The sight of a lifetime
by Zarat Jahin Queen
Late as usual, but I felt something strange As I heaved my usual sigh- A tingling sensation like I could fly; I traced the routine steps to the familiar place, The usual ticket counter but There was no familiar face, The blinds were closed down; I scoffed and turned around, And checked my watch, it was already nine, Why wasn’t her watch as sharp as mine? I was waiting impatiently when there suddenly was a sound, The blue blinds rolled up and I turned around; What met eyes was beyond my sweetest dreams, A pair of the gentlest eyes beyond the glasses, And the most cordial smile I had yet to meet, With the most musical voice did he greet; And it all swept me off my feet, I experienced my great defeat, In the hands of the one who could only be destined for me, And all these years why couldn’t I see? I stood there unable to believe, That I finally found what I’ve been looking for. It was a strange sensation, yet I felt relieved; He was sitting just a foot apart, It was my chance for a radiant start. I planned to make my first move, But nothing came out of my mouth He looked a bit confused, but the smile didn’t leave his face I felt red shame gushing up to my face I tried to speak, but it was all slurred I was sweating, and the vision seemed blurred What will he think and what about the others behind? But he was so gentle, so polite, so kind He concentrated hard to decipher what I said Meanwhile I was turning ruby red How difficult is it to get A few simple words out of my mouth? He stared at me as if he had given up I felt guilt and shame surge up Without thinking anything, I just ran out of the queue Never looking back to see if he knew I tried so hard to once look back But something inside was holding me back I found the almost empty lounge and sat down on a bench I covered my face in my hand and let it out After a couple of hours or was it three I was ready to go to my destination Determined not to go to the same counter again I heaved up my bag on my shoulder and looked around for my coat But it was nowhere to be seen An old man passing by said it was in the lost and found bin I sighed and knew I had left it at the counter Wasn’t there anyone to get it for me? I wiped my cheek and was about to go find my coat When the soft cashmere touched my face And slowly as if in slow motion I looked up to see The gentle face and the kind eyes……. And the winning smile He wiped away the last tear drop And with that magical smile he said, “In such a special place A beautiful girl like you should have smile on her face.” Those few words opened a whole new door And I started to dream again Nothing holding me back anymore. |