“Life is full of surprises and one of them is finding the one for you, in the most unexpected manner.”
- Unknown.
Yes, we met again!
Person1: Will you please don’t mind, if you sit in back side, I have a friend on my way to pick up.
Him: Sure.
I quickly assembled my bags and gave him a way to come inside, and I shifted to my right side. I looked at him and gulped a bit. Yeah! he noticed; I didn’t want to. The best way to avoid the situation was look outside, look outside and be casual. My brain started chanting inside this mantra. I was hoping, there should not be any conversation. But I must say, he was looking quite a decent like that day in his tight sleeve royal blue polo t-shirt with his light greyed formal chinos and black shoes. As usual, well combed hair and beard :). okay, enough of detailing. No need to look at him, just look outside. I was praying with all my heart, not now!
Him: excuse me! your water bottle is spilling!
Me: What? I got little bit puzzled! Did you just see, why in the earth today my water bottle just suddenly started spilling? WHY?
Oh, thank you.
We smiled at each other and end of discussion. I won!
Thought of busy, so took out my headset and some music is on.
The first person who started the ride, I mean the owner started to initiate some chitchat.
Person1: Guys, looks like everyone is having a bad day! Not a single word after he boarded. What about you miss? Inaya? right?
Me: Yeah! Right. It’s…it is … heavy traffic today. Don’t know when I will reach.
Person1: Yep! You seemed to reach office early. Anything special or urgent?
Me: Nothing like that, some presentation and work as usual.
Person1: Hmm. Workaholic. What about you Nishant? Where do you work?
Hi Nishant, nice to meet you. Inaya…. I did this to myself.
Him/Nishant: I work in (firm – not to disclose here), as a Technical Lead. For last 10 years I am associated with this company. What about you Arpit?
Arpit/Person1: Wow! 10 years! Great job. My legs don’t stay in one firm for more than 4 years. 16 years into this IT and 4 switches already. HAHAA! what about you Inaya?
Inaya: Me? 9 years in IT and 3 switches.
Arpit: Looks like my disciple. 😀
Nishant: Smilingly, looked at me. 9 years! So, you are younger than me?
Inaya: What? that is so weird question.
Nishant: Sorry, I just said that. You can ignore.
Of course, I will. What he has to do about my age?
There was sudden pause, which I didn’t like. I didn’t like him, his question. Good! Good for me! Until the final passenger boarded the ride. His name is Ravi. So, the good part is me, Ravi, Arpit we work in same firm and Nishant is an outsider. Good!
I was in mood of talking to him. I could sense that he wanted to and was trying as well. But could not. I appreciate that too.
Then suddenly he asked: do we know each other?
Me: No! Plain no.
Him: I think, I saw you.
Me: Possible.
Him: Where, where? Yes, you drive.
Me: Most of the people does.
Him: You were driving that black Honda City.
Me: What do you mean by that black Honda City?
Him: I am pretty sure it was you in this road with whom I passed three junctions and then when I took my right turn, and you moved straight from zzzzz (not mentioning the place) junction. We smiled and here we met again!
He smiled, just like that day.
I was nervous and gulped again and nodded stupidly.
Him: Why didn’t you tell me before?
Me: What?
Him: That we crossed our paths some days back?
Me: So that you can say that you are elder to me?
Him: No, not in that way. Sorry. That was like, I will explain some other time.
Me: What other time?
Him: See, I must get down in the next stop and then take rikshaw for office while you guys will go ahead. So, next time.
Me: You mean, next S-ride with Arpit?
Him: I generally don’t prefer that. I love to drive. This happened today because my car broke, and it is in garage.
Me: Then?
Arpit: Nishant, will it be okay if I drop you by this side? Or you want me to go to the opposite side, the rikshaws are standing that way.
Nishant: It is okay, I will take my leave from here. Nice to meet you all. Thank you Arpit for this lovely journey. Bye Inaya.
Me: Bye!
He just left that also in the middle of conversation. And what about his “next time” ? One word for this guy, STUPID!!!
….
want to know more? What happened next? How will they meet?
Stay tune!
Sayonara
…to be contd.