My last bus

"Bus is at 6.45, and its just 6.20. I have ample time catching it". I said, getting ready to leave.
"But monu, if it doesn't turn up? And seeing those black clouds, I doubt it will ? ". Uncle said in a usual caring voice.
I was at my uncle's house in a remote village in kerala. An unexpected weekend visit. It’s a nature's paradise here and that too within the reach. I always loved coming here. God’s own country and it is !
"It may rain, monu. Tomorrow is Sunday, you can very well go tomorrow afternoon. Stay here tonight".
"No uncle, there is plenty of work for tomorrow. Then I do have umbrella with me". I said in hurried voice. "Next month, a week here, promise".
Walking through the green paddy fields, I saw the black clouds. "Rain means romance... romance means my princess". Thought for a second, took my cell, dialed "P for my princess". The answer was short "No service available".... "ha ha ha...Today night I am not going to get any sleep. She will tear me apart. Catch the bus first reach home and call her first".
I reached the bus stop and the rain gushed in like anything. As sung by “Crooked Still” – ‘..two sisters came walkin.. the dreadful wind and rain..’. Yes never the right combination, the Wind and rain and my fancy umbrella was no match for it.
I recalled my words... "Romantic rain".. not always...
The bus stop was an old tree with a small shop underneath it. May be the shopkeeper read the weather news and so I was lonely  standing in front of the closed shop with the gushing rain as my lone company. May be city life has spoiled me or my imagination was aiming for something improbable, but I thought - “A lift?”
With evening getting dark and rain creating havoc, my heart may have skipped several times.  Catching a public transport is turning out into a chilling experience, unbelievable!!!
Then suddenly, from the far end of the road, a ray of hope emerged. The little giant was moving towards me at a snail’s pace. First time ever in my life, I didn’t mind it’s slow pace but was thanking almighty for showing it come. Life changes every second and suddenly again the rain seemed romantic.
As it was coming close to me something happened in a flash, another vehicle, a white Sumo overtook the little giant. Its headlight paved its way, clearing the gloomy dark. It came so fast and halted in front of me. I stood still for a second without knowing what was happening. The next scene I saw was my bus overtaking the Sumo.  Yes !! The bus just went without stopping.  It took time to realize the fact, but what did happened was, I MISSED MY LAST BUS!!!
Then the power window of the Sumo came down. An elderly person forwarded me a piece of paper and asked “Mone, how to get to this place?” I was standing there as a loaded canon, ready to blast off whatever going to come my way. What stopped me from exploding,  was still a mystery. Controlling myself, I read the address. Told them the way and they left thanking me. I was still standing there trying to recall what happened.  As a conclusion, I had to admit; nothing happened! I just missed the last bus !!
I turned and went back to my uncle’s home to see off today; and wait for tomorrow for another adventure with FIRST BUS…..

My first proposal - Short story

Tringg…Tringg.

" Hmmm again the miscall. What this girl up to?" The miss call was from Arshu. 

I had met her only a week ago in my cousin's marriage but in between this 7 days I have received a dozens of miscalls and calls from her. 

"Hmmm should I call her?" just when the thought flashed me the bell rang again. It was a long bell. "She is calling me indeed." I thought. 

"Hello, what’s up  madam ! Getting bored so early hours of the day".  Early! It was already 8, but for her it might be early. College holidays and no work , obviously anyone will get fed up.

"Am i disturbing u?" Usual dialogues of girls before asking some favour.

"Not really, then for a girl like you anyone will find time !" Why should I lose any opportunity to impress a girl.

It was just 7 days but within this time we had developed a strong relation. She has said in between that everyone told her that I am a hard nut to crack but she found me different. But I am still puzzled about what difference she found in me.  Her innocent talking and vibrant actions has attracted me too. 

"Then I want you to waste little more time for me. Can we meet up today? Need to talk to you personally".

 "Sure " 

Even without any surety what her intensions are, I told her sure.  Girls! They make boys dance to there tunes. We fixed up the time and place. It was the nearby place and I had ample time but I was rushing. 

"What for ? " that was all in my mind. I reached the place way before the fixed time. "Even for my interview I went late and here " I thought. 

She was punctual.  She reached there at the appointed time. She was looking great in the yellow suit and I confessed to her that. 

“Actually as per your Torres star you like yellow, so I chose this " 

In between these days she had been interrogating me like some cop. My birth date, star, my likes and dislikes . . . Everything. And I was answering to her like a parrot . 

"Make my word, You will make a good lawyer out of you.” that what I advised her. 

Then I asked her, " Now tell, why are we here?" with some hesitation she started and told how she fell for me and at last told she liked me. 

I was in seventh heaven but somehow showed nothing on my face. She was a bit bewailed and asked “is this a one side one?”

I don't know what to tell. May be my ego was not ready to surrender in front of a girl. But looking into her face, I couldn't control myself and burring all my egos nodded a smile. 

The next moment i saw her jumping and laughing aloud. Then after all her excitement came to a halt she looked into my eyes and said 

“Sorry bro! This was just a bet between me and Shilu ( my cousin ). She said you are a hard nut to crack and I said I could. This was all drama. I know it was cruel from my side but . . . " 

Before she could finish her explanation, I smiled and said “No problem”, and drove away from away from that place. I can't describe the expression in which I was. Just then when I tried to recall everything the phone rang again. It was her call. 

I smiled at myself at being a fool. Now when I write this, I am a caring husband and a loving dad of two beautiful angels. I still rewind to that time and say to me “What have i lost?”  Nothing except for a Sim card whereas I gained a week of flirting to remember. 

That’s life.

 I could have turned to some revenge or sobbed on being fool. But my action at that time gave me a life of peace. 

Life gives you all flavours; some sweet, some sour and some like this “spicy”, love to enjoy it. At last you have one life to live and live that it to remember.