The Scent

He took a deep breath in, and could sense a familiar fragrance. He quickly opened his eyes and looked around. 

He kept telling himself ‘No, it can’t be.’ And yet his heart was secretly hoping he could catch a glimpse of HER. But the air now smelled of freshly brewed coffee, cupcakes, pastries and a regular morning. 

He knew that aqua and wild flower fragrance mixed with a shade of her too well. That unique scent. Was his mind playing tricks on him? Was he imagining things? But why would he? He hadn’t thought of her recently, she wasn’t on his active mind. 

Subconsciously? Yes. Yes of course. She had never left him. And he had learnt to live with her memories. It wasn’t painful anymore. So why would he make up stuffs all of a sudden?

No. He wasn’t hallucinating. He definitely smelled that scent a few minutes back. 

Tired of craning his neck, he stood up, thrusted his hands in his pockets and started scanning the cafe. He just tried to act like he was looking for a friend. 

Friend. Huh. What would they know who she was to him?

But what’s the point of finding out if she’s here? It’s not like he was going to walk up to her and talk? If he met her, what would he say? In fact, what would SHE say? Oh, that would be something, wouldn’t it? He felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment at that thought.

Wow. Worst still. What if she is here with her boyfriend? Or husband? Nah, he would have known if she had either of those. Once in a while he browsed her social media accounts. 

No, he wasn’t stalking her. He just wants to stay updated of her current status is all. 

His racing heart was now slowing it’s pace, as if switching from running to jogging. He slumped back on his chair, and took a sip of his coffee. Still darting his eyes from one face to another in the cafe, he continued the conversation in his head.

Well, what good was it anyway. He hated that thing called hope. It just pops up without notice and ends up making him miserable. He shook his head and watched out of the window. 

If only second chances were that easy. For all he knew, she would deny even recognizing him. And why would she? He deserved it anyway. How he wished at times he could just go back in time and fix it all.

“Aah” he screamed in his head, while letting out a heavy sigh. Why did he still love her so much? At this rate, he would end up being single forever. He had hardly liked anyone after her, and how could he? No one was her. And if they were not her, he didn’t want them. Dating was so overrated. Now you see, why it’s so complicated? He murmured into his coffee mug, as if the caffeine had some secret advice to offer.

Just then a cold hand touched his arm, and a thin voice called out ‘Ishaan?’. 

That scent had now filled his soul like Bach’s music. Time or rather the whole universe had slowed down. All background sounds were muffled, and only his heart beat was ringing in his ears, which had already switched from jogging to bolting in lightning speed. When his eyes finally met hers, he was left speechless with his mouth hanging open as if caught in mid conversation.

‘Hey!! It’s really you!’ She exclaimed. 

And all he could bring himself to say was “I am sorry for everything Aanya”. They both stared at each other with moist eyes.

Until she said “Me too” and broke the spell.