It was one of those dull winter afternoons when he first saw her. He saw and just couldn’t help but smile in bits. Maybe, because he wasn’t looking for a story that time. All he was feeling was curiousity. Or maybe he wanted an acquaintance. Everyone needs that when he is thrown into a strange environment where he hardly knew anyone. Well, that had just happened to him. Forget the metros, he wasn’t even born in this country. But he was the most desi at heart. Been in this country for a few years after he got tired of just running from here and there. And then one fine day his parents decided to take him along to the place they studied. And even fell for each other. You could say that place for their origin. He knew they didn’t really wanted to show him around. He knew they had some plans. He has been here before but this time he didn’t know why he was here. He knew they wanted to hook him up. And this was the best place to find girls from his community. But he wondered, in a small town, how can they even think he can. But nevertheless he was here.
She was here because she needed a break. Break from life. Break from politics. Break from work. Even break from joblessness. She had memories from this place. Of a beautiful childhood. His parents found this place at their home. And his siblings were born here. But she was the city girl. But she loved the peace here. Or maybe she was searching of some hope. Her dad’s meeting coincided with an interview here and she was ready to go. She never wanted to move here but no harms in trying she thought.
There they were. Two families. From the same place. In a common town. Staying in the same resort. With their children. Middle aged proteges. Or rather single offsprings.
Weather was dull but the weather changed and entered her nose. So when she entered the guest house she had an attack of constant sneezes making him notice. The room was booked but some details were to be filled. So, she made her parent go and take rest as she filled the form. He was standing beside, talking to the receptionist but still noticing her uneasiness.
At Last, he spoke:-
“You need some help”
“Eh…no” and she sneezed again
“I said because I am a doctor….maybe I could prescribe some medicine?”
“O no no….its just the dust that was there outside”
“Maybe an anti allergy….cetirizine?”
“I have some…will take….thank you”
She finally took some notice of him. A tall hunk like guy with green eyes he was. He looked like anything but a doctor. She wondered why she never met such handsome doctors when she was sick.
” Well I am Dr. Adi” said he giving his hand for a shake”
She shook hands to say ” Hi I am Nisha…Dr Nisha”
“Medico?”
“No no…I am a mere doctorate “
“Wow…doctorate is never mere…which subject?”
“Social anthropology….I research on women and children issues”
“Wow…my mom will love to meet you…..she does some work on that”
“Is she a professor or something? “
“No no…she is a gynaecologist…just runs an NGO for empowerment of our community’s underprivileged”
“Awesome.Would indeed be a pleasure to meet her”
“Nice meeting you”
“Same here”
There ended their first meeting. But more were to follow.
She went to her room just to tell her parents about this meeting and how his mom specialises in her work. She was just too excited. And she didn’t know why.
He on the other hand went to his room just thinking of her. He also told his mom and all she said was, “You like her don’t you?”
“Mom please”
But she was right. Her son hardly talked about girls and here he was just going blah blah…something was definitely wrong.
The families met at the dinner table and got introduced. His mom told her she can get associated with her organisation if she is free. She was grateful but was like she can’t stick for long if she gets work of her liking but his mom had no issues. She knew he was becoming an angel. Families were talking and laughing too. Her mom was here for a conference she would have liked to attend but then she avoided as her mom would have been alone if she went.
Next day happened. Her dad went to the meeting. His parents went off to their works and all that was left was they and her mom. So he asked at the breakfast table if they like taking a stroll. She already had the photography walk in mind and it happened.
Some beautiful sightings. Some smiles. Some curiosity happened. He even said I should have got my DSLR and she remarked ” A person makes the picture beautiful, good or bad camera never matters” And she clicked him. And he was again bewitched. They were back and the families never saw each other till dinner.
At the dinner, the mothers decided to go shopping together in the morning as the fathers had meetings. She, alas had to stay back to study. And he, well, he choose to stay back.
Post breakfast, they went to their rooms as parents left. Then she came out to just stroll and read and he came there to seize the opportunity to smile with her .
“So working hard to be recruited?”
“Not really. I read most things. Lets see”
“Then want sit and converse and make you de-stressed”
“Sure”
They went to the dining and just sat.
“So what do you like doing apart from teaching/studying?”
“I really don’t like doing it. It happened. But I found a way and gladly I love my subject”
“Wow. So what you love doing?”
“I love writing. Poetry. Fiction. Short stories. Anything”
“Impressive. I used to write once too but then”
“But then?”
“Words ditched me”
“Words don’t ditch us. People do. And then we just wander”
“Maybe. been long I wrote. I used to write lyrics too. Been a decade”
“Then someone will make you love them again too”
“It isn’t that easy?”
“It is.”
More he heard her. More drawn he was. Maybe writing too was just round the corner for him again.
“So what are your dreams?”
“Too many. I want to write a novel some day. Travel the world. Live beside a beach in europe for few months and bake continental stuff from fresh produce. Do adventure sports. Do underwater stuff…too many like I said”
“Yes. but interesting mix.”
“What about you?”
“Well, lets see. Once I wanted to release a music album and then life happened”
“You should. Someday”
“Maybe. I have travelled a lot. But maybe with someone special some day”
“Ahan. Hopeless romantic?”
“Wasn’t one till few years back. Was badly heart broken. Was cynical and then I came home. Saw my parents. My sister. And I thought maybe I can have some love too.”
“Nice. You will.”
“Are you one? “
“I am”
“Who makes you believe in it? Parents? Sibling?”
“None of them really. Parents are two individuals strung together and they just respect the institution. Maybe bro and sis in law love but they fight way too much so not much people with love around.”
“Still must be someone?”
“Some friends. But they are newly married. Stories of my grandparents make me believe. Even of my aunts. Some loves they shared. I believe for them and believe for their good.”
“Interesting.What kind of partner you want.?Some ideal?”
“Don’t really know what I want. I don’t mind adjusting. Compromising I have issues with. Love is all that makes marriages work I see. I do some, you do some. I am a feminist. But I don’t think females are superior nor are males. I don’t even say they are equals. One is better than other in one thing and rest in other. Like a women is emotionally strong and can handle his mess…job issues….sick children…..deaths…..and he sure can handle her scares…save me from that street villain…or shoo off insects I hate…even that lizard and rat…even snakes….they freak me…I don’t mind the pain that childbirth will give me….for that he can do that no?”
“Definitely”
“Also, I love cooking. But he can make sunday breakfasts sometimes. Cut vegetables as I cook and wash utensils when the dishwasher goes bad….I create mess before I clean…so if he is a cleanliness freak guy he can manage the room no?….some girls also leave wet towels on the bed …I am one of them…just small adjustments….I left lot for him…but he can do some obviously no?”
“Obviously”
“Oops I spoke too much”
“I love listening”. “Never found such a guy?”
“Alas they don’t make such guys any more”
“haha…maybe”
“What about your ideal girl?”
“Ideal ….hmm..don’t know….but never met a girl who thinks like you”
“Haha…If I didn’t know better…I would have thought you flirting with me”
“O please. I am not…..wanna go out for lunch?”
He didn’t know why he asked her for lunch. But that is all that felt right saying.
“Eh?..Hmmm….I don’t know places here. Also mom might be coming back”
At that exact time, her mom called to tell them both to join them for lunch outside. And just like that a lunch date was happening.
And maybe even love was happening.
Note: Blue Lines: Guy, Red Lines: Girl.
P.S.: This is the short story I had mentioned in my last post. It is little raw and needs some polishing but my writing muse is on holiday again and its been a while so thought of uploading it. Also, apologies if its rather too long for your liking. Hope you guys enjoy reading it.
Words Speak, I Write 