All I have is a Dream..

“Would you like to have something else, Sir?”
“One more coffee, please”
“Will just take a moment, sir” Waitress said and left to get him yet another cup of coffee. It was either fourth or fifth, he really didn’t remember. Another look at watch told him, it’s been 3 hours since he entered this place. Cozy couple in corner seems to be more cozy now. College Kids sitting on left table have been replaced by 2 women taking a break from shopping. Looks like they have raided every store on this street. Lonely girl have been joined by a friend and is now walking out of the door. The door, bringing him disappointment each time it moves.
Was he wrong to have come here, he wondered.
Seems like yesterday when he used to be one of the regulars here. Sitting in corner, at times with friends, at times with laptop. Still looks same. 5 years since he was here last time.
5 years, since he decided to move to another city.
“I don’t know you well enough to make some serious commitment”, How bravely and naively he had declared it.
Stealing himself against that tearful face, he explained, “Look, long-term is not my thing. Plus how do we know we will last together if we won’t spend any time together. I like you now but what if after few years. You know… What if you meet someone new and fall in love.. what if I do.. It just won’t work out.. Lets end things as friends.”
She agreed. He had logic on his side. So what, he felt she was the one and she did too. It might have been infatuation or plain lust.
One last kiss on his cheek and she left. Without a word.
He kept in touch, of course. Sent occasional mails. Birthday greetings.
She never replied and he missed her. He missed her laughter and how she could always make him laugh. He missed the way she would be on his side, providing silent support. He missed the perfection he had found with her.
It’s not that he wasn’t happy without her. He almost married once. But what he felt in those 3 months, he could never re-create with his girl-friend, even after living together for 4 years.
So he decided to take a chance and flew out here. Sitting in same old coffee shop.
Did she sound unhappy to hear from me or was she uncomfortable?
Another look at watch told him, half hour has passed since he last checked time. Maybe he should consider leaving. One last look at door, he told himself.
And there she was, looking radiant as ever.
“Has she lost weight? She’s wearing Saree. She never wore Saree. Why is she looking back? Does she want to leave already.”
Almost panicking, he rose and waved to her.
She turned and smiled at him. His heart faltered. This was the smile he had missed so much.
“Hi. How are you? I’m so sorry for being this late. We had to go for this thing and we kinda got stuck..”
“We???”
“Hello. Good to see you finally. I’ve heard so much about you. We recently got back from our honeymoon. So fulfilling all social obligations. So, you are coming to dinner with us, right?”
“Honeymoon….!!!”
“I’m so sorry I couldn’t invite you. It was small family affair. We wanted to keep it small”
“Well, she wanted to keep it small. I just wanted to get married as soon as possible”
“Couldn’t invite you…!!! Get married..!!!”
His head was spinning by now. Holding the chair arm, he somehow managed to exchange niceties and made excuses for dinner.
Soon, it was time to say good-bye. Another peck on cheek. This time, with whispered words, “It wouldn’t have worked anyway. We didn’t know each other, remember? “
And with a wistful smile, she turned and walked up to the man who was waiting for her and wanted to know her.