Life is Zany: Life is a Song

“Mmmmm... that looks so tempting.” Vivek was startled out of his thoughts yet another time. It was Sakshi, looking longingly at the brownie in his plate. “I am so sorry,” pushing the plate towards Sakshi, Vivek said, “Have some”. “Oh no! I can’t. These things are really bad for me. I put on weight really fast,” Sakshi replied ruefully. “ I can’t live without having at least one of these each day,” said Vivek. But Sakshi wasn’t listening. She was staring at her phone – with a gentle smile on her lips. Then she typed something – blushing ever so slightly as she did.

Vivek busied himself in attacking his brownie, but he could not help stealing glances towards Sakshi. But oblivious to this, Sakshi continued her interactions with her phone. Then there was a brief pause and she looked up. Her eyes met Vivek’s for a brief moment and then she looked away. Was that a sparkle that he saw there?

And the jukebox in the corner was blaring Firehouse:

When I look into your eyes

I can see how much I love you

And it makes me realize

When I look into your eyes

I see all my dreams come true

When I look into your eyes

I've looked for you all of my life

Now that I've found you

We will never say good-bye

Can't stop this feelin'

And there's nothing I can do

'Cause I see everything

When I look at you...

Just then, Sakshi looks towards Vivek smiling. He almost splutters out his brownie.

“Hey! That’s a nice song. One of my favorite rock songs.”

“You listen to rock!!” exclaimed Vivek, slightly amazed.

“Yeah, I do. But only if it makes sense to me.”

“Yes, I would agree with you on that. Even I like songs that make sense. So you listen to a lot of Firehouse?”

“Umm, actually no. I’m not really a follower of any one particular band. It’s just the lyrics that appeal to me more. Especially if they are romantic,” she had a big smile on her face when she said that. And again Vivek thought that he caught a sparkle in Sakshi’s eyes.

When I look into your eyes...

And the song faded out.

Sakshi was lost once more in her phone. And Vivek in his thoughts about Sakshi. “What luck!! She likes the same songs that I do.” thought Vivek.

“Hey listen, you’re gonna love this song,” he exclaimed to Sakshi, tapping his finger on the table to get her attention. She looked up and turned her attention to the music. The jukebox was playing Avril Lavigne:

I like your smile

I like your vibe

I like your style

But that's not why I love you

And I, I like the way

You're such a star

But that's not why I love you

Hey

Do you feel, do you feel me?

Do you feel what I feel, too?

Do you need, do you need me?

Do you need me?

You're so beautiful

But that's not why I love you

I'm not sure you know

That the reason I love you is you

Being you

Just you

Yeah the reason I love you

Is all that we've been through

And that's why I love you...

At first Vivek was lost in the song. Another bout of dreamy thoughts about Sakshi. For a brief moment he turned towards Sakshi.

And she smiled. A smile like the one Vivek had never seen before. Vivek’s heart skipped a beat when he saw the way her face lit up when Sakshi heard that song. He was still staring at her with a spoonful of brownie in his hand just inches away from his mouth when she spoke.

“Yeah I love it. It’s beautiful. Really wonderful,” exclaimed Sakshi.

The brownie fell plop back into its place after having spent a lot of time in limbo contemplating whether to go onward into the oesophagal tract of Vivek or stay put in the spoon.

“Anyways I got to go. I’m getting late. See you tomorrow Vivek. Been nice talking to you.”

Getting up, Sakshi picked up her stuff and walked out of the door. And Vivek was left there dreaming about that sparkle in her eyes and that lovely smile.