The announcements were running just as usual, and the crowd at the Indira Gandhi International airport was tight as usual. People were busy looking around the place, and many were busy buying gifts for their friends and loved ones ( it was duty-free).
Only my flight en route to Jodhpur was running late by a couple of hours, and all I could do was stand and stare at the Display which was showing- DELAYED.

With still a couple of hours in my hand, I looked around, and the only Appealing place was the book store located on my right.
Dragging my bag which, appeared to dance on the smooth tiled floor, I made my way towards the book store.

The collection was Awesome, and the variety of genres was commendable, but I being a writer, was more interested to see just in case my book was available there.

The shelves in the shop made it look like a maze, and the illuminations were making it more vibrant.

I Was walking around, so engrossed in a book that I hardly noticed when I suddenly banged into someone.
Looking down, I saw a girl trying to gather up her pile of books, which was quite a lot to carry.
I am sorry, I said as I bent down to pick up the books, and just as I was about to pass her the last book, my eyes caught hold of hers, and everything went blank.
Flaunting a Black shirt with denim jeans and a pair of ankle-high boots, there she was, with straight jet black hairs flowing down like silk she was a sight to behold. The flicks on her right were covering her eyes as if shielding them from my Sight.

A slight wrinkle of tension on her forehead was visible as she tossed her books over to see if they were damaged. Her eyes were magical enough to petrify anyone who took even one glance at them.

One of the books caught my eyes as I looked at the name, artistically crafted on the first page -
NAVYA

I got back to my senses just as her voice echoed in my ears.
I am sorry, I was too engrossed in my book to see you coming, she said, handing over my books as she got up.

More or less same here, even I was reading my book, and we realized that the book we had in our hands was the same - Everyone has a Story, by Savi Sharma.

That is a coincidence, I said, looking surprised.
Well, it sure is, she replied.
I am Rahul. I said, extending my hands
Navya, she replied.
Nice meeting you. I said, although quite dramatic meet, it is.
I swear she said as she pulled her hairs to the back of her ears.
We decided to go for a book hunt together in that Huge book store after-all a company is always a good option.

We ransacked every rack possible before leaving with a dozen of books each.

Unexpected things vanish just as fast as they come, and the same was about to happen with me.

Navya and I both were busy on a call when I went to the washroom, and it took me a bit too long. When I came back, the seat in front of me was empty, and my coffee mug was holding a small handwritten note -
It was nice meeting you Rahul, see you again soon.

I was disappointed that she left suddenly with no means to contact her, but at the same time, I was happy that I met her.

The loudspeakers at the lounge announced my name, and I rushed towards the boarding gates.
Completing all the formalities, I took my seat at the window and, taking out my, laptop got engrossed in writing, just as usual.
Hardly had some time passed when a voice interrupted me, Excuse me, can you shift your bag, please.
Without even looking up, I shifted my bag beneath my seat and continued my work.
I was so engrossed in my writing that I did not even bother to look at who was sitting beside me until the moment she said -I agree I left suddenly, but I did say we will meet soon, else I would have left my number for sure, and I jumped hearing that.
There she was, sitting right beside me, trying to hide her smile and her flicks, still trying to cover her eyes up.
The blown-away look was evident on my face, and she waved at me to get me back to my senses.

How the hell, and before I could complete my sentence, she said - I saw your tickets in the book that you left on the table while you went to the washroom, so I thought let's make it fun and surprising for you.

I sat back in my seat, still trying to get myself together, and she sat there looking at me.

Our flight was ready to take off,f and I looked at her as she adjusted herself In her seat.
Just as our flight took off, I turned towards her and said -So, this trip is the last meeting, or can I consider it the first.
She smiled and said - Looking at the collection of books we have and the taste that we share, I will say, this is just the first one and a pretty good one, to be honest.

Delhi to Jodhpur never was so Amazing a journey as that day, and that meeting was the best random encounter with anyone ever, and needless to say, it was not just the last one, but the start of many more to come.

© inked_heights