It rained that night...

3rd cigarette.. Abhay was totally enjoying that weather.. He was just sitting peacefully n smokin as if he was the king of this world!

It was raining cats n dogs..Abhay's tag heuer showed the time of 1:17am.. He had stopped at some closed roadside dhaaba shed in Ambenali ghaat which runs for about 39 kms from Poladpur to Mahabaleshwar.. He had not seen a single vehicle after leaving Poladpur at 11:50pm..

For half an hour, he was standing still in the rain n enjoyin the refreshin smell of the soil.. Then, to have a fag, he had come inside the shed.. He was feeling good & peaceful.. Even his Tata Safari was liking that break after running continuously on the road for more than 9 hours.. He had started from Panjim at around 3pm..

Suddenly he saw hazard indicator towards Mahabaleshwar side in the ghaat.. He was wondering who'd that be.. He smiled.. He was happy to see that there are some more crazy people like him in this world who would take their cars in such kinda rains!

He raced his Safari towards Mahabaleshwar.. Within 5 minutes he reached the car with hazard indicator on.. It was a black colored Honda Civic.. Abhay got down from his car and walked towards that Civic.. He didnt see anyone around.. He wasnt able to see anything inside the car as it had dark tinted glasses n it was simply pouring by then..
He was completely drenched..

He knocked on the glass..

She was beautiful! Actually speaking, she was stunning.. She stepped out of the car.. Abhay asked whether she'd need any help.. She didnt speak for quite some time.. Abhay was mesmorised by her beauty.. Glorious skin - lookin better in that rain, beautiful face with a very little makeup, Height of about 5' 7", perfect figure in that black dress for evening parties, slightly colored n neatly cut hair, n eyes - full of expressions!

She was hesitant to speak but she didnt have any other option either for gettin any kinda help.. She requested Abhay to check the engine.. Seemed like her car wiring had picked some problem in that excessive rain.. Abhay opened the bonnet only to see that there was some serious problem with the wiring.. Such that Civic couldn't have moved even by an inch..

"I'm going upto Aurangabad via Mahabaleshwar n Pune.. Lemme know if I can drop you somewhere.. Seems like the wiring of the car is in big mess n I dont think you'll get any other car here atleast for next 5-6 hrs.." He said..

She wanted to goto Mumbai n actually needed the lift in the opposite direction - towards Poladpur.. But she didnt have a choice.. She was stranded there for more than 2 n half hours.. No cellular networks.. No cars coming from either side.. Heavy rains.. She had seen headlights of Abhay's car from far n so had put on hazard for getting some help..

"Can you please drop me somewhere near Pune wherein I can get a cab for Mumbai?" Her voice was soft n as beautiful as she was.. "Sure, lets go", Abhay responded..

She felt like heaven when Abhay offered her a sandwich n can of cola.. Abhay was a big foodie n used to keep hell lotta food stuff in the car everytime.. "Thanks a lot; I really needed that!", smilingly she said.. "Name's Sanchita.." She continued.. "Abhay.. Abhay Sheshadri.. Nice to meet you!", he responded..

After initial awkward moments, Sanchita felt safe n sooner found very comfortable in Abhay's company.. He offered her lift till Mumbai as he was in no mood to end that meeting with Sanchita n she was also quite happy to take that lift.. He dropped Sanchita in Bandra at around 8:30 in the morning..

But was that a start of all new journey ??

Maybe the gentle kiss that Sanchita planted on Abhay's cheek while getting down from the car can answer that...............

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[ Note: This is the 1st part of the story "Bare Skies". For the 2nd part, click - "Swissed" ] and for the 3rd & final part, please click - "Bare Skies"]