Waiting

THIS STORY IS DEDICATED TO MY

PRINCESS.SHE IS MY INSPIRATION

BEHIND THIS STORY.

THANK YOU PRINCESS

I looked at my watch. There was more time left for my train to

arrive. To kill time I entered the station restaurant. It was full with

various people. Finally I spotted a vacant space in the corner. I sat on a

chair and took a cigarette out. I was about to light it when a waiter

came to me.

“I am sorry Sir. But this table is reserved.” He said to me.

It was about to say something. But somebody said “It’s ok John.

Let the kid sit there.”

I looked at the direction of the sound. A lady was standing behind

the counter. She was a very beautiful old lady. I assume that she was

the owner of the place. I murmur “thank you” in my lips while looking

at her. But she wasn't looking at me.

“Your order Sir?” John asked me. His eyes were looking a bit

puzzled.

“One coffee” I said.

“Two coffees.” A voice came from behind. I saw her again. She

was at my table.

“If you don't mind.” She added.

“Please be my guest.” I said rising from my chair. While John

pulled a chair for her. And placed two ash-trays on the table and left us.

She placed a cigarette between her lips and started looking for the

light. I took out my lighter and lit her cigarette.

“A kid with manners? I didn't know they make them anymore.”

She said while dragging a puff from her nose. There was a hint of smile

in her eyes. I smiled a bit shyly.

John placed the coffee on the table and left without saying

anything. I took a sip of my coffee. She was looking at me continuously.

“It is very nice.” I said to her.

“You are not supposed to talk while drinking it. Just take a sip and

don't open your lips. Let the coffee spread on your tongue by itself.

Then gulp it slowly and breathe through your nose.”

I followed her instructions. The coffee really tasted great after

that.

“You were right. It tastes delicious than before” I added.

“So is u waiting for someone?” She asked.

“For my train” I replied.

“Hmmm” She stared in space for some time. Then she suggested

something very unexpectedly.

“Let’s have a walk.”

“Now?” I exclaimed looking at my watch.

“Come on kid. You got enough time.” She said as if she

understood what I mean.

“The advantage of running a station buffet is that you can identify

the trains and its passengers.” She said as she rose from her chair.

I also stood up getting my wallet from the pocket.

“Leave it kid. It’s on the house” She said that and before giving me

any chance to say something, she stroll out of the cafe’. John was

looking suspeciously.I avoid his gaze and left the place. She was waiting

outside on the pavement for me. Thus begun our walk.

“You remind me of someone.” She said to me.

“Really? Whom?” I asked her.

“Doesn't matter.” Came the weird reply.

As we were walking several people waved her, some just nodded

and some just smiled at her. She was returning the appropriate

gestures. It was almost dark on the streets. Our feet were crushing the

dried leaves scattered on the road. The sound of crushing leaves along

with the cold breeze made me realize the cold winter.

“So where are we going anyway?”

“No where.” She replied to me.

As I looked at her, I saw her shivering with cold. I took off my

jacket and spread it around her shoulders. She held my hand. It was

cold as ice. We kept walking like that for some time.

“My husband and I used to walk like this every night.” She told

me.

“Ohh! Is that so? And where is he now?” I asked her.

“I don’t know.” She said that in a very calm voice.

“I am sorry.” I apologize to her.

“Please don’t. Because I am not.” Her voice was still calm.

“I really don't mean to hurt you.”

“Its ok kid, you know I met him at the very table we were having

the coffee few moments ago.”

“That sounds like an interesting story.” I said to her.

“I guess you are interested in stories.” She asked me.

“I am indeed. But do you have time to tell me the story?” I

enquired.

“I am an old lady kid. Time is all I have.” She gave me a beautiful

smile and begun her tale.

“My father used to run the cafe' those days. The war was on, so

the place used to be jam packed with soldiers. I sometimes went there

to help my father.

He used to come there very often. I noticed him always staring at

me. But he didn't utter a single word to me then. One day I returned his

stare. He was smiling. I went near him and asked,

“Are you waiting for someone?”

“Yeah, I was waiting for you.” was the reply he gave to me. At that

moment I knew I've fallen in love with him. And we got married few

days later.”

“And then you both lived happily ever after, isn’t it?” I asked her

as I was about to lit another cigarette.

“Life isn't a fairy tale sweetheart.” She said to me coldly.

I stopped dead. And looked at her carefully. She took the cigarette

from me. And started walking again.

“As time progressed, the conditions got worst. Then came a day

when he has to left the town and go on front. He promised to come

back as soon as possible. He wanted me to wait for me, which I did.”

She handed the butt to me again. I drag a puff and asked her

“So? Did he come back? Did he keep his promise?”

She continued as if she didn’t hear me.

“Soon after he left, the things became difficult here. We were

losing the war. My father died in the bombings and I was forced to

serve the soldiers from another countries. The war took its share. Any

morals or values ceased to exist. The survival was the only thing which

mattered the most. I suffered the most powerful humiliation caused to

a woman. That too just because I didn't wanted to get shot in the head.

I spent my days just in hope to see him one more time. But then, even

that thought stopped making sense.”

She inhaled deeply. And a cloud of smoke released from her nose.

I saw a tear or two trickling down her cheeks. She didn’t make any

attempt to wipe those.

“Then one day he came back. The cafe' was full that day, and I

was serving someone on the same table. He was standing right there on

the door. This time he was holding clutches in his arms. I noticed that

one of his legs was missing. The moment I saw him, he was tripped by

someone rushing in the cafe’. He fell on the floor. Everyone laughed at

him. He somehow managed to stand on his own. I wanted to reach for

him. But was unable to do so. He looked at his usual table, which was

occupied by someone else. Then his eyes settled on me. He gave me

one of his trademark smiles. But I also saw a hint of tears in his eyes. He

bowed to me slightly, turned and left the premise. I rushed after him,

but I couldn't spot him anywhere. From that day onwards, his table

used to be kept empty, just in case if he returned. But I never saw him

again.”

I was stunned by her story. I didn't know how to react. But she

very casually took the last puff and threw away the butt.

“Come on, let’s go back. Your train will be arriving shortly”

We walked our way back in silence. We came to halt just at the

door of the cafe’, when my train entered the station. John placed my

luggage at my feet when he saw me.

“Good bye Sir. Have a safe journey.” He said to me.

“Good bye John.” I returned his smile. I lift my bag. I was just

about to climb in when I noticed that she was still there. I went back to

her.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Sure”

“Why did you allow me to take that table?” I asked her.

“I realized that no one should leave a table empty. Cause

someone is waiting, always.” She said the things on such a way which

made me confused.

“I am not sure I understood that.” I told her.

“One day you will understand it. Come back her when you do so.

We'll again have a coffee that day.” She was smiling at me.

I just nodded my head in agreement when she planted a kiss on

my forehead. I climbed up the train and stood on the door.

She took my hand and said,

“I will be waiting for you kid. I promise.”