He saw her but he tried hard not to smile, for pride was at stake.
"You smile too much and that makes you look like a joker!", she had said. "I don't mind being a joker in the pack", he had replied. "A queen seeks a King for partner and a joker to pass time. Something to ponder about, eh?" She always had been direct. "Who else, do you think, would cheer your blues?". "For once be serious and sort out your life! At least have a plan ready when we meet next.", she had challenged.
Inspite of previous discussion, he couldn't help himself and flashed a sheepish grin. And he had made no plans either. She realised it and frowned. "All hope is lost", she said rolling her eyes as she sat down . "Don't begrudge me of my happiness.", he tried to defend. "I don't envy any part of your situation. And this weekend, I'll be flying to US. Life is moving on and I hope for once you would too!". She was close but would now be far. She was practical and ambitious but he was laid back. He hated good-byes but she wanted closure. For she was bad at keeping in touch. This was end of sorts and probably the last long conversation for a long time. And most of it was spent in glances and silence. And then it was time for her to go. He knew she would ask. She was predictable that way. "I could never put us in any box.", she said just as she got up to leave. "I know. Not every thing in life requires a label", he said. "What do you call me in your diaries? BFF or one-sided girl friend?", she said with equal measures of sarcasm and curiosity. "Neither. You are Hasini - one who makes me smile".
"You smile too much and that makes you look like a joker!", she had said. "I don't mind being a joker in the pack", he had replied. "A queen seeks a King for partner and a joker to pass time. Something to ponder about, eh?" She always had been direct. "Who else, do you think, would cheer your blues?". "For once be serious and sort out your life! At least have a plan ready when we meet next.", she had challenged.
Inspite of previous discussion, he couldn't help himself and flashed a sheepish grin. And he had made no plans either. She realised it and frowned. "All hope is lost", she said rolling her eyes as she sat down . "Don't begrudge me of my happiness.", he tried to defend. "I don't envy any part of your situation. And this weekend, I'll be flying to US. Life is moving on and I hope for once you would too!". She was close but would now be far. She was practical and ambitious but he was laid back. He hated good-byes but she wanted closure. For she was bad at keeping in touch. This was end of sorts and probably the last long conversation for a long time. And most of it was spent in glances and silence. And then it was time for her to go. He knew she would ask. She was predictable that way. "I could never put us in any box.", she said just as she got up to leave. "I know. Not every thing in life requires a label", he said. "What do you call me in your diaries? BFF or one-sided girl friend?", she said with equal measures of sarcasm and curiosity. "Neither. You are Hasini - one who makes me smile".
