Rajeev Chowk and her

I am standing on Rajiv Chowk metro station, trying to control my breath. Damn it! I just missed a 8 coach metro. I shake my head and start walking at the end of station, I will get a good spot to stand atleast. I am shuffling my music. As I peel my eyes away from my phone.
I see you, sitting. At that cold harsh aluminum bench. You look cold, as in your expressions. I have removed one side of my earphone and I want to walk upto you and ask, कैसी हो? ठीक हो?

You might get shocked if not surprised, maybe even reply, ठीक हुँ, और तुम?

I would just smile and shrug. A metro would come and stop, you won't get on it. किसी का इंतज़ार कर रही हो?

I would be secretly hoping for you to say, तुम्हारा!

But you would just reply, हाँ, दोस्त का।

And we would be just there, in silence. It didn't bother us back then, but now it does. कॉलेज कैसा है?

You would just say, ठीक है।

I would just wonder, two words, that's what we have been reduced to.

You won't make any effort to break the silence and 8 coach metro will. I will look at you one last time and say , अच्छा लगा देख कर, अच्छे से रहना।

And you might just reply, तुम भी।

But before I could walk upto you, and break free from my imagination. I saw you got on the phone and walk toward me. You didn't notice me as you walked past me. I look down and smile. I can at least turn around and look at you, right? I say to myself, एक आखरी बार?

Maybe you are looking at me क्या पता?

Maybe you are waiting for me to turn, and you will come running. Maybe we will even hug. काश!

Who knows... I know. Nothing of that sort will happen.

I board the 8 coach metro. It's empty. God wants to give me a gift for all cruel jokes he plays. I lean on the door and plug my earphone. Looking out. Metro starts, and it starts to take pace. I see you, with a smile.

• Pratik