a meeting...

I was on my way back home from college. The same road, different people, heavy traffic, pleasant skies, and the usual eagerness to get back home... until that day I met someone. She drove past me and I glanced at her car. I looked away and continued my riding. She braked at the signal and I stopped my bike right behind her car. I couldn't see her face, but her hair style looked familiar. I strained to look into the rear view mirror of the car. I saw her eyes. My mind was starting to frame a picture. Before I could go near her, the signal went green and she moved away. But I kept following her and when she had to take a turn, she looked into her side view mirror and I saw her face. I was waiting for the next signal. But like luck had it's way, all the signals were open. Damn!

I kept riding behind her car and my mind kept speaking to me, 'Why are you following her?' I don't know. There were just two more signals to go before I reached home and I prayed it'd turn red. So it did. She stopped her car and I stopped my bike right next to her.

'Asha Miss' I spoke with hesitation.
'Hepsiba?'
I was overjoyed! She knew my name. She remembered my name.
'How are you ma'am?'
'I'm fine. How are you Hepsiba?'
'I'm good ma'am.'
The signal went green and I let her go. I rode slowly.

Class of 2003 - 'extremely noisy' - biology class - future doctors - 'nobody in this class is responsible' they'd say - Nuclear Physics - magnetism - sums - practicals - Asha miss can you explain transistor again? - Asha miss, I want 2 more marks - Asha miss free period miss, please - Asha miss I lost 10 marks - only 190 in Physics- :'( :'( - Asha miss we'll miss you - we'll miss school- ...

My memories of school came back. I remembered Asha Miss. I remembered Selvam Sir, Ritu Miss, Susan Miss, Mythili Miss, Sudha Miss... I remembered my friends, the fun, the tears...

I stopped beside her in the last signal - 'It's so nice to see you' - we said in unison - a weird silence followed - I hated this awkward silence - I wanted the signal to go green again - I looked away - I knew what was going to happen -

The signal turned green - and she left - and I rode along my way - crying.

As tears flowed down my cheek - I hit me hard that I'll never get back my school days again - ever - It hit me hard that it was better forgotten - it's memories always brought back tears - of joys - of things inexplicable -

I wish time stood still - I wish I was in school forever!