It was a bright sunny day, I was at the zebra crossing waiting for the traffic light to turn green so I could cross the road and walk a block towards my office. While I was munching on whatever was left over in my sandwich and sipping my coffee in another, and in between I raised my head and across the road at the other side there appeared a girl, she wasn’t there earlier probably I was distracted with my sandwich but she was accompanied with her friends. 

Why do pretty girls have companions was running in my mind? As it makes them unapproachable. Her black hair was blowing in the wind, the red sweat T - shirt complemented her whiteish skin tone and particularly her sharp features caught my attention. I wanted to walk over and introduce myself but I was nervous with the rejection and the embarrassment in public. But among all this something didn’t fit right. She didn’t at all look at me. All we guys have one second, one kiss, one stare and one chance. Life can be cruel most of the time, we miss it rather than hit it.

I waited patiently as the traffic signal light would turn green soon. All I wanted her and her friends to cross over to my side. But surprisingly when the light turned green she crossed the road alone while her friends stayed back. Sometimes when luck smiles at you, it’s just that you can sense things and I had the feeling that this happened to be just mine. She crossed over walked passed me, all I could smell was her perfume. But in a fraction of a second, I fell tongue-tied and couldn’t do much. To my surprise, her friends too had disappeared. This time my feet were finding it so difficult to just cross over. How could I just freeze? However, as time passed through the day the chores took over me and this remained somewhere in my subconscious to be forgotten. Never did I see her again. Days turned weeks and weeks months.

By then I had my family behind my back scheming and plotting to get me married. In India, I guess a software engineer when settled is not really settled until you are married. You appear less of a man, rather than a lottery to be won by the bride’s father. So, I was displayed and showcased and met many scrutinizing pair of eyes but I couldn’t get myself to select and pin a face or a person to wed.

My frustrations got the better of me and I decided to change my place of work to go somewhere far as whenever I came back from a tiring day, all I could see was daggers glaring at me from my family, rather they would have said useless guy get lost. Finally, my prayers were answered, I was on my trip with my personal belongings to a new city with a mission and what was making my journey pleasant was that I had the window seat. Indians are always happy with the small things in life one among them is getting the window seat. I bid farewell to friends and family and promised to call them when I reached and settled in my company rental flat. Although the aisle seat next to me was vacant I thought how lucky I was and hopeful that either nobody claims it or I get to stretch and covet the other too.

But when you are to be kicked by fate you are kicked nice and hard. At midnight a guy my age entered the bus and claimed his seat next to me. I was woken up but, gathered my things and made way for him. While both of us caught are much beauty sleep. In the wee hours, the bus lights were switched on. It’s then we woke up and exchanged pleasantries. One thing lead to another and we got along well. We even had to go to the same building but different apartments on different floors. He suggested that I come for breakfast over after reaching. I gladly accepted the offer. I was all game for free food. So, there I was ringing the bell after I had bathe and dressed and waiting to attack what was to be placed before. The door opened and I was dumbstruck again but this time to find the door opened by that very girl who haunted me all this while, she was smiling and standing in flesh right before me. I nervously enquired about the host and she said that she was aware as her brother had informed them.

So now I got her name, address, and family details and what more could I ask? It was definitely destiny that lead me to her. I had a beautiful feeling about all this. 

It’s well said better late than never.

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