Stranger's Love
It was a mid winter evening . Though the sky was cast with clouds here and there, Leela wasn’t expecting any rain .There was not any weather forecast about rain so she didn’t carry any umbrella or raincoat . She lived in a B class Indian city and belonged to a middle class family .
When Leela stepped out of a mall after some shopping . It was dark and drizzling . Her home wasn’t far away , it was just a ten minute walk . So whenever she came to the mall , usually she used to walk down easily back to home . But as it was winter and drizzling was enough to drench her if she chose to walk . She was scheduled to go to Mumbai after two days so she wanted to avoid the risk of catching cold if she got drenched in rain . She was standing in a shed and waiting for any rickshaw or e rickshaw . Even after 15 minutes of waiting she didn’t get any rickshaw , she started walking back to her home .
The night was getting darker , there was hardly any traffic or ongoers on the road . Street lights were also unsteady and flickering . Leela was a bit scared . She noticed a shadow following behind her . This frightened her further even though she was a tae kwon do black belter . Whenever she stopped for a few moments the shadow also stopped and when she started walking the shadow also started following her from behind .She recalled her parents used to say “ Don’t panic if you are under threat from someone . Get courage and face it boldly . The more you fear they will frighten you more .”
Leela emboldened herself and turned back . She noticed a handsome boy of her age was a few feet behind her . She pulled out a pepper spray gun from her bag and shouted “ Hey , who is this ? Why are you stalking me? If you moved further even an inch I would empty the entire pepper in your eyes and then my black belt will take care of you . “
Leela noticed the boy was shivering due to fear and said “ I am not following you . I am myself scared and thought to be closer to you so that in case of any threat both could align to counter it . Please believe me , I am not following or stalking to scare you ,I am trying to put myself in safer conditions in your company.”
Leela asked “ What’s your name and where do you live ? “
“ I am Ram Mohan . “ the boy replied
“ Ram or Mohan or both ? And what’s in your bag ? “
“ Yes both . I mean Ram Mohan . I live at the end of this lane where the lane bifurcates in both left and right directions . I bought some dresses in the mall . ”
Leela sighed in relief but it was Ram Mohan who felt greater relief to find a company . Leela said “ Okay , don’t follow me .Just walk by my side . “
After two days Leela was at the local airport . She was going to be one among the audience in the live show of Sony ‘s most popular show - Kaun Banega Crorepati . After security when she boarded the flight she noticed a boy sitting on the seat next to hers . As the boy was looking outside from the window , she couldn’t see his face . As the boy noticed some movement next to his seat he turned his face towards Leela . Both were surprised to see each other for a few seconds . Then Leela said “ Hi Ram Mohan ! What a coincidence , a lovely meeting . Where are you going ? “
“ Obviously to Mumbai , this is a non-stop flight to Mumbai . “ Ram Mohan said
“ Oh yes . My question was a silly one . “
“ No , Leela, I didn't mean that . But you know I am a bit scared to fly . This is my maiden flight . “
“ My God , for me it's also my first flight . Needn’t bother . We will enjoy our maiden flight .”
The duration of their flight to Mumbai was nearly two hours . Both talked about their education and family . Both Leela and Ram Mohan were in 12th grade but in different schools in different localities. But none of them disclosed their real motive for the Mumbai trip . Both said that they were going just for fun as tourists .
On arrival at Mumbai airport two cab drivers were waiting for them at the arrival gate . Before getting in their cabs they exchanged their contact . Both bid “ Good bye" and best wishes and hoped to see each other in future . “
After three days both Leela and Ram Mohan returned to their homes and met again at the Mumbai airport . They were flying back in different flights . but they managed to sit together for a while after the security . Leela was returning to home town directly while Ram Mohan was going to see his elder brother at Hyderabad.
Ram Mohan asked “ How was your trip ? Hope you must have enjoyed Mumbai . “
“ Yes . I was among the audience in Big B’s KBC show . I won a prize for correctly answering a quiz meant for the audience . “ Leela said . Then she pulled out her prize hamper from the carry-on bag and showed it to Ram Mohan .
“ Great , congrats . You are a hidden gem .”
“ And how about your trip ? “ Leela asked him
“ Mine was also good . I too bagged second prize in a talent show .”
“ Wow , congrats . You are a hidden talent . “ said Leela with a smile .
Promising to be in touch in future both proceeded towards their boarding gates.
After this encounter both were in occasional contact with phone calls and texts .They rarely met in person but they remained in one another’s orbit . Both were busy concentrating on their studies and careers . Leela joined Fashion Technology course and Ram Mohan was pursuing his B.Tech in Computer Science. After completion of their courses , Leela joined a firm in Mumbai while Ram Mohan joined a Tech. Company in Hyderabad where his elder brother was also working . Both were in frequent contact and both started having feelings for each other .
Their time rolled on for nearly six years . Suddenly they were no more in contact . It is rightly said that life is unpredictable , you are not sure what will happen tomorrow . Ram Mohan was having his favorite Beriyani at the famous Paradise restaurants , Hyderabad . The dining hall was crowded .He was sitting at a small corner table meant for two persons . The chair opposite him was vacant . While was busy enjoying his Beriyani , he was distracted by a lady voice “ Can I sit here ? “
Without noticing who the lady was he said “ Sure , please take your seat .”
Saying this he looked up and had a glance at the lady . Suddenly he said surprisingly “ It’s You , Leela ?
“ O my God , it’s you Ram Mohan ? “ Leela said with a smile .
Ram Mohan signalled the waiter to take the order . When the waiter came he asked Leela “ What would you like to have ? “
“ You carry on , I am ordering . “
“ No Leela , you are in my city . So I will order for my guest . “
“ I have also come to live in your city , of course only a few days back . But anyway you can order the same stuff that you are enjoying . “
After ordering the waiter he said “ Why did you stop keeping in touch ?”
“ I didn’t stop . It was an accident . “ Leela said
“ Accident ? What accident and how serious was it ? “
Leela said “ Calm down . It wasn’t any road accident or physical one . My bag was stolen . I lost my mobile , some cash and my bank cards . Even before I could hotlist the card and inform the bank , the guy had siphoned a substantial amount from my account . I had to change everything , my phone number , email id . It was a horrible experience .”
“ Oh , so bad really . That’s why all my phone calls , messages and emails remained unanswered . When I last talked to you you were in Mumbai .”
“ In Mumbai also I changed my company twice and then I joined a company here two weeks back. I am looking for an accommodation . “
“ Are you married or still single ? Sorry , I asked you this question as it would help me get suitable accommodation for you .” Ram Mohan said
“ I am very much a single piece . I am looking for a shared accommodation . “
“ Why a shared one ? You can get a 1 BHK flat in my complex . It’s a new complex still under construction and a lot of flats are vacant . I think rent will also be quite reasonable . maybe the same as a shared one . “
“ Good idea . Can I see it in the evening ? “
“ Yes you can come with me after office hours . We will have coffee in Starbucks on the way . “
The same evening Leela and Ram Mohan went to see the apartment . Leela liked it and finalized the deal in the apartment office . It was in the same block A of the apartment complex where Ram Mohan lived .
Hence onwards both used to meet daily in the lift . After a few weeks Ram Mohan said to Leela “ Can you recall once we met in the street as strangers ? “
“ Yes I do ? “
“ And now we are meeting here together daily . Can’t we live together forever ? “
“ Are you proposing ? “
“ You can think so . “
“ Did you talk to your elder brother ? “ asked Leela
“ Yes , I did . “
“ Then I will also consider it seriously . “ Leela said with a smile
Both shook hands warmly . Their love story was at the turning point thereafter .
The End
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Note - This story is fiction .
