meant to be or not meant to be

It was one stormy July afternoon , the kind usually blamed for bringing lives apart.

Although , we were way beyond the route of this strangely named typhoon, still people were asked to stay in their houses. Due to the same reasons, the heavily clogged roads were somewhat expected to be empty. Well, it was my kind of a day ! I took my bike for a ride and one thing led to another , I happened to visit a client way out of town . By the time I was done it was raining crazy. To my credit , I gladly accept that I am terrible at making plans which is why I made one to take a trip to a nearby cathedral standing on the very same spot where I was stuck because of the rain for the last hour .

Though the rain had not yet completely stopped, it was drizzling when I started but soon it escalated and suddenly, it was chaos. The rain was pouring hard , with occasional drifts of wind trying to sweep me off the ground ! The thrill was ecstatic and there was not a single soul on the road. I was like a happy child, but hungry too!

I was looking out for a shop to have something, which seemed impossible. Also now there was water seeping into my clothes with added chills of thrashing wind . But, eventually I made it to a roadside tea shop which at the time was sheltering more of stranded villagers than hungry customers.

The shop was home to the owner and as it seemed, we were held in his drawing cum bedroom. With a stove cooking stew, and rice on the burner he let me know the shop now is closed for service.

He was kind enough to offer me a dry towel! I was shivering , it was cold and the storm didn't seem to be over soon. "It keeps pouring, the way it is ! This place will be flooded in hours." claimed one. "Don't worry my friend ! They said we're not on its course , it shall pass." another replied. Whatever it may be, I had never come across such strong winds earlier. The sky grew darker by every passing minute ! Stranded and soaking wet in my shoes, I for one was enjoying every bit of it.

The story took a round about in the time that followed. Stuck for so long now, waiting for the storm to be over we were offered chai and cookies and had all started to know each other , taking rounds and joining into the conversation. It started to turn out into quite a hang out, unexpectedly! A short statured man, waging against the wind rushed in with his umbrella, torn and crippled !

"Poor man, come join us! What were you thinking taking a stroll in this rain?" asked a man humorously. He looked a bit tensed. "Don't worry man. Here, " I offered him a cup of tea. He said, "thanks for this but I am looking for a car mechanic, its urgent. Do you know where can I find someone who can help me?" . "Sorry brother, but I don't think you will find anyone at this hour." "But, I don't see a car anywhere!"

He said , the engine died just around the corner! He had tried his best but couldn't get it started. "I am a mechanic, essentially." I said. "Shall we?" He held up the umbrella as looked into the engine .

"How can you be so irresponsible? This needs maintenance ! How long has it been that you've get this checked by a mechanic? The ecr valve is beyond repair and here" handing him the list of essential parts I asked him to get them as soon as possible. As I put down the hood I noticed someone in the back seat .

In the heavy downpour, I somehow rushed myself in the front seat . Seated on the back seat was a girl who was quite confused to see me . The driver knocked on her window and explained her the situation. "I am sorry to barge in like that without asking ! Might I ask, why take the risk to travel in such circumstances?" , I inquired. She said she was going to the same cathedral for a nun was in need of medical assistance. We talked for the next hour and half waiting for the driver to return, and in between I learned one of the many ways of how to stop a heart attack on the basis of one's preliminary symptoms. The way she talked , with innocence and grace I had never seen before. Momentarily , I found myself gazing at her eyes . I grew more and more fond of her presence , knowing she had chosen a life of service to the lord. Expectations and bereavement were out of the window and yet here I was , looking at love in one of the most unexpected corners peeping through a hole in the roof.

It's a bliss to know that the love you possessed was meant to be incomplete , unlike every other love story.