Posted:
Hi guys,
I am sorry for updating this fanfic after such a long time, but to be honest with the way the current track is going, I have simply lost the will or the inspiration to write anything. But then I did get a pm from one of the readers telling me to update and I watched some old episodes on Zee Smile...which gave me enough to atleast finish this fanfic...It's a short story...so I am keeping it really short...
I am posting the second chapter today and the epilogue tomorrow for sure...as I have already written that but just thought of continuing the suspense a bit more. 😉
Hope you guys enjoy reading it and even if I get one comment, I would be absolutely motivated to post the epilogue tomorrow. 😊
*********************************************************
Chapter 1
The International Business lounge at the Indira Gandhi International Airport was swathed in a flurry of activities as nature's unpredictable temperament had caused havoc with the well-oiled functioning Rushing through this maze of madness was a petite looking girl dressed in a pair of smart brown corduroys and a pretty burnt orange blouse. An air of urgency surrounded her as she struggled with a bulging knapsack on her right shoulder and a brown handbag on her left along with maneuvering a trolley through the little mob gathered at the check-in counter. In a state of complete confusion she goes and stands at the economy class counter instead of the business one and is prompted by an incredulously looking woman at the counter to the other section.
Huffing and puffing at the thought of again shifting her baggage from one counter to another the girl almost tramples the trolley into the man standing in front of her and gets in return a stare that would ward off even 100 monsters. An overtly enthusiastic lady in magenta and yellow saree with zardozi work done on it treats her foot as a means to jam the front wheels of her trolley into it and on top of that gives her an unapologetic smile.
Even a rude warning and a dirty stare from the pretty girl does not affect her infectious zeal and excitement. Uttering some of the most embarrassing swear words, she quickly moves forward to get the formalities completed and makes her way to the immigration section where she crosses over the red line without being ordered to do so and is rewarded with a disapproving stare from the immigration officer.
Unwillingly the officer has no choice but to stamp the approval on her passport and lets her go, though he would have preferred the other alternative of sending her back just where she came from. She calls her parents to inform them that she is through all the formalities and as a business class passenger she walks towards the British Airways business class lounge. She is so preoccupied talking over the phone that she almost manages to make a fool of herself by losing her balance and landing on the lap of a stranger. His firm hold on her elbow stops her from making a complete fool of herself and after a quick apology she goes and settles herself next to him on the soft cream leather couch. Though she would have preferred sitting somewhere else than next to him, but a quick look around the lounge makes her realize there are hardly any empty seats left except for one besides a really fat man, who was busy feeding his over-sized bloated stomach with large helpings of French fries and chicken wings.
Thinking aloud she utters, 'Disgusting' and is awarded with an incredulous stare from the man next to her who seems to consider that a distraction between his newspaper and him. Even when she had apologized to him she had not received any kind of a response from him and wonders why do people possess such bloated egos. The lounge was more crowded than usual as a result of constant flight delays and this provides her with wholesome entertainment as observing people, drawing judgments on them and then voicing them aloud is one of her favorite pastime. After the first hour of calling all her friends and family and speaking as loud as possible and unintentionally behaving as the prick in the thorn for the man sitting next to her, she starts to murmur to herself as if talking to herself would provide the necessary answers to her growing irritation at the people around her who were unknowingly been grilled under observation microscope. After numerous little harmless comments such as people eat like there's no tomorrow and what a fat, fat man and what an attitude that babe has, she comes up with Oh God all men are the same, they are such a leach and receives yet again another unbelievable stare from the stranger sitting next to her. However this time the stare his accompanied by an equally rude comment
What would it take to stop you from continuing your running commentary?
The petite girl thinks to herself she may have really irritated him to elicit a response and turns around to look into a pool of black eyes and even though she recognizes him, she refuses to bow down and replies, 'One one condition I will stop rambling to myself'
What is that? Comes the retort
'You respond and my self-rambling will change to a conversation between two people.'
The stranger had an unbelievable look on his face and in a tone which was amused as well as a bit angry he said, 'What?'
'Come on you are behaving as if I have told you to make love to me, I am just asking you to speak to me.'
This caught the stranger's attention and he gave her a thorough look before remarking, 'Umm, a tempting proposition, but I am sorry I have to decline for now.'
She could not help but blush at his remark and just looking at him, thought to herself that wouldn't be such a bad idea at all and rather than feigning mock anger at his comment she decided to play it the other way round and with the corners of her mouth giving away a hint of a smile she replied, 'For a stiff upper-lip gentleman you do possess a sense of humor, I like that.'
The stranger was expecting some kind of a typical angry retort as his comment and was hoping that would scare her away to keep quiet was quite astonished and taken aback by her unusual behavior and was even more surprised, when she went ahead and passed a judgment on his credibility to hold a conversation, as she further spoke, 'Now that we have got to know you have a sense of humor and can even talk when you want to, what do you think we should talk about.' She rambled off with a very thoughtful look on her face as if she was about to go off on an important mission.
He kept on staring at this bold and brash girl in front of him and could only mutter, 'You don't give up, do you?'
Came the quick retort, 'Nope, I am known to be quite an incorrigible.'
Just then there's an announcement that British Airways flight flying to London is delayed by four more hours and this gives Ms Incorrigible just the excuse to draw this handsome stranger into a conversation. 'So now you have two options, first hide behind your newspaper and listen to me rambling or become an active participant and respond to my rambling. So which one is it going to be?'
The stranger could not stop himself from bursting out laughing and finally gave up by putting back the newspaper on the coffee table in front of him and turning towards her to give her his full concentration, 'I am all yours.'
'I wish', she muttered to herself and brought herself back from the day dreaming mode to the present, 'So tell me stranger, I have this nagging question do you think men consider it their birth-right to letch at women.'
This spurted off into a full-blown debate and discussion for the next couple of hours and in this duration they covered a variety of topics ranging from the mistakes being committed by the present government to the latest Bollywood flicks to the topic of globalization. The surprising part was that neither of them delved into their own personal backgrounds, but they both enjoyed the conversation immensely. They were both unaware of where the time flew by in the last couple of hours and as they heard the boarding announcement for their flight, a strange kind of silence and awkwardness engulfed them both.
Both of them were happy that finally they would be boarding the flight, but at the same time they were gripped by the thought what next as their egos did not allow to them speak out and at the same time their hearts did not allow them to say goodbye. Both Mr. Stranger and the Ms. Incorrigible had donned their cloak of formality and in a graciously formal tone they smiled at each other, offered the pleasantries of nice knowing you and said catch you later before making their way through the narrow boarding passageway.
While the handsome stranger had settled himself on the aisle seat on the second row, the pretty dame took the window seat on the fifth row. The stranger's eyes did scan the business class for one pesky yet a pretty girl and when he could not locate her, he had to get up with an excuse of going to the washroom just to see where she is hidden. He sees her curled up like a little ball of wool with her head resting on the window sill and holding her knapsack as a cushion and is lost in deep thought. He just kept on staring at this very beautiful enigma who seemed to have some kind of a fizzy affect on him. He decides against interrupting her and goes back to his seat.
********************************************************** *
Chapter II
The petite girl on the other hand is so ensconced in her thoughts that she fails to notice the stranger observing her. Though she displays a faade of being a pesky little creature, in actuality it's just a cloak of pretence as hidden beneath is a girl who longs to be besotted to someone. It's not that she has a miserable life, in fact her life is something which most would desire to be in. She has wonderful parents who completely adore her, her friends are always there for her and to an outsider it would seem her life is picture perfect and nothing is amiss. However on a closer inspection, one might just notice the hidden melancholy in her eyes, which she very deftly hides from most. She has had many admirers however she has never come close to finding the one man she longs to be with. But she wasn't called Ms. Incorrigible for nothing, she knows how to mask her true feelings and only in the company of her solitary confinement, does she give in to the luxury of brooding over the one thing she longs for most in life. Her thoughts take a complete u-turn when she replays the happenings of the past few hours and can't stop smiling to herself.
What an amazing stranger she thinks to herself and so bloody handsome, oh how she wishes he was a man of her dreams and all of a sudden she starts to hum 'All I want is my true soulmate, lots of love and lots of care, Aow wouldn't it be loverly? Someone's head resting on my knee, Warm and tender as he can be, who takes good care of me, Aow wouldn't it be lovely? Lulll-lula-lulalalaa…ummmm,,,,ummmmmmm…..she goes on humming and with every note that she hums, the decibel of her voice also goes a notch up. She is awaken from her delirious state by the very same stranger who was also the source of her artistic muse when he bends forwards and takes out one of her ear plugs and comments, 'Ah you know what I always thought this song went like this' and he starts to hum as well 'All I want is a room somewhere, Far away from the cold night air. With one enormous chair, Aow, wouldn't it be lovely? Thanks for introducing me to another great original version,' and then seeing a shocked expression on Bani's face, he amusingly comments further, ' haven't you seen a man sing before?'
For the first time, Bani feels embarrassed and finds herself incapable of any kind of a dialogue and just passes a meek smile. This gives Mr. Stranger the perfect excuse, 'you know what I would be more comfortable in showcasing my singing skills to you whilst sitting, so if you don't mind can I make myself a bit comfortable here,' with that he plunks himself on the plush leather seat.
Finally Ms. Incorrigible finds her vocal chords and decides to feign dissatisfaction, 'Don't you think you should sit in the rightful place allotted to you.'
'My, my is it the same lady who couldn't take her eyes off me in the business lounge'
Taken aback by his arrogance, she gives back, 'What a load of rubbish, that time I was just bored and that's why I started up a conversation with you. What makes you think I was ogling at you?'
'Did I use the word ogling? I don't think so. Anyways I thought since we were so pleasant to each other we might as well strike up yet another pleasant conversation to while away a few hours. You do after all know it's a long flight.' But if you prefer otherwise, I don't mind leaving and with that he pretends to get up when all of a sudden, he feels a warm hand enclosing his wrist, 'Don't go'
Comes the retort, 'What, I didn't hear that'
With a feigned pride, she utters, 'Okay, fine, sorry, don't go.' He's about to tease her a bit more when he notices her eyes betraying a different emotion altogether. He makes himself comfortable in the middle seat just next to her and amusingly enquires, 'so I can't believe a beautiful woman like you is without a man in her life?'
What makes you think that I am without a man?
Well for one if the song is anything to go by.
Well don't you know it's bad to eavesdrop on someone's thoughts.
Oh please, I was not eavesdropping, I was just passing by when I noticed the airhostess was trying to offer you refreshments, but you were so busy in fine tuning your singing skills that you were oblivious to everything else. So to help that poor dame, I offered my help. That's all.
She replies with a sugary sweet smile, 'Oh how thoughtful of you, I guess it's second nature to you to help all dames in distress.'
'You know what, that's a very clever way of changing the course of this conversation, but I am sure we'll have plenty of time later to talk about my knight in shining armor attributes, but right now what intrigues me more is you. So let's talk about you.
Why are you so interested all of a sudden in me?
What's the harm in that? You seem to be an absolutely normal woman, who's rather beautiful and it's not strange for a handsome man like me to not to be interested in a beautiful specimen of the opposite sex like you.
Don't you find it rather strange, in the business lounge I was the one prodding you to talk and now there seems to have been a role reversal. I am curious to know how come this sudden change?
What can I say, maybe it's your infectious spirit that infected me as well. You know what it would be a riot for the tabloids if they got to know I was busy talking ten to a dozen.
Bani replies with a mock expression on her face, 'Oh really I was absolutely unaware I was sitting next to a prominent figure.'
'Oh come on don't pretend as if you did not recognize me. You very well know who I am. You recognized me the instant you saw me in the lounge. Don't you think I noticed that knowing look on your face.'
'Aren't you too full of yourself. But yes I do give it to you that I did recognize you and just feigned ignorance, after all you are a human too and why should you be made to feel so important unnecessarily.
'Well since you already know who I am, let's steer the conversation towards you, I don't even know your name.'
'I have a better idea let's remain anonymous, if we are destined to meet again, we will, till then you can just call me Ms. Incorrigible.'
'Hey but that's not fair you already know who I am.'
But that's not my fault, that comes with your territory, not mine, so let me remain anonymous. I love the mystery of the unknowing, otherwise life can get so predictable.
With an admiring look in his eyes, he comments, ' You know what Ms. Incorrigible you are really something, one moment cold as the ice maiden and the next moment innocent and adorable just like a child. You amaze me.
With a gleaming look in her eyes, she replies, 'I know'.
The next few hours pass away in blissful camaderie, both completely oblivious to their surroundings. Completely unaware, here were two souls who were struck by the cupid and were clueless of what they had found in each other was something more precious than life itself, which thy world called Love.
The next couple of hours just past by with both of them immersed in their own little dream world of beautiful moments, cheerful conversations and lighthearted banter. When their bodies could not hold it for any longer, both fell into a dreamy slumber and even in that moment their face shone with happiness and contentment, as if the angels above had descended to shower them with blessings.
Both were a sight to see in the morning when the announcement was made that the flight is about to land in a while. The lady was curled up against him as her head rested on his shoulder and they both looked so serene and peaceful, that the airhostess also could not help but smile at the pretty sight before her. She gently woke up the handsome stranger and informed him about the landing of the flight. He thanked her and turned around to wake his Ms. Incorrigible up and seeing her sleeping so blissfully, he wished he could capture that moment forever as it pained his heart to acknowledge he would never see his Ms. Incorrigible again. He thought about calling her 'His', he never thought in just a matter of few hours his life would change forever. But it did and now there was no looking back. He gently woke her up and though at first she was a bit disgruntled as she quickly looked around her and realized how much she had leaned onto her handsome stranger and sat up abruptly.
The earlier cheerful banter was now replaced with a certain amount of awkwardness and trepidation as they both said morning and asked each other if they slept well. The flight had already started its descent and as it touched down and taxied the sudden nervousness and awkwardness to part ways was clearly apparent on both their faces.
Once they were through with the immigration, both were at a complete loss of words on what to say to each other and just as he was going to say something to her, he saw a entourage coming towards him to welcome him. Just before they could reach him he quickly tells 'his' Ms. Incorrigible to give him her number so that he could get in touch with her. The stranger is completely surprised when she nods her head in the negative and tells him, 'If we are destined to meet we will someday' and then abruptly leaves. Before he can stop her, he finds himself surrounded by a pool of some familiar and some unfamiliar faces, he wished to get rid of, but he was forced to respond like a robot while his heart stood numb and still.
I am sorry for updating this fanfic after such a long time, but to be honest with the way the current track is going, I have simply lost the will or the inspiration to write anything. But then I did get a pm from one of the readers telling me to update and I watched some old episodes on Zee Smile...which gave me enough to atleast finish this fanfic...It's a short story...so I am keeping it really short...
I am posting the second chapter today and the epilogue tomorrow for sure...as I have already written that but just thought of continuing the suspense a bit more. 😉
Hope you guys enjoy reading it and even if I get one comment, I would be absolutely motivated to post the epilogue tomorrow. 😊
*********************************************************
Chapter 1
The International Business lounge at the Indira Gandhi International Airport was swathed in a flurry of activities as nature's unpredictable temperament had caused havoc with the well-oiled functioning Rushing through this maze of madness was a petite looking girl dressed in a pair of smart brown corduroys and a pretty burnt orange blouse. An air of urgency surrounded her as she struggled with a bulging knapsack on her right shoulder and a brown handbag on her left along with maneuvering a trolley through the little mob gathered at the check-in counter. In a state of complete confusion she goes and stands at the economy class counter instead of the business one and is prompted by an incredulously looking woman at the counter to the other section.
Huffing and puffing at the thought of again shifting her baggage from one counter to another the girl almost tramples the trolley into the man standing in front of her and gets in return a stare that would ward off even 100 monsters. An overtly enthusiastic lady in magenta and yellow saree with zardozi work done on it treats her foot as a means to jam the front wheels of her trolley into it and on top of that gives her an unapologetic smile.
Even a rude warning and a dirty stare from the pretty girl does not affect her infectious zeal and excitement. Uttering some of the most embarrassing swear words, she quickly moves forward to get the formalities completed and makes her way to the immigration section where she crosses over the red line without being ordered to do so and is rewarded with a disapproving stare from the immigration officer.
Unwillingly the officer has no choice but to stamp the approval on her passport and lets her go, though he would have preferred the other alternative of sending her back just where she came from. She calls her parents to inform them that she is through all the formalities and as a business class passenger she walks towards the British Airways business class lounge. She is so preoccupied talking over the phone that she almost manages to make a fool of herself by losing her balance and landing on the lap of a stranger. His firm hold on her elbow stops her from making a complete fool of herself and after a quick apology she goes and settles herself next to him on the soft cream leather couch. Though she would have preferred sitting somewhere else than next to him, but a quick look around the lounge makes her realize there are hardly any empty seats left except for one besides a really fat man, who was busy feeding his over-sized bloated stomach with large helpings of French fries and chicken wings.
Thinking aloud she utters, 'Disgusting' and is awarded with an incredulous stare from the man next to her who seems to consider that a distraction between his newspaper and him. Even when she had apologized to him she had not received any kind of a response from him and wonders why do people possess such bloated egos. The lounge was more crowded than usual as a result of constant flight delays and this provides her with wholesome entertainment as observing people, drawing judgments on them and then voicing them aloud is one of her favorite pastime. After the first hour of calling all her friends and family and speaking as loud as possible and unintentionally behaving as the prick in the thorn for the man sitting next to her, she starts to murmur to herself as if talking to herself would provide the necessary answers to her growing irritation at the people around her who were unknowingly been grilled under observation microscope. After numerous little harmless comments such as people eat like there's no tomorrow and what a fat, fat man and what an attitude that babe has, she comes up with Oh God all men are the same, they are such a leach and receives yet again another unbelievable stare from the stranger sitting next to her. However this time the stare his accompanied by an equally rude comment
What would it take to stop you from continuing your running commentary?
The petite girl thinks to herself she may have really irritated him to elicit a response and turns around to look into a pool of black eyes and even though she recognizes him, she refuses to bow down and replies, 'One one condition I will stop rambling to myself'
What is that? Comes the retort
'You respond and my self-rambling will change to a conversation between two people.'
The stranger had an unbelievable look on his face and in a tone which was amused as well as a bit angry he said, 'What?'
'Come on you are behaving as if I have told you to make love to me, I am just asking you to speak to me.'
This caught the stranger's attention and he gave her a thorough look before remarking, 'Umm, a tempting proposition, but I am sorry I have to decline for now.'
She could not help but blush at his remark and just looking at him, thought to herself that wouldn't be such a bad idea at all and rather than feigning mock anger at his comment she decided to play it the other way round and with the corners of her mouth giving away a hint of a smile she replied, 'For a stiff upper-lip gentleman you do possess a sense of humor, I like that.'
The stranger was expecting some kind of a typical angry retort as his comment and was hoping that would scare her away to keep quiet was quite astonished and taken aback by her unusual behavior and was even more surprised, when she went ahead and passed a judgment on his credibility to hold a conversation, as she further spoke, 'Now that we have got to know you have a sense of humor and can even talk when you want to, what do you think we should talk about.' She rambled off with a very thoughtful look on her face as if she was about to go off on an important mission.
He kept on staring at this bold and brash girl in front of him and could only mutter, 'You don't give up, do you?'
Came the quick retort, 'Nope, I am known to be quite an incorrigible.'
Just then there's an announcement that British Airways flight flying to London is delayed by four more hours and this gives Ms Incorrigible just the excuse to draw this handsome stranger into a conversation. 'So now you have two options, first hide behind your newspaper and listen to me rambling or become an active participant and respond to my rambling. So which one is it going to be?'
The stranger could not stop himself from bursting out laughing and finally gave up by putting back the newspaper on the coffee table in front of him and turning towards her to give her his full concentration, 'I am all yours.'
'I wish', she muttered to herself and brought herself back from the day dreaming mode to the present, 'So tell me stranger, I have this nagging question do you think men consider it their birth-right to letch at women.'
This spurted off into a full-blown debate and discussion for the next couple of hours and in this duration they covered a variety of topics ranging from the mistakes being committed by the present government to the latest Bollywood flicks to the topic of globalization. The surprising part was that neither of them delved into their own personal backgrounds, but they both enjoyed the conversation immensely. They were both unaware of where the time flew by in the last couple of hours and as they heard the boarding announcement for their flight, a strange kind of silence and awkwardness engulfed them both.
Both of them were happy that finally they would be boarding the flight, but at the same time they were gripped by the thought what next as their egos did not allow to them speak out and at the same time their hearts did not allow them to say goodbye. Both Mr. Stranger and the Ms. Incorrigible had donned their cloak of formality and in a graciously formal tone they smiled at each other, offered the pleasantries of nice knowing you and said catch you later before making their way through the narrow boarding passageway.
While the handsome stranger had settled himself on the aisle seat on the second row, the pretty dame took the window seat on the fifth row. The stranger's eyes did scan the business class for one pesky yet a pretty girl and when he could not locate her, he had to get up with an excuse of going to the washroom just to see where she is hidden. He sees her curled up like a little ball of wool with her head resting on the window sill and holding her knapsack as a cushion and is lost in deep thought. He just kept on staring at this very beautiful enigma who seemed to have some kind of a fizzy affect on him. He decides against interrupting her and goes back to his seat.
********************************************************** *
Chapter II
The petite girl on the other hand is so ensconced in her thoughts that she fails to notice the stranger observing her. Though she displays a faade of being a pesky little creature, in actuality it's just a cloak of pretence as hidden beneath is a girl who longs to be besotted to someone. It's not that she has a miserable life, in fact her life is something which most would desire to be in. She has wonderful parents who completely adore her, her friends are always there for her and to an outsider it would seem her life is picture perfect and nothing is amiss. However on a closer inspection, one might just notice the hidden melancholy in her eyes, which she very deftly hides from most. She has had many admirers however she has never come close to finding the one man she longs to be with. But she wasn't called Ms. Incorrigible for nothing, she knows how to mask her true feelings and only in the company of her solitary confinement, does she give in to the luxury of brooding over the one thing she longs for most in life. Her thoughts take a complete u-turn when she replays the happenings of the past few hours and can't stop smiling to herself.
What an amazing stranger she thinks to herself and so bloody handsome, oh how she wishes he was a man of her dreams and all of a sudden she starts to hum 'All I want is my true soulmate, lots of love and lots of care, Aow wouldn't it be loverly? Someone's head resting on my knee, Warm and tender as he can be, who takes good care of me, Aow wouldn't it be lovely? Lulll-lula-lulalalaa…ummmm,,,,ummmmmmm…..she goes on humming and with every note that she hums, the decibel of her voice also goes a notch up. She is awaken from her delirious state by the very same stranger who was also the source of her artistic muse when he bends forwards and takes out one of her ear plugs and comments, 'Ah you know what I always thought this song went like this' and he starts to hum as well 'All I want is a room somewhere, Far away from the cold night air. With one enormous chair, Aow, wouldn't it be lovely? Thanks for introducing me to another great original version,' and then seeing a shocked expression on Bani's face, he amusingly comments further, ' haven't you seen a man sing before?'
For the first time, Bani feels embarrassed and finds herself incapable of any kind of a dialogue and just passes a meek smile. This gives Mr. Stranger the perfect excuse, 'you know what I would be more comfortable in showcasing my singing skills to you whilst sitting, so if you don't mind can I make myself a bit comfortable here,' with that he plunks himself on the plush leather seat.
Finally Ms. Incorrigible finds her vocal chords and decides to feign dissatisfaction, 'Don't you think you should sit in the rightful place allotted to you.'
'My, my is it the same lady who couldn't take her eyes off me in the business lounge'
Taken aback by his arrogance, she gives back, 'What a load of rubbish, that time I was just bored and that's why I started up a conversation with you. What makes you think I was ogling at you?'
'Did I use the word ogling? I don't think so. Anyways I thought since we were so pleasant to each other we might as well strike up yet another pleasant conversation to while away a few hours. You do after all know it's a long flight.' But if you prefer otherwise, I don't mind leaving and with that he pretends to get up when all of a sudden, he feels a warm hand enclosing his wrist, 'Don't go'
Comes the retort, 'What, I didn't hear that'
With a feigned pride, she utters, 'Okay, fine, sorry, don't go.' He's about to tease her a bit more when he notices her eyes betraying a different emotion altogether. He makes himself comfortable in the middle seat just next to her and amusingly enquires, 'so I can't believe a beautiful woman like you is without a man in her life?'
What makes you think that I am without a man?
Well for one if the song is anything to go by.
Well don't you know it's bad to eavesdrop on someone's thoughts.
Oh please, I was not eavesdropping, I was just passing by when I noticed the airhostess was trying to offer you refreshments, but you were so busy in fine tuning your singing skills that you were oblivious to everything else. So to help that poor dame, I offered my help. That's all.
She replies with a sugary sweet smile, 'Oh how thoughtful of you, I guess it's second nature to you to help all dames in distress.'
'You know what, that's a very clever way of changing the course of this conversation, but I am sure we'll have plenty of time later to talk about my knight in shining armor attributes, but right now what intrigues me more is you. So let's talk about you.
Why are you so interested all of a sudden in me?
What's the harm in that? You seem to be an absolutely normal woman, who's rather beautiful and it's not strange for a handsome man like me to not to be interested in a beautiful specimen of the opposite sex like you.
Don't you find it rather strange, in the business lounge I was the one prodding you to talk and now there seems to have been a role reversal. I am curious to know how come this sudden change?
What can I say, maybe it's your infectious spirit that infected me as well. You know what it would be a riot for the tabloids if they got to know I was busy talking ten to a dozen.
Bani replies with a mock expression on her face, 'Oh really I was absolutely unaware I was sitting next to a prominent figure.'
'Oh come on don't pretend as if you did not recognize me. You very well know who I am. You recognized me the instant you saw me in the lounge. Don't you think I noticed that knowing look on your face.'
'Aren't you too full of yourself. But yes I do give it to you that I did recognize you and just feigned ignorance, after all you are a human too and why should you be made to feel so important unnecessarily.
'Well since you already know who I am, let's steer the conversation towards you, I don't even know your name.'
'I have a better idea let's remain anonymous, if we are destined to meet again, we will, till then you can just call me Ms. Incorrigible.'
'Hey but that's not fair you already know who I am.'
But that's not my fault, that comes with your territory, not mine, so let me remain anonymous. I love the mystery of the unknowing, otherwise life can get so predictable.
With an admiring look in his eyes, he comments, ' You know what Ms. Incorrigible you are really something, one moment cold as the ice maiden and the next moment innocent and adorable just like a child. You amaze me.
With a gleaming look in her eyes, she replies, 'I know'.
The next few hours pass away in blissful camaderie, both completely oblivious to their surroundings. Completely unaware, here were two souls who were struck by the cupid and were clueless of what they had found in each other was something more precious than life itself, which thy world called Love.
The next couple of hours just past by with both of them immersed in their own little dream world of beautiful moments, cheerful conversations and lighthearted banter. When their bodies could not hold it for any longer, both fell into a dreamy slumber and even in that moment their face shone with happiness and contentment, as if the angels above had descended to shower them with blessings.
Both were a sight to see in the morning when the announcement was made that the flight is about to land in a while. The lady was curled up against him as her head rested on his shoulder and they both looked so serene and peaceful, that the airhostess also could not help but smile at the pretty sight before her. She gently woke up the handsome stranger and informed him about the landing of the flight. He thanked her and turned around to wake his Ms. Incorrigible up and seeing her sleeping so blissfully, he wished he could capture that moment forever as it pained his heart to acknowledge he would never see his Ms. Incorrigible again. He thought about calling her 'His', he never thought in just a matter of few hours his life would change forever. But it did and now there was no looking back. He gently woke her up and though at first she was a bit disgruntled as she quickly looked around her and realized how much she had leaned onto her handsome stranger and sat up abruptly.
The earlier cheerful banter was now replaced with a certain amount of awkwardness and trepidation as they both said morning and asked each other if they slept well. The flight had already started its descent and as it touched down and taxied the sudden nervousness and awkwardness to part ways was clearly apparent on both their faces.
Once they were through with the immigration, both were at a complete loss of words on what to say to each other and just as he was going to say something to her, he saw a entourage coming towards him to welcome him. Just before they could reach him he quickly tells 'his' Ms. Incorrigible to give him her number so that he could get in touch with her. The stranger is completely surprised when she nods her head in the negative and tells him, 'If we are destined to meet we will someday' and then abruptly leaves. Before he can stop her, he finds himself surrounded by a pool of some familiar and some unfamiliar faces, he wished to get rid of, but he was forced to respond like a robot while his heart stood numb and still.
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
