Me And Him - All Alone

(Conference Call)

Ishan: ..So, tomorrow be there at the bus stop sharp by 10 am. I'll come by car and pick you people there.

Arthi: Sure! I'll inform Vishnu about the timing and come with her.

Me: Sure done!

We planned to go to beach and meet each other after two years of our graduation.

Next day, I was in bus and tried to call Arthi and Vishnu to ask where they were. Both of them did not pick the call. And then I called Ishan. Ishan's house is on the way to beach so we planned to go to his nearest bus stop, so that he can pick us up from there. He attended the call,

He: Hi Viji! Where exactly are you now?

Me: I think I am almost there. I might reach in 5 minutes. ( Time is 9.50 am)

He: Alright! Get down and wait for me. I'll be there in 10 mins.

I reached the bus stop expecting Arthi and Vishnu to be there. But there was no show. The road was wide and empty. Hardly few vehicles crossed. I was all alone in that bus stop, waiting and was little afraid.. I was looking left and right without knowing the direction of their arrival.

Suddenly a biker stopped in front of me. He removed his helmet. It was him! Ishan!

I was like, how can he pick us all in this bike?

He said, "Come, we are going to my house."

I asked, "Why? What about Arthi and Vishnu?"

He: Are you going to wait here for them for an hour? They said, they are held up in traffic! So just stop asking questions and come.

I climbed! It was some kind of fashionable bike where the back seat is high for some stupid reason. And yes! I was not comfortable! That was the first time I ever travelled with a boy on a bike!

So many thoughts were running in my mind. What will his parents think? What if any of my relatives or college mates or neighbours see's me travelling with a man?

Hey! Don't expect a small town girl to be very easygoing person.

He stopped in front a very big apartment. At the parking space, a watchman looked at me and him (What kind of look was that? we are just friends!) and asked me to write in the visitor's register.

We went up to his flat, and I was expecting him to knock the door and press the bell. But instead, he pulled out the Keys! Wait! What?

Me (out of shock): Is there no one at home?

He (coolly): No! they all went out for a family function and will be back by tomorrow.

I was like, then why did you bring me here!? Iam not coming inside! I should not be here dude! This is wrong! I was angry and scared! And that's why that watchman gave that look!

I didn't say or ask any of these to him. We are friends but not very close friends.

Yes! I was judging him! I was hesitating! But couldn't tell anything to him. If I say, What might he think about my thoughts, or to the worst he might get hurt for not trusting him fully.

I know he is not wrong or maybe wrong. All I was thinking was about the things that society taught me and lessons that I learnt from it. "Do's and Don'ts" for girls! And that scene which was happening with me was clearly in the Don'ts List.

He said, "Come in and sit down"

As I entered, he closed the door. (Let the door be open- my mind voice) And my pulses were already up!

I went and sat on the couch very uncomfortably at the edge of it, like ready to run anytime. He offered me some water and sat on the other side and started talking. He was talking about his friends and family. My reply was either a smile or "oh ok ok". And whenever there was a break in his talk I would ask, Where is Arthi now? Can we make a call? She picks and says 50 mins, 48mins, 45 mins.. after every 10 minutes. I was like, you stupid girls just come soon!

Meanwhile, he understood how I felt and asked me to sit comfortably! And I sat property not comfortable yet!

He then looked at me and just walked towards me and stretched his hand and picked a beautiful little ship made of wood from the show case which was right behind me. I was excited to see the detailing given to it. He said it was made by him. I got much more excited! I never knew he was so artistic! And I love arts and probably he knows my Interests. He picked all those cute things which were there in the show case made by him and was telling about it. We started discussing, How it was made? Materials that went in making all those things! And he brought many more from his room..

And meanwhile my phone rang! It was Arthi saying, she is going to reach. I saw the time, its 11.48 am. Wow, the time passed!

I never knew it could be easy. I had no guilt now. I now know him better. Thanks for the time to let me know, how right he is and how wrong my thoughts were. Because that's how we test our learning through experience!

Rest of the day was well spent. Long drive! Beach! restaurant! more talk and more fun! All four of us had a great day together..