I was by myself in the evening, thinking whether I should go about my regular walks... I decided ‘lets make it anyways.’ He crossed me several times and although I did not want to turn my attention from my lilting music; I could not help throw in a stare or two. He’d smile by with a glint in his eye, as if secretly waiting for me to smirk too. Ah Men! They’re all the same… I felt like telling him go away please, I am not your types… Neither am I in the mould of being called even vaguely appetizing, nor am I going to make the effort to be called one. My moods take a toll on me on faster than they ideally would in this situation. Hate the pile of work, hate the presence of the husband, laid off or otherwise, I am human after all. He comes back again as my music switches on to faster numbers.
Now he moves according to my pace. My mind screams, 'stop your charade please! I am genuinely not interested.' As if reading my thoughts, he moves away. I feel glad. Though only for a moment! I was secretly enjoying the attention. Tired after the 30 minute workout, I sit on the stoned seat. Funny, I never really had the time to be seated here. I would often eye it and wonder if I could make the time for such a mundane thing like sitting outside in the fresh air! All along it was right outside my house. Well, the point is that I got the time after all. I wonder at what cost though. I have a cranky hubby who groans at me time and again because he’s been laid off for the past 8 months and I peel myself trying to use and weave words on the key board for that extra bread and butter. I guess I had to have a tiff with him to be seated here; something I thought I would do in normal circumstances. What next? I pick up my phone and dial numbers of friends who birthday it is today. Funny in ‘other’ circumstances, all I would do is a forwarded sms. An Sms that I would pick; choose and tailor it for the occasion and send. Today I am actually dialing the number. After several missed calls, I finally get through.
After some interesting mindless chatter with friends, I sense someone looking at me. I look around and find no one. I still feel someone peering over my shoulder. I wonder what has got to me, the awful argument, the tears or just the sprinkling of sadness that I give time to myself today. Just as I was relaxing, I was bitten. Damn mosquitoes… Why on earth are they attracted to black coloured track pants. I suddenly felt the presence of someone. ‘Hey there! How are you?’ It’s him again. I try to be polite. ‘I am sorry but do I know you?’ ‘Sure you do!’ ‘Apologies again, but I don’t understand. I just began my round of walks from today,’ I managed a smirk. ‘Really!? But I see you walking every day!’ I think he’s weird. ‘Hey I am no such thing,’ he blasted. ‘Oops sorry I did not know you can read minds too. ‘Well you know I’ve been writing so much nowadays that I rarely focus on this ability of mine.’ The writing hit me off! ‘Really’, I smiled, ‘so what do you write?’
‘Mostly religious stuff, you know. They wanted someone to interpret some insanely heavy lingo, so here I am,’ he smiled. ‘Wow, that sounds neat, I too write but not everyday. I write because it gives me utmost satisfaction.’ ‘That makes the two of us, doesn’t it?’ he remarked. ‘Yes, it sure does!’ ‘So what do you write about?’ he asked me. I reflect at most times, not much of a fiction writer, but yes I do reflect on certain occurrences in life and try to clatter on the key board,’ I said. By the way I am Neha, what’s your name?’ Oh I have many names, but you can call me anything you like, as long as we remain friends!’ ‘But I’ve barely met you, how can I befriend you?’, ‘Your choice really,’ he said. ‘Hey don’t get me wrong, I guess I am tired after this work out and my glutamine level is at an all-time low,’ I pleaded. ‘No worry, time is eternity, take your time!’ he smiled.
The phone rang with my sms caller tone; the husband was back. The message read, ‘Have you kept something to eat. I am hungry!” ‘Oh I am sorry that was my sms,’ I said without looking up to him and when I did he wasn’t there! I wonder if he felt bad. I tried rewinding all that he said. The fact that he knew me; that he had many names; he could read minds; he wrote religious stuff, rather re-wrote it and time for him, was eternity. Could it really be that I met the Lord himself? Was he here around me to make me feel better, or was it too irrational for me to think so! I really don’t know what to think…. I know what I’ll do! I go for my walk again today at the same time… I hope he comes…..
