The Known Stranger

Chapter 1

Author's Note

Before you start reading, Thank you for making your time to read The Known Stranger. There may be some discussions about religion here. I kindly hope none of you will take it personally as for, this is just a piece of fiction. All characters are fictional.
And do feel free to place your views and opinions. I ain't a judgemental jerk.
PS : There may be slow updates.

Ruhana's POV:

"Drishti....hurry up, sweetie. We are getting late." I shouted from the garage, accelerating my car.

Drishti, my 12 year old sweet daughter she is. If the word single mother scares you, trust me, Drishti made it easy for me.

Locking the entrance door, she ran to my car in her red gown, wearing her radiant smile.

Her smile reminded me of Gitarth.

She was so much like her father. He is not between us today, but I know how proud he is of this little wonder.

"Maa sorry for making you wait."
She kissed me on my cheek and adjusted her shoulder length hair in the rear view mirror.

It was my graduation batch's reunion party. Since the last three years it has been pretty obvious for everybody why I always kept myself away from all such social events. I had my daughter to look after. Instead of wasting my time over all these parties I found it much cosy to spend my entire leisure time with and around Drishti. Unfortunately, this time the invitation letter caught Drishti's eye and she had decided for me to attend the reunion. And I couldn't say no to her honest request.

Ever since Gitarth's demise, I totally detached myself from all kinds of events where I had to discuss life or anything related to my life. My life now circled around my office and Drishti.

I parked the car and stepped out. Drishti held my hand like a prince. I passed a genuine smile.

"You look gorgeous Maa." She squeaked excitedly.

"So do you, sweetheart" I smiled.

The net saree in red embraced me perfectly as said by Drishti. I knew she won't lie. It was my first anniversary saree from Gitarth. Red was his favourite colour. When he was battling the tumor, he demanded me not to spend my entire life wearing white after his death. I used to hate him when he talked about his death, though in a matter of joke which later hit me like a stoned reality.

During these times, I miss him so bad.

Radisson Blu Hotel. I read as I walked inside the banquet hall with my little partner. My breath stopped for a second as I stopped at the door. I whirled my eyes around to see faces, they were familiar faces, only the weight and hair fall marked the difference.

Each one of them were a part of my past. After college, I had cut off my connection with everybody. No Facebook. No twitter. I felt alienated as I stood there like a dummy. I forgot how to even communicate with people outside my territory. They looked like some foreign languages and I didn't want to understand the hell out of them.