We were strangers before we got matched into a pool cab twice, a lovely coincidence. It was only the next time that I initiated the conversation for my sole purpose. I was searching for a new place to move in 'Aamchi Mumbai' as they say since I'd shifted there two months ago and his place seemed exactly what I was looking for so I'd to take my chance as I didn't know a single soul in this new city. "Hey! Are there any vacant apartments for rent in your society?" I asked. Raj looked pretty dazed and confused at that point, sitting in the front seat along with cabbie. . It was early afternoon, and time for a little siesta so that too sums up the situation considering the Mumbai's heat. I could sense his sluggishness from the back seat of the car and it left me dubious if I did the right thing questioning him. "Oh, there are too many," he said. He shared with me a few contacts of the brokers. From there the conversation went on to small talks until the driver dropped him off. Later in the evening, he'd sent me a connection request on social media alongwith a text that conveyed explanations. This gesture being unexpected from his end made me skeptical about accepting that request. Curious, I did. Within two weeks, I got news from office of my transfer to Bengaluru for a new project. Time was less and we hadn't met ever since our last ride. I instantly messaged Raj and we planned on meeting early in the evening as there were only three days left for my final departure. Luckily it was weekend, and he had an off from work too. He picked me up in a taxi and we went to the famous Carter Road. I insisted Raj to decide on the place as he'd been experiencing Mumbai for the last four years. We went to a bar later and gelled up so well that we actually met for three consecutive days. Each day being finer than the previous. The second day was totally bizarre. We got late to leave, took Mumbai local train to make up for lost time. It's always enormously swarmed. We had to reach for the flea market on time. It was only manageable because of Raj staying beside who hastened me to board it promptly in that jam-packed scenario with the brimming mob. He stood facing me, holding the train grab-handle in the aisle from one hand while the other in his pocket, shielded me from other straphangers. That flea fair we planned on seeing was accidentally blazing fire so entries were banned by the time we reached. Our moods have already taken a roller coaster ride by then. We were downhearted at first, his face expressed hopelessnes for I didn't get to see the street fair and had to leave the city soon. That moment was so dear for me because a guy who was a mere stranger has now turned into someone peculiar who incepted me with an exceptional feeling I didn't expect to find. I grabbed his forearm and together we walked away. We then sat in a club, of course, the only striking backup and relished our undisturbed tête-à-tête for three long hours. There was an unsaid contentment and look of ecstasy on our faces. He dropped me home, though I could see in his eyes that he wanted me to stay but it seemed too early. The next day was Monday, also the third and the last day that we were seeing each other without any precognitions. We both slipped out from office early and decided to go out for dinner. There was an unusual sadness that we both intuited but couldn't say. That, I ween, marked the start of our mutual affinity. After dinner, I stayed at Raj's place as I wanted to witness the sunrise at Juhu beach, which he willingly agreed to take me to. The plan was to leave by dawn. Meanwhile, we experienced those shrinking moments where we wanted to hold each other close but felt reluctant. That gleam of amusement in his eyes whenever he stole a glance at me, the chemistry that we shared, all was unexplainable. We left for Juhu on his bike, and untill sunrise we strolled along the beach. There was this sweet morning chaos all around. Folks following their morning walk rituals, older couples sitting at the shores sipping on tea from chaiwala vendors, individuals practicing yoga and a few meditating. For what it's worth, the sunrise was breathtaking. How the sky unfolds it's layers from electric hues of blue to mellow shades of orangish red and pink to finally the golden sunlight. There was some uncanny sensation which we both felt on our way back, and could or couldn't be termed as love. But little did we know that was supposed to be our final goodbyes. Our bike met with an accident. I lost him forever...I was completely shattered...who knew the chapter which began on the road would end on the same!