Hi! I am Shelly. I had crashed my car near Jhamsikhel couple of weeks ago. The road is a mess and the bike riders are hopeless. A Pulsar bike way passed me from the wrong side in such a speed that I lost balance while trying to save this stray dog, I hit the lamppost which has not been in use for ages.

Thank god my car has some insurance so I could send it for a fix. The mechanic told me that he will fix it in 2 weeks time at the earliest. Now I had no option than to take a public transport. For 2 days I took a taxi to work but it was coming a bit expensive for me so the third day I decided to take a Sajha bus. Oh my long awaited wish to ride one of these big green buses sinces its operations.

I knew that Sajha has a stop at Pulchowk , the Damkal chowk. So I stool exactly right below the Sajha Bus sign. After almost 10 minutes, I saw the bus coming and slowing down right infront of me. Excited I step ahead. A lot of other people also stepped ahead. Somehow i got inside the bus and found only seat empty. I think i am smart in such regards that I said excuse me to this gentleman infront of me and took the seat. I know its gonna be a long ride from Pulchowk to PaniPokhari.

I took out my tablet and started fiddling around, the man beside me tried to peep into what I was doing. I felt a bit awkward so a tried to pull myself a little further than him. And my eyes fell on someone. Do I know him? Mmmm i don’t remember. He was sitting a seat before mine on the other side. Light grey formal pants, palest of pink shirt, his leather bag handing by his right shoulder. I checked that he was wearing a Fossil watch.I went deeper in my observation and checked his finely dusted brown loafer. I couldnt see but he was wearing a classy sunglasses.

Suddenly, the bus took a jerk! And he dropped the bag. He tries to pick his bag, and he turns his head and sees me staring at him. Our eyes met. I was trying to turn towards the window and I couldnt and I was forced to return back his smile. He changed his position and now he can actually see me from the corner of his eyes. I saw the name Chomsky ...meaning he was reading some book by Noam Chomsky was my guess.

He looked at me again and smiled. I smiled back. I raised my eyebrow and gestured to show me the book. He straightens it and I was right, it was “Failed State” by Chomsky. I popped my eyes to show “woaaahhh!! You read that???Impressive”. He chuckles and nods “No!! Noo!!”. I insisted “Yes!Yes!”.

The bus takes a big screeching break and halts. He acts fidgety and hurrys to the door. Turns around and gestures, BYE!. I shyly smile back.

The whole day, I thought about him. Am I going to see him tomorrow as well? He is going to take the same bus? Does he travel everyday on Sajha? Am I going to smile at him tomorrow as well? Should I talk to him?Why should I talk to a stranger? Am I over reacting? I need to act indifferent tomorrow.

With all these million thoughts I went back home in the anticipation to see this man the next day. Struggling with one of a long night, I woke up. I got ready in a jiffy and was at the bus stop. Tick tick one!! tick tick two!! Bang! The bus is here. I hopped on and my eye scanned the entire bus in less than 10 seconds but I didnt see him.

My car is back now. I drive to work alone. I never saw him again. Every time I see Sajha bus, I remember that smile and my heart smiles thinking someday I will see him again, SOMEDAY!!!!