Topic started by Jaya (@ acbdc81e.ipt.aol.com) on Sun Sep 12 15:59:05 EDT 2004.
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.
There was a clap of thunder outside the cafe and the heavens opened. I noticed the umbrella by Raju's leg and picked it up. "Is it?" I started and his eyes answered my question. It was the old umbrella. The name was more faint on the handle, it had taken years of weathering. "You haven't got a new one?" I asked. Gently he took it away from my hand. "This umbrella," he said holding it affectionately, "Has kept me dry for many years. You expect me to change it so easily after it's faithful service?" He gazed at me, his dreamy eyes then eagle like, mockingly.
"Some times it's best to change," I said, refusing to look into those eyes. They were a window to his damaged soul, a window's view which I did not want to see. "It's easier for some than for others," he said, setting the umbrella down by his leg again, "And if I remember correctly, there would have been nothing to change if I hadn't got back old faithful........"
*
Raju stood, waiting on the platform. She would come, surely she would come. His train wasn't due for another ten minutes. Where was she? He needed to buy some cough medicine for his mother, for chesty cough she had asked. God, that girl was lovely. Such large innocent eyes. Now what brand had his mother asked for again?
In this state of agitation and confusion, he waited. Another six minutes to go and his heart was leaping like anything. Then all he saw was a blur and heard a thud as someone landed at his feet. "Oh I'm so sorry," he said helping up the figure, all concern. Then his face expressed horror. It was her! "No,I'm sorry," she said picking herself up. " I should watch where I put my brief case," he said, still mortified. "No really, it's ok," she said, smiling.
There followed a rather uncomfortable silence. Damn it, Raju thought, I didn't want it to be like this. The girl seemed to be thinking along similar lines. Abruptly she stretched out her hand. It was his umbrella! " I thought I should give this back to you," she said. "Er thanks," he said, his cool gone, he now felt miserable. This girl was evidently not interested in him.
"That's my train," he heard her say as a train rolled in. She started walking away then turned around, "Take care, Raju." He blinked, she knew his name?! "I, what's your...? he started but before he could ask what her name was she had boarded the train and it had started rolling away. How did she find out my name, I never told her, he was puzzled. Then he looked at the umbrella and smiled. I'll find out who she is, he thought, I promise I will!
TO BE CONTINED.........
TO BE CONTINUED..............
Tell your friend about this topic