The Joy of Anticipation
Behind the rusty red coloured metal pane glass doors, there was an empty table, and the other side was an exhibit of native South Indian snacks and desserts. A very typical scene in a foreign country. I see a group of people standing across the minibar chitchatting. I could not find any person resembling the WhatsApp pictures. I guess perhaps he left as I am late. The traffic signal is yet to change. The song on my iPod has changed, and this time to a piece of Indian music. The lyrics meant, “every moment I wait for you… just for you… here I come… I bring all the happiness in the world for you…!!” (Kshanam Kshanam from Panja Telugu Movie) It is one strange feeling as if I am to meet some loved one. The signal changes to green, and I am at the café Pushing open the door with my eager eyes to see him.
“BonJour”, someone from the minibar wished me; I see a middle-aged man with a bald head. The rest across the bar presented a warm, welcoming smile. A thin, tall young boy came towards me with an innocent smile, saying, “Vannakam”. May be with my Indian looks, he thought I was Tamilian. I don’t find the person whom I was supposed to meet. I stand there like a lost puppy in a dual mind. Thinking whether to ask someone or take a U-turn and get out of the café…
I heard “Hey… Hi… Ikkada (here)” to my right, diagonally opposite I see him. Tall and lean, fair with attractive features, expressions, sparkling eyes, and heart-filled smile like Lord “Sri Krishna”. I cannot take my eyes off him. It feels as if all the lyrics starting to make some sense. He stands up and comes forward with a handshake to greet. It just made me skip a heartbeat. I am tempted to say “You had me at Hello…!!” but it’s too early to tell on the first meeting. He looked like a Punjabi with his choice of outfits, a metal Kada (wrist band) and a big watch. I ignored everyone in the minibar; I just kept walking straight to him with an excited smile, feels like winds blowing and violins playing. He began to speak, and I am just frozen at his cute smile and not a word I remember that he said. This guy is a native of Maharashtra who could flawlessly speak five languages but cannot speak or understand his mother tongue. The interestingly strange person is my second friend in Champagne City…
