More than words
Posted by james on December 16, 2011
“What a wonderful day,” she exclaimed, taking in the fragrance of the flowers that lined the road, creating the illusion of a welcome carpet. On a day like today, it would have been difficult to find her out on the streets, seemingly without any care in the world. Her life was akin to a whirlwind composed of equal parts responsibilities, work, discoveries and a dash of adventure to boot. In the midst of it all, catching up with friends was a luxury, one that she enjoyed rarely.
He entered the building with a sense of trepidation that had been rising in its intensity since the time he left home. This was going to be his third visit to this shop and for a change his heart was not in the task. That particular statue was very rare, the proprietor had warned him on his first day. But they urged him to come a second time and when that too had failed, a third visit was thrust upon him. The cool blast of the air-conditioning matched the frigid sense of what little hope that was present in his heart.
“Wait for me,” she exclaimed in mock frustration, at her companions. A closer look at her and one would discern a hint of a pout, not wanting to be left out of anything. Her companions stopped by a tree and contemplated their destination once again. It was just a short distance away and they decided the exercise would be good. The road was smart and beautiful and the company warranted a walk.
He reached the front desk. It was a different person who was manning the place. “How may I help you sir?” she asked. He explained about the object that he was in search of and how the owner had requested him to come today. The owner had gone out for lunch, she apologised but would he care to wait till he came back? He thought about it for a while and decided to finish this once and for all. If not today then am not meant to have it, he philosophised. He nodded his acquiescence and walked around the shop.
They were almost there. Just a few blocks and their tired legs would find the rest that they screamed so desperately for. To pass time, they resorted to singing songs. Passersby looked at the trio with wonder. Old heads shook, as if to say ‘kids’. A passing motorbike, laden with youth whistled out their approval. Carefree, in the full summer of their lives, they marched on.
The shop sat just beside the road. It was a personal whim of the designer to install French windows so that one might get a feeling of being on the road itself. He was standing at the window, watching the world go by. The owner, the girl assured him would be back in half an hour. He looked at his watch. Ten minutes were left. He carried his gaze upwards and continued to look outside. The steady humming of the a/c and the drowsy stillness of the day became intoxicating and his mind soon wandered off.
She stooped to adjust her dress and as she straightened up, her gaze went to that antique shop on the opposite side. She had visited that establishment a couple of times and she was proud to say that she knew the owner rather well. Still the mannequin at the window was a recent addition and to her artistic mind, it was a welcome touch. She admired at the craftsmanship. It was so lifelike. They even got the clothes right. “Hey look at the mannequin over there,” she called out to her companions. “Doesn’t it look lifelike,” she exclaimed, just as the mannequin raised his hand and looked at his watch. Her mind flushed with embarrassment and her cheeks grew hot. Her friends were laughing to add to her trouble. She glanced once more at the mannequin and it caught her eye. She stood as if hypnotised, unable to break the connection. Slowly the man broke out into a smile, a hearty one that warmed the cockles of her heart. The blood was rushing through her heart with the same ferocity with which it had invaded her cheeks. She composed herself and walked on, giving the man one backward longing glance. Her heart was still beating as they reached their destination.
“Hello sir, there is good news. We finally got what you were looking for,” he heard behind his back. He turned around to find the owner. He continued his smile and let him lead to the object he craved for days now. The owner brought it out with almost a motherly care. It was a small wooden statue of a little girl, sculpted by one of the leading artists of that time. It was an ordinary one to look at but what entranced him was that smile which she wore on her face. It was something to die for. As he signed the receipt, he looked at the owner and then turned to look outside the window and smiled.
“Isn’t this just a wonderful day?”
