Footsteps.

The 2-kilometer walk has been my biggest concern ever since I shifted to my new home. Public transport is not available unless you reach the main road, which is fricking 2 kilometres away. Oh wait... it's not just one way. I need to walk this twice a day to get to college and back. At this pace, I might as well walk a marathon. Ugh, that’s senseless. You RUN a marathon. That's okay; I know I'm just illogical sometimes. But let's put all that aside for now. The kilometers seem long only on the days when Prachi doesn't show up. So thats technically not a problem as she shows up on most of the days.

I tied my laces and got off at my stop as usual, waiting a couple of minutes for the next bus to arrive. Prachi got off her bus and began to walk. She carried her usual black chart holder in one hand and a leather bag in the other. Her loose-fitting satin shirt paired with black jeans was mostly her regular look. The glasses complemented her round face, with strands of hair landing on her chin.

Our walking paces were different, but I kind of wanted to match my footsteps with hers as she walked. I had no intention to talk or make a move here; I just wished I could walk alongside her for a while. Would it be too rude to start a conversation with someone I had never spoken to? Well, I didn’t know. I just kept walking silently, minding my own business. I pulled my earbuds out to play something and accidentally dropped one. It rolled onto the road and, coincidentally, landed right at her feet. Well, they did something i could never have done.

She paused to look down and picked it up for me. Turning back, she handed it to me while I stayed in the same spot.

“Thanks,” I blurted out, surprised.

I tried to make conversation and jogged a few steps, ending up two steps ahead of her while she continued at her own pace. I slightly turned back to talk to her.

“Architecture?” I asked, pointing at her chart holder.

“Yeah,” her answer was crisp and clear, and she didn’t seem interested in continuing the conversation.

I decided to slow down, falling two steps behind again.

“Engineering?” she spoke, turning her head back as she walked. Okay, I was wrong. She was up for a conversation.

“Yeah…” I brisk-walked again. A Maruti Dzire drove right past me, interrupting the small space beside her.

“I saw you carrying a set square the other day, so I assumed,” she said softly.

“So... Thank god. I wasn’t unnoticed?” I didn’t know where the confidence to say that came from.

“Well, yeah. Why wouldn't I notice you?” It was nice to know she was contributing equally to the conversation.

I held my bag by the straps and continued to walk behind her.

“I thought you didn’t know me at all, and that it was just me who knew you as the guy from my building,” she broke the silence again. At this point, I felt embarrassed for not having initiated any topic.

“No, no... I knew you. Flat 306, right?”

I spoke as I took two large steps, dodging a speed bump and landing too far ahead of her. Ugh.. I should have taken smaller steps.

“So you did know me...” she replied.

“Of course,” I said with a smile.

“I kind of assumed you would just come and talk to me someday,” she continued, tossing a pebble with her shoe.

I was quite surprised to hear that from her.

“I thought you would creep-zone me if I randomly spoke to you on the road, so I chose to wait and walk with you from a distance.” I managed to kick the pebble out of my way.

“Why would you do that? You could have just talked to me instead.” She made eye contact, briefly turning her gaze from the street.

“Um... I did think of it. But I don’t know; I was confused.”

I noticed her slowing down to match my pace. I was trying to keep my rhythm as she spoke, but my feet were still struggling to keep up with her shorter strides.

“Confused? About what? Haven't you ever asked someone out?”

“I have... but that’s different. How about you?.. (I gave a pause that I strongly would conclude was more than 6 seconds)...Would you have directly said a yes if I had asked you out?”

I felt my nerves kick in.

She stayed calm as she approached a tiny sidewalk, trying to balance herself on it.

“You never know until you ask someone... Well, I’ve been noticing you for a year now. And come on, we live in the same building. Do you think I wouldn’t have inquired about you?”

“You did???” I laughed.

“Of course.”

The sidewalk narrowed, and I lifted my arm in the air just in case she lost her balance. Would she choose to hold my hand or rather choose to jump off herself? Though this question was there, i really hoped for her to loose her Balance and hold my hand right there.

Wait a minute... how Bollywoody would it be if she just fell into my arms now? Okay, I gotta concentrate. I think I missed something. Was she saying anything? Should I ask her to repeat? Damn, that would be rude...

“And... the security guy is also rude sometimes, isn’t he?” i missed some part of the conversation but i was familiar with the last sentence.

“Yeah, he issss... Totally.” I played along, but no, that watchman is a sweetheart who sometimes shares a cigarette and lighter with me.

The pavement came to an end, and she took small steps beside me. I walked with an unsure pace, trying to create space for her on the inner side of the road.

“So...” she paused.

“So...?” I responded.

“Let me be straight to the point. I’m not really interested in beating around the bush.” she spoke with a sharper tone.

I made strong eye contact through her circular glasses.

“Wanna go get some milkshake after college tomorrow?” she asked casually but it did sound intense.

“Um... milkshake as in...?” It was stupid of me not to take the initiative.

“As in... as in a date, silly.”

“I would love to... But... I don’t know if... If... wait, I don’t know if I should even say this... it’s not even supposed to be thought of right now.”

She smiled at me, walking slowly with her hands in her pockets.

“You can tell me whatever it is. That’s okay.”

We had almost reached our building. I looked around, not spotting any familiar faces.

“I mean... going out, as in a date... I don’t think I can think of anything beyond that right now. Yeah, I wanted to talk to you all this while. But I don’t know if we can ever get along. Of course, I’ve also inquired about you. I don’t think I’m ‘YOUR’ kind of guy, or for that matter, I don’t know if you’re MY kind. Is that too much conversation for the very first time?” I noticed her listening intently.

“You have a point. But sometimes, things can work out unintentionally.” 

“It’s nice to think that way... but not everything works that way, right? Sometimes, it’s better to go with the flow without any expectations.” I continued

“What if that’s the key? Have zero expectations, and things will fall into place?”

I was genuinely impressed with her mindset. But a fear lingered at the back of my mind. Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine that Prachi would initiate something serious. Seriousness was never on the list. Damn, this is overwhelming.

“That is a fair point,” I replied, listening patiently.

“You still don’t believe me, do you?” She gave a soft smile.

“Ariv! Look.”

She pointed at my feet.

My shoes were clean. I genuinely didn’t see anything wrong with my shoes or socks, for that matter.

I looked back at her, still confused. I don’t know what she was thinking right now. Yes, I can be stupid sometimes. But what was she even pointing at?

We had reached the building gate, and there were only a few steps left.

“All right, think about it. Things always have the potential to fall into place. But sadly, some people don’t notice how good the journey was until the paths divide.”

She said this as she walked left toward the lift. I stood there, zoning out, watching her walk away.

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The FOOTSTEPS!!!!!

She did notice me trying so hard to walk alongside her. That’s what she was pointing at... They had actually gotten along.. something i wanted.. but couldn't while i was trying too hard. 

Things do fall into place...

Okay, I’ve been an idiot. That’s okay. I can definitely make it up to her.

I ran to her while she was still waiting for the lift.

“The footsteps!” I said.

“Yes. After the paths drifted apart,” she laughed.

" Its just the paths,.. there could be more of the journey." I replied instantly.

“6 tomorrow? Trust me, I’ll make it up to you.” I finally took a proper initiative.

“Sure,” she smiled back, blushing.