Love Story of a Shy Boy

She came rushing into the bus. It was pouring outside. A feeling of relief was on her face.

Everyone in bus was staring at her.

You don't see a girl with an inverted umbrella every day. Stumbling falling she enters the bus. An old man held her hands and stopped her from falling. She acknowledged the old man's help with a smile.

Everything that can go wrong has gone wrong, already was the only floating thought in her mind.

She asks the Bus conductor for the ticket of the sector 9.

For buying the ticket, she checked the wallet inside her big yellow purse and yelled with shock, No..no..no..!!

“Oh God, Why? Why are you doing this to me?” “ Can I give money for tickets, tomorrow?” She asked the conductor in a low hushed voice. “I forgot to bring my wallet. You can check, it is not in my purse. Take a look.”

“Madam, I have better things to do.” Said, conductor.

“I travel this route every day. Please Help me.”

The boy in the next sit was hearing their conversation.

He pointed note of ₹100 towards her, only his hands were visible. The bus conductor instantly took it and headed her a ticket. Before she could understand she had a bus tickets in her hand.

She came to the sit of this boy and thanked him. A boy in blue trousers and a white crisp shirt. He was tall around 6 feet, has a dusky complexion. His hairs were neatly combed. He had a gentle gorgeous smile.

“Today is just the second day of my new job, I broke my umbrella, forget my purse. Ahh...but you saved me. Thank you so much.”

“It's fine,” he said in a deep voice, wearing a gentle smile and started looking outside the window.

It looked beautiful. He always found rain so enchanting. During rains everything looks more alive, fresh green, beautiful. Like someone has sprinkled water on all the impurities around making everything vibrant colourful, a bliss for eyes.

He was indulged in his thoughts, a sound interrupted him. It sounded like, someone is smashing things together.

He looked around and found the girl was looking for something into her bag. Her face was almost buried in her big Tote bag. With eager keen eyes, he tried to understand what she was exactly trying to do. Finally, she took her face out of that big bag and took a long sigh and yelled “Ahhh!! Today is a bad bad day..I'm frustrated.”

Her hair looked soaked in the rain.

He said passing his handkerchief to her, “dry your hairs.”

She replied, “No, I am fine!”

He was still holding that handkerchief without saying a word, just staring at her.

“Thank You!!” She dried her hair and wiped her face gently with the handkerchief.

“I will return this, tomorrow, after washing. Are a regular passenger of this route?”

“NO, it is alright.”

He took the handkerchief from her and kept it in his shirt's pocket.

“Where do you work?” He asked.

“I just joined. My office is in sector 9. And you?”

“I'm also going to sector 9.”

Bus conductor, who was standing behind him stared the boy with wide eyes and confused face.

The conductor was about to say something. Before he could say anything boy stood at his place and shouted, “yes yes Sector 9.”

The bus conductor, an old man in his mid 50’s, smiled at the boy and informed, “ it will take 15 more minutes for sector 9 sir”, and left.

“Sector 9, sector 9”. Bus Conductor shouted.

“Finally, I reached”. She took a big sigh of relief.

“Shall we go?” he asked the girl.

It was raining cats and dogs. The boy whispered something in the Bus conductor's ear and he smiled.

They came out of the bus. The big raindrops were making a blatant sound above the umbrella. The rain was heavy and it was windy. Holding an umbrella does not seem such an easy task. He held the umbrella tightly, slightly tilted towards her so that raindrops do not drench her.

She asked, “where do you work?”

“Me?” I am here to meet my friend. We are starting some project together.”

“Let's take a taxi”, He suggested.

“No no, it's okay. I will manage. I have already bothered you a lot.”

"Please, it is raining. I can't leave you like this," he insisted.

They hired a taxi.

“Your destination, please?”,Asked the taxi driver.

“The taxi driver is asking, where is your office?? “Tell him, Ma’am.

I'm not Ma'am. Neeti, I'm Neeti Verma.

Okay, Neeti. I'm Dhruv.

Taxi Driver said in an annoyed tone, Sir do your introduction session later. Tell me where you want to go??

Neeti, Tell him.

Sector 9, Karwa Road. Okay, Ma'am and Sir?

I will tell you. First, we will go to Karwa Road.

Finally, I'm at my office. Thanks to you Dhruv. You are my saviour. Everything was going out of track but you saved me.

Keep this umbrella with you Neeti. It seems like a rainy day.

No, please. I will manage.

He gazed at her, holding the umbrella in his hands without uttering a word.

Neeti took it, without saying a word, silently.

Wow, you have pretty convincing eyes. No one dares to deny you. Isn't it??

Neeti's words brought a pleasant smile on his calm face. Dhruv smiled resembled waves of a calm sea at nights looking at the moon.

You can return it tomorrow on the bus.

And he left. Neeti was waving her hands till the taxi disappeared in the greyish silvery, rain-drenched road.

Sir, where should we head now?, Taxi driver enquired.

Bus Stand.

But you just came from Bus Stand.

Ooo!! for Neeti Ma'am, he snickered.

The taxi driver left Dhruv at Bus stand. See you tomorrow, Sir.

Dhruv took the Bus and left.

---

Next morning, Neeti was waiting for Dhruv.

Hii, Dhruv. That's your umbrella. Thanks for yesterday.

Stop, Thanking me. I have the same stop as you. No need to thank me.

The same taxi was waiting for them.

Now it became a routine. They meet every morning, take the same taxi, Same bus station...And it continued for months...

---

One day, after reaching the office, Neeti realised, she left her file in the taxi. She came running back and found the taxi just left.

She took another taxi, chasing Dhruv's taxi.

At midway, she realized they were going back to the Bus Stand.

She was confused. Then she saw Dhruv taking a bus and going back.

Why is he going back to Bus stand? Neeti was indulged in her thoughts. Her mind registered a familiar voice, she looked around and saw the taxi driver.

I think I left my file here.

Yes, ma'am. Is this is your file?

Why Dhruv came back to Bus stand?

Sir, had some urgent work, so he left.

Neeti didn't find the taxi driver's answer satisfying but she chose not to inquire further.

Neeti silently started observing Dhruv from the next day. Dhruv is at the stop always before her. He never spoke much about his new business, or about his friend with whom he was doing business but always interested in listening to her.

They always drive her first to the office and even if she tries to know where he works. No one tells her nither Dhruv nor Taxi Driver.

Last few days. Bus conductor uncle is nice to her. Bus conductor always arranges a sit for her however rushed Bus maybe. Conductor uncle often asks her if she is comfortable?

It was happening from a month and I never noticed, Neeti thought. Even she saw the same umbrella with conductor uncle, the one Dhruv gave to her on the first day.

Dhruv was sitting beside her.

She asked, Do you have something to tell?? Anything special??

No, I have nothing to tell, Dhruv responded.

Where do you work in sector 9, Dhruv?

It's my friend's house in that area. I told you earlier. He tried to change the topic.

Days were passing. She started liking his company.

They often have chai together. And ice creams on some days.

Few more days passed. Still, Dhruv did not utter a single word. Not a single word, It frustrates Neeti at times. What if he never said anything and left.

However hard Neeti tries, he never speaks a word.

One day she insisted to go for a fair.

I want to ride on Ferris wheel.

And all the rides here, Will you come with me?

I must say, you are so adventuresome, Neeti.

No, I'm damn scared. But I want to try.

Then, Why do you want to do it?

There is some reason. Will you come with me?

Yes, I will. Dhruv replied.

Her heart was hammering, pounding. This was the biggest ride of the fair. From the highest point of that ride, the whole city was visible. Even it was scary, but she wanted to see the whole city twinkling with lights holding Dhruv's hands and with her fast beating heart. She shouts loudly holding his hands with happiness and joy. Like a little girl, who was free, putting every worry aside. she was enjoying each and every moment.

Dhruv let everything inside you come out. Shout Dhruv. Just like me. Feel free. Just live with me at this moment Dhruv.

Just imagine for a few seconds, we are the only people alive on this planet. This world belongs to us.

They shouted, cried, laughed and giggled. The world seems different from the up, near the stars, far above the land, between cold breeze, two hands holding each other and seeing the world together.

That was the most fun thing I have ever done, said Dhruv.

I never felt so free. It was Magic! Neeti.

His eyes were sparkling with joy. He felt like someone has just opened his heart and he is free and he can fly. Never he found himself with such a big smile.

Dhruv looked at Neeti and thought how he became so lucky? The most beautiful girl on earth is holding his hands and smiling at him at this very moment.

With a serene smile on her face, she came closer. They could see an image of love in each others eye. He was sensing her closeness. Her warm breaths touching his bare skin, he could feel the shiver and love in her breaths, in her touch, at the moment, at the very moment.

The warmth was increasing as she was getting closer. Dhruv's heart and mind were racing. Those few seconds, Dhruv wanted to hold and cherish for a long long time. He never in his entire life felt, so familiar, so close, so intimate with anyone.

At this second, in this moment of togetherness. He knew, he was connected to Neeti, not just by a tender touch but by an invisible bond of affection.

She landed her trembling soft lips on his skin, gently brushing the tip of her lips on his cheeks, whispering in his ears softly, "Thank You Dhruv, for finding me." And she slowly ran away.

Dhruv felt a sense of lightning inside him. Like someone tied him with the ground. He was not able to move and stood there for a minute. Neeti held his hand. And said, Come here.!

The touch of her hand, And the warmth of her kiss on his cheeks. He was happily lost in some other world. He wanted to stay in this feeling, all his life. Never ever he thought, Neeti, a girl charming as a fairy would kiss him.

In his 27 years of life, no girl ever kissed him, never he wished to be kissed by any girl.

But this was special. She is special, Neeti is special. He wanted to run and dance. And shout at the top of his lungs and tell everyone, the thing just happened.

Dhruv was enchanted mesmerized. Out of this world, he felt at the moment.

He could see her sparkling face twinkling eyes. And those lips that touched him for a few seconds ago and crowned him as the luckiest boy in the world. No one at this moment could be as happier as he was.

How is it? A question interrupted his thoughts...

This one. Nice. It looks like rings.

Couple rings. She added.

His cheeks got redden.

I m buying this for my Boyfriend, said Neeti.

What??? You have a boyfriend.

yes, for a long time. Any problem?? Will the ring fit him, I wonder, she chuckled.

But what just happened!!. Are you sure? He asked again.

Hmm. I am sure. Are you silly? Neeti replied looking at the rings.

Dhruv's dream house shattered, damaged and broken, attacked by couple rings.

Do you love him? Dhruv enquired.

Of course, I love him. More than he knows.

Okay!

Let's spend some time together Dhruv, from tomorrow everything will change.

What will change, Neeti?

I will spend all my time with him from tomorrow.

You can't be friends with me??

Only, If he let me. Otherwise, I won't do it...

Okay, Dhruv said, Turning his face out the window.

He was silently driving the car. Neeti was looking at the rings.

It was late at night, the road was empty. Few cars were passing.

Stop, Stop the car!

Here? But Why? It is not safe.

Just 5 minutes. Please. I want to look at stars, Pleaded Neeti.

They came out of the car...

A breezy moon shining night, a stary slightly cold October night, green grass drenched with dew drops, shining like pearls in the moonlight.

You know Dhruv, I'm scared of big giant rides.

But you looked fine today.

Yes! I was fine today.

When I was little, I used to go to rides with my father, Even if I was afraid.

After him, I never did. One time my friends forced me to come with them. I panicked and vomited on my friend's shoes.

So, I thought, the day I will find a man, around him, I feel the same sense of fulfilment as I felt around my father then I will go with him.

My father is not with me anymore. I miss him when I see the Fair. Today you made me go to the fair, ride and scream and feel the same sense of safety and freedom I used to feel when I was a little girl.

I felt like I was flying. I am free. I'm loved, protected and safe and I can do anything when you are on my side.

Bending on her knees. With a ring in her hands. She said: Dhruv, My Love.

I know you don't work in sector 9. I know you have asked conductor uncle to take care of me. I know you travel 5 km extra for spending just 15 minutes with me. I know you don't say much and likes to hear me talking.

I want you to know, I feel safe with you, I wish all the adventures of my life to be with you. You don't speak much but I can read your silence.

I love You!

Will you be mine “Forever”, Dhruv?

Will you be mine "Always"?

Dhruv sits next to her. Looking at her shiny face below the sky under the stars. He hugged her and said 'Yes'.

She placed the ring on his finger. Ahhh. Look Dhruv it fits perfectly.

Now my turn. With trembling hands, Dhruv placed the ring on Neeti's finger.

Are you crying Dhruv...Aww..? Don't cry.

Neeti spread Dhruv's arms around her, I love you.

He kissed on her forehead and whispered, I Love you too, Neeti.

Neeti shouted, looking at the sky, "Look, Dad, I found him! I found him!"

One 'Star' among the several stars at that night, shined much brighter. Looking at his little girl, behind the clouds.