1's & 0's...and then there is the 143!! Part-II

For the first part of this story, click "here" (1's & 0's...and then there is the 143!! Part-I)
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As if she had read my mind, she continued, "Thanks for the compliment, but that word just doesn't fit. And I don't love you, so you can relax. I don't know if she loves you, but don't you think you should express your love to her?". This time I was careful and locked my mouth in a grim fashion. She continued,"What's the use if you don't have the guts? Or  you are scared of being rejected?". If her intention was to intimidate me, she was doing a really great job at it. Her face was slowly getting processed somewhere at the back of my mind. While the processing happened, I kept my voice neutral and replied, "Just because I love her, doesn't mean I have to express it. I should get to know her and find out if she would like me".

She rolled her eyes, "Oh please...Did you find out then? Will she like you? Are you going to tell her?". I smiled. Her thought always brought a smile on my face (accompanied by a tinge of sadness). She would always smile at me, I would wave a Hi and walk towards her with a smile. "Well, we both know each other quite well. One might think that will work big time for me. But that is the mistake most people make, by assuming things. Now that I know her well, it complicates things. If she accepts my proposal, things are fine. But if not, she would be broken no matter how steely her nerves are". Her eyes told me she knew what I was talking about. I continued nevertheless as I hadn't spoken about this to anyone. "I take so much pains to ensure she is always happy. I would do anything to see her smile...being submerged in it's radiance is an indescribable feeling. In the same way, the tiniest amount of pain that I may cause her will haunt me for eons together...."

"So you are not going to tell her at all? I understand your reasoning, but will you manage to keep it locked up?". The face looked more familiar now and I thought I had seen it everyday. I stared at the sambar-stained plastic table and replied, "I am not sure if I will express my feelings for her, but am sure I won't do anything to hurt her in any way. It's a tough choice between lightening my burden and risking her happiness or staying mum and keep watching her smile...". My eyes moistened as I said this and I raised my head towards my confidant. She had an all-knowing-smile and somehow I felt lighter.

I blinked to let that tear drop fall and then wham...she was gone, just like that. I sat there stunned when I suddenly saw my angel walk in. Confused and happy, I stepped into the washroom and washed my face to clear my head. There, in the mirror I noticed a dimple on my left cheek which had never been there before. Shocked, I checked my watch. It was 2.06.01pm. Realization dawned quicker than lightning and I left the washroom dazed. Amongst the sea of milling crowd stood my angel..with beautiful kohl-lined eyes that bewitched me yet again. I waved a HI at her, and she smiled back... that smile, which struck a thousand stars in my eyes and popped a million balloons in my heart, yet made me float in air. She waved again and I walked towards her....smiling. 


This is a self-indulgent post of mine. But it is my first attempt at a short-story. I hope it struck the right chord with you. Adios till my next post.

1's & 0's...and then there is the 143!! Part-I

Trust me, I am not a bespectacled MBA-graduate-turned-author... a bespectacled computer "geek" (really??) who keeps hitting Ctrl+Alt+Del on a daily basis might be a fair description. And neither is this story inspired from my real-life.


The low-cost high-luminance motion-sensitive light flickered out of its slumber as it sensed my presence beneath it. Weary, I saw down on the wooden chair that creaked out its irritation at me. It was 2.05.01pm on the cheap watch I had received on my birthday. I could notice the second hand move forward in a blur. A slew of psychedelic colors brought my attention out of the watch, as garments of multiple colors and make crossed my table. I was too engrossed in my thoughts and hence spared the thought of glancing at the faces that passed by. My heart felt heavy, the mind dizzy and my vision blurred by that solitary tear which was contemplating its downward fall to the cold floor. Amongst the flurry of colors that skittered past me, a botch of blue stopped in its tracks and settled down right in front of me. It took me a complete minute before I realized it was a girl and not some blue fuzzy alien intent on abducting me for hideous experiments.


There, seated in front of me was the one of the most beautiful girls I had seen till then. Dressed in a simple yet stunning blue salwar which exemplified her beauty, she made me conclude that salwar is THE most beautiful dress ever created. Sensing my confused contemplation, she began the conversation, "You are Tai working on the 2nd floor right? You might not have noticed me, but I have seen you everyday". Now that is the last thing a guy expects from a stranger, more so from a very beautiful girl. I replied cautiously, "Yes I am. But to be frank, I am surprised you know me. Am a nobody. By the way, are you stating that am an obnoxious person who ignores the human presence around him?". The last part of my reply feigned fury just to intimidate her. But she smiled and I noticed the dimple on her right cheek. Somehow, the smile struck me as being familiar. "There is no need to sound surprised or feign anger Tai. In time, you will know about me. I am always around, but you seldom notice it. It really is tough to notice things when the love of your life's presence takes you to cloud 9 every day at office". My jaw which had faithfully followed Newton's law of gravity at this point, had to be pushed back to its original position.


Tai thought, "Who the hell is this beautiful stranger? Maybe she loves me (now that would be a scream)? Or does that other girl know I love her?" ......
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Ya, to be continued in part-II :)