We all have time machines. Memories take us back and dreams take us forward.
On a trip down the memory lane, I see him, waving me goodbye, as the bus pulled away.
I had known him forever. To be exact, right from kindergarten. Going to school & working on homework together, sharing lunchboxes, playing tag in the school playground and troubling each other all the time. We sort of grew up together, our homes just a block apart.
Undergrad took us to different cities and later grad school & ambitions took us to different continents. Life happened, and our relationship turned from sharing everything to sharing pleasantries. And eventually, social media and conversations with common friends would tell me, what he's been up to. And just like that, once best friends, became mere acquaintances.
I jumped in excitement when Facebook told me he has relocated to New York City for work. After 7 years, we only had the Boston-NYC distance between us. I wanted to give him a buzz, but something inside me was hesitant. Later that day, a notification from him read - "Hey! I recently relocated to NYC from London. And if my geography is right, Boston isn't that far. Let's plan to meet sometime?" We shared numbers and started texting and calling as if we were never apart.
We often think that people change, but I guess, only the priorities change. I realized, he was still that naughty brat I grew up with, who knew how to make me smile.
I was eagerly waiting for the gift he said he had sent. Little did I know, that he had sent "himself". My heart skipped a beat seeing him at my apartment door on that summery morning, with flowers and chocolates in hand. I couldn't have been happier.
New England, especially Boston, is breathtakingly beautiful in summer and that beauty can make anyone fall in love. And being with him added to the enchantment. We walked the Freedom Trail, chilled at the Copley Square, hopped onto the Duck tour to soak in beautiful Boston & Cambridge skyline vistas and chased each other around the Reflection pool & fountain.
A perfect weekend, discussing history, nature, divinity and having fun along the way. I discovered, how much we had in common. And it's rightly said - "If you want to get to know someone, take a trip with them."
When it was time for him to leave, I felt my knees go weak. The plan was to send him off, but instead, I took the train back home without waiting for his bus to pull away.
I texted - "Wish you could stay longer."
"Come see me where you left me. I just couldn't leave." - he replied.
Thinking he is pulling my leg as usual, I wished him safe travels. While I tossed & turned in my bed, my phone beeped and a text from him read - "Taking the last bus home. I will miss you."
There were two things I was certain about. First, I knew I had to go to NYC to make up for this. And second, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.
NYC, my favorite city in this whole wide world. But little did I know that it's going to become the city I am in love with. Nervous and confused, I came out of the bus terminal. And there he was, a smile adorning that charming face. I ran into his arms and he embraced me.
A game of tag alongside a bunch of kids, dodging each other and the water jets of the Bosque Fountain in Battery Park, brought back memories of our childhood.
Aboard the Staten & Liberty ferry, the stunning views of Manhattan and New York Harbor, couldn't distract me from admiring the breeze, caressing his face and running through his brown-black hair.
The High Line offering panoramic views of the streets and the Hudson River, failed to work its magic, maybe because I was already under his spell.
I was smitten and lost for words. The feeling was something people write novels about.
As blankets of fog descended, the city looked like a wonderland.
For a change, the walk across the foggy Brooklyn Bridge, holding his hands, was something different than imagining SRK with his arms wide open. Sunset reflecting off of glass buildings added a magical touch.
"It is so foggy, I think it is a bad idea. We won't be able to see anything" - I said. To which he replied - "Do you trust me?" And we were on our way to the Empire State Building's 86th-floor observation deck. One of the most crowded places in NYC was practically empty.
The live saxophone made the experience romantic and views of twinkling city lights, amidst the fog added to the excitement. Whistling crisp winds sent chills down my spine and he pulled me closer.
It began to drizzle, and as I made an attempt to dash towards the elevator, he pulled me back saying - "Stay with me just a couple minutes more", to which I replied - "Promise me, this is forever." And we kissed.
When it was time to leave, he held me close and whispered - "Let's stay like this just a bit longer." A tear rolled down my cheek and more came down. I smiled through my tears and boarded the bus.
I watched through the window, and he waved me goodbye.
My hardest goodbye.
The further I get from you, the more I feel like dying.
That's what I get for loving you, code blue.
On a trip down the memory lane, I see him, waving me goodbye, as the bus pulled away.
I had known him forever. To be exact, right from kindergarten. Going to school & working on homework together, sharing lunchboxes, playing tag in the school playground and troubling each other all the time. We sort of grew up together, our homes just a block apart.
Undergrad took us to different cities and later grad school & ambitions took us to different continents. Life happened, and our relationship turned from sharing everything to sharing pleasantries. And eventually, social media and conversations with common friends would tell me, what he's been up to. And just like that, once best friends, became mere acquaintances.
I jumped in excitement when Facebook told me he has relocated to New York City for work. After 7 years, we only had the Boston-NYC distance between us. I wanted to give him a buzz, but something inside me was hesitant. Later that day, a notification from him read - "Hey! I recently relocated to NYC from London. And if my geography is right, Boston isn't that far. Let's plan to meet sometime?" We shared numbers and started texting and calling as if we were never apart.
We often think that people change, but I guess, only the priorities change. I realized, he was still that naughty brat I grew up with, who knew how to make me smile.
I was eagerly waiting for the gift he said he had sent. Little did I know, that he had sent "himself". My heart skipped a beat seeing him at my apartment door on that summery morning, with flowers and chocolates in hand. I couldn't have been happier.
New England, especially Boston, is breathtakingly beautiful in summer and that beauty can make anyone fall in love. And being with him added to the enchantment. We walked the Freedom Trail, chilled at the Copley Square, hopped onto the Duck tour to soak in beautiful Boston & Cambridge skyline vistas and chased each other around the Reflection pool & fountain.
A perfect weekend, discussing history, nature, divinity and having fun along the way. I discovered, how much we had in common. And it's rightly said - "If you want to get to know someone, take a trip with them."
When it was time for him to leave, I felt my knees go weak. The plan was to send him off, but instead, I took the train back home without waiting for his bus to pull away.
I texted - "Wish you could stay longer."
"Come see me where you left me. I just couldn't leave." - he replied.
Thinking he is pulling my leg as usual, I wished him safe travels. While I tossed & turned in my bed, my phone beeped and a text from him read - "Taking the last bus home. I will miss you."
There were two things I was certain about. First, I knew I had to go to NYC to make up for this. And second, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.
NYC, my favorite city in this whole wide world. But little did I know that it's going to become the city I am in love with. Nervous and confused, I came out of the bus terminal. And there he was, a smile adorning that charming face. I ran into his arms and he embraced me.
A game of tag alongside a bunch of kids, dodging each other and the water jets of the Bosque Fountain in Battery Park, brought back memories of our childhood.
Aboard the Staten & Liberty ferry, the stunning views of Manhattan and New York Harbor, couldn't distract me from admiring the breeze, caressing his face and running through his brown-black hair.
The High Line offering panoramic views of the streets and the Hudson River, failed to work its magic, maybe because I was already under his spell.
I was smitten and lost for words. The feeling was something people write novels about.
As blankets of fog descended, the city looked like a wonderland.
For a change, the walk across the foggy Brooklyn Bridge, holding his hands, was something different than imagining SRK with his arms wide open. Sunset reflecting off of glass buildings added a magical touch.
"It is so foggy, I think it is a bad idea. We won't be able to see anything" - I said. To which he replied - "Do you trust me?" And we were on our way to the Empire State Building's 86th-floor observation deck. One of the most crowded places in NYC was practically empty.
The live saxophone made the experience romantic and views of twinkling city lights, amidst the fog added to the excitement. Whistling crisp winds sent chills down my spine and he pulled me closer.
It began to drizzle, and as I made an attempt to dash towards the elevator, he pulled me back saying - "Stay with me just a couple minutes more", to which I replied - "Promise me, this is forever." And we kissed.
When it was time to leave, he held me close and whispered - "Let's stay like this just a bit longer." A tear rolled down my cheek and more came down. I smiled through my tears and boarded the bus.
I watched through the window, and he waved me goodbye.
My hardest goodbye.
The further I get from you, the more I feel like dying.
That's what I get for loving you, code blue.
*Code blue: An emergency situation in which a patient is in cardiopulmonary arrest, requiring a team to begin immediate resuscitative efforts.
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