I held his hand for the first time and may be the last time.....
"Hey listen!! Don't forget to call when you reach home" Leela said as usual bidding bye at the bus station. The station was more packed than usual, may be because of holidays......all the busy birds returning to their nests to take rest🏡..
I struggled through the people to find the bus......
I found the seat and lifted the heavy bag to place...my leg tilted and I landed on another person..... I started chanting sorry mantra even before I saw the other one.......I lifted my head to see a deep black eyes.... He is smiling and said "it's ok!! may I help you!!"... I politely refused and apologized again.... yeah he is handsome....and a moment ago he joined the list of my crushes.... maybe his number is 337... no I think it's 338....
I placed my luggage and settled in the seat and my brain started to wander about my latest crush... I tried to spot him... but couldn't... without any option I stood up and searched for him... he is there.... with earphones and eyes closed.... it's my turn to look away when suddenly he opened his eyes.... I pretended to take bottle out of my bag..... and then gave him a warm smile and collapsed in my seat and started knocking my head.... then I remembered that I forgot my earphones.... I got a window seat, fully charged phone but forgot earphones.... what a hell. I thought to myself.. an old woman occupied the other seat. The bus driver started the engine and I started surfing through local news... after 5 minutes surfing it I felt sleepy (heavy sleeper here) slowly drifted into a deep slumber. With a pat on my shoulder I opened my eyes to found looking at him... he is saying something..none reaching the brain except one sentence.. "can you exchange seats?" then my head nodded by itself without my intervention... I'm cursing myself for making a fool out of myself for ogling and agreeing instantly as if it was I'm waiting for.. Then I stood up and went back to change seats to my surprise he offered me seat beside his as the other old lady is moving to my seat... I did a somersault in my head and sat beside him... I wanted to start conversation with him... "hey" I started and saw him... he is closing his eyes and listening something.... I couldn't help but stare at him.... suddenly he opened his eyes. I got caught... "hi... sorry for disturbing you earlier..you were in sleep.. but that grandma is having spine problems and couldn't sit here... and thank you for changing the seat" he started talking..... I would be embarassed if it weren't for his talk... "you are welcome... is she your own grandmother?" I don't even why I asked that... it was lame.. "no... she asked me help"... "ok.." there comes awkward silence..... "do you want to listen?" he offered a earphone out of blue... I stared at it until he started telling "sorry I thought you would like it" I grabbed it "thank you I would like to" I said with a smile..... those are retro songs which I'm a big fan of.. there starts the conversation from songs to stars then again land to sky......
it is a whole night journey.. he is funny, good, handsome..... if he were a girl.... We would become a trio with Leela..
the night passed with our laughter......
at 2:00 AM.... We arrived at my stop...... I bid him bye and got out of the bus with my luggage....
He is staring at me through window, waving his hand.....I saw the bus disappearing into dark........
yes, I bid him bye.... I was always like this.... maybe due to the scars in my heart I can't able to pass this flirting stage..when I'm immersed in those thoughts a pat on my shoulder forced me to come into the reality...... he is before me... panting........
"I thought you would recognise me...." he said holding pillar for support... "I don't get you" I saw him confused... "ok then.... I will remind you... last year at same time I saw you in bus.... you were playing with a child of other passenger... you were listening songs... chatting with others.... I was searching for you.... I didn't thought we would meet again like this...... I don't want to lose this chance... can you be my girlfriend..."
I was dumbstruck.... it took me a moment to digest all that... "sorry, I am attracted to you... I can't deny that... but attraction alone can't be a reason to love....." I know I'm rejecting him........his face colour changed... "I know but with time I can give you enough reasons to be with me...." he told me in a desperate voice.... "sorry, I don't take chances... nice to meet you..... " I forwarded my hand for a handshake....he placed his hand in mine...."will there be no chance?" he asked seeing into my eyes......"let's see if we meet again and if this offer be there by then".. I waved my hand and sat in the car.. his image disappeared into dark in the rear view mirror....
Short but memorable................
if time is a medication to scarred heart.... people will be a bandage....
can he be that bandage that can cure this heart????........
