It all happened when I was 17. Like almost all Indian girls, I love street shopping. There's a lot of variety and the the bargaining to get the best price! Pure joy :)
It was some random day in December. I don't remember the exact date. But I vividly remember what happened on that day. Me and my friend were shopping at Colaba Causeway in Mumbai, heaven for street shopping lovers.
Colaba Causeway is also place where foreign tourists hang out because of its proximity to famous tourist attractions like Gateway of India and Taj Mahal Hotel. Also the availability of 'exotic' artifacts.
My friend was bargaining with vendor for a scarf she liked. That's when I saw him. He was also talking to some vendor who sold antique and 'exotic' artifacts. They were having an animated conversation.
He was tall, at least 6 ft 1. In early 20's. He had ruffled blonde hair. Perfectly chiseled face. Thin Lips. Straight, pointy nose. The most striking thing about him were his eyes. They were dark blue. Like deep sea. This is not real. This just can't be real. Is he some celebrity? lol. I was thinking to myself.
Finally, he moved to next vendor because apparently he didn't get a good deal. I was staring at him all the time. Weird, I know. Then he started walking towards us. My heart skipped a bit, my legs started shaking and my mouth went dry. That's when my friend nudged me. "What do you think of this scarf? I don't think its more worth than 100 Rupees". I kept looking at him from corner of my eye. Now he came to place where we were standing. This 'shop' we were in also had some bracelets and some other accessories. He was standing quite close to us. He was checking out those bracelets. My heart was about to pop out of my body. My head was spinning.
The vendor hastily closed the deal with my friend on 120 rupees. After all he had to cater to this foreigner. My friend dragged me out of that place. I decided to give him one last look. I looked back and at the same moment, he looked my way. He looked at me for what it felt like eternity. But it must have been less than a millisecond actually lol. My skin was burning. My eyes met his beautiful blue eyes for a moment. That was it.
My friend was hungry. So was I. We went to McDonald's. When we settled down on our table. I told her about him. She said in soft voice 'do you want to see him again? There's a chance that he still might be shopping on Causeway.' I meekly nodded. We finished eating as fast as we could. We searched for him all along causeway. He was nowhere to find. I was teary eyed. Yes, tears came in my eyes. No kidding.
It's OK. Said my friend. No, it isn't OK. I wanted to look at him again. Talk to him, if I could muster courage. So many questions that bubbled up in my mind. Where was he from? What was his name? What was he doing here? What are his likes and dislikes? and so on...
It has been one and a half year since this thing. But his face hasn't faded from my memory a bit. Meanwhile this one and half year got into relationship for first time, had a breakup.. But I still can't forget him.
I am still not able to classify those feelings that I felt for him, for those 20-30 minutes. It was not lust. It was much much beyond that I think. I will not commit the atrocity of calling it 'love at first sight '. It was something different.. My heart still skips a bit when I think of him. Maybe it was infatuation?
I don't think I will forget him. Ever.
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