The lady at the bus stop

The roaring thunder and the vigorous pouring of rain was enough to predict that it was a bizarre night. Rajeev has been working overtime that day. He reached the bus stop finally, when it was 9pm. The bus stop was secluded and instantly, Rajeev worried about getting a bus so that he can reach home. 

It was still raining heavily and the clouds were clattering every few minutes. After Rajeev seated himself at the bus stop, his eyes rested on a woman who sat at the extreme corner. 

She was covered with a stole right from her head and therefore, Rajeev couldn’t catch a glimpse of her face. He got up from his seat and sat beside the woman, intending to talk to her. He cleared his throat to make her aware of his presence.

The woman didn’t respond until a strong wind hit her face that resulted in the stole to fall down from her head. She was definitely the most attractive woman Rajeev has ever seen, courtesy her beautiful eyes. 

 (Image Source: here)

His eyes were transfixed on her and finally the woman looked at him. Rajeev noticed that the woman gazed at him, as if she knew him, as if she wanted to tell him something. It was an unusual gaze, her eyes brimming with excitement, eagerness, angst and pathos. She mumbled a few words, which were inaudible to Rajeev.

Rajeev took his eyes off her, but even after a few seconds, he realized that she was ogling at him. He was definitely happy that he was being gazed by such a beautiful woman, but then, it was also awkward.

“Rajeev Sengupta. What’s your name?” He asked the woman.

After a long silence for two minutes, she replied “Meera.”

Rajeev kept talking to Meera. However, all the talking was mostly done by him. The lady barely replied in monosyllables, albeit her gaze intact on Rajeev. There was no hint of the rain to stop. Rajeev could see that Meera was trembling slightly due to the chill in the air.

“Would you like to have a cup of tea?” Rajeev offered, empathizing with Meera’s condition.

Meera nodded her head. Rajeev assured her that he would be back within a few minutes and went to the nearest tea stall which he knew would be open even at that hour.

I never knew I was so good looking that a beautiful lady would turn speechless on seeing me. Yes, Meera is a little weird, but anyone can die for those beautiful eyes. I need to take her number.

Rajeev soliloquized as he bought two cups of tea. He rushed towards the bus stop, but to his sheer disappointment, he saw a bus moving past him and Meera looking at him from the window with the same intent gaze. 

It broke his heart as he realized that Meera was gone. With dismay, he sat on the bus stop sipping his tea silently when he noticed a piece of paper on the floor getting to and fro with the direction of the wind. He picked the paper instantly and opened it.

You look exactly like my husband who had passed away three years ago. It took me a while to realize that you are Rajeev and not my Jai. God bless you.

Meera

Rajeev swallowed the lump that was formed in his throat. He looked at the direction where the bus went by. He read the note again, things registering in his mind slowly. 

If only I could meet Meera again! If only this story hasn’t finished here…