The Couple

The couple sat in the boat, waiting for it to start. They were on the boat with everyone else, but still alone.

“The photographs that I clicked of you back on the beach have come out much better than yours did,” the guy told the girl. He was tall and dark, his lower face concealed by his goatee. The message on his T-Shirt read ‘Please kiss me, I am an Engineer.’

“Probably because I am more photogenic than you,” the girl retorted. She was thin and fair, the pink lipstick further accentuating her beauty. Her long blue gown was out of place in the setting, and her round spectacles made her look comical.

The guy made a face.

“We had such a good time at the beach. I don’t want to return to the mainland,” Namita said wistfully.

“You will also have fun during the twenty-minute boat ride back. The cool bridge will blow your hair, and I will click more of your pictures,” the guy reassured her.

The girl started laughing. “Are you always this funny?” she asked.

“Except when I am sleeping.”

“One has to be serious in life sometimes.”

“Why? How does it help?”

“People will take you more seriously, for one.”

“Why should I change my basic nature for people I don’t even know? Those who know me will always care for me without judging.”

The girl went quiet.

“You seem to be a serious kind of person,” the guy mentioned. “Are you comfortable with that?”

“What a question! Yes, I am comfortable in my skin.”

“So am I.”

“Understood.”

The guy gave a thumbs-up.

“So, what will you do after landing ashore?” the girl attempted to sound casual.

“I haven’t planned. Will go somewhere to have lunch and then return home, I guess. Need to take advantage of Sunday and catch up on my sleep”.

“I see. Not much of a planner, are you? That is refreshing for me.”

“What do you mean?”

“I tend to over plan and overthink most things.”

“If you are not comfortable with that, change. If you are, no need to fret.”

“I have made an inadvertent beginning by meeting you.”

The guy smiled.

The two seemed oblivious of the motorboat, which had started by now.

The girl continued. “Usually, I like my own company best. Today is a pleasant exception.”

“I hang out with my friends normally. I had this sudden urge today morning to visit the beach alone. I am glad I did.”

They both smiled.

The boy held out his hand. “My name is Vishal, and you can give me your number if you want.”

The girl’s ringing laughter was heard by all the other passengers in the boat.

She took Vishal’s hand and held it just a little longer. “I am Rhea. It is after long today that I am laughing freely.”

“Good. You should do it more often. You look pretty when you laugh”, he replied.

The blush on her fair cheeks made Rhea more radiant.

The boat reached its destination.

The ‘couple’ was sitting right at the exit. Vishal de-boarded first.

Rhea got up and stumbled before Vishal quickly steadied her.

“Here, give me your hand,” he said.

Rhea looked up at him and did so, her eyes reflecting her sense of security.

They walked side by side, again oblivious to the world around them.

“Care to join me for lunch? I will stay quiet in case you would rather prefer your own company,” Vishal asked.

“I thought you would never ask,” Rhea quipped and added, “you are also good company.”

They smiled at each other, walking hand in hand.