MARIGOLD

Like every other day, she wore a marigold flower in her hair. A strand of hair kept the flower in place. She stood with her back facing him. She was talking to her friend, and he stood few paces behind her. As the bus stopped, more and more people boarded, they blocked his view of her.

Of all the days, today the bus was too crowded. He tried to catch a glimpse of her face, but he could only see the bright marigold. And then the man standing just before him dropped the change. Coins rolling all over, some slid beneath the seats while he searched for them. Few people assisted him to collect the coins. She turned to see who it was.

His day brightened like the sun making its way through the clouds. He moved forward to have a better view of her pushing aside all the people who blocked his way.

The bus came to a halt, and people alighted. She too got down. He followed her. He wanted to see more of her.

After ten paces of walking, she stopped abruptly, turned back and stared at him.

‘Why are you stalking us?’ Her friend asked. He stood clumsily not knowing what say.

‘Daily you stare at her and today you are following us?’ She tapped her umbrella on her palm slowly as if threatening him to beat him with it. He moved a step back but didn’t speak anything.

All this attracted few passers-by, and a mini crowd had gathered to watch the drama. One of the men hearing the entire story held him by his collar, swearing at him and threatening to call the police. She watched all this silently, her lips sealed, and her brows frowned.

‘I didn’t do anything,’ he said in his defence, but a punch had already landed on his face knocking him down. Another blow to the stomach, and he wriggled in pain.

It was then she came in between and stopped the crowd. She said, ‘Please, let him go.’ He slowly stood up. His wallet slipped through his pant pocket. She picked it up and gave it to him. While he took his wallet, tears ran down his eyes.

He said in a very low tone almost in a whisper, ‘You look like my daughter. She is dead. Two years back due to a medical condition. Don’t you believe me? Here is her photo.’

He showed his daughter’s picture. There was a striking resemblance. Everyone was moved and felt sorry for him. She too offered her apologies and left.

The marigold flower that had adorned her hair had slipped and fallen on the dirty road. He picked it up, blew the dust, caressed it and kept in his pocket.

He would be back tomorrow at 9.30 a.m. at the bus stop to catch a glimpse of her.