Strange Love

‘Pleasant morning’, he thought aloud. He checked his wristwatch again. 9.15. Just a lil’ more time to go.

The sun shone bright. The day was just beginning to spread its warmth. Gentle, sweet breeze. Trees swayed. Leaves ruffled. A smile crept across his face. He continued gazing out of his window into the lobby across the street. He glanced at the calendar hung in his room. Sunday it was. Just a lil’ more to go.

His friends called him J. He liked the ring to it. It made him sound kind of cool. Cool, confident, self-assured, effervescent – yeah that was him. And yeah also the hottest 16 year old in the world. At least he thought so; and so did so do all the girls in his class. Today like every Sunday morning he was perched at his window, watching across the road into the lobby. The lobby belonged to Mirage – the poshest hotel in the city and maybe even the country. And like very week he waited.

He glanced in the mirror. Damn, the wind had ruffled his perfectly gelled hair again. He took a handful of gel and again meticulously set his hair. He wore his favorite tee toady. He knew he looked his best in it. And a lot more mature. Content with his image in the mirror he took back his seat near the window.

A minute passed. Then two. Then a couple more. And then he saw – HER. Gorgeous her. Beautiful her. Basked in sunlight. Skin glistening, face glowing. She floated like an angel and seemed like a dream. His world suddenly transformed; into something, heavenly. His heart skipped a beat. He skipped a few steps.

He stopped in his tracks. She was nearing him. So close. His eyes met hers. Oh her heavenly smile. And those eyes. Beautiful, captivating eyes.

He stood there transfixed. Watching, gazing. She came next to him. He froze. There were so many things to say. Suddenly today didn’t seem that perfect. His hair was not right. His tee was stupid. A lil’ more perfume was needed. And a lot more luck. A thousand thoughts filled his head. His legs felt heavy, throat dry. He saw her walk past him, not even glancing at him. He felt sad. Hurt. Pained. She couldn’t walk away. It was his love story. He was her knight in shining armor. The one for her. She just couldn’t go. He just couldn’t let her.

Abruptly he turned. Saw her walking away. And then he did it. He ran. He couldn’t believe that he was. But he was running. After her. Deep breaths, long strides – after her. And then he tapped her back. The touch! The divine touch of her. She looked at him, eyes wide. Those gorgeous mesmerizing eyes.

Not knowing what to say. Confusion. Desperation. Time ticked by. But then he said it. “I think you are…..beautiful. I ummm…kinda like you…Can we go for a coffee….uhhh or maybe a drink?” There he said it. Sigh of relief. His words hung in the air. She looked at him, shocked. And then there was silence – stony silence. Dreadful silence.

How stupid could he be! Who says that – Coffee!? Drink!? What is she, a schoolgirl!? His heart sinking. His eyes moist. She stood there with that look on her face- aghast or fury – he couldn’t quite place it. He felt like killing himself. Stupid, STUPID him.

And then she smiled. Warm, melting smile. And she spoke. Ah! Her voice. Sweet, reassuring angelic voice. Shouldn’t he be paying attention to what she was saying? But her voice, entrancing. And then he heard the word “NO”. His excitement – punctured, his heart – broken. So slowly he caught her words.

“…..awww, wasn’t that cute! But I can’t. First, you are too young. Second, I’m an escort; dear. I get paid to be with people. To accompany them to parties. And I accompany people for a fee. I can’t date. It’s bad for the business. Look, you seem like a nice kid; get a nice sweet girl.”

Escort. No. Cant. Young. What was she saying! Noooooo. This cannot be happening. How?! Why!? But wait. Paid. Fee. Money? Yeah, Money. That was it. So he reached into his pocket and took out all he had.

She looked at him. He was kind of cute. Standing there. Watching. And nearly drooling. But she had to do the right thing. Plus, it wasn’t like she had a choice. It was just bad business. And then she saw him reach into his pocket and take out some money. Ah! men! They all come down to the same thing. How could this lil’ cute one be any different. She suddenly felt miffed, chagrined. He didn’t seem like the rest of them. But still.

She looked at him. Looked at the money in his hands. And finally said, sounding peeved, “ Listen kiddo, this ain’t how it works. I ain’t that kind of a person. Plus what you have can get you just a minute with me.”

He thought. He was holding his entire months’ allowance. Two grand. But he did not want her to leave. He wanted to be there with her. Talk to her. So he let out a monosyllable ‘ya’ and handed her the money.

“Your time starts now”, she said.

He looked into her eyes. Those beautiful entrancing eyes. He stood there mesmerized. He loved the way her hair fell on her shoulders. He loved the way the wind made it dance. He liked the way her lips quivered, when he watched. He saw the bead of sweat trickle down her neck. But still he kept going back to those eyes. Love filled, enchanted, captivated, he stood there watching her as the minute ran down its course.

He saw her turn and walk away. He wanted to say things. So many things. But he knew he shouldn’t. He knew he couldn’t. He wanted her to stop, turn and give him that last look. He wanted to spend the entire day just lost in her eyes. But, he watched her walk away. Till her silhouette finally disappeared with the shadows.

Some things in life are indeed – priceless.

Words

Words.

Words SUCK.

Words are overrated.

I mean, everything has been said. In every possible way.Everything is cliched. Even being un-cliched. And when you are done dealing with sounding cliched - you have to deal with words.

Words - which can be contorted, concocted, distorted, misrepresented and the worst of all misunderstood.

Words.

And then I have the problem of saying the right words at the right time. You see, conversations are all about timing. So are jokes. Say shite, but at the right time; it becomes funny smart shite.
So learn to say the right things at the right time and voila - get what you want; get laid, get a free smoke, get popular, score some dope and even score the hottie along with her best friend. So say the right thing, but never, NEVER, say what you want to say, just say what you need to.

But what else can I say, all my words are grey.

And still all I do have is just words. Dammned words.

"A king of words is EVERYTHING;
But I can only fuck and sing"
-Kurt Cobain