Just Like That

It was already 5.15 and the scheduled departure of his bus was 5. Since then Mano thought things in a rather pessimistic way. For him life was too slow or in his terms he was too fast to live the kind of life he was having. Things never used to happen on time or people were never prompt for he was a person known for his ‘European punctuality’. Well, even today he was all set to reach the bus station well before time, but thanks to his manager who found this as the time to have a chat over coffee and he couldn’t afford say no to him as his appraisal was coming within a month’s time.

Mano reached the bus station just in time to see it starting after the last call for him. After the huffs and uffs he was on the bus searching for his seat and was rather astonished to see somebody sitting comfortably on his seat. Mano came to know that there were couple of seat rearrangements as he was suppose to miss the bus after the last call. An alternate seat was provided to him and to lift his spirits up he found the co-passenger a lady. Her face he couldn’t see as she has immersed her face in a book. Oh yeah, he know this as the most common defence of pretty girls against curios onlookers. These guys….why can’t they let these girls live peacefully? And with that thought he gave the man in the next seat a look or rather stare which might have given the stubborn war heroes a run for their money. Well that was the thought of a classy professional but the person he is Mano just wanted to see the face of the female who will be sitting next to him for the next 12 hours at least. Just Like That. No other intentions.

Mano was waiting for a chance and a quick drop of the water bottle in a very genuine way as the bus turned did it for him. Then came down the book to show off the face to wipe out the drops of water from her jeans. Mano was satisfied with his effort and the result. She was not bad….In fact very good. Not that they didn’t say anything in between. ‘Sorry’ said Mano and ‘That’s ok’ said the female without even looking into his face in pure professional politeness and again immersed her face behind the book.

Now since that task was done Mano just sat comfortably for a minute then realized that now he is left with nothing to do. In fact he was so tired of no work at office that he decided to take a break and his boss thought Mano is planning for changing the job. And during the chat over the coffee he was continually reminding Mano about the great chunk of work coming and he spared no words telling Mano about the lead role and kind of visibility he’s going to have. Even Mano was equal to the task as he reminded his manager about the outside ‘market’ and for a while he seemed interested. With this thought there was a grin in Mano’s face. He was thinking so loud that he thought he might have disturbed the reading madam. Not really, just a glance and he could make out that she’s in another world.

It was already half past six and next major land mark of the day will be dinner, thought Mano. The Bus was hurrying past the busy streets and traffic. Mano was looking out through the glass window, the only sort of time pass when you are travelling. The order of the day seemed to be real estate as he could see hundreds of towering buildings at different phases of construction and there were advertising boards proclaiming the price tag for each and the believable and unbelievable amenities coming along with each.

‘X’cuse me’ the female voice woke him up. He realized that they are in for the final ‘land mark’ of the day. He made way for the lady to get out and then helped himself out of the bus. It was nine thirty now and he was quite satisfied with the three hours sleep he had. His spirits was up. It’s like that. Some times you feel great without any logical reason. After placing his order he began to assess the hotel and found out this is sort of place which you will advice last to your family or friends. The waiters were loud; conditions were not tidy and seats not cosy. ‘Can I sit here’ the voice of his female companion stopped him. ‘Sure’ said Mano. Perhaps because he was the most familiar stranger among the rest she chose to dine with him. Some things are conveyed even without words....brands say it all. IBM tag on her T-shirt said where she belongs to and so did Mano’s Microsoft T-shirt. ‘Pooja’ she introduced herself. ‘Manoj’ he completed the formality.

Food was served and its smell it self could suggest that the worst food they ever had were much better. In less than a minute Mano made up his mind that he’s not going to have the crap and Pooja’s look suggested the same. ‘Shall we try out the other vendor’ suggested Mano rubbing his tummy suggesting he’s really hungry. Well, hungry he was, and again, he didn’t want miss out this company. They did try out the other vendor and food was not that bad. Some quick jokes were exchanged and the dinner didn’t look that bad at all. Mano really appreciated the sense of humour that she was having.

Back in the bus, Mano expected the lady to be more at ease with him. And she did.
‘Actually ‘she started rubbing the ring in her finger ‘my husband was supposed to travel with me since I am expecting but something came up’ she paused and looked out. ‘Thanks to you otherwise I could have struggled for my dinner. Thanks a lot’.
Good nights were exchanged but that nights sleep was not that good for Mano. His spirits were down the next morning ...you know...For no specific logical reasons...some times it’s like that.

Couple of weeks later, Mano was back in office and was supposed to take the last round interview of a candidate. He went thru profile 2 years experience…worked in so and so…currently in IBM…single… He was already five minutes late into the interview and the candidate it turned out to be Pooja. Greetings were exchanged and this time Mano was bit puzzled and the girl was all at ease. As it turned out Mano found Pooja the apt candidate for the position.

‘One last question Ms….I am sorry Mrs…’ ‘Its ok’ interrupted Pooja catching Mano’s thought. ‘It was a harmless lie’ she paused ‘you were very friendly still I thought to play safe against a friendly stranger’ she finished

‘Just Like That?’
‘Just Like That!!’