So, the chance encounter I feel I have been looking forward to for years, happened last week. In some ways, it was exactly how I imagined, in some ways, probably better.
Went to this event which was a gathering of hundreds of folks of same ethnicity. While parking the car, it suddenly struck me - what if the encounter happens today? At this point, it had just become a mental exercise. Every gathering big or small, I imagined the encounter, it never happened. I got a little bummed and thought about the next one. Life went on...
Just like every time before this, my eyes were looking everywhere hoping to catch a glimpse of her in a dark theater. Chances were probably less than zero. No sighting at the start of the show or during the break. After the show ended and as everyone was filing to get out, I just smiled at another futile event and prepared for the eventual disappointment. I mean, why would this day be any different? Another 5 seconds here or there and this would have been the same ending as always.
But this was meant to end (begin?) differently. I saw her. I could scarcely believe it. I looked away and then looked again to casually engineer the moment when we casually notice each other at the same time. But… when I saw her notice me, I did a casual wave. I was supposed to act surprised but can you really blame me?
(Sidebar - many moons ago, another chance encounter with someone who shared the same first name... I stood in her way and didn't say a word. If I did, maybe life would have turned out differently. Probably better, it didn't. Maybe? Maybe not?)
We were a few feet away and I motioned that we should catch each other outside. Gave me a minute to collect myself as my legs had turned to jello and the heart was racing a mile, nay, a 100 mile a minute. I am a teenager probably 3 times over. This is not supposed to happen to me.
Went out, met her, could barely put 2 sentences together. Was probably too excited and too nervous and too everything and too nothing at the same time. Probably cut a sentence short and ran away like a teenager. Not before exchanging the digits though ( to my relief, she asked). Glad that the darkness hid the color on my cheeks.
Came back, slept and had an extended conversation in the dreams. Next morning, sent a text on the way to the airport. Wrote it, edited it, edited again, edited once more and didn’t send for a while. But then I did and then started sweating that I didn’t word it properly. Imagining the scenario that the innocuous text is discovered by someone else.
I don’t even know how much of my imagination about the years past is just my imagination. Maybe some, maybe none, maybe all. All I know is that, in an alternate reality, there is more than one ending to this story.
Who writes my scripts?
After a day of travel, I was planning to call my significant other and accidentally pressed the callback button for her from when she had given me her number with a missed call. Honest mistake since they both share the same maiden name (see above for my qurey on my the author of my scripts). Quickly hung up hoping she didn’t see it and kicked myself. Also changed significant other’s name to my last name to avoid future mistakes.
Not having heard anything by next day, I told myself - you have lived with the imagination for 25 years, what's the big deal about the remaining 17 years (remember - i will be dead by then). Pretty sure I came across really desperate with the text and call. The good thing is, now I get to think of a new scenario because I won’t hear back. I was disappointed but then, in a way, bit relieved or maybe not. Decided that I will not stress about it and move on. It was a very taxing 6am thought!
And then, in the middle of a meeting, the response pops up. I am pretty sure I smiled like an idiot. Didn’t read the response till later because I didn’t want to send a read receipt which was microseconds after I got the text. Yes, I am like that!
She apologized for late response and missing the call. Phew! Dodged that bullet. Nice response from her - Sorry, I was busy. let’s catch up etc.
I respond casually- yeah, whatever. Will call after dinner or won’t. Who knows… (almost responded with - didn’t mean to call you, it was an accident. Glad I kept the honesty in check)
So what do I do after dinner? Accidentally dial her number again!!! I am a (an?) grade A idiot. Make that A+ please. Almost texted that it was an accident dial but choked my honesty to death again.
Anyway, she called back. We talked. For quite a bit. My significant other called and I ignored. Her spouse called, she ignored. We talked for an hour. Felt good. Really good. Really Really good. Like talking to a long lost friend. Not what I had imagined but glad it was this way. I really did miss her and her friendship. Still kicking myself for not keeping in touch.
She says she wants to meet. I would love to. Told her we can meet after her family commitments in a couple of months. I can hardly wait to meet my long lost friend. Someone who knew me for being me.
Yes, in an alternate reality this would have ended differently. But this is my current reality and I am happy for what I have. Do I regret the alternate reality? Does she? I guess I will never know...
Who really does write my scripts?
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