Aug 11, 2010

ACCOST

Even after ten years... I remember the day, I saw her. It is when I was waiting for 27D route bus at the terminal. It's 10 minutes to 7 in the evening... I was off to meet my uncle, living in the outskirts of the city. I just caught a glimpse of her getting into the bus. Suddenly I felt as if, some thunderbolt hit me on that gloomy windy evening. I remember each word I spoke to her, every second I spent with her that evening...
06:55 pm
The best thing about Saturday evenings is people, work round-the-clock on the weekdays, either like lying back lazily on the couch and stick to the TV screens and party-goers indulge in the hustle-bustle of this metropolitan city.
The bus wasn't crowded but there wasn't enough space to accommodate all the commuters.. I was foot-boarding with iPod playing my favorite playlist... Most of the crowd got down at the railway station. I found a window seat and made myself comfortable for the last couple of hours in that boring journey. The bus was empty except for me, her and couple others..  Apparently, the driver is in hurry to get off his duty. The conductor was busy filling the details in some form(a daily routine, I guess) while an old man sitting nearby him, was complaining the way his day had been.. 
09:15 pm
I 'm not a nosy kinda guy to peek into other's conversations. I just kept to myself reading John Grisham's non-fiction and listening to soft music in my iPod. I got down at the bus stop stuffing the book into duffel bag. That is my favorite place in B'lore. Suddenly a cool breeze splashed my face. I turned off the iPod and started feeling the surroundings.
I was thinking of the excited conversations with the nature, I always have on the Saturday nights. I walk four miles down the road. No transportation, at this time of the night. I love, not being interrupted on these soulful nights.

The bus went away and I now see the four-lane majestic road lighted in neon street lights... it's completely empty except for the old trees on either side.  There was a sudden screech and I saw a girl getting down yards away from the bus stop. The girl got down and I was dumbfound(a sardonic smile on my face)..
She came hurriedly to me dragging along a heavy suitcase ands showed me a piece of paper. She was in a blue jeans and T-Shirt saying "I 'm just out of hell!!"
What an irony!! She looks like an angel... Her brown eyes were filled with energy and showing enthusiasm. Her hair was left loose in a ponytail. I dint notice her much in the bus. Hmm! She is gorgeous.

She was in a hurry and asked if I knew the address. I nodded and pointed that direction.It was already dark then; she asked if I would accompany her. I shrugged as if I had no problem going with her. Even I was going the same way.
I wanted to open up a conversation but don't know how. I already said, I 'm not an introvert but I 'm neither nosy to peek into other's life curiously...She caught my curt glances and as we walked she said, that her parents moved in a week ago and it's her first visit home. She was doing her Engineering at Chennai. Her parents even warned to come soon in the daylight, but the train got late and finally she ended up there, at ten p.m., with a switched-off mobile, in a deserted road with me.
After walking for about few yards, I showed her a telephone booth among those quarters. It's closed but I knew the guy working over there. So he let her use the phone. She called up her home. I never called home and spoke with my people. Know why?
10:28 pm
I love this neon-lit road for the majesty and freedom it gives me to smoke. I took out a cigarette from the pack and leaned against a tree. I took out my zippo and lit the cigarette between my lips. I took a long puff of smoke into my lungs, exhaling a cloud of smoke. I began to lose into my thoughts when she was finished. She gave a tired smile and said "3rd cross". It's about two miles to go. I stubbed the cigarette on the road and helped her carry the luggage.
My mind was bursting with ideas flowing in and out of my brain, but never slipped the tongue. I already told you, I 'm not an introvert but I 'm  rather against intruding into her life and her into my life, as well.
I looked at her intently.. In the darkest hour, she looked like an angel. Her walk was like she is gliding in the heaven. She cut off my gaze and broke the silence talking about the hot weather in Chennai. It started breezing a little hard. She asked what I do? Where am I from? I din't reply as usual. I wanted to speak but... I told you.. I hate intruding and being intruded.. 
11:22 pm
It turned so cold that I can see the smoke in front of my face, while exhaling. She was shivering cold so she took out a sweater from the bag and wore on her T-shirt. She looked at me and asked if I 'm not feeling cold. I smiled and lit a cigarette throwing away the empty pack. I stuffed my hands into my jacket pockets. She smiled sweetly. What a gorgeous smile!! We started walking again... just two blocks away. I could see someone waiting at end of the road. I gave back her bag and smiled sadly.
11:46 pm
I removed my glasses and swiped with my handkerchief. I put them back again to have a clear view at her. She smiled at me and thanked me for coming along. She asked where my house is.. I pointed along the north and shook her hand. I wish her very good luck for her life. She was walking towards the house dragging the bag... She turned back and muttered something I couldnot hear. I think she found out... I dunno...I looked back again but,she disappeared into this myriad of buzzing worlds....
11:58 pm
Do you think I ever spoke to her? Nah..I never spoke, since birth...
Yes, you heard it, right? I never spoke.... I have been longing to speak; but something is tugging so hard that I never spoke and I remember every word I spoke with her, in silence.. She doesn't even know my voice.. It's just my inner voice which accosted her... I adore her ever since I saw her.

P.S. If there is a level zero(as in Kungfu Panda) in writing, mine is that level... I 'm an amateur... Forgive my bad proof-reading... post ur comments here...

17 comments:

vilain said...

the post above is really feel good one and we don't know the importance of the post up to the last paragraph.. and it is written and authored by harsha{ibm}.. done a very good job... buddy

GASP3R said...

YEAH... i was a bit nervous.. did proof-reading badly...dont bother wid the two grammatical mistakes :)

Viggnesh said...

U der dude.. nice work..keep it up... nice and a decent one.. Good one :)

eshwarz said...

Nice Harsha... Nicely done :) thinking abt any continuation for this? al the best dear :D keep rocking

GASP3R said...

@eshwarz: thnx for ur appreciation...
@viggnesh: thnx dude...

pMan said...

I think you could convey it, very nicely.. :) good writing too!

Vinitha said...

I felt you could have conveyed it even more nicely. But whatever it is i liked it and gave you 3 stars. Good effort Harsha keep going. Thanks and remember that practice makes things better. APPRECIATED!!!

GASP3R said...

@vinitha: thnx a lot for the feedback... that's interesting.. and yes, i ll improvise my style :D
actually i couldnt imagine a better conversations between strangers...:P
@pMan: thnx for ur feedback...

Lost Wanderer said...

I loved the story! And don't call yourself an amateur. It is really superb!!

The ending is terrific. Just loved it.. The feel of the silence is so eerie, yet so soothing at times. You have really expounded it in a very natural way. Keep writing more!

GASP3R said...

the best part is read anirudh's blogs if you wanna know what exactly writing is... he is a pro..

@anirudh: wow... that's a lot of appreciation,I insist..

nitish said...

Friend,you are over qualified for an amature.Without a dime of uncertainity i say you are a nascent writer.To me,reading the above beauty was like getting lost in the labyrinth of mixed emotions...
----NITISH

n gokulakannan said...

nice storyline dude :) good oratory skills could ve been even more specific would ve been awesome :) grt attempt keep going

GASP3R said...

@nitish: bro.. i feel like i 'm on the cloud nine..a feedback from you is hell lot to me...ya know...
@gokul:gotcha..thnx

mystique said...

hey why did u tell dat you dont call home... if u hv ne specific reason tell it r else dont state it...

Unknown said...

nice story line ra....seems like u r getting stronger by the day.......keep it up......

Anonymous said...

A very gripping story to the very last word! Despite many grammatical errors, it is really a great piece. I have read impeccably worded texts which aren't half as gripping as your story so you have nothing to worry about. I think you have mastered story telling. What you need is some work on structuring it right. I hope you keep at it. You have a gift. At the same time, don't let the praise get to you. :-P)

Unknown said...

way of expression is simply superb ra............