CHAPTER 4- AFTER FIFTEEN YEARS

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Ahaan placed his gym bag on his shoulder. He slipped water through his sipper bottle and left the gym and to the men's locker room. On the way, he met gaze of many woman eyeing him. He smiled politely at them. Earlier, he used to feel uncomfortable but then he met Annie, she first

had become his friend and then his girl-friend then eventually his ex-girlfriend (she was too bossy and nagging). After meeting Annie, he got slightly comfortable. Now, not only is he used to the gaze. Ahaan also enjoys the attention of pretty girls, who wouldn't? But when the Aunties stare, it gets creepy then.

Ahaan wiped his nape and arms with a towel and dropped it into the laundry bag.

'Yaar! Ahaan.' Yash had just come to gym. Ahaan greeted him.

'Kya baath hai? Today early to gym, trying to impress someone?' Yash winked at his friend

'Me? who will I impress.' Ahaan shrugged

'Certain someone you are going to meet tomorrow.' Yash nudged his friend. Ahaan rolled his eyes.

'Shut up.' he grabbed a white towel and dashed into one of the showers for a refreshing bath.

After a refreshing shower, Ahaan came out dressed in yellow half sleeved Tee and black pants. He wiped his face with a towel that hung around his neck. Once done he frowned on noticing a girl, she stood looking around, her back to him. She had a bag hung on her right shoulder.

What is a girl doing here? Perhaps, she is new and is lost? Ahaan thought. Then he smiled, it will be a nice chance to act as a knight in shining Armor for a damsel in distress.

'Excuse me, this is the men's room. May I help you with something?' he said sounding polite.

'Oh, sorry.' The girl turned around.

Ahaan's heart skipped a beat, as he stared into familiar grey eyes. Oh, God is it her? his mind immediately wandered to his ex-crush. He continued to stare at her, wide-eyed and slightly open mouth.

'Excuse me, can you show me where is the woman's room?' she asked. No response, she frowned and snapped her fingers in front of Ahaan.

'Huh! Huh...Woman's room...to the right.' Ahaan snapped out from his daze.

'Thank you.' the girl looked sceptic. She then turned around, 'Weird!' Rifaat muttered under her breath and left the room.

Rifaat was quick to find the woman's room. And she was quicker to change into her gym clothes, pink sports bra, and knee length black hot pants. She tied her hair in a high pony and left the room. It has been one day since she landed here in Mumbai. She was welcomed warmly by her Uncle and Aunt and her teen cousin, Hashim. Being the health freak that she is, she was quick to find a nearest gym which is this one, right across the street on the fourth floor of a mall. Once done with the gym, she can also shop. This can't get any better, she had thought with a happy smile.

She stepped into the huge gym. There were so many options for her to choose. She decided to do her warm up first. She went into a room where everyone else did stretches, she placed a mat and climbed over it.

Once, done with her stretches she went for the treadmill. Just then she saw a familiar face, the man she met in the men's locker room.

In the brief moment, he met her those grey eyes made Ahaan restless. He was desperate to make sure that it wasn't figment of his imagination and that she was actually here. In person, after fifteen long years. He quickly got dressed back into his gym clothes and hurried back into the gym. He searched for her and when he was about to give up, is when he saw her come out from a room. Her gaze met his and he quickly looked away pretending he hasn't seen her.

Rifaat frowned. She eyed him suspiciously as she walked towards a treadmill. Ahaan felt nervous, he tried his best to avoid looking at her but he couldn't help it. Slowly, he looked at her and quickly looked away as she continued to eye him suspiciously.

Rifaat shook her head, she decided to ignore him. Instead, she climbed on the treadmill. Ahaan hurried towards the empty one adjacent to hers. Rifaat is startled on seeing him next to her. She frowned at him, he simply smiled politely. Rifaat rolled her eyes and continued. Time to time Ahaan kept glancing at Rifaat and every time she looked at him, he would quickly away. Rifaat pressed her lips together, something is not right. From corner of his eyes Ahaan watched her, she looked completely different. But the eyes, they remain the same. After completing her exercise, she climbed down. Not to make her more suspicious, Ahaan continued with his exercise. Rifaat did few more exercise and every time she felt his presence linger around her and this made her angry.

After the gym session, Rifaat decided to have some juice and entered the juice counter. She tilted her head and noticed Ahaan following her.

'What man? Who haven't gone yet? How much will you exercise?' Yash interrupted Ahaan at the counter. Ahaan mentally smacked his forehead. Rifaat clenched the water-melon juice glass tightly. So, she was right, this man is following her. She turned around. Ahaan quickly looked away from her and back at his friend.

'What is your problem? Haven't you seen a girl before?' Rifaat asked angrily.

'No, you are mistaking me.' Ahaan clarified. Oh, No! Ahaan is worried that she is misunderstanding him.

'Then? Kab se, I am noticing that you are following me. Bloody stalker, pervert.' She scowled at him. Ahaan shook his head. A crowd began collecting around them.

'No...'

'Shut Up!' Rifaat threw the content of water-melon juice on his face. Ahaan squeezed his eyes as the cold juice splashed on his face. Yash watched everything with his eyes wide and mouth open. 'If I see you anywhere near me, I swear I will complain to the police. *******, ******.' Rifat cursed him angrily and walked off.

'What was that man?' Yash said placing his palm on his friend's shoulder. Ahaan smiled instead - It is her.

The fury in her eyes, the tone of her voice. It is her, Rifaat.

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