He was leaning over the railing of first floor of the shopping mall , and watching aimlessly at the crowd down below.
She was also leaning over the railing of first floor of the shoppng mall . But she was not looking aimlesly downbelow , she was watching him with intent interest .
His office was nearby , everyday after he came out of the office at the end of the day , bofore going back to his bachelor pad , he used to come here stand on the first floor at the same spot , used to watch the crowd .
She was also working nearby and used to follow him everyday for the last one week !
He spent his time watching the people down below !
She spent her time watching him .
The reactions and the expressions of people in different situations there , made him react ! He used to smile , become serious , pensive !
She used to get highly amused by his reactions .
He was Aditya and she was Savitri !
That day when Savi came out of her office a bit earlier , she didnt feel like going to her working womens hostel so soon . Not so early to that boredom again . It was more of a prison than a living place! So many rules and regulations, and to add to her woes , her room mate was another rare species of woman- kind ! In the six months of living together they hardly had any meaningful conversation other than the routine pleasantries ! And that too when her roomie would have time to reveal her drab face from beneath the so many Mills and Boons books in which she was always lost.She had her own world where she didnt want any intrusion !
When Savi came out of the office she didnt know where to go !She was just walking aimlessly along the foot-path when the grand shopping mall by the roadside caught her eyes !It was all so glittering and looked so fancy from outside ! All glass everywhere !The atmosphere inside looked so cheerful ! She went in .
Ground floor was mainly restaurant , with very few shops all around .The spacious open place was dotted with small stone-top tables here and there with some chairs around the table .The shoppers used to sit around the table and eat here .
As she entered the mall , it was bustling with human activity ! People coming out with number of handbags holding in their hands ,people going in leisurely , looking around for the right place to shop !She didnt have to shop .
She entered the mall looking up. He was leaning on the front railing of the first floor, looking towards no one in particular but there was something in his eyes which told that he is very purposely looking at everything though his eyes were not fixed anywhere .And was certainly enjoying himself , enjoying his lonliness ! The fellow seems to be perfect example of detached attachment ! Interesting !!Must watch him! Good time pass !!
She also went up to the first floor and stood in a corner from where she could watch him but he could not see her ! She took her place !His facial expressions were changing frequently, he would smile one moment , and suddenly he would become very serious , and the very next moment would smile just short of laughing out loudly ! Very interesting ! The fellow must be enjoying himself by the reactions of the different people down below !
When he smiled , it was very infectious very genuine , very real ! He was simply unaware of his surroundings as if he didnt care a damn about them ! So sure of himself !!
Savi was simply fascinated by his actions !She felt an unexplained happiness and joy when he smiled , as if she also understood why he was smiling !The same vibes !!One hour passed by without feeling the pulse of time ! He brought his left wrist near his face , may be to see the time , and then , stood erect , walked down the stairs to a food counter. As soon as he reached the counter , the man behind it gave him a packet , he took it , and paid the cash ! Left the mall and disappeared in the crowd outside !
Savi also left the mall , but HE remained in her thoughts ! His smiles , his confident looks , his very sure manners , everything made a very great impact on her !The detached attachment , attached her to him like no one had ever done !
Next day she went there , but his place was vacant ! She waited for some time and there he was entering the mall with the same confident walk and look , went straight up the stairs , roamed about aimlessly , looking at the windows as if he was assessing their value , after looking at two or three windows he came to the same place , leaned over the railing and started his watching downbelow game !! And Savi started 'watching him 'game !She was lost in him , smiled with him , was serious when he was serious !She felt as if she is standing with him and they are enjoying the moods of the crowd together !Nice game !!
This went on for quite some time ! By now Savi was very familiar with his habits , his smiles , his varying moods , his manners ! She liked him !
One week later.
He came there took his place ! Savi was just waiting for the right time and right expression on his face . The moment he smiled she went straight to him , and stood beside him leaning against the railing !
"Hi I am Savitri , you can call me Savi "She told all this very confidently as if she knew him , which she did , but without his knowledge !
He looked sideways at her , slightly disturbed , but the wide grin on her face disarmed him of any hostile emotions !
He also gave her his familiar smile and said
"Oh ! Savi , I am Aditya , you can call me Adi ! "
Savi was very much encouraged by the positive response !
" Great names , Adi and Savi , fit together so nicely . I see you here standing everyday !! " She told beaming with smile !
"What a girl , we hardly know each other , and already she has matched our names !! Seems to be quite interesting ! "Thought Aditya !
"Oh yeah , I come here to pass my time , cant go to my place immediately after the office ! No one there !But how do you know I come here everyday ?"He asked her .
" I also come here for the same reasons as yours everyday and see you standing here for hours together! What makes you do so Adi ? What do you watch so intently down below ?"
"Really so ? I thought I am the only fool here to spend my evenings watching the crowd ! That makes two of us ! Ha Ha ha Ha !! " He gave a hearty laugh .
So the man can laugh also . Laugh and the world laughs with you kind of laugh !! And she also started laughing with him !! Savi realised she was laughing so freely after a long long time !
They both laughed together like very old friends have met after a long long time ! Both of them felt so relieved !After the laughing spree was over , Adi said ,
"So Savi welcome as the new member of this 'watching downbelow game ', now you dont have to watch me , we will together watch the people and have hell of a fun together , what do you say ?"
"Sure , Adi , but you have not told me as yet , what do you watch , and what is so interesting about these boring people ?'
"See through my eyes and you will know !"
"Ha Ha Ha !! lend me your eyes then !"
"Ok , now are you ready ?See the couple sitting opposite each other on that table . " And Adi pointed towards the table he meant . Savi also saw them .
"Do you notice that the number of packets they have after shopping is quite large ? Means they have done a very good shopping . Lot of money spent , and now they are waiting for their food to arrive ! They will eat and go ! '"
"But what is so unusual about them that it makes you watch them ? " asked Savi
"The unusual and funny thing is still to take place Savi , let the food come you will know "Adi said with his usual smile .
And it was ! The couple looked so tired after the extensive shopping ,Savi knew they must be feeling very hungry and must have placed the order for quite sumptuous food !But when the waiter lowered the food tray on the table , she could see only one plate with one dosa on it ! The couple pounced upon the dosa like a hungry tiger pounces upon its prey !Within no time it was finished and they both looked so satisfied !
"How come they could satisfy their hunger with only one dosa between them ?"asked Savi .
"Ha Ha so you also find it unusual now ? See my observation is that the larger the number of shopiing packets , the smaller is the amount of food ordered ! They try to compensate the large amount of
money spent during shopping with less amount on food ! And the reverse is also true ! "
Savi could not stop herself laughing on this observation of his new friend ! "Great observation !"and she patted him on his back !
Needless to say after this everyday after the office hours Adi and Savi used to meet at the mall and spend their time together watching from upstairs!Sometimes they had their dinner also together in the restaurant !
One day while they were eating in the restaurant :
"Hey Adi it is quite some time that we know each other , but I have not yet seen your place yar ! Where do u live ? "
"Oh it is a very small one room flat Savi , just sufficient for my needs ! '"
"Do u have a bathroom there ?"
"Ha Ha HA , of course , and a small kitchen too ! "
"Chalega , one more occupant wont make much difference !! " quipped Savi !
"What ????" exclaimed Adi , not believing what he heard !
"Yeah Adi , see we now know each other so well , you know and I know we love each other !Dont we ??I can see the impatience in you when I am late sometimes here ! I am thinking that I should move out with you , at your place !'
Savi said all these so fast and in as a matter of fact way , the impact took quite some time to sink in Adi ! He just could not believe ! So brave and liberal a girl as to move with me without mariage ?
"But have you thought what your parents will say ?"He asked
"Adi I have no parents !I grew up in an orphanage ! In this whole world you are the one whom I know and love ! But I dont want to keep you in dark so I told you all this to day !I know you also love me !I will not force you !Think over it !"
She got up and started to go ! Adi also got up with her and they both came out of the mall ! Adi was holding her hand , as they walked out ! It felt so nice . They were silent , no one said anything , it was so spontaneous , Adi drew her close to him and kissed her passionately , she also responded , it was getting longer and longer !
Savi freed herself from him with great reluctance .
"Ha Ha ha !! Now you realise why I want to move with you ???"
She waved him ,got into the auto and went away to her hostel !
Adi could not stop thinking about her all the way to his flat .She has so much faith in him , and he also knew that he loved her , and will never ditch her anytime ! After some time when both have enough money they can marry ! Till then what is the harm if we live together ?? This decision made him very happy ! He was very much relieved !
Next day in the evening he was waiting for her outside the mall !She was not to be seen anywhere ! What happened to her ? Had she changed her mind ? But how can she ? It was her idea only , how can she do it ? And suddenly he saw an auto stop near him !Inside was Savi with a bag .
"Come in Adi , we are not wasting our time here to day in the mall , we will straight away go to your flat ! Come on hurry !"
And Adi jumped inside , sat beside her , held her hands in his and kissed them !
"Savi I love you ! "
"I know I know, silly ! Thatswhy I brought my meagre baggage with me to move with you !!"
And the auto also moved with the crowded traffic to their new abode !!!!
Now the million dollar questions
Will Adi and Savi marry ? Ha ha ! I dont know , ask them !
Should Adi and Savi marry ? You tell them !!!!!
