Cover credits: @missoctowriter
Earlier known as, "The Sweetest Smiles Have The Darkest Secrets."
*****
Two people. Two hearts. Two worlds. One story.
Meet Ayesha Mehra, a young and a beautiful girl. But she doesn't match your expectations cause; s...
I was surprised for a minute. I'm not used to random people telling my name so casually.
People are like "SAHIL YOU??" and all those celebrity stuff which irritates me. She said my name so plainly that I was surprised.
"Hey, hi," I said after a moment.
She smiled and held her books close to her chest.
"You live here in Juhu??" She asked.
"No. A little farther from here, though." I replied. " What about you? I saw you in Delhi last time. What are you doing here??"
"Oh. So you do remember me??" She smiled.
"Of course, you take a photo of me and then say that I have been waiting for years and what's half an hour? Isn't that supposed to surprise me??" I asked.
She didn't say anything but fixed her gaze to the horizon, though I thought I saw her smile again.
"To answer your question, I live here in Mumbai. This is where I grew up. I study in Delhi. B.Tech 3rd year. We have a break, at present and my father wanted me to come back to Mumbai, so here I am." She told me that like she was sad about something.
After moments of silence, I said
"I have a story like the opposite of yours. I grew up in Delhi, and this is where I ended up. In Mumbai. Not that Mumbai is a bad place though." I said the last line quickly." It is Mumbai that built up my life and career. "
She nodded as if approving of my words.
We stood in silence for a few minutes. It occurred to me that I had spoken to her for 15 mins without knowing her name.
"What's your name? I blustered out.
"Ayesha." She seemed taken aback by this sudden talk but decided to answer.
"Nice name." I smiled.
She beamed thanks.
A man was passing by pushing a food cart and screaming for customers.
She looked at me and was a bit hesitant before asking me "Want to have Pav Bhaji?? ( it is the best Street food in Mumbai. Do have one if you ever visit Mumbai!!)
" I was just about to ask you that." I beamed.
"I'll get them. " she gleamed.
She kept her books inside the bag she was carrying and placed her bag down. I offered to hold it, and I did catch it for her while watching people playing as she rushed towards the cart.
After 15 minutes, she brought two plates of pav bhaji balancing it in her hands. I took a plate from her and uttered thanks to her. We sat down facing the sea with the breeze blowing on our faces.
The tourists were having a gala time while eating snacks as the children enjoyed on the seashore, making sandcastles, and played in the water body. The variety of food such as vada pav, pav bhaji, bhel puri, Pani puri etc. was a delight to savour.
"This is truly wonderful," I said after having a bite.
"Glad, you like it. I was honestly reluctant to ask you for a treat."
" why?"
"Um, you are a celebrity now, and probably I felt..."
"Ayesha, it's just that my appearance has changed, but I'm a pure Delhite by heart."
She laughed
We spoke about Mumbai and Delhi as we ate. The similarities and differences. We are comparing and contrasting the lifestyle, people, food and places.
"So, what do you want to do in life??" I asked.
"Um, presently, a proper term would be ideal. Good marks and studying would be my priority. Then a good job would be perfect." She said.
I nodded though I expected she would say something like an engineer, scientist.
We further talked about random things. About different places in the world ( She told me that she wanted to travel the world ). I told her about my hobbies, and she said hers too. And further many more things.
I didn't realise the time passing so quickly. It was only when Ayesha told me that it was 15 past 7. God, we were speaking for an hour.
"I didn't realise the time passing, Ayesha."
"Neither did I".
We both watched the ethereal union of the sun and the sea at sunset. It was amazing.
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" Nice speaking to you, Ayesha "
"Same here." She replied.
"We can be friends, Ayesha". I said after minutes.
"Friends with you!??" She asked me, shocked.
"Only if you want to be," I replied hastily.
"No, I didn't mean that. I meant...Of course, I'll be friends with you." She laughed." I'm not used to celebrities asking me for friendship, she said.
I laughed.
We spent a few more minutes watching the sunset. The sun had almost swooped down to rest for the day. Darkness was emerging, and street lights were being switched on.
"Well, you didn't tell me what you meant by I have been waiting for years what half an hour part is? "
She adjusted her dupatta to her left side.
" Well, that is..." She trailed off, fixing her gaze to something.
I followed her gaze and saw a man getting out of a car.
"Dad," she whispered. "I must go".
I nodded. It was 7 30 already and pretty dark now.
" Well, that is a story for some other evening then." She smiled, answering the question I had posed earlier.
I nodded as she picked up her bag and adjusted her dupatta again and walked towards her father.
They spoke something for minutes. Probably Ayesha was giving her explanation of why she was late and then got back into the passenger seat.
I watched the car until it disappeared.
I stood up and walked towards my car, and as I put my seat belt, I recited a mental thanks that the paparazzi had not found me.
