1st and last date.

Conversation on phone.

“I will call you once my final exam is over.” 

“Okay” she replied.

I cut the call and put all my entire focus on exam preparation. 

On the last day of the paper, friends plan to get together at a hanging garden. From Charni road station we walked to the garden which was situated on top of the hill. From there the view of Mumbai was awesome. It gives a bird's eye view. We clicked so many pics and had a lot of fun. 

When I saw couples, I remembered someone. I came aside from a group of friends and called her. But she did not pick up my call. I texted her “ My exam is over. Can we meet tomorrow?”

“Sorry, but I can't meet you tomorrow.” 

“Then when will you be free? I have purchased a gift for you. Please come for the last time. Later I will not force you. Please.”

“Okay, on Friday I will be free. 

“Thank you, meet me at Churchgate station at 9 o'clock.”

“Okay.”

I could not sleep properly in excitement. I woke up early in the morning. Wore my favorite attire, a T-shirt and jeans. Prayed and thanked god for this beautiful date. 

“Why are you smiling?” my brother asked me.

“Nothing bro.” 

“Then why do you get ready early in the morning? Mom…Mom…”

“ Shu…Shu… please brother don't tell mother about this.”

He laughed and said, “okay... Okay. all the best.”

I left home to catch the train. There was not much crowd on the train. I caught the window seat. Drag my phone, plugging in my earphones. Played favorite song. Feeling that I got what I wanted from childhood. The cloudy climate cheered my mood. 

At 8:15 am, I reached the station. Stand near the ticket counter where she is going to meet me. Waited for 15 minutes and called her, asking where she reached. She was coming late. 

My eyes were in a long wait to see her face. 

After a long time, she came. My eyes recognized her. My heart beats faster. The moment I saw her was the best ever moment in my life. I never ever yearn for someone. She was not too fair, not too dark in the skin. Due to this, her face looks beautiful. The specs she wore were giving pretty looks. In a dark blue Kurti, she glows like anything. Her smile on the 1st look was about to kill me. This was the person I waited long to meet. 

“Hi...Kishor”

“Hello.”

She was shying in front of me and hesitated to talk with me. So I took her to a nearby garden area. There we sat under the shadow of a tree. She sat beside me, keeping some distance. I don't know but she was silent and smiling. Shying to look at my face. After 5 minutes I drag the gift box from my bag. It was covered with wooden sticks. It was handmade. She took and opened the box. Her face glowed when she saw a cute small teddy inside.

“Thank you so much. But it was really not needed”, in a soft voice, she said. Thereafter she shared all about herself, her family, future plans, likes, and dislikes. I was just watching her in a slow-motion view like in the Bollywood movies shown.

“When will we go?” she suddenly asked me.

“Why?” 

“I have to leave. Mom is waiting for me at home. Can we leave now?”

“Okay then”

I understand that there might be pressure from her mom. Then I requested her to let's go to Gateway. From there she could go home as she lives in Culaba.

We started walking. We both were introverts. So we seldom talk in between. Sometimes my hand touches her hand. Hence She felt awkward. 

We have now reached the Gateway of India. I tried to click her photo from my mobile. But I was unable to capture a clear picture as my camera was not good. One photographer approached us. I looked at her and she shook her head. We stand to take photos. Photographer asked to come closer. Suddenly she came closer and put her hand on my waist. “Oh my god.” That was a lovely moment. I was feeling her touch and put my hand on her shoulder. One thing that puzzled me was why she behaved like we were a couple. I felt her love for me.

2 photos cost us Rs 120. But I had only Rs. 100 in my wallet. She understood my situation and paid the remaining money. 

Now the time has arrived to drop her off. I took her to the bus stand. I asked her to sit. We were waiting for the bus. I gave one glance at her. She was in silent mode and was sad. The climate around us was cool and calm. 

Bus came. She stood and looked at me and said, “Thank you, bye.” These were her last words to me. She got on the bus. The conductor rang the bell and Bus took away my heart. Staring at the bus in the expectation that she will turn her gaze at me. But she never dared to turn to do so. One drop of tear in my eyes contained so much pain inside. 

Thereafter she never met me. It was my last date.

Thank You!