Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience. It was a reunion, of sorts. Denise decided that she'd had enough. She'd held back for far too long. She wanted to visit her alma-mater; after all, it had given her one of the most important experiences of her life. The fact that she would be meeting with friends was a silver lining (so, she convinced herself). It was not difficult; what with the modern conveniences of the internet and social networking. Put out a note and several people would jump onto the band-wagon. Well, it wasn't as easy either. There was lots of humming and hawing. So and so was out of town, he and she were at a big event and someone was having a baby! Denzil was the best of the lot (or worst, if you see it that way). "I want to make it", he says, "but, I'll probably need to work that weekend! Can we move it?" Of course not. That would just not do. Mandy jumped at the chance. She'd had a gala decade since parting ways with the gang. She had experienced so much, drifted so wide; she was looking forward to sharing everything. Neeta and Sam were practically neighbors, but rarely met. The longest conversation was when they ran into each other in the supermarket. Both were quite happy doing what they were doing. And then, there was Roger; was Denise looking forward to meet him? She wasn't quite sure - their relationship was quite confused. Of course, it had been years since they last met. Maybe, just maybe, things would be different now. So, there it was; 5 former colleagues and peers decided on a reunion, of sorts. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- Day of; Denise woke up to mixed feelings and a very confused weather. Looking out of the arched window in her apartment, she saw dark clouds on the horizon, but also bright sunshine. "That's weird", she thought, "there were no predictions of rain today. Maybe this will float away, and not ruin the day". It wasn't that Denise wasn't fond of rain, she enjoyed it as much as the next person. In fact, this was her favorite season a few years back; so much had changed in a decade. Then, she would jump at the chance to get wet in the downpour, she would deliberately forget her umbrella just to enjoy the exhilarating experience of the open air. She wouldn't dare dream of something like that now; it just wasn't the same anymore. Yes indeed, a lot had changed in 13 years. Shaking off her nervousness, Denise prepared for the day. It would a long one with lots of travel. So, Denise prepared carefully. She put everything together, her writing pad (for when the urge struck), her laptop (for her research) and her purse (checking for her cards and cash, as always). She showered and got dressed, choosing her standard jeans and t-shirt. While brushing her hair, and staring at herself in the mirror, it struck her - she really did not want to wear this today. The jeans and t-shirt were her present; today was going to be about visiting her past, wasn't it? "I must be going crazy" she says to herself, "this is just not me! I have not wanted to wear anything different in more than 3 years. But still, today ...", she could just not complete the thought. Finally, she gave in to her impulse, and switched over to a beautiful white summer dress. `Surely, this is nice', she thought. She reminded herself that this was for her and her alone, no one else. But, was it? --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- Roger was just the same. 13 years had made absolutely no difference to his attitude. He was late, once again! Sam, Neeta, Mandy and Denise were sitting at the café, reminiscing about the good old days. All the time spent together, all those years ago. It seemed like yesterday, it felt like a life past. The innocence of immaturity, the thrill of new knowledge; yes, those were the days. Mandy was the one focal point of the group. She was in contact with everyone. Yes, Rita had shifted base. No, Vicki wasn't married yet. Yes, Ami had all those affairs all those years ago, and she's happily married. And so it went, questions were answered and clarifications were made. And still, Roger did not come. Nearly two hours since they sat down, Denise had nearly given up hope. `But,' she corrected her own thoughts, `I did not come here for Roger, I came for myself'. She put up a stoic and mute face when the others spoke about him, and ignored that part of the conversation. `Yes, I've come here to be with old friends' she thought. And, it almost worked. Till suddenly, he shows up. There he was; casually dressed, floppy hair drifting over his forehead. Trying to look smart and suave and failing; `He should just be himself', she's thinking. He walks up to them with a broad smile, looking quite guilty. "Sorry", he says, "I know I'm awfully late". Sam laughs and they give each other a bear hug. Mandy and Neeta and sitting close by and get a friendly hug as well. Denise, sitting across, gets just a big smile and a shake of both hands. "Well, I guess that's that" thinks Denise. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- Roger is almost in a state of panic. He saw the smile fade from Denise's face. `Come on, now', he's thinking, `why did she have to be behind Mandy and Neeta?' Roger desperately wanted everything to appear normal, and the fact that he did not share a hug with Denise was sticking out like a sore thumb. "Yikes, a double handshake! Where did that come from?!?!?" Once the accusations and the leg-pulling are done, everyone make space for Roger. They pull him into their conversations, like they did as students. Nice and easy. Talking about the horrible teachers and the cute crushes came easily to all. Mandy was talking about her crush on a cute teacher, when Roger looked around the table. As he turned to Denise, they held a moment, and then both looked away; not quite guilty but not innocent either. No one on the table was aware; both had secrets locked away. The conversation moved lazily. Someone suggested a walk around the campus; it was a beautiful day. Strolling through the pathways, each one was sharing an experience. Here's what happened in the library, here's where I was caught cheating the exams, here's where the guys would come looking for the girls. The pathway was cobblestone, their feet would gently click as they walked by. As they approached the garden, the pathway narrowed to walk two abreast. So they did; Denise and Roger found themselves walking next to each other. `Boy, she smells good', Roger is thinking. `She always did. Fresh as a lily and sweet as a dew drop. It hasn't changed in all these years. Back then, this garden would be our favorite hangout. This was where we'd stop to chat and look at the sky.' Thinking about those days, Roger turned to look at Denise next to him. She was looking back at him, when she suddenly winked! Startled, Roger turned away, `That's not possible! I must be imaging things!' Roger's thinking. He turns again to face Denise and sees her smiling, the conspiratorial smile like a Cheshire cat. All at once, Roger realized; it's all going to be just fine. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- Someone suggests lunch; and the debate begins. Mandy states her preference for an elaborate meal, with wine et al. Sam and Neeta don't want to deal with a heavy lunch; they give a thumbs up to the diner round the corner. After all, they state, that's where the group spent several hours of each day as students. "Keep with the spirit", they say. Denise is non-committal. Roger springs a surprise though. He will need to rush through lunch; he has an event to attend. The group groans, Roger really hasn't changed at all; he will spring a surprise when least expected. Denise, however, says nothing. She's smiling inwardly, but giving nothing away. Her eyes meet Roger's, and he's pleading with her. "I have to leave soon too, you know" says Denise. "I have a long way to travel back. Maybe it's best that we spend a few minutes at the diner". It's Roger's turn to be grinning now. Mandy gives in, and they're on their way. Lunch is a simple affair, with everyone sharing dishes; again, just like students. They draw a few strange looks from other customers. After all, it's not every day that you see a group of 30-somethings behave like teenagers. But, everyone is having a lot of fun. Wishing that this day never ends. Almost imperceptibly, Denise nods her head while looking at Roger, asking the question. And Roger states, "Guys, time to head out. It's been lovely; we should do this again sometime!" Everyone agrees, and suggestions for the next meeting start flowing out. Denise is busy chatting with Neeta, when Roger interrupts, "Denise, don't you have to head to the bus station? I'm headed that way, and can give you a ride if you need one". Denise is at once nonplussed and happy; Roger has never been so forward, but she's happy he asked. She agrees that it would be best. The group breaks up, everyone promising to keep in touch. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- The settle into the car, Denise and Roger. Roger seems to be nervous and fumbling, hitting a switch here, adjusting his seat. "It's a long drive out", he reasons. But, he's just nervous. Denise, sitting next to him can't help but smile. "So, how do we get to the bus stand", she says. "Well, we could take the freeway, but that may be backed up on account of rain" "Hmm, maybe we should take the route through the suburbs", she responds. Did he hear right? She wants him to take his time getting there? This day could not have been more perfect! "So be it!" he says and drives off. For a few minutes there's complete silence in the car. Uncomfortable, Roger hits a button for the player and soft, gentle music is soon in the air. `Just what I needed', he thinks. "So, how's it going with you?" he says out loud. "Not bad. Life has not always been fair with me, but I'm not complaining" "Hmm, ok". And, there's a lull again in the conversation; minutes go by as each is thinking. `Oh my god, what's happening here? What in the world is wrong with me? Why the hell am I so nervous?' He's almost on the verge of panic. `I knew he would make it. He promised, after all', Denise says to herself. `Maybe, I should do something to make Roger more comfortable'. And so, she turns her hear to look at him saying "Thanks for making it. It means a lot to me." Roger is smiling, "It's been great. Met with old friends after a very long time. And meeting with you after several years". "That's true. It's been a long time" "You know, there's so much to share, so much to tell. I can't believe that I'm not talking up a mile already" "You look kind of lost. Maybe you just need to let it loose." "I don't know where to start." "Start with whatever's on your mind right now" And so, it began. He spoke about this and that; about work, about family, about his daily routine. She listened, and prompted him to continue. Slowly but surely, he managed to open her thoughts as well. Asking her, telling her, sharing with her. And, the long forgotten bonds began joining. There was a torrent of thoughts and opinions. It was almost therapeutic. 13 years is long time. They had been in touch, no doubt. There was the occasional phone call, an intermediate text message or an email. But, both needed something more. The one hour spent in the car together was more fulfilling than thousand of such sporadic moments of contact. Life had not been fair to them, or so they thought. And this gave them a chance to voice their unhappiness. "So, where are we headed?" asked Denise. "Well, I could drop you off at the bus station. We could grab a coffee and chat a bit more. Are you really in a hurry to get back?" Roger was still on the edge. He wanted, no needed, more time with Denise. "Umm, I could hold off for a while longer." "Great! Then, I'd love for you to see my place!" And, there it was. He invited her to his home. He hoped she would not refuse. She said nothing. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- They practically waltzed into Roger's home. He was on cloud nine; thrilled at the privacy and wanted to make the most of their time together. Denise was a lot more circumspect. Was Roger still attracted to her? `Maybe, I'm just being silly. It's been a long time, and things have changed', she thought. After inviting her in, Roger showed her around. He'd moved in just a couple of years back; and everything was like new. There was a undercurrent of pride in his voice. "This here, is the living room"; Roger was stating the obvious and Denise gave him the look. Sheepishly, Roger walked over to the adjoining room showing off the elaborate dining area and the well stocked bar. Denise made the pretense of being impressed, just to see Roger happy. They continued, walking into the verandah adjoining the living room, with a great view of the sea in the distance. "Oh, this is beautiful" said Denise. "You like this; wait till you see the view from the bedroom" They walked over to the master bedroom, and Roger pulled the curtains apart. Denise could not help but gasp. The view from here was clear and unobstructed. Lush greenery carpeted the visible ground, and this blended into the deep blue waters with the hills in the background. Denise was awestruck, drinking in the sights. "This is truly scenic" she said, "I'd love to wake up to this" `I wish you would' was all that Roger could think of. Of course, he couldn't quite say this. "Would you like to sit down?" he said, thinking back to the last time they were alone, together, in a room. (To Be Continued ...)