Where are you

Okay, so why was I thinking that I would definitely meet him here? It doesn't make sense. He doesn't even work here, so why did I get all dolled up to see him. What was I so sure of anyways?

But why am I sulking and feeling so upset about? It feels like my date ditched me. Which doesn't make any sense at all. I should have thought this through before getting my hopes up. Hence here I am, sulking in the food court of the mall.But do I even have the time to sulk? I shouldn’t be wasting my time here moping around. The main question however remains the same, how do I look for him. Going to random places won’t help. The city of Ahwa is much older and bigger than Rupsi, not to forget I don’t even know the way through.

This won’t do, I need to come up with a plan.

Okay so let me point out everything that I know about this person that haunts my dreams. So I took out my small pocket diary to start writing.

Things I know about Anup.

· He lives city of Ahwa

· He owns a white shirt and a black jeans. (Is this even useful?)

· How he looks.

And that’s pretty much it …… wow, what the heck? Is that really all I know about him? How am I even-

Okay never mind, let’s point out the things I need to know about him.

Things I need to know about Anup.

· What is his name?

· Where does he live

· What he does for a living…or what does he study

I closed the diary sighing. Is there even anything at all that I do know about him? It all feels pointless now. Should I just forget about him?

As if a chord was struck suddenly, my heart filled with utter sadness at the mere thought. I cannot forget about him… I don’t think I will be able to forget about a person I haven’t ever met, atleast in this lifetime. I don’t know why, but I need to find him, until then I don’t think I would be able to rest. I don’t need a reason I just want to.

But how am I going to do so? I sighed and rested my head on the coffee table, closing my eyes. I have a month, I have 30 days… I need to do something within this time period. Ms. Subedar has already helped me so much now I must find a way to him on my own.

Suddenly I felt a tap on my shoulder, so I sat up straight to look at the person.

“Hey… are you okay?” a boy, somewhat around my age asked.

“Yeah, I was just resting.” I replied as he nodded.

What’s with people nowadays, now I can’t even rest my head on a table and think? Some people I swear-

“Do you know where the art exhibition is?” his question interrupted my trail of thoughts. Why is he still here?

“Um… there is an art exhibition?” I asked clearly showing that I did not even know there was one being held in the mall. His expression

morphed into a confused one.

“I thought you were helping my brother as an art history student.” He said.

Okay, so up till now I was a bit confused…no just unaware but atleast this person’s words made sense. But now…I have no idea what is coming out of his mouth. What the hell his brother-whoever it may be- has to do with this? And although it’s true that I have art history as one of my

subjects, but how… you know what, let’s just ask him.

“What… what do you mean?”

“You know my brother, Raghu Sehgal right?” he asked.

“No..?” I replied, upon which he had a shocked look. Seriously what’s with this person and his expressions? I have more important things to do.

He quickly pulled out his phone and showed me a picture. It was a picture of me handing mic to a person. Oh! It was the alumni reunion day, and the first year students had to organize the event, I recalled.

“This is you right?” he asked pointing to me in the photo.

“Oh yes, this must be your brother I assume?” I said to which he nodded.

“I’m afraid, this was the only exchange between me and your brother. I didn’t even knew his name.” I explained.

He backed off a little “oh, I am sorry. I really didn’t know.”

“It’s okay, don’t worry about it I understand.” I assured him.

He smiled and I returned his smile since he was so polite just now.

“So you come here often?” he asked and I tried really hard not to judge him for using that line. Nevertheless I answered.

“No, it’s my first time visiting here”

He huffed and pouted “the town’s seriously disappointing huh? You look so upset already and it’s just your first visit.”

I couldn’t help but laugh at that statement.

“Eyy, it’s not the town or the mall. Infact I haven’t even looked around.”

He narrowed his eyes and looked at me with a pressed smile. How much could this person smile?

“I hope it’s a genuine compliment.”

I nodded affirmatively.

“Then let’s go and see the art exhibition, as fellow art students it will be fun.” He offered.

“Wait, you too?” I asked amused at the new fact I learned about this stranger.

“Yeah, infact the same college! A year senior to yours. Small world I know” He said excitedly.

After roaming around for a few minutes we finally spotted a banner of the exhibition the fun thing is, it was right at the ground floor. And we were able to spot it from the first floor.

“Has it been here the whole time?” He asks me. Exactly the words I wanted to say.

“They must have put the banner just now.” I said in a nonchalant tone before going in.

“Ooooo” he cheered as he followed “detective much?”

I flipped my hair being my overdramatic self. Okay, I am not usually like this don’t worry, it depends on the person.

The exhibition was pretty much good, there were paintings of various styles and various artists. Even some famous artist’s paintings were here.

“Your brother seems to know his stuff” I found myself saying followed by a proud snicker.

“Is it?”

I got startled by the new voice, but this was not even the beginning. We both turned to look at the man who spoke the above line, as he approached us. But for some reason as soon as I saw him I felt a shiver run down my spine.

“Y-yeah… I mean from the decoration to the lighting above each painting, it’s wonderful” I managed to say in somewhat a levelled voice, while my heartbeat escalated.

He smiled and then turned his gaze to the person behind me “Rohan! Glad you came. You even brought your friend, thanks bud”

Rohan as his name seems to be, stepped forward. “This is my brother as I told you.”

I simply nodded as I was getting really uncomfortable. I know I should probably had introduced myself properly but I didn’t felt like it even one bit.

“She is one of my juniors at the college.” I heard Rohan say to his brother.

“Oh! Even I went to the same college.” He said with a smile “what’s your name?”

“Parul” I said or more like mumbled. But I am glad he didn’t make me repeat it and just nodded.

“Please stay for a while, we will display the new paintings shortly.” He requested. “Why don’t you go and grab a seat?”

“Yeah, nice idea” Rohan said as he went on to sit, I followed him as quickly as possible. To get away from his brother.

But maybe I should just have denied and went home. This is going to be a long exhibition.