As I continued to contemplate, the presence of the man seated next to me suddenly took on a new significance. It struck me that I had a strange familiarity with him, as if we had crossed paths or known each other for a long time. The realization sent a surge of nervous energy through my veins, causing my heartbeat to race. I couldn't understand why I was feeling this way, especially since I had never experienced such emotions with any man before. It wasn't that he possessed striking good looks or towering height, nor did he possess any extraordinary qualities that set him apart. In fact, the man I was expected to marry was considered more conventionally attractive. However, this was an entirely different case altogether.
As I looked at him, I noticed that he was scrolling through his phone. It seemed like he was searching for something, maybe looking at pictures. What caught my attention was the ring on his finger. It made me think that he might have had an argument with his wife, and now he was missing her, searching for pictures of her to bring back memories or find some comfort. It's funny how my mind always comes up with these strange thoughts. I find myself creating stories and making connections based on what I see. It's like my imagination has a life of its own, always spinning tales and trying to make sense of the world around me.
He lets out a rush of air, as if searching for image actually had him holding his breath, he moves towards me with the better view of his face, and as I do, I can't help myself but notuce how unfortuately cute he is. I don't know if this word is an insult for him. He looks at me, like really looks at me. His eyes meet mine and he just stares, hard, like all my history is right there on my face. I've never seen eyes like his. Maybe I've but they seem more beautiful when attached to a guy wearing spectacles.
As the silence grew more uncomfortable, I felt the need to break it. I couldn't continue staring into his eyes without saying anything; it was something I had never done before, especially with a man. Gathering my courage, I decided to speak up.
"Is she mad at you?" I asked, unable to suppress my curiosity any longer. "Is she your wife?"
He smiled a little with that question and asked "What made you think that? ". Hold on a bit, it's the voice I've listened to a lot before, It's the same voice he used to send, It's the same voice he used to sing for me, It's the same eyes I used to look at in his pictures, It's the same hairs I used to appreciate, It's the same lips he used to say, taste it and you will never forget me, It's the same face. I recognise him, he is the guy who never let me think about any other man. He was the same person who ghosted me after making all plans, He is HIM. He is Yogi Mohanty. I remember the time he sent me the first letter which took almost a year to reach Sweden, I remember how we stopped talking, I remember how I got his love confession letter, and I still remember those lines "Life is too short to wait, the world is so wide to find, I wanna make memories with you to never get lost." It's him and it took me so long to recognise him. Wow he has got married now, what happened to those lines he wrote in the letter? Wasn't he supposed to wait for me for his life? And why he is here after ghosting me the day when we were supposed to be in Tokyo, I still remember how I sold my car and did overtime work just to get to the place where we both were supposed to meet. A lot of questions in my mind, this is not how I was supposed to meet him, I am speechless now and I don't know how to answer him. The more I look on this guy the more mad I get.
"Miss Ayesha Quereshi? Remember me? ", "Mrs Yogi? Now?" He asked curiously looking into my eyes again and showing the pic he had shaved years ago. "I have passed by many eyes but only got lost in your eyes and seems I've lost myself again."
I couldn't say anything on the verge of crying, I never wanted to see this guy again and after getting married never ever. He knows how am I feeling right now. He knows what I wanted him to do right now. And tears in his show everything he is in the same state as mine. I can't do anything, I can't even hug him the way I wanted to even though I want to, He is married and I've limitations now.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to take you to my home. There are so many things I want to show you," he said softly, aware that he wouldn't receive any words from my lips. I nodded, finding the strength to say yes. But as I agreed, I couldn't help but wonder what awaited me at his home. Was I going to meet his wife? Would he show me pictures of their children? The uncertainty gnawed at me, but something inside me compelled me to follow him, to see where this unexpected encounter would lead. The cab arrived, and he gave the driver instructions to our destination. As we started on this journey, my heart and mind remained entangled in a web of emotions, questions, and the bittersweet memories of a connection that had once consumed us both.