...And It Rained

 

My painting

'Can't believe you called her to meet and said it won't work.' Tanmay chided. 

We sat in a quaint and quiet bakery. Aroma of coffee and freshly baked bread permeated the air. It was an old construction. High tiled roof was supported by columns of thick pillars. The large windows overlooked a small, manicured garden and a deserted road. Today, the weather was gloomy; the sky heavy with dark clouds. 

'That's why I called her,to be precise.' I mumbled. 

'She felt bad, Jai. Do you realize that?'

'Well, she shouldn't.' I sipped my coffee. 'I would call her to apologize, if it makes her feel better.' 

'I don't understand. Why would you say no to a girl like her?' 

'What do you want me to do? Keep meeting her, roam around with her, pretending I'm interested while I do not feel any connection?' 

Tanmay put his cup on the table, looking incredulous. 'Connection? You have met her 3-4 times only. What do you expect? Love at first sight?'

'No, but it's enough to understand whether you feel like meeting or talking to the person.'

'It's not the first time you did that. You need to be more respectful towards women.'

'Then stop being a matchmaker.'

'It's been 4 years, Jai! Move on!'

'I have!' 

'No, you haven't. You wouldn't refuse to be in a new relationship if you really did. You're 34!'

'I'm not dead!' I retorted.  Thank God, the bakery was almost empty. I lowered my voice. 'Moving on doesn't necessarily mean getting into a new relationship.'

Tanmay raised his eyebrows, demanding an explanation. 

'I don't think about her. It doesn't hurt anymore. I'm okay, at peace.'

Tanmay smiled, finally understanding my point. 'I really hope you meet someone special very soon,' he said.

I will. And it won't be a planned thing. She will come to my life like a breeze or rain. 

It seemed that nature heard me because a cool breeze waltzed inside and it started to rain. And then I saw her. She peeked from behind the pillar next to our table. Damn! She heard everything. Her black curls fluttered as her beautiful eyes landed on me for a second and something shifted inside me. She averted her glance and looked towards the window. I followed her gaze. The garden beamed and fluttered under the weight of heavy raindrops; the road was completely drenched. I turned and looked at her again. Our eyes met, again, and just like that, I knew, we will meet again.