My Story - Part 2

Vishal is surprisingly warm and polite when I meet him. He suggests we meet somewhere to discuss on how to go about the assignment. I mention ‘Library’ and he smiles. “Library is not a good place to discuss, darling. Ms. Gupta is going to roast you alive, if you talk in her castle.” I look questioningly at him as If challenging him to come up with a better choice. “Café Coffee Day at 6 PM, today. And please don’t be late. I have an appointment to keep at 7 PM.” He neither asks me for my consent, nor my availability. In fact, he does not leave me any room to vote or voice for anything. So I just nod; feeling, and possibly looking dumb.

I wait for him for over an hour when he finally arrives at 6:40 PM. He, sort of, ramp walks to my table taking as much time as possible, all the way, smiling and taking sadistic pleasure out of my discomfort. I grit my teeth and try a plastic smile which refuses to come.

When we finally got up to leave at about 9 PM, we had talked about everything except the assignment. Rather, I talked and he listened. He asked me questions about virtually everything. Right from the first memories of my life to my first boyfriend, I found myself confiding in him on all. What I thought about the college, my classmates, the professors, my parents – how I sometimes feel stifled and suffocated in their over protective demeanor. To this day, I cannot find a logical reason as to what prompted me to do so. I had never opened up so much before anybody ever before. I always had boundaries with all the people I knew. And somehow, I completely trusted him and confided in him. Put words to my innermost thoughts and feelings to somebody who was a complete stranger. Worse than that, to somebody who I thought I hated. Maybe part of me liked him, maybe it is because I had not had a decent conversation with anyone in days or maybe it is his kind, gentle and understanding way that goaded me. I did not know that and I did not care. He had been a very good listener, nodding and punctuating at just the right moments and bringing out the feelings in me which even I was not aware that existed, till that point of time.

“It was great, knowing you and getting to chat with you”, Vishal says. Sub consciously, I start to search for a tinge of sarcasm and instantly rebuke myself for being so cynical. “Same here”, I say. He offers his hand and says, “Friends?” I take it and smile, this time honestly. He drops me at my hostel and mockingly blows a kiss at me. Then, without waiting for my reaction, he leaves. For the first time in days, I feel warm and cheerful. I like the feeling that I am experiencing and I like him.

This date, if I may be bold enough to call our meeting as one, helps me a lot to regain my lost self confidence and esteem. I begin to enjoy the college and my life became fun filled again. I keep meeting Vishal on and off in between classes or in the cafeteria. He is always polite, though not necessarily friendly. Our chats were limited to a ‘Hi’, ‘Hello’, ‘How are you’ and so on. He never prolongs the talk and though I want to, I never seem to be able to do so.

And then, I stop bumping into him all together.

After very careful and discreet enquiries, I find out that his GRE has drawn very close and he will come to college again after taking the exam in Bangalore. I don’t know why, but I start praying for his high score.

My prayers are answered when reliable sources inform me that he has secured 1560 out of 1600 in the exam and he will make it to the top universities of the US. I am very happy for him and make a very strong mental note to congratulate him, the next time I see him.

We meet, in Barista this time, a few days later. This time, our meeting is not pre-planned. We, in fact, meet accidentally. For some reason, he is all alone with a chocolate cake and an iced tea, when I walk in, along with my usual set of friends. My eyes lit up as I spot him and before I can put on a more appropriate expression, he catches my eye. He smiles, friendly actually, and gestures me to join him. Shamelessly, I desert my friends and go up to his table, pull a chair and sit down.

I remember every single moment of our ‘date’, that day. Every single minute. Every thought which had crossed my mind. Every small incident during those three hours in Barista. It was on that day that Vishal had proposed. He had proposed and I had accepted. Why will not I? For what reason?

We start with his recent success in GRE. I congratulate him and he had thanks me, a little too profusely as if I am the reason for his good score. The conversation flows freely and he talks about his dreams, aspirations and goals. He is very optimistic and full of hopes of making it big in life. I admire the way he is, so passionate about his dreams, his career and his life. So full of life. Maybe it is his charm. Maybe, his wit. Maybe, his personality. Whatever is the reason, I feel incredibly drawn to him. I don’t take much time to think when he let his heart out. I did not need to. It is, without doubt, the biggest decision I have ever made in all my life. And, the best decision I have ever made in my life. The decision I have never needed to regret, not even once.

There is not a twist in my story. My life is not an Oscar Wilde story, however much the readers may like it to be. Neither it is sad, poignant, or thought provoking. Life has been kind to me and God, merciful. It is four years now that Vishal and I are happily married. We are expecting our first child in a couple of months. All through these four years, Vissu has been most understanding, considerate and good to me. He is the best husband any girl can dream of. And I think I am really lucky.