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What do you say to someone you were somewhat acquainted with, and had an intense crush on years ago in high school, and that someone did not reciprocate your feelings?
She was walking to her gate at Seattle airport, when a scent caught her attention. They say olfactory memories are the strongest. But it must be a coincidence. It was the cologne he had always used, a rather unsual one.
The man turned and walked towards a nearby vending machine and she caught a glimpse of his face.
No. It couldn’t be. No way this was real. It must be a dream. Was it really him? She had to find out.
How many times had she day dreamed of such a chance meeting? True, that was years ago. But still, this was actually happening. He was actually here. Her insides were doing a happy dance.
He hadn’t seen her yet. She mustered all her courage, walked up to him, and tapped him on his shoulder from behind. He turned and their eyes met. For one horrifying moment, she thought he may not recognize her. The years had flown by, and she had grown her hair and changed in so many ways.
But she saw his eyes widen in surprise, and a smile of recognition broke through the initial uncertainty. His smile made the years peel away rapidly. Her heart fluttered, like that of a little girl in love.
“Is that you, Aditi?” He asked.
“Yes.” She smiled at the familiar sound of his deep voice, that had enchanted her almost a decade ago.
Then there was a vacuum. She did not know what to say next. So many times, she had imagined this scenario and prepared something clever to say. But that was so long ago, and it all seemed so silly. What do you say to someone you were somewhat acquainted with, and had an intense crush on years ago in high school, and that someone did not reciprocate your feelings?
“What are you doing here?” She asked feebly.
“On my way to a conference in LA. You?”
“On my way to India for a holiday. Are you an engineer now?” The last thing she knew of him, was that he was studying engineering.
“Yes. I am working for Microsoft. You an engineer too?”
“No. I’m a Physicist.” The conversation was getting increasingly stilted and awkward.
Just then the PA system announced boarding for the flight to LA. He pointed in the direction of the gate that had been announced. “Gotta go. Catch up with you another time.”
“Sure” She smiled and heaved a sigh of relief, as he left.
She remembered the years she had longed for him, and then the years she had been curious about him, and then the years she had forgotten about him.
Yeah, he was from the past, and there he would stay. Now to get some coffee and find her gate, so she could relax with a book while waiting for boarding to commence.
Published here earlier.
Image source: pixabay
Kanika G, a physicist by training and a mother of 2 girls, started writing to entertain her older daughter with stories, thus opening the flood gates on a suppressed passion. Today she has written over read more...
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People say that women are the greatest enemies of women. I vehemently disagree. It is the patriarchal mindset that makes women believe in the wrong ideology.
The entire world celebrates International Women’s Day on March 8, 2024. It should be a joyful day, but unfortunately, not all women are entitled to this privilege, as violence against women is at its peak. The experience of oppression pushes many women to choose freedom. As far as patriotism is concerned, feminism is not a cup of tea in this society.
What happens when a woman decides to stand up for herself? Does this world easily accept the decisions of women in this society? What inspires them to be free of the clutches of the oppression that women have faced for ages? Most of the time, women do not get the chance to decide for themselves. Their lives are always at the mercy of someone, which can be their parents, siblings, husband, or children.
In some cases, women do not feel the need to make any decisions. They are taught to obey the patriarchal system, which makes them believe that they are right. In my family, I was never taught to make decisions on my own. It was always my parents who bought dresses and all that I needed.
14 years after her last feature film Dhobi Ghat, storyteller extraordinaire comes up with her new film, Laapataa Ladies, a must watch.
*Some spoilers alert*
Every religion around the world dictates terms to women. The onus is always on women to be ‘modest’ and cover their faces and bodies so men can’t be “tempted”, rather than on men to keep their eyes where they belong and behave like civilized beings. So much so that even rape has been excused on the grounds of women eating chowmein or ‘men will be men’. I think the best Hindi movie retort to this unwanted advice on ‘akeli ladki khuli tijori ki tarah hoti hai’ (an alone woman is like an open jewellery box) came from Geet in Jab We Met – Kya aap gyan dene ke paise lete hain kyonki chillar nahin hain mere paas.
The premise of Laapataa Ladies is beautifully simple – two brides clad in the ghunghat that covers their identity get mixed up on a train. Within this Russian Doll, you get a comedy of errors, a story of getting lost, a commentary on patriarchy’s attitude towards women, a mystery, and a tale of finding oneself, all in one. Done with a mostly light touch that has you laughing and nodding along.
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