Change of heart . [short story] pg 1

Rima looked around the bus stop .She spotted Rakesh sitting on the bench inside the bus stop shelter at the university campus.She would have looked away had not the expression on Rakesh's face arrested her attention. Rakesh didnot look his usual cheerful self ,there was a look of utter defeat and sadness in his face .He wasn't looking at any one but was gazing at the black tarred road with such a look of utter dejection that it wrung Rima's heart.
Rima wondered at the change ,for Rakesh who lived in her neighbour hood was a happy young man.He never walked without whistling to himself cheerfully and drove his motor bike at a exhilarating speed!Rima knew that he was a final year student of Msc and also that he would never show interest in her because he had a beautiful girl friend whom he openly flaunted as a prized possession!
Rima glanced at watch ,it showed 1pm.She thought what am I to do for an hour for surely no public transport bus driver would forgo his lunch hour to provide transport to her.Rima peered at the horizon shielding her eyes from the glare of the hot sun, but no ,not a single bus was visible.There were cars and trucks moving on the street but not a single green painted corporation bus. She let out a sigh and decided that if she had to wait for the bus she might as well make herself comfortable.With this view in mind she turned and searched for a empty seat in the shelter.
Her frustration somewhat abated when her eyes alighted upon a empty seat.As she moved towards it eagerly and quickly as she did'nt want to lose the seat to another and get roasted alive in the sun, she realised that the seat was next to Rakesh's. This made her stop on her tracks and thought ''oh no how can I sit next to my idol? would I be able to bear his nearness?''.Then the thought occurred that Rakesh was totally ignorant of her presence for the several times they had run into each other ,which was not surprising as they lived in the same colony and studied in the same university ,he had never acknowledged her presence .The fact that he had always looked at her indifferently as he would look at any casual passerby ,and also the fact that the heat was so unbearable that Rima doubted her ability to withstand it for an hour strengthened her resolve,and she went inside and sat on the empty seat.
After settling herself Rima couldnot resist the temptation of having a quick look at her neighbour.She nearly cursed herself for doing so for he looked even more handsome at close quarters and even more unattainable.He had a straight nose and thick black and slightly wavy hair.His complexion was good and his eyes were fringed with dark lashes and were steady. At this point Rima's mental assessment of her companion was rudely jolted and the thought flashed into her mind that she was aware that his expression was steady because he had turned and was looking at her.
Rima caught staring blushed and averted her eyes trying vainly to fix them on the moving traffic.She failed miserably and thought what the hell I did no crime and boldly looked back at Rakesh.Rakesh was still looking at her,but thoughtfully and Rima sensed a sudden rush of pleasure coursing through her from head to foot. Her facial muscles seemed to work their own volition,because to her horror she realised that she was smiling at him.
Rakesh returned the smile with a wry grin.Emboldened,she enquired 'excuse me are' nt you well''and hoped that he would'nt take offense .Rakesh shook his head and said'' I am ok nothing wrong with me physically''. At this Rima thought to herself may be some sort of mental tension what am I doing B.A. in psychology for if I donot help a fellow human being. So aloud she said ''If you don't mind can you tell me what is bothering you?''She raised her hand to stop him from interrupting and continued'' Please don't think I am being inquisitive .It is just that I have seen you around my colony and and would geniunely like to help you in any way I possibly can.''
On hearing these words Rakesh turned his face and looked straight ahead. Rima studied his face for any clue to his thoughts but could find none. Rakesh then turned towards her and Rima thought he has come to a decision and she caught her breath and looked at him expectantly.
He said 'Rima , Rima is your name is'nt it?''and stopped and Rima nodded her head and thought oh he knows my name and felt curiously happy. He continued'' I am in trouble .Will you help me?''Rima on hearing the question she nodded her head in quick acquiescence .On seeing her eagerness to help Rakesh seemed to lose some of his tension and dejection. He gave Rima a brilliant smile and Rima aghast by the thrill of happiness that smile evoked realised too late that she had committed herself without going into details for Rakesh had said he was in trouble but not what the trouble was .
She heardRakesh saying ''since you are willing to help me ,I would be grateful if you can spare an hour from7 to 8 in the evening today ?'' Rima could'nt believe her ears . Rakesh ,that handsome ,unattainable man of her dreams who did'nt even speak to her even in her dreams wanted ,actually wanted to spend some time with her!Rima repli ed ''ofcourse I can spare the time''. Just then all those people sitting near her in the shelter got up and started rushing out . Rima looked up to see the cause of commotion and realised that it was a bus , the one she needed to take her home.She got uphurriedly and so did Rakesh .They went towards the bus and got into it after fighting their way through the crowd that had collected at the entrance.
Rima moved towards the ladies seat and luckily got one near the window. She looked around trying to spot Rakesh in the mass of people spilling all over the bus.Her heart turned when she spotted his tall figure pushing his way through the swirling mass. He could definitely not get any seat ,he would be lucky enough to get some space to stand . Rima was pleased to note that he decided to stand beside her seat ,though not near her as she had seated herself near the window of a seat the one next to her occupied by an obviously over worked teacher.
The bus moved and with that wind came rushing in bringing relief to all those inside. Rima looked outside idly at the landscape ,and the traffic.The bus suddenly stopped and Rima craning her neck realised that ,it was obeying the traffic signal. As she had nothing better to do she let her eyes linger casually on the waiting traffic and she froze when she encountered the sight of Shoba ,the beautiful and delicate girl friend of Rakesh sitting in a cream coloured volkswagon. The man at the driving seat was dark ,plump and looked prosperous. He was laughing at something which Shoba said.
Rima looked up quickly at Rakesh wondering whether he too had spotted the pair.He had and she tried to read his expression anxiously. He betrayed none but when he averted his eyes she saw some pain in them.As Rima turned back her gaze fell on the laughing pair in the car and she suddenly realised that all her happiness brief though it was had evaporated.
The signals changed and the bus moved on and the volkswagon was lost to sight. As her stop neared Rima got up from her seat .As she passed Rakesh he said ''see you at 7''.She had quite forgotten the date in the mad scramble for the bus and the drama enacted at the traffic signal. She said ''ok''automatically and wondered why he thought it necessary to remind her in the bus was'nt he getting off?.Rima got off and watched the bus move away. He had not got off the bus and she wondered whether he was avoiding accompanying her .She started walking towards her house .
Rima was readyand waiting at 7. She had taken bath and had worn her white terrycot suit with small flowers embroidered at the neckline. She had brushed her hair till it crackled and shone and was silky to touch,its blackness contrasting with her white dress.
Her father was amused at the preparations of his only daughter for normally she never troubled herself to dress with such care and was also anxious lest she got hurt as he was not sure of Rakesh not at all.
Rima ran to open the door no sooner did she hear the sound of a approaching motor bike . She had guessed rightly it was Rakesh's and as she opened the door she saw him get off his bike and was in the act of pulling the stand when he sighted Rima .He said ''oh hello''and Rima smiled at him shyly and happily but Rakesh did'nt return the smile and said flatly ''if you are ready let us get going''.Rima nodded her head and slid into the pillion afterRakesh kicked the machine into life .As he swerved and and turned the bike onto the main road Rima did'nt know how to keep herself from sliding on to the road and thought to herself 'what have I got myself into?'

to be contd........