I stood at Chembur bus stop in Mumbai. I tossed a quick glance at my watch, it was 7:30 am. I had to reach the office by 8:00, otherwise one more late mark. I took a deep breath. Suddenly, my eyes paused on her.
“Pretty woman.” I sighed.
She was in a navy blue business suit. Her shoulder length hair left open, swinging as she walked to the bus stop. Her eyes were black in color, fair complexion and red rosy lips. She took long steps towards the bus stop. She stood in the queue, where I was standing.
I was taken aback when my eyes met hers. I felt the push from the fellow passengers, and when I looked ahead, the bus had already come. I strode and settled in the aisle seat, leaving the window seat vacant. Soon all the seats were occupied except the one besides me. I wished, if she would occupy the seat next to me. I thought, and next moment, I heard her voice.
“Do you care if I sit there?” She said pointing at the seat beside me.
“No, not at all.” I gave her the way.
My heart was pounding, I couldn’t believe she sat next to me. Breeze blew her hair onto her face, and she tucked them behind her ear. She was looking out of the window, but I was staring at her from the corner of my eyes.
“Nariman Point.” She said giving money to the bus conductor.
“Me too.” I told the bus conductor.
She must be working in one of the huge commercial complexes that has come up recently, near my office. A sweet smile settled on my lips.
She collected all her stuff and got up. I realized we have reached our stop. She got off the bus and quickly vanished, whereas, I kept watching her from behind.
“Oh my god, am late.” I hurried to my office.
Next day, I eagerly waited for her, at the bus stop, wondering if she would turn up today also. My eyes looked for her, but I couldn’t see her anywhere. The bus had come, but still no sight of her. I was just about to climb in, when I saw her holding her breath and running for the bus. At once, I hopped out of the bus. By the time she reached the stop, bus had already left. It was me and her at the bus stop. I felt little awkward about ‘what if she had seen me hopping out of the bus’.
I flashed a smile at her, and she smiled back.
“Oh god, I can’t manage to be late today.” She blurted out.
I pretended as if I was late too. Immediately, called for a cab, I got in the cab and leaning out of the cab window asked her.
“Can I drop you somewhere? I am off to Nariman Point.”
She hesitated for a moment, but then pushed herself in a cab. I was very pleased with my progress in this case.
“I will ask for her contact number, and will call her. Perhaps we can go for a date and then . . .” I had already started to build castles in the air.
Before I realized, we had already reached. We got off the cab. She expressed her desire to split the fare. However, I gestured at her to hold.
“Thank you.” She said and vanished before I could finish paying off the fare.
I stared at her in desperation.
“That’s ok. She was in a hurry. Later some time. . .” I consoled my heart.
Next day, I lied in the bed feeling sluggish because it was Saturday, and it was a holiday. I didn’t want to get out of the bed, but her thought buzzed me. Abruptly, I jumped out of the bed. I didn’t know if she worked on Saturdays, but I couldn’t help going to the bus stop.
The bus was already at the stop. Perhaps I was late. I ran towards it. Before I could get in, I saw her. She was in the bus, sitting next to some guy. They were sitting with an arm in arm, and she gingerly kept her head on his shoulder.
“You there, step in or step out.” The conductor wailed as I held the iron rod to get in.
I left the iron handle and watched the bus passed me.
--------- THE END --------
