FACE TO FACE

We are two strange friends.

Strange in the sense that

neither I nor she knows

each other’s whereabouts

nor have we cared to.

In this strange city

where life flows like

a swiftly flowing river

the thin line dividing

friendships and strangeness has little significance  

and existence ephemeral.

I first met her in a

posh- restaurant while thinking over

the news of a brutal deflowering

of an young journalist by some sex-maniacs

in the sunset moments the other day.

Such events have started pouring in

getting to be the order of the day

where women could roam

in the thick of nights like free birds some time back.

The lady in her

sleeveless dark blouse, white saree

with her hair cropped sat face to face to me

and ordered a glass full of gin-lemon codial.

In the dim, cool ambience

she too must have been reflecting

on something which was better known to herself.

Though taken aback for a split second

I regained my calm,

gave a welcoming smile

to her and she returned it back.

I was coming to my last gulp of beer

and was in for ordering the second one.

she offered me a cigarette while lighting one

and taking a puff.

“The city is a roaring beast

and for escaping from the beast

we have found a shelter

here inside the AC restaurant

at least for some moments, NO?”

-She was poetic in her words.

I shook my head in agreement.

our talks went on for one or two hours

within which we did dwell on topics aplenty

if not everything under the sun

with occasional silence and deep sighs

playing spoil-sport.

Upon coming outside the restaurant

the city as usual was a roaming beast.

Wishing a big bye

each moved along in opposite directions.

We continue meet

once in a while not

knowing each other’s

whereabouts.

Neither have we cared to……