Paavam payan

It was my fortune that I got my train ticket confirmed at the last minute. After all the tension, I finally got into the coach and settled down. I thanked God for getting my ticket confirmed otherwise I would have had a very tough time traveling from Bangalore to Chennai. I was traveling back home to visit my parents and give them my first salary. It’s 9:00 P.M now. I’ll have to hold on for another 11 hours to get back home and meet my friends and family. I was looking outside the window thinking of all my appointments tomorrow. “Excuse Me!” – I heard a lady’s voice. As I lifted my face, I was startled to see a beautiful young lady with her luggage. As I was gazing at her face she said;” Could you please help me with my luggage?” “Sure!” – I helped her settle down. For the first time in my life I had the opportunity to travel with such a beautiful lady. She had a very innocent face, much like the one who gets bullied at school. I was of the conviction that beauty was only a relative theory till I saw her face that proved I was wrong. She took out a book from her bag and started reading it. I was curious to know the title of the book to know her taste. I had a stealthy peek and found out that it was Dan Brown’s ‘Deception Point’. I’ve read that book. ‘She has a very good taste’ - I thought. I was looking at her eyes go through the lines of that book and admiring her elegance. I didn’t believe in love at first sight till this moment of my life. When she looked at me I used to turn my face away. This went on for quite some time “Hi! My name is Seetha”- She introduced herself. (Is she talking to me? I couldn’t believe it. It seems to me like a dream come true) “I’m Gautam ” “So, Gautam why did you turn away when I looked at you?” “Me…I didn’t look at you. Are you kidding me?” (That was the worst lie I ever told all my life). “You must be an admirer of Dan Brown if I’m correct?” – She asked me. “Yeah, I like his works. Especially ‘Deception point’ the one you’re reading now “ “Mmm…I see but, you said you weren’t looking at me?”- She replied back with a smile. I was trapped by my own words. I blushed. ‘Me and my big mouth’ “You can have it if you want to read, you need not have strained your eyes so much!” – She gave the book to me. ‘What a perceptive girl!’ – I was wondering how she would have noticed me. “You must have already read that book I suppose!” “Yeah, some time back when I was in college. But, how did you know that?”-I asked out of surprise. “The way you admired Dan Brown giving Deception Point as a typical example made me ask that question.” I was secretly admiring her intelligence. ‘That’s my girl’ – I thought. “You’re so clever” – I remarked. “Men always think that good looking women don’t have brains” – She replied back with a smile. I didn’t know what to say for that comment. To change the topic I started to talk about my job and family, “I did my graduation in Engineering. I’m currently working for that renowned MNC at Bangalore with a handsome pay. I’m the only son in my family. Traveling to Chennai to get their blessings and give them some gifts from my first salary. Parents are looking for an alliance…. (I glanced coquettishly at her face when I uttered these words). I may probably get married the next year.” “So, will you invite me for your marriage?” – She asked.


( To Be Continued ……………..)

fwd mail with edits..