A Summer Encounter

10:42, displayed the neon green indicator above the main bridge at Dadar. Sia was petrified of crowded trains and getting down at Dadar as suggested by Yash irked her. Yet, she found herself doing exactly what he asked her to do.  

They were supposed to meet at 11. She was early. Barely 2 days back, she had swiped right on this handsome guy that popped up on her screen. Getting to know each other type chats followed. Sia was thrilled to meet a single guy on a dating app where 80% of the men were married and looking for an affair on the sly. Basically, she would swipe left on a blank profile. Here she took her chances.

10:52. Her cell buzzed. Babes, where are you?

Yash, am on the middle bridge and right below an indicator. Please come and find me.

No worries, keep talking and I will be there.

The butterflies went on a stampede. He is coming! He is coming!!!

Still with her phone glued to her ear, she looked around. Where is he?

Then she saw him…an apparition in white. Tall, dressed casually in blue jeans and crisp blinding white shirt, Yash smiled at her.

The butterflies had now made their way up to her mouth. It seemed they would fly out of her mouth if she opened it. Like a Karan Johar movie, they would come out and circle over her head and play some music.

Yash broke the silence. Shall we go out east or west?

Anywhere Yash. As long as we get a cab, its fine by me. It’s freaking hot and I can’t be out like this anymore.

Let’s go out from the west. It will be a challenge but we will find a cab.

The butterflies were now at her feet. She walked out of the station and they crossed a multitude of cab drivers completely uninterested in their destination. Finally, they found one and Sia was happy to dump herself into it.

Shivaji Park. They got outside a coffee shop they planned to check into. Idea was to sit for hours sipping cold coffee and get to know each other. Blooper! The coffee shop, so well rated on a popular app, barely had seating for more than 15 people and the AC was not functioning!

Wrong choice, muttered both. The sun was not being kind. Nor was the humidity. Sia felt scorched as they discussed their next destination. Yash was facing her and he playfully removed her glares.

You have brown eyes.

Who me? How come I never knew...they were flirting.

Remove yours, let me see yours.

Yash removed his glares.

Sia’s heart skipped a beat. The butterflies were swooshing around her brain with gusto. She was staring into the most amazing set of eyes she had ever seen. Golden rays flickered out of the soft brown eyes. Oblivious to the heat around her, Sia felt warm. The butterflies disappeared. An easy camaraderie set over them and they started talking as if they knew each other all the while.

Yash suggested Macdonald. The only thing that made Sia accept this suggestion was their AC! They had to walk towards their destination and by the time they plonked themselves onto a vacant table, Sia was all flushed from the heat.

A bottle of chilled water brought her peace. Yash ordered for a coffee and they spent a couple of hours at the coffee shop.

Silence speaks a lot, at times. Not much was spoken but a lot was felt. Yash kept getting calls from a friend he was scheduled to meet. Sia too had to meet her friends. 
So it's time to leave, said Sia.
You want to leave?
Of course, we both have plans. you only suggested we won't need more than an hour since it is out first meet. Sia had a smug look on her face.
Yash smiled back...yeah go ahead...book the cab. 
Yeah…

Sia booked a cab. They got up from their seat and decided to wait outside for the cab. There was a short winding staircase leading the way out. Sia moved ahead of Yash. At one point, Yash dashed past her and stood a few steps beneath her. Now she was staring into those playful eyes again.

Yash leaned forward and kissed her lightly on her neck. His raised eyebrows seemed to gauge her reaction. That staircase moment made her day. Hand in hand they walked out. Sia got into the waiting cab and they bid their good-byes.

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