Like most days I had slept late the previous night and was not able to get up in time for office. I called the office to tell them I will be a little late. At least I now had a godsend in the Delhi metro – even if I was late there was going to be no problem in reaching office. And I hated the morning rush anyway. Shoving, jostling, pushing, and even then no place to stand! In spite of its immense benefits, I still felt that the Delhi metro had a long way to go before offering world class service to the residents of the city and its suburbs.
I shaved and bathed, dressed, had a quick breakfast and rushed out of the house. It was already 9.45 and I would not reach office before 10.45. That was one hour later than when I usually made it to office. I reached the station, swiped the metro card and entered the platform. The train towards HUDA City Centre was rolling into the platform, and I hurried to reach the last coach, which I was usually found to be less crowded than the others. I made it comfortably, and waited for the doors to open. At this time there were fewer people boarding the train, and I hoped to have a comfortable ride for a change. The doors started opening, and that is when I first saw him. Although the coach was not as crowded as it usually is at 9.00 am, there were still a lot of people, and I had to struggle to make my way in. I found a place for myself, and realized that I was standing right beside him!
I am now thinking how best I can describe him. He was incredibly young – his face had the innocence which can be associated with a young man straight out of college, or someone who has just landed his first job. He was clean shaven, had straight hair which was neatly cut, and was dressed in office formals. The first two buttons of his shirt were open, and a fine brush of hair lined his chest. I stared at him for a few seconds, although I tried to be discreet since I did not want to embarrass him or myself. From the corner of my eye I saw that he too stole a quick glance at me. Maybe it was my imagination, but I thought he wanted to say something to me.
The doors closed, and the train started moving out of the station. People started adjusting themselves into more comfortable positions, and I also shifted a bit to take a ‘vantage point’. I looked at him once again. There was no doubt that he was exceptionally good looking. I noticed that he had his metro card clutched in his hand, which I found amusing since he had so many pockets where he could have put it. I thought of telling him “you will drop the card” but decided it was none of my business.
The train started slowing down and it stopped with a jerk. It had stopped just outside the Qutub Minar station, where the train leaves the underground tunnel and ascends to the overhead tracks. I heard a soft voice beside me saying “Why did he have to stop the train on a slope?” I turned to my right, and it was he who had addressed this question. I don’t know if it was intended for me or he was thinking aloud, but I seized the opportunity to reply to him. I don’t remember what I said, but for a few minutes after that he kept smiling at me. I was going weak in the knees and had an urge to ask him his name, what he did, where he stayed and everything else about him. Most people in India are an inquisitive lot, and I was no exception! There is another problem with me – I am extremely shy and inhibited when it comes to ‘conversation openers’, specially with someone who I have taken a sudden liking to. It was no different this time.
The train jerked again, and the movement caused him to lose balance. He dropped his metro card and bent down to pick it up. He straightened himself and looked at me sheepishly. “I knew you were going to drop it,” I said. His face broke out into a thousand smiles when I said this. God, he was beautiful, almost like an angel. All I wanted was to just look at his face and see him smile, again and again and again.
The train continued its onward journey towards Gurgaon, and I kept hoping that I could at least ask him his name and anything else which would help me, at the very least, check his profile on Facebook, send him a friend request, get to know him better, ………… I was lost in my thoughts when I suddenly realized that he was no longer standing beside me. I had this sinking feeling all of a sudden, and started looking around to see if he was still there. To my relief I noticed that he had taken one of the seats which had become vacant, and I edged closer to the place where he was sitting. There was a seat vacant beside him, and I wished that he would ask me to sit beside him. He was probably a shy person like me, since no such invitation came my way.
The train slowed down and stopped, as it usually did, just outside HUDA City Centre station. Again the same soft voice – “Is there some problem that the train has stopped here now?” I looked at him, smiled, and asked him “Is this your first time to Gurgaon or this station?” “No,” he replied. “The train always stops here for a few seconds every day, which is why I asked if it was your first time to Gurgaon” I said. He looked at me and smiled again, as if trying to play along with me. If this was not his first visit to Gurgaon, why did he ask me this question? Was he trying to test me, or perhaps even tease me?
The train resumed its journey towards HUDA City Centre, and I was filled with a sense of sadness which engulfs a person when he has lost something he loved the most. How could I have this feeling for someone who I did not even know, let alone loved? Was it because of his innocence, his smile, and his angelic good looks? Or was it because I have always been alone and yearn for that one person to come and fill my life with love? I have no answer to this question.
The train reached its destination; he de-boarded and disappeared into the crowd. I was hoping he would turn back once and I would rush and ask him his name or anything else which would help me meet him again. I have never had any luck in such matters, and today was no different. He vanished from my life as suddenly as he had come, and I had this empty feeling which was making me feel sick.
For the next few days I reached the metro at different times, in the hope of meeting him once again. No such luck. Each time a train rolled into the station I would quickly start scanning all the coaches, praying to God to help me meet him once again. Why do some people come into our lives suddenly, change us forever, and then disappear, never to be seen again? Is there really no such thing as love at first sight, or in this case, love in the Delhi metro?
Destiny? Smirk of fate? 🙂
Look at the positive things – You know what you want; You know where to work on your next conversation starter; and may be who knows the train may just be going in circles and you will eventually find the person.
I hope so too! So many years have passed, another few really won’t make so much of a difference. I am not giving up hope so soon! 🙂
I Love, Love, Love this :). I love train, bus, flight stories.
I had a similar experience and then I met the same guy, 6 years later unexpectedly through a common friend! Who knows, may be you will see him again. Even if you don’t, you have these beautiful moments that you can cherish and share 🙂
Please write more. You know how to tell a story!
Thank you!! It is the first time I ever wrote a story, that too about something which has been a very private side of me. You have motivated me enough to write another one 🙂 Wait to hear from me soon!
You have written about a beautiful encounter… This was such a cute story… perhaps this is a sign of great things to come??? Thanking you for sharing this private story with us… You write well and I hope you continue to write…
Thank you! It is was a pleasure writing for the very first time and I hope to continue doing so
@ OWw… It Was REally Awesome REad…. Very CUte Of YOu….
Thanks a lot!
this sounds very similar to one of mine experience….. i know how heartbreaking it is but it wasn’t in delhi metro……… but u write beautiful!! keep posting and its sad to hear u being alone!! be in touch, its hard to hear u being sad 🙁 i know how that feels me too in same condition……….
Dear SA,
Thank you SA. I saw your comment today, more than 3 years after you posted it. I am going to resume writing soon so hopefully you will see more stories from me (although what I wrote above is a true story). Will be great to be in touch.
Ohh its so touching, i wish, i were that guy….. its lovely
I liked the true love story, as if it was me who had been travelling with that ‘gentle’ beauty. As the narration of his story progressed, my heart beat increased with the hope that his ‘love’ would realize his call and they would be one’, soon, But, alas it did not happen. I wish that you get your lost love or a new love smiles on you. This sort of happiness, rather pieces of such happiness, I too, am trying to collect before my old eyes shut for ever. May God bless you.
Thank you Vivek. Greatly appreciate your comments.
I travelled janakpuri DC- peera garhi in a green low floor bus yesterday around 9pm. I was in jeans and black tee shirt and was standing next to a fair and handsome guy in the space near entry gate. He had to go beyond peera garhi. I would like to meet him again.
Hey it’s nice…. so can we have some conversation?
Thank you. I saw your comment today, almost 2 years after you posted it. Will be great to connect.
hello dear aaj apki story padhkar bahut accha laga. Aap ke sath jo hua wo mere sath bhi kai bar hota hai. Aur har bar result wahi same. Ant me nakami. Kahani ke baad apki profile padhi to apko sochta hu to lagta hai ki bilkul mere jesi feelings hai apke pas bhi. Agar aap mujse dosti karna chahe to please meri fb id jo ki search box me daliye rsharmatalks@gmail.com halaki mai khud apse dosti chahta hu par pata nahi apko kese request bheju. Agar aap ye padhe to ek bar please reply jarur karna chahe wo na hi kyo na ho. Muje intjar rahega
Dear Rajiv, I apologize for not responding earlier. The fact is that I saw your comment (as well as many other comments) today, 2-3 years later. I would love to be your friend. If you respond to this comment then I will reach out to you separately.
Very sad
I too had a similar incident, but not in
metro of 60 minutes but in my life almost 2 years and suddenly I lost him…
What to do?
Hi. I’m in Gurgaon. I’d have loved to be the guy you described. Can you drop me a ‘Hi’ at ‘shbhtagarwal at Gmail dot com ? Open to possibilities!