One Shot... Stars

Stars

Love at first sight, well, if anyone would have told me that such a bizarre thing would happen to me, I'd have recommended therapy for that person. But, twist of fate, it happened to me and damned if I could do anything to stop it. I stumbled into love, quite literally. It sounds clichd, but there it is . . . it felt like the stars were guiding me, or perhaps I should say shoving me towards my destiny.

First, my ever so responsible younger brother took the brand new Fiat's engine apart . . . I mean that in the literal sense. That man, I tell you, is obsessed with taking things apart. Never, my dear daughter, bring a new gadget anywhere in his vicinity. He'll rip it apart, assemble the pieces in a line and forget about it. One would think a car's engine is not a play thing, right? But my brother doesn't think normal. Ever. And you know what was the best (pun intended) part, he tried to put it back together and he did, only that tiny winy parts were left with no place to go so he took everything apart all over again. The mechanic—when he saw just how beautifully your uncle had arranged every piece on the ground in a systematic order, small to large—started crying. I am not exaggerating!

So like, since the car was useless for obvious reasons, I had to opt for public transport. Oops, I didn't mention that I had to go somewhere. Actually I had to attend my friend's wedding in Shimla. Never mind, I took a bus, only that it was the wrong bus. Interesting part was, even now after all these years, when I think back I have no clue whatsoever as to how in the lord's name did I manage to do that. One moment I am running towards a bus which has Shimla written on it in bold letters, next I am sitting in a bus which dumps me in Mussoorie. And, guess what, I had no idea that I was in the wrong bus until I saw the sign board "Welcome To Mussoorie". I made the driver stop the bus and I stumbled out of it, then and there. And yes, by stumble I mean stumble. What can I say, I am genuinely clumsy.

Then I looked up and love just happened.

I fell in love with this town.

Spoiled your fun, didn't I? Sweetie, tell you what, for everything amazing that your father is, I couldn't have fallen in love with him on first sight. For one thing, he had two dimples and I did not even have one. Not fair, that. Besides, I wanted to kill him the day I met him. You see, he was sitting next to me in the bus all way, and he knew where I thought the bus was going, and the jerk didn't even once hint that I was in the wrong bus. And when I got down, he followed me. After I was done falling for the town, I boxed his ears. Then I walked away.

I met him again, in a few hours, in Shimla. He was my friend's cousin and he too had taken the wrong bus. Not quite a jerk, actually.

What would you call it, if not providence?

He was fated for me, like I for him. We were two imperfect people, perfect for each other.

There are so many things I want to tell you. But your father would be here any moment and we can't have him sneak upon mother-daughter talk, can we? I'll write again when he leaves me alone and tell you about how love happened (this time the real thing).

PS: Literature was never my forte.

PPS: Heaven's help me if your father reads this. That man and his love for language! He'd make me re-write this, edit it and re-edit. I had to marry a writer, didn't I?

As she folded the letter and placed it safely in the drawer, she wondered when her mother had written it.

Right that moment, her cell phone buzzed. Her eyes crinkled as she read the caller ID. It was her father. . .

"Hey Daddy," she chirped and bounced on the bed.

"Someone sounds very happy?" A boisterous voice replied. Hearing it, catching the obvious warmth and affection in it, she grinned.

"Absolutely" She chuckled. "Dad, how come you never mentioned how you and mom met?"

"You never asked"

"Okay I'm asking now." She crossed her legs, geared up for listening.

"We met in Shimla…"

"Hold it." She frowned, "You met in a bus, and that too the wrong bus. Seriously, how could you not know it was the wrong bus?"

"Who told you?"

"Keep guessing. And someone's at the door. I'll call you back." With that she hopped out of the bed and ran barefoot out of the room.

She pulled the door open.

"Hello. If you don't mind, could you please guide me to house no. 202?" a man, probably in his late twenties, asked.

She stepped onto the porch and smiled. "Go straight, take the first left. I think it's the second or third house in the lane."

"Thank you."

"You're Welcome"

"Ah…Goodbye"

"Bye"

And he walked away.

Stars smiled down upon the two unsuspecting mortals. They had no clue what was about to hit them. No clue!

Aha! Now, where was the cupid's arrow!