MY SHORT STORY IV

                                                  WHEN THEY MET... 

It was a day after his 23rd birthday. He stepped onto the balcony of his room, spread the yoga mat and sat there to meditate. This was Jason's evening routine. But today something new transpired. He saw a girl in the bungalow facing him. She seemed to be of the same age as his. He had never seen such a beautiful girl before in their locality. Her hair were midnight-black which tumbled over her shoulders. She had a lovely face with a dainty nose. She must be Mrs. Anderson’s granddaughter, he thought. She was there watering the plants on the terrace of the bungalow. He was in seventh heaven after seeing her, and eventually his evening routine changed. Everyday at 5.30 Jason used to come to his balcony for meditation and the girl to her terrace to water the plants. This went on for a week. Every day he would look at her but she never noticed him. Sometimes in the morning or late evening, he even espied her standing in a group and grinning and laughing with some friends that she made in the colony. Jason never mixed with the people. Everyone thought he was an introvert, but it wasn’t the fact. Due to a bad incident in his school days, Jason had lost the confidence to speak with people. And when it came to girls, he felt as small as a mouse in front of them. Not that he didn't want to make friends or talk to people, but his lack of confidence didn't allow him to do so. Yet he had two of his best friends with whom he was most comfortable. So all this went on for a few days. And then after a couple of weeks something changed. She caught his sight while watering the plants, her crescent shaped eyebrows inclined slightly but eventually flashed her heavenly-white teeth as she smiled at him . He was startled and did not understand what he should do. He wasn't expecting this at all. But after gathering up some courage he managed a smile. So for the next few days this continued. They would smile at each other or wave. He felt really good. One day he heard Mrs. Anderson telling his mom that she got a new tenant and that her name is Stella. and in this way, he got to know her name. A month went by and the rainy season began. So neither he could go to the balcony nor she came to the terrace. He started missing her and after thinking a lot, he found her on social media and commenced chatting with her. They exchanged numbers. He was comfortable chatting on the phone, so he was happy. They started chatting every day and even unveiled their secrets with each other. Days went by and on one pleasant morning, she asked him to meet him at her place for breakfast. At first, he agreed happily, but instantly realized that he may not be able to talk to her nonchalantly and also falter in front of her. And she would get disgusted and leave him forever. But as he had agreed to meet her and did not have a proper reason to avoid meeting her, he invited her to his home instead. She agreed.

              Accordingly around 9 am, he saw her coming from his balcony. He had started loving her and had decided to confess his feelings, only if she doesn’t judge him for his zero confidence. The doorbell rang. He could hear his mom welcoming her, “welcome my dear Stella, I’m happy Jason invited you for breakfast.” He started descending the staircase. His heart thudding so loud that he could not hear anything now. He saw her. She was looking as lovely as ever and was wearing the prettiest smile on her beautiful face. He smiled at her nervously and in a timorous voice said, “hi Stella…… I’m glad… you came.” He knew he had spoken in a worst tone ever and thought that she must be annoyed, instead she smiled at him. There was an awkward silence for a second. Both of them looked at each other. He was anxious and she was smiling. And then she laughed but unexpectedly he could not hear her laugh. He was surprised. And then he received a message on his phone. It was hers. ‘You look cute when you are nervous’, it said. He was flabbergasted and stood there speechless. She was mute. She could not speak. He could not believe that she was Speech-impaired.  And that was the moment he knew that she was the one with whom he would love to spend his life with. He confessed his feelings to her. And from that day onward, he became her voice and She became his confidence.

 

 

-      Shreya Mahabal