“What do people do on dates?” Nine-year old Chhavi asked her friend Mihika.

“I know for sure that it usually rains on dates.”

“How do you know that?”

Mihika took a while to answer. “Haven’t you seen songs of couples? They go out when it is raining.”

“Hmm. They dance on the streets.”

Mihika shook her head. “That happens only in movies, dumbo! In real life, a boy and a girl agree to meet on a specific day and time, roam in parks or meet in restaurants where the boy usually treats the girl to delicious food. He says that she is looking very pretty and she blushes. They eat food, hold hands while walking, sometimes go to watch a movie and then the boy ensures that the girl reaches home safely.”

“Don’t they kiss?” Chhavi asked.

“No, they don’t!”

Both the girls jumped at the sudden intrusion. Chhavi instantly relaxed when she saw who had dropped into their conversation.

“Relax, Mihi.” Chhavi said. “It is my Harsh. We can talk to him about anything.”

“Is that so?” Harsh, Chhavi’s neighbor asked with an amused smile. “What is happening here? It is already 8. Don’t you two have school tomorrow?”

Chhavi sighed and got down from the wall. She and Mihika had been sitting on the wall beside the gate of the building where they both lived. She held Harsh’s hand and started walking towards her flat. It was next to Harsh’s. Mihika lived in the second floor of the same building.

“I and Mihika were talking about dates.” Chhavi said seriously.

Harsh chuckled. “What brought this conversation?”

Chhavi didn’t reply immediately. She was lost in admiring Harsh’s hair that was a tad longer than allowed. Harsh was tall and incredibly handsome.  He was ten years elder to her and went to college. It was cool to be in college, Chhavi guessed. You could wear whatever you wished and could keep any hairstyle.

Chhavi shrugged. Far too soon for her liking, they reached her flat. Harsh affectionately ruffled Chhavi’s hair. “It is too soon for this kind of conversation, kid. Study and achieve what you want to. Dates and all will come in the far future.”

He waved to them and stepped inside his home. Chhavi stood gazing at his home for some time.

“What are you thinking?” Mihika asked, fidgeting on the spot.

“I will go on a date with my Harsh one day.” Chhavi said.

---@@@---

Even as she stepped inside the station from the subway, Chhavi knew that nothing had changed.

There were absolutely no local trains running from Mumbai terminus towards her town of Dombivli. It had been raining the whole night and the tracks between Kurla and Bhandup were water-logged. She had made it last night to her office for the second shift through the cab that her office had sent. She had assumed that the rains would gradually slow down and by morning, everything would be normal.

Chhavi stood in despair and looked around, feeling lost. What was she supposed to do now?

“I told you to choose an office where there wouldn’t be shift-timings. But who listens to this oldie now?”

Chhavi turned around in surprise and delight. There stood Harsh, the love and light of her life.

“What are you doing here?” Chhavi asked, hoping he could not hear her heartbeats which had accelerated just on seeing him. It was really ridiculous. She was twenty-seven years old and was acting like a love-struck teenager in front of him.

It had always been so. Since as long as she could remember, Chhavi had been in love with Harsh. Times had changed, he wasn’t a teenager any more, neither was she a kid, and yet, nothing had changed for her except in the physical appearances.

Harsh still kept his hair longer, but now she could see one or two streaks of grey. His eyes had developed crow’s feet, and the swagger of his youth was now replaced with a careful and mature approach.

For her, he was still very much her Harsh, as he always had been.

“The train service stopped by the time I left office last night. I slept in the office and came here at the first opportunity to check whether the services have resumed. You had your second shift, I presume.”

Chhavi nodded. “My office-cab dropped me to office last night. It seems even the roads are completely water-logged now and hence no vehicles are available.” She could never understand how she came off as casual and unaffected when his presence caused a turmoil in her heart.

His adorable grin flashed and Chhavi sighed internally. Oh, how this guy owned her heart!

“Looks like we are stuck. Have you informed your parents?”

“Yes. They told me to stay in office. I just decided to check whether the services have resumed.”

Harsh looked around. “Seems like it will take time.”

Chhavi couldn’t help feel exhilarated. Talk about a blessing in disguise! The non-operational local trains would hopefully give her some precious hours with Harsh.

“Come on, let’s have some breakfast. I am hungry.” Harsh said and gestured towards the subway. “Pav-bhaji at Canon’s?”

“Sounds great.” Chhavi said, unable to believe that this was happening for real.

She had spent a lot of time with Harsh but it was always in a group or in their building. Today was the first time she was on her own with him.

Dear God, do not be in a hurry to end the day! She let out a silent prayer.

“Where is your shadow? I thought you both will be together.” Harsh said, referring to Mihika who worked in another firm in the same city.

“She is in her office. Her team leader has arranged for breakfast for the entire group. You know her. She wouldn’t miss a free meal at any cost.”

Harsh laughed. “It is amazing that you both are still connected like you always were.” He looked at Chhavi, a wistful expression on his face. “Time flies and how! You kids grew up really fast.”

“I am not a kid.” Chhavi said, a hint of frustration in her voice.

“Sure.” He said, laughing lightly.

The moment they stepped out of the subway, the aroma of butter and pav-bhaji assaulted their senses.

“Man, this never gets old! I could never get used to this.” Harsh said with a sigh.

Canon was famous for Pav-bhaji. It had started as a road-side stall and today, it catered to hundreds of people at a time, all of them eagerly waiting for a taste of the snack that it was famed for.

A large group had assembled there. Harsh somehow made his way to the counter and placed the order.

---@@@---

It was Holi and after playing the entire morning, the gang of guys in the building had gathered at the terrace to eat Vada-pav.

Ten-year old Chhavi and Mihika were rushing up the stairs when Chhavi’s father called her out and ordered her to come home.

“Enough playing! You have an exam tomorrow!” Her father had shouted angrily, drawing the attention of Harsh who was on the way to the terrace himself. Chhavi looked at him with tear-filled eyes and went home. Within minutes, the doorbell rang and she opened it to find Harsh grinning at her with a plate of Vada-pav.

“Here, have it! Study well for tomorrow’s exam, okay?” He said gently and ruffled her hair before leaving.

---@@@---

 It took him fifteen minutes to get their orders.

“Here. Dive in. I already ordered extra pav. There is no way I can get in back again. The crowd seems to have doubled in the time I was placing the order.”

Chhavi self-consciously nibbled at her breakfast, not really feeling hungry. She wanted to do nothing but savor every precious moment she got with Harsh.

“So how are things at your end?” She asked, admiring the confident way in which Harsh was relishing the snack. Why can’t I be this confident and natural in front of him?

“All good. Work is going on as usual. Tell me about yourself. What’s going on with you? Anything new?”

Chhavi shrugged. “Since Mihika is getting married next month, weekends are crazy and hectic, shopping and more shopping.”

“I can’t believe she’s getting married.”

“Neither can I. Never thought she would fall for an arranged marriage.” Chhavi muttered.

“What about you? Anything on cards? Or should I ask, anyone?”

“Nope. No one. At present I have no intention of getting married.” Chhavi said in a flat tone.

How can I go for anyone else when you are securely lodged in my heart? I have loved you all my life and there will never be place for anyone else. Never.

“I am sorry if I am prying, kid.” He said gently.

Chhavi shook her head. “No you are not prying. The topic of marriage is a bone of contention in my home right now.” Her parents didn’t know she was in love with him, and couldn’t understand her refusal to meet anyone for marriage alliances.

“Okay, let’s have a walk.” He took her empty plate and dumped both of their plates in the recycle bin. “Want to go to Flora fountain?”

Chhavi could only nod, too stunned to say anything. Was this really happening?

“Watched any new movie?” He asked as they descended down the subway.

Chhavi smiled. “No, but I wanted to watch Kalki. Weekends haven’t been free since two months, thanks to Mihika.”

“Tell you what, let’s plan sometime during…” He stopped mid-sentence as it started raining heavily all of a sudden the moment they came out of the subway and were crossing the road. He gently held her elbow while crossing and ushered her under the safety of the roof of a shop.

It’s not exactly hand-holding, but close enough. Chhavi thought in a giddy state of mind as they both watched the rains from the shop. I never want this day to end!

---@@@---

Fourteen-year old Chhavi watched in dismay as the rains started all of a sudden. She had come to the local grocery shop without an umbrella.

She was wondering what to do when she saw Harsh walking down the road with an umbrella in his hand. He saw her at the shop and smiled, shaking his head.

“I take it you did not bring an umbrella with you.”

Chhavi shook her head, feeling self-conscious and shy. He always elicited that response from her. She kept dreaming of meeting him and when they did meet, he was the one who did all the talking while she became all coy.

“Come on.” He called her out and held the umbrella over her head.

“The umbrella can cover both of us.” Chhavi said but Harsh shook his head.

“It isn’t big enough.” He walked beside her, ensuring that she didn’t get wet while she secretly basked in the glorious feeling of walking with her Harsh on a rainy day.

---@@@---

“You remember how we used to enjoy the first rains in our building?” Harsh asked, gazing at the rains with a wistful smile. “Everyone would come out and assemble at the entrance gate.”

How could she not remember!? Those were the days she had really lived. “You guys used to buy Vada-pav from the vendor in our lane.” She said, smiling at the memory. “He still makes the best Vada-pav in town.”

“Sure does. I buy from him every weekend.”

Harsh’s phone rang. “Finally, Madam must have woken up.” He attended the call. “Hey… no I am fine. I slept in the office and had come to the terminus to check for local trains. I met Chhavi there. We are in Fort… is it? I will check out. Did you have breakfast?”

Chhavi tried to zone out of the conversation but she couldn’t help hearing the affection in his tone.

It was a stark reminder that Harsh was married.

---@@@---

When eighteen-year old Chhavi walked in, she heard voices. She ran to the living room in sheer delight.

“Hi Chhavi.” Harsh greeted her with a smile. His parents were seated beside Chhavi’s and there was an aura of happiness.

“Hi.” she replied shyly.

“Look, Chhavi! Harsh is getting married next month!” Chhavi’s mother said with a broad smile, handing over a wedding invitation to her.

With a frozen smile, Chhavi took the invitation and opened it, hoping no one noticed the trembling in her hands.

‘Harsh Weds Rashmi’ – three words that would alter her life forever.

“Con…congratulations.” Chhavi said, not really looking at Harsh. Her raw emotions threatened to take over.

“Not just that, he has also brought a new house in Badlapur!” Chhavi’s father said proudly, completely oblivious to the trauma he had induced in her heart.

“You are moving?” Chhavi asked in a low voice.

“Yes Chhavi.” Harsh’s mother replied. “There are already too many people living in our flat. Harsh and his wife would be living in Badlapur.”

“I will be coming every weekend.” Harsh said.

That was no consolation.

“I need to go to Mihika’s house. I need some notes from her.” Chhavi said.

“You two just spent the whole day together!” her mother said in exasperation. Everyone laughed.

“See you later.” Chhavi said to no one in particular and left the room. She literally ran to Mihika’s home. And there, in her bedroom, lying on her lap, Chhavi had cried her heart out, repeatedly saying, ‘He’s MY Harsh! MY Harsh!!”

---@@@---

Harsh ended his call.

“Rashmi says that they showed in the news that trains have started operating. Want to check at the station?”

What about Flora fountain… Chhavi wanted to say. Instead she nodded and gestured him to walk. The rain had slowed down now.

“It’s good that Rashmi works from home.” She remarked conversationally. It still amazed her that she could talk about Rashmi without a tremor in her voice.

For a long time, Chhavi had been unable to forgive her. ‘She took my Harsh away from me!’ – had been her immature excuse. Gradually she had made peace with his marriage and had developed a cordial relationship with Rashmi.

Her phone beeped a message notification.

“Mihika is joining us. She will meet us at the station.” Chhavi said, feeling like a bubble burst inside her. Their ‘date’ was coming to a quick end.

She wanted time to freeze here. This was the first time she had Harsh for herself. Every time they met, it was usually during weekends where he would visit his parents and meet her along with friends in the building. She lived for the weekend and pined for it the rest of the week.

There were many things she wanted to do. Walk with him to Flora Fountain. Go to Marine Drive and walk around the boulevard. She often went to Marine Drive and sitting there all by herself, thought of him. It would have been a grand culmination to a long-held dream to actually be with him there. She sighed internally. So many wishes!

“When did you become so silent, kid?” Harsh said looking at her in amusement. “You used to talk my ears off in your childhood.”

She chuckled. “I used to be talkative only around you. Otherwise I always have been reticent and silent.”

“I only remember the little chubby girl with two ponytails who would always hang around with me.” He laughed lightly. “I think you grew up in my home. Can’t remember any family-function or Pooja where you were not there, all dressed up and excited.”

They reached the station and found chaos there. The train services had resumed. Mihika was waiting beside a train and hurriedly waved to them.

“Okay then. I will see you this weekend!” Harsh said as they stood before the ladies’ compartment of the local train. “Call me after you reach home.”

“Yes I will. Take care.” She waved to him and kept watching till he boarded the gents’ compartment. With a deep breath, she walked inside and sat beside the window.

“It was a date for me.” She said to Mihika who looked at her in concern. “I am fine, really. I will tell you how it was. I just need a few minutes to savor the moments of my first date.”

As the train left the platform, she laid her head on Mihika’s shoulder, thinking about her ‘date’. It had been a beautiful day. It had rained, he had treated her to delicious food, even held her elbow for few seconds, which, for her was as good as holding hands, and they had walked on the streets of Mumbai. Now she would have something more to remind of him whenever she passed by those streets. And, there was the delightful prospect of meeting him in the coming weekend.

Sometimes that’s all one needed when in love – moments that would become beautiful memories which one could look back on, and moments to look forward to meeting your loved one.

The soothing breeze outside calmed her mind and she smiled as she wiped her tears. In another lifetime, Harsh, I will be your Chhavi. But in this lifetime, you are my Harsh. Always and forever.