Somebody slides into the empty chair.
The fourth one, unoccupied.
I don't look up but I know it's a man.
He's talking with his friends.
His bold voice, the accent,
I catch the words only.

He laughs, full throated, free.
Instinctively I raise my eyes to look.
The new comer cracks a joke and grins.
I suddenly remember my manners.
I'm staring at a senior, shamelessly.
I lower my eyes but their conversation continues.
And try to steal a glance in his direction.

The twinkling in his eyes baffles me.
They were full of a childish mischief.
Then he got up to leave and once again,
I shrink back into my own mind.

"So, what about you?"
The same voice startles me.
I find myself looking at a gorgeous smile.
He's back, at the same seat.
"I... I..." I don't know what to say.

"First year or second year."
I break out of my trance.
The conversationalist me takes over the introvert.
We talk, mostly about unimportant things.
The pace of my eating slowed.
Deliberately buying more time.

Everytime I look into his eyes,
Searching for the disdain,
The disgust with which some people,
The to be doctors on campus look at us.
There is nothing, just a curiosity,
A warmth, a friendliness which takes me by surprise.

"What's your name?"
"Where are you from?"
Simple questions,
A normal conversation.
But something was different.
I couldn't fathom what though.
I knew I couldn't prolong time any longer.
I had to get up.

He smiled, waved me a bye.
Yet another simple gesture.
His eyes, molten black,
I felt happy, for a second,
Flustered too, really light and free.
When I returned, he was gone.
I hadn't asked his name even.
I can't curse myself enough.

My eyes frantically search for him.
Orange shirt, my eyes dart around.
He's outside the canteen,
Talking, smiling again, the melting smile.
I want to go to him.

"Hey, what's your name?"
I practice to myself,
Letting the words roll over my tongue.
But I can't,
My feet are heavy.
He'll think I'm being too nosey.
But hey, he knows my name too.
But he's a senior,
But so what?
No. Nothing.
Hell...I can't bring myself to talk.

The introvert is back.
Pressing down on my throat.
I watch helplessly as he goes away.
I turn back with a resolve.
I'll definitely get to know him,
There is something mysterious,
Something unreachable, elusive.
I'll unravel it someday.

A/N
One fine day like a bolt from the blue.
Taadaaa... I met the vivacious you.