The Way Things Went....

The bus was extremely crowded from the very start. As I made my way through the barrage of shoulders, moist backs and legs, I regretted not taking lessons from a contortionist. I found a relatively empty spot near the middle and maneuvered myself towards it slowly. People climbed in steadily from the gates, and soon, pushed, shoved, manhandled and generally abused from all sides, I began to realize the sheer insignificance of my existence. I was already flustered and hot. All I could do is somehow keep myself vertical, and wait.

She boarded ten minutes later, and found a place in the driver’s cabin. I knew it was not possible for her to come towards me, and neither was it possible for me to cross the immense sea of sweaty and pissed-off travelers that separated us. She looked for me, her eyes darting past faces and finally locking with mine, and she smiled. I felt better, just like that. She was pretty then, in the sea of faces and limbs. I wondered how she managed to look good in that school uniform. I smiled back, and found ourselves conversing with each other, silently through our eyes.

Me – “This was such a bad idea”

Her - “There was no option really”

Me – “I know, but...”

She gave me a half-apologetic smile, which changed into that special smile which she keeps just for me. I found the ache in my legs disappearing.

Time passed. More people boarded. It was getting difficult for me to keep balance, but I managed somehow. There was no longer a clear line of vision between us, but I could understand that she was mostly looking my way, as I kept catching glimpses of a pair of smiling and twinkling eyes every once in a while when the bus banked or braked.

We moved on, people boarded and got down, life went on in general. Sometimes, I could see her, always looking at my direction. Although few and far between, those moments served to keep me happy, and generally oblivious to the hell I was in. After what seemed like ages, the crowd thinned. I saw she had found herself a seat, and was sitting with her head craned, looking at me. There was something in those eyes which made me feel better, energized, and happy. Some more conversation.

Me – “Next time, we’re not taking this route or this transport.”

Her – “At least I can see you this way”

Me – “Yes, for a few seconds every couple of minutes.”

Her – “Not enough, I know.”

We locked eyes. I blew her a kiss, and then another. She made a face full of mock-outrage, admonishing me.

Her – “What the hell! This is public transport, after all.”

But I could see the pink glow in her cheeks transform into red. I was happy, and smiling.

In a while, the crowd was forgiving enough to let me inch my way towards her. I stood next to her. She looked up and smiled. She had beads of sweat on her forehead, and she was still the most beautiful sight I had ever seen.

Me – “The things I have to do for you!”

Her – “I love you.”

She gently kept her hand on mine. And everything was perfect again.

34 Musings:

The Dark Side Of The Moon said...

Heart-warming.Yet,not corny.Brought back a lot of memories.Happy ones. :)

TurbulentMind said...

It is a beautiful piece..Makes you smile..Makes you remember the good times..Makes you love :)

thenewgirl said...

Something as ordinary as a bus ride has been articulately and beautifully potrayed .. simple yet so moving.. really makes you smile and value the small things :) well written ! :)

Antigone said...

Yeah, takes you back to some special place you sometimes forget exists. and always love the way you write...words making their way around effortlessly.

Unknown said...

ordinary chores can be given words...the writing proves it...

Unknown said...

Awesome work! Write more often :)

Unknown said...

Good work, write more often: will improve a lot.

Unknown said...

lovely!!!keep up the good work.wish u luck!!!:)

Jayashree said...

This is a preety sweet and heart warming teen-age love story which happens quite often ...bt so beautifully presented....do write more like these...reminds me of d old days...the sweet memories...

Unknown said...

pretty good memorabilia... a question oto sudden conclusion of I love you ki kore holo???

Unknown said...

beautifully written. i can completely relate to it. felt like a page out of my diary. only my version is "the way things are.."

Unknown said...

beautiful n nostalgic...

No love lost said...

Really nice.......... you made it appear that things like that happened for real....... quite a romantic.... I must say

Unknown said...

beautiful.....most extraordanary happening......:)

Unknown said...

really good work.... i'm really impressed....... keep it up and write more....

urmi halder said...

good..................involving piece

Unknown said...

The piece is really well written .. I think You should write more often...Specially the way you described the crowd and the silent communication between both the characters....

Unknown said...

well written.....:):)

Senjuti Kundu said...

This was nice. Vey sweet.

sohini said...

i smiled ol thru da journey............

Akash said...

*sigh*...eyes...*a silence*....*and then a sigh again*....a wonderful work...shine on...

Unknown said...

there are sumthings beyong description.......silence speaks a lot in such case...**silence**

Peahen said...

There's a certain degree of innocence in your writing...and in you too...hope you stay that way... :)

Shubhroja Sen said...

nice...
different...
i cn't find words...sorry...
but it is really hard describing the piece...
but it's really gud... :)

Namrata said...

amazing..... i am awstruk

Unknown said...

hppy endin bt nt dt tipycl.....smethng dffrnt..only eyes cn exprss da hrts wrd......t prves....lk it alt...........oswm....
:):):)

ankhi said...

very deep nd has various sides 2 it... its nt jst a simple bus journey......well written...........

Anonymous said...

is this a real experience???

pooja said...

its really touchin n realy keeps me thinkin..how a bus journey can be so innovatively wriitn...

Incognito said...

Liked what was said in between the lines..

GeetS said...

liked it:)

Abhi said...

Eto gulo perfect comment er por.. I must say ahem ahem..

umashankar said...

Sweet, short, cute and powerful. So simple and yet so deep! Loved this piece.

Anusia said...

All well when ends well. Very nice love story.