with my companion for life.