She comes up rushed into the bus. It is pouring outside. A feeling of comfort is on her face as girl in the city.
Everybody in bus was seeing at her.
You didn’t see a girl with the inverted umbrella every day. An old man hold up her hands and stopped her from falling. She appreciated the old man’s support with the sweet smile.
She asks the Bus conductor for the street 5 ticket.
For buying the ticket, she checked the wallet inside her huge blue purse and yelling with shock, No..no..no..!!
“Oh Almighty, Why? Why are you doing this to me?” “ Can I gave cash for tickets, tomorrow?” She was asked the ticket operator in a hushing voice. “I forgot to bring out my wallet. You could check, it is not in my purse. Taking a look.”
“Maam, I have another better things to do.” Said, conductor.
“I travelled this path every day. Please support me.”
The boy in the next sit was hearing a whole conversation.
He had pointed note of ₹300 towards her, only his hands are visible. The bus conductor right away took it and headed her the ticket. Before she would understand she had a bus tickets in her hand.
She came to the seat of this guy and thanked him. A guy in black trousers and a white crispy shirt. He was tall around 5’8 feet, has a wheatish complexion. His hairs are neatly smoothed out. He had a gentle stunning smile.
“Today is just the third day of my new office job, I broken my umbrella, forgot my purse. Ahh…but you have saved me. Thanks to you.”
“It’s alright,” he said in a deepened voice, wearing a pink smile and began looking outside the window.
It was looked beautiful. He always found rain so enchanted. During rains everything looked more beautiful, alive, fresh green.
He is indulged in his thoughts, a sound breaked him. It sounded like, someone is smashing stuff together.
He looked around and found the girl was looked for something into her bag. Her face was almost buried in her huge Tote bag. Finally, she took her face out of that huge bag and took a longer sigh and yelled “Ahhh!! Today is a bad luck day..I’m irritated.”
Her hairs looking wet in the rain.
He said passing his handkerchief to her, dry out your hairs.”
“Thank You!!” She dried her hair and wiped her face in a calm manner.
“I would return this, tomorrow, after washing. Are you the usual passenger of this lane?”
“NO, it is alright.”
He had taken the handkerchief from her and kept it in his shirt’s pocket.
“Where do you work?” He asked.
“I have just joined. My office is in street 5. And you?”
“I’m also going to same street.”
“Street 5, street 5”. Bus Conductor shouted.
“Finally, I reached to my office”. She took a big sigh of relaxation.
“Shall we go?” he was asked the chick.
It was raining outside heavily. The boy was whispering something to conductor’s ear and he smiled.
They both comes out of the bus. The huge raindrops were making a unmistakable sound above the umbrella. The rain is heavy and it is windy. He held the umbrella tight way, slightly tilted towards her so the raindrops does not wet through her.
She asked, where does you work?
“Me?” I am here to meet my buddy. We are starting some good project together.”
“Let’s taking a taxi”, He suggested.
“No no, it’s okay. I would manage. I have already burdened you the lot.”
“Please, it was raining. I could not left you like this,” he insisted.
They both hired a taxi.
“Your destination, please?”,Asked the taxi driver.
“The cabbie man is asking, where is your office?? “Tell him, Ma’am.
I’m not Ma’am. Nidhi, I’m Nidhi Goyal
Okay, Nidhi. I’m Gaurav Gupta.
Taxi Driver said in an irritated stressful tone, Sir do the introduction session later. Tell me where you want to go??
Nidhi, Tell him.
Street 5, MG Road. Okay, Ma’am and Sir?
Finally, I’m at my office. Thanks to you Gaurav. You were my saviour. Everything was going out of track but you literally cover up me.
Keep this umbrella with you Nidhi. It seems like the rainy day.
Nidhi took it, without saying a single word, silently.
Wow, you have silent convincing eyes. No one taking the risk to refuse you. Isn’t it??
Nidhi words was brought a best smile on his gentle face. Gaurav smiled at her.
You could return it tomorrow on the bus.
And he left. Nidhi was waving her hands till the taxi disappear in the wet rain-drenched road.
Sir, where should we headed now?, Taxi driver enquired.
Bus Stand.
But you just coming out from the Bus Stand.
Ooo!! for Nidhi Ma’am, he snickered.
The taxi driver left Gaurav at Bus stand. See you tomorrow, Sir.
Gaurav had taken the Bus and left.
Next day, Nidhi was waiting for Gaurav.
Hii, nidhi. That’s your umbrella. Thanking for yesterday.
Stop, Thanks me. I have the similar stop as you. No need to thanks me.
The same taxi was hold back for them.
Now it became a routine. They meet every early sunshine, taking the same taxi, Same bus station. And it continued for several months.
One day, after reached out the office, Nidhi realised, she left her file in a taxi. She came running back and found the taxi just left.
She took another taxi, chasing Gaurav taxi.
At midway, Nidhi had realized they were going back to the Bus Stand.
Nidhi was confused. Then she saw Gaurav taken a bus and going back.
Why is he going back to Bus stand? Nidhi was indulging in her thinking shell. Her mind registered the familiar voice, she looking around and saw the taxi driver.
I thought I left my file here.
Yes, ma’am. Is this is your file?
Why Gaurav came back to Bus stand?
Sir, had similar urgent work, so he left.
Nidhi does not find the taxi driver’s answer pretty satisfying but she had choosen not to inquire further.
Nidhi silently began observing Gaurav from the next day. Gaurav is at the stop always before her. He never spoke much about his newest business, or about his buddy with whom he was doing business but always keen interested in listening to her.
They always drive her foremost to the place of work and even if she tries to know where he works. No one tells her neither Gaurav nor Cab Driver.
Last few days. Bus conductor uncle is quiet nice to her. Bus conductor always arranged a seat for her however rushed Bus maybe. Conductor uncle often asks her if Nidhi was comfortable?
It is happening from a month and I never noticed, Nidhi thought. Even she saw the same umbrella with ticket driver, the one Gaurav gave to her on the first day.
Gaurav was sitting beside her.
Nidhi asked, Do you wanted something to tell?? Anything special??
No, I have nothing to tell, Gaurav responded.
Where do you work in street 5, Gaurav?
It’s my buddy house in that zone. I told you earlier. He had try to change the subject.
Days were passing. She had started liking his company.
They often have tea together. And softy creams on few days.
Few more days passed around. Still, Gaurav did not utter the single word. Not a single word, It frustates Nidhi at times. What if he never said anything and left.
However hard Nidhi tries, he had never spoken a word.
One day she insisted to go for the fair.
I wanted to ride on Ferris wheel.
And all the rides here, Will you coming to me?
I must say, you are so adventuresome, Nidhi.
No, I’m damn scared. But I want to try.
Then, Why do you want to do it?
There is some reason. Will you come with me?
Yes, I will. Gaurav replied.
Her heart was hammering, pounding. This was the biggest ride of the fair. From the highest point of that ride, the whole city was visible. Gaurav Gupta let everything inside you coming out. Shout Gaurav. Just like me. Feel free. Just live with me at this moment Gaurav.
Just imagine for the few seconds, we are the only Humans alive on this Globe. This world belonged to us.
Both shouted, giggled, cried, and laughed. The universe seems different from the up, near the stars, far above the land, between cool breeze, two hands holding each other and watching the universe together.
That was the most fun thing I have ever done, said Gaurav.
I never felt so free. It was Magic! Nidhi.
His eyes are sparkled the joy. He felt like someone has just opened the heart and he is free and he could fly. Never he found himself with such a huge smile.
Gaurav looked at Nidhi and thought how he became so much lucky? The most gorgeous chik on earth is holding his hands and smiling at him at this very special moment.
At this minute, in this moment of togetherness. He knew, he is connected to Nidhi, not just by a tender touch but by the invisible bond of affection.
But this was special. She is special, Nidhi is special. Gaurav wanted to run and dance. And shout at the top of his lungs and tell everyone, the thing just happened out.
Gaurav was enchanted mesmerized. Out of this world, he felt at the moment.
How is it? A question interrupted his thoughts.
This one. Nice. It looks like rings.
Couple rings. She added.
Gaurav cheeks getting redden.
I m buying this for You, said Nidhi.
What??? .
yes, for a long time. Any problem?? Will the ring fit you, I wonder, Nidhi chuckled.
But what just happened!!. Are you sure? He asked again.
Hmm. I am sure. Are you silly? Nidhi replied looking at the rings.
Of course, I love you. More than anyone knows.
Okay!
Gaurav was silently driving the car. Nidhi was looking at the rings.
It was late at night, the street was quiet empty. Few cars are passing.
Stop, Stop the car!
Here? But Why? It is not safe.
Just 10 minutes. Please. I want to look at stars, Pleaded Nidhi.
They came out of the car…
A breezy moon shining night, a stary a bit cold November night, green grass wet out with dew drops, shining like jewel in the moonlight.
You know Gaurav, I’m scared of huge giant rides.
But you looked alright today.
Yes! I was fine today.
When I was little, I used to go to rides with my Papa, Even if I was scared.
After him, I never did. One time my buds pushed me to come with them. I panicked and vomited on my bud bag.
My Papa is not with me anymore. I missed him when I checked out the Fair. Today you made me go to the fair, ride and screamed and feel the equal sense of safety and covering I used to feel when I was a small girl.
I felt like I was flying in the sky like a bird. I am free. I’m loved, protected and safe and I could do anything when you are on my side.
Bending on her knees. With a ring in her hands. She said: Gaurav, My Love.
I knew you does not work in street 5. I understand you have asking conductor uncle to taking care of me. I understand you travel 5 km extra to spend just 15 minutes with me. I understand you don’t say much and likes to hear me talking.
I want you to understand, I felt safe with you, I wish all the adventures of my life to be with you. You don’t speak much but I could read your silence.
I love You!
Will you be mine “Forever”, Gaurav?
Will you be mine “Always”?
Gaurav sits next to her. Looking at her shiny face below the sky under the stars. Gaurav hugged Nidhi and said ‘Yes’.
Nidhi placed the ring on his finger. Ahhh. Look Gaurav it fits perfectly.
Now my turn. With trembled hands, Gaurav placed the ring on Nidhi finger.
Are you crying Gaurav…Aww..? Don’t cry.
Nidhi spread Gaurav’s arms around her, I love you.
He kissed on her forehead and whispering, I Love you too, Nidhi.
Nidhi shouted, looking at the sky, “Look, Father, I found him! I found Gaurav!”
One ‘Star’ among the some more stars at that night, shined much brighter. Looking at this little girl, behind the clouds.
