Flight Of Love

The flight took off! 

Yes, I was on it! Or was I? Well if the body is given the name and its weight, I was very much on the flight! The journey that I had planned so meticulously lay ahead of me! It took me months to work the things out, after all, I was answerable for each minute of my life being a working mother! But I had become a pro at it with time! I was a daunting professional who gave her 100% to her job! And I was a caring mother who knew how exactly to nurture her growing kids, at least I seemed to be!

The world would know me as a successful woman! Some would call me the perfect woman! Others would give my examples for how to live a life! Still others called me "beauty with brain"!

 And yes I have earned myself enough envy! I'm not sure if I'm proud of it, but I conveniently choose to ignore it!

Just when I was seemingly in control of everything around, He showed up! 

He, who he? you would ask!

Well 'He' who's so ordinary but a glance from him makes me go weak in my knees! 

And that's what he exactly did! I went weak in my knees and completely ignoring the queue I was standing in since last 25 minutes, I literally flew towards him! From his eyes, I could sense that he had seen and was trying to avoid me! Just as I moved closer he almost turned his back towards me as if trying to avoid the inevitable! But then he knew me and was well versed with my persistence! He suddenly turned around and before I could say anything moved his hand forward and said 'Hi'

It was ages since I had heard that husky voice but it felt like I hear him say that a thousand times to me a single day! I had caught myself day dreaming so many times when I felt I just heard it from behind me! As if I always had his ghost following me!

He repeated 'Hi Maya!' almost shouted to bring me back to reality! He was waiting for me to shake a hand with him feeling awkward because everyone around was looking at us but I was so dumbstruck! I finally moved my hand so we could get done with the formality!

"Are you flying to somewhere?"

" No, I just came to the airport for my morning stroll!"

And we both laughed completely ignoring everyone around

"You've not changed a bit, the wicked woman that you always were!"

"I wish you mean to say the same about my looks"

"Of course, you still look like a bitch"

The man standing behind him almost scanned me! Realising the awkwardness, I asked him what time was his flight to which he said he still had a good hour and a half before the boarding began! 

"I too have almost the same time, so let's check in and then catch up in the lounge!"

" I've access to the premium lounge, we can go there"

"I always knew you are gonna be a rich man! I'll be back in 10 minutes"

I almost shouted moving towards my own queue completely oblivious to everyone around!

As soon as I got hold of the boarding pass, I looked in his direction, he was still waiting for his turn but his gaze fixed on me! The woman in me told me that he hadn't out grown his love for me! 

For a split second, I wondered if it was right of me to light the spark in a dying fire? I had no clue of his circumstances? What had he been upto all these years? He might be married with a family? He must be successful with women drooling over him for he was a fine man! His dressing sense was impeccable as always! That laugh still echoed in my mind when I had made fun of his shining spotless shoes! He had said " You can judge the character of a man by looking at his shoes"

For once I was unsure if I should go to him as I had told him! Just as I was pondering over the idea, he waved towards me signaling he was done and we should head towards the lounge!

I gathered hold of my thoughts and whisked towards him! I have to meet him! No second thoughts! I've been a slave of my own life all those years and have had more than enough expectations to live up to! And today when the destiny had made us cross each other's path once more, why to deny it! You don't meet someone by chance, they come into your life with a purpose! And what harm an odd rendezvous with my past could cause to my present that was so predictable! So be it! Just as I was sure of myself, my feet starting moving faster, as if they had been given a leash of life!

As I moved closer he winked at me! I was a bit stunned and my heart skipped a beat anticipating what could lie ahead! But then I was a different woman at that time! I winked back at him as if playing with him purposely! 

He pointed towards the lounge entry and we started moving towards it, in the same direction, our steps matched to each other just as they always were! It was crowded! And while working our way through, his arm brushed mine and i felt the thousand volts run through my body! I didn't realise I had stopped walking while he kept moving forward! Just as I regained my conciousness he turned back and asked me " This way"

He didn't seem to have realised the impact! Lucky me!

"Oh, I've never been here earlier so I have no clue which way to go"

He moved his hand towards me, "Hold my hand and I'll take you where you should be. Trust me I won't let you loose the way just as you did back then"

I offered my hand he grabbed it as if it was his prized possession! 

Would he keep reminding me of my follies of the past? He still holds on to the grudge. But then anyone who still loves you would only have a grudge against you! Had he not been in love he would have overcome it by now! The optimist in me was still looking at the brighter side of the things!

He was moving so briskly that I was having trouble keeping pace with him in my heels! But we had little time to catch up on so much that I didn't complain!

The lift was waiting for us! And we were the only occupants, we were just by ourselves! He kept holding onto my hand but didn't look at me and i couldn't take my eyes off him! A woman who was so used to be in command of everything around was completely bewitched by a man whom she had met after almost a lifetime!

The second floor wasn't too away and the lift doors opened up! We lost the privacy and he moved forward still clutching my hand in his. He completed the formalities and we were led in! I don't remember the details of the place as i was too preoccupied. He guided me to the corner from where we could look at the entire airport through the glass! But I wasn't interested in looking at the world! 

"I'll be back in a moment"

My eyes kept following him while he moved around.

"You look too tired?"

"No, I'm fine, just a bit skeptical about the presentation I've to make this evening"

"Oh don't worry, you are good with words, you'll mesmerize everyone I'm sure, your looks are not merciful either!" and he giggled. He complimented me and yet was so mean!

He still seemed to know me as if it was the back of his hand. I decided to play along.

How would you know I'm still good with words?"

"I've been hypnotised and victimised enough by them to last me a lifetime!"

"Cmmon, I never victimised you! did I?"

"dil pe jo guzri koi kya jaane

ye to ham jaane ya khuda jaane"

"That's too old Nishant, you should have learnt the newer ones! I gave you so many years to improve upon yourself". Ii giggled in an attempt to brush aside the pain of yesteryears!

"I don't know how that came up, I've not recited any since so long" 

His pain was overflowing, and I gave up on trying to ignore it! Let it flow or it will remain burried inside both of us for ever!

For a while he kept staring at me, I pretended to be looking at the airport down below! I wasn't sure what he was searching for? The eyes that he admired back then had wrinkle around them, the cheeks that he would run his fingers on playfully had blemishes! i cursed myself for not having taken better care of myself!

"You've not changed one bit! you can hypnotise any man still"

"I never wanted to hypnotise any man back then, nor do I intend to do that even today"

"That's the problem, you don't need to"

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing!"

"Hmmmmm! What have you been up to all these years?"

"Can you do me a favour?"

"What is it Nishant? please tell me"

"Don't ask me about my life!"

"Ok! I'll not"

"Maya!"

"what"

"You don't fit into that obedient mould"

"I didn't get you?"

"You were never someone who would agree to anything so easily! I mean I know you want to know about my life but just one request and you let go, that's not you!"

"Maya has adapted to the ways of this world. She doesn't resist anymore. Accepts what comes her way, because resistance takes a lot of energy and she's a frail woman now!" I didn't look at him and said it all in one breath.

He kept looking at me and i kept looking out of the glass. Everything seemed to have been lost in an eternity. The waiter came with food and beer and asked if we would want him to serve. Nishant thanked him and said he would do that himself. His mannerism was still all to die for. The waiter left.

"I was hungry so ordered the stuff myself, in case you want something else just have a look at the menu"

I turned my eyes towards him and then to the table that lie in front of me! The beer, the chicken and the garlic bread, he remembered my tastes still! His eyes were searching mine to know if I liked what he had ordered!

"Looks divine and I'm hungry too, let's shoot! just one thing.."

"What is it? You want something changed?"

"No! beer in the morning? I have a flight to catch and then a presentation to make!"

"Don't worry lady, you'll be good! And its 'Us-time'; morning or evening doesn't make a difference!"

I lifted my mug up "cheers"

"Cheers to the good times gone by!"

He struck my mug with his so hard that the beer splashed out! And he hit it again "cheers to the good times ahead"

That almost scared me! good times ahead, what did he mean?

Before I had lifted my glass to my lips, he had already gulped his! I took a sip and kept the mug on the table

"I'm so sorry! I needed it badly! He waved to the waiter indicating he wanted one more.

"That's just fine!" all I could muster to say.

The waiter brought another beer for him. Laid it on the table and left us as quickly as he could.

"Common finish your drink, you can't lose to me!"

"I lost to you every single time, you are a drum!"

And we both roared

He indicated to me asking me to lift my mug which I did

He again struck with his mug

"Cheers to all the lost battles!"

"Neesh!!!!!!!"  and before I could say any further he interrupted "Say it once more!"

"Neesh.."

"Once more please...." he was begging

"Neeeesh......" and I couldn't hold my tears back!!!!!!!!!

He gulped his second beer. The food on the table still lied untouched!

I got hold of myself "I'm sorry. I didn't get a chance to explain myself. Papa......" He interrupted me again. He had his finger on his lips "Shhhhhh......."

I shut up and again started looking at the people hustling around down below.

"Can I come by your side?"

 It is weird how time had changed the situation. Two people who couldn't keep their hands off each other for more than a few minutes now needed permission to sit close to each other.

" Sure!" I replied reflexly

He got up and came and sat by my side. I turned my face towards him and he was facing me with his back towards everyone else sitting there! He still used the same perfume. I was foolish to be stunned by his remembering my taste in food, he remembered my favourite smell as well. 

"You don't feel like eating?" He questioned and without waiting for my reply had already poured food in a dish and slipped it towards me.

"One-third two-third, the rule still holds! I can't eat so much"

"Oh! I thought you must have got better eating habits now that you are a mom!"

How did he know about my life? May be he just presumed that I have kids! Has he been following me? Not impossible in this era of social media. How come it never happened to me to search for him? I guess I've been too occupied with my work and family to think of him.

"Maya, your food! Mind you, you got to finish your share, dont expect me to finish what you leave behind!"

"Neesh, it's your moral duty!" I said almost reflexly without realising we were far beyond those times when I could throw a tantrum around and make him finish my food.

"I lost the privilege!"

That pain in his eyes was becoming unbearable for me now. I was feeling so helpless. May be he could sense that. He caressed my cheek with the back of his fingers just as he always did. I closed my eyes and the tears starting rolling down wetting his fingers! He cleaned my face with the towel, took my dish from my hands, kept it on the table and held my face in his hands! " where are you going?"

"Kochi!"

"How long would you be there?"

"I've my flight back tomorrow evening!"

"What are the plans for tonight?"

"Are you going to Kochi as well?"

"No! Answer me now!"

"Nothing, I have a meeting today afternoon and then another tomorrow afternoon" I replied almost losing the hope which actually never was there.

"Can I join you tonight?"

I had a twilight strike me "Is that possible?"

"I'm flying to Bangalore, I should be free by 5, Can take a flight and be with you by 9. Does that sound good?"

"No, Yes, I mean yes it sounds good!" A part of me was scared of spending the night with him but the girl in me was too ecstatic to let go of the chance!

"Great, let me look for the flight!" and he started fiddling with his phone.

"Finish your food, we both have a flight to catch"

I started having my food quickly after realising that the boarding starts in 10minutes. 

"I'll be with you by 9pm tonight. I've your cell number. I'll give you a ring and you can save mine. That is if you would want to." He was looking at me questioningly. Another shock! How could he know my cell number? Had he been stalking me? Well that's not the word you would use for someone who loves you or apparently at least.

I had finished my food. We got up from the table and left the lounge! He again grasped my hands and led me to the lift. In side the lift he pulled me to him. Ran his finger over my lips, I was just waiting for the lift to stop. His fingers moved along the side of neck and then along my shoulder. All this while i didn't realise he hadn't pushed the buttons in the lift and the damn thing hadn't even started. He was gliiding fingers along the base of my neck and suddenly withdrew and pushed the buttons on the lift. The lift started moving but i was numb and frozen! Frozen in the moment, the moment that was an eternity, the moment that had laid the foundation for what that night would hold for me!

We moved out of the lift and moved towards the boarding gates! "Which gate no.?" he asked authoritatively.

I didn't respond as I was still not in my senses

He almost shouted," which gate number are you to board from?"

I searched for my boarding pass in my handbag, and started looking for the gate number but didn't know where was it mentioned

He snatched it from me "27"

He led me to gate number 27, the boarding had already started. I joined the queue. He came a bit closer, kissed on my cheek and whispered " See you tonight!"

I was still not in my senses completely shaken by the presence of a man I had abandoned 15 years 1 month and 24 days back! And he let me go without questioning, without fighting and without a kiss! He knew how fiercely I was obsessed with the idea of a goodbye kiss. He still remembered that and that's why this kiss on my cheek today will always be special.

A goodbye that only meant I'm dying to have you again! An odd rendezvous had led to another!