34 - 45 The first look (random chapter)

"This is a bad idea", said Rajesh to Edwin looking at the greeting card with hearts all over in the Landmark store. Having gone through all the cards for the last half hour and having found the one which he felt was apt for his feelings Edwin felt let down. 

"Tell me again, why do you want to give this card to that girl, what did you say her name was again? Anita in the electric train?" persisted Rajesh.

"Ok, I know she likes me machan, I have been seeing her for the last two months as she takes the train home and she has noticed me many times. I can feel that she likes me" said Edwin slowly.

"Have you spoken to her?" 

"No! I was too nervous!"

"You think that she will take this card?"

"Yes! Look at the words, they were written just for me! God bless Landmark"

"Ok, I will come along with you but remember you will give the card alone, I am just there for moral support"

"There she is! And she is not surrounded by her gang today just a few, thankfully", said Edwin looking at Anita walking on to the platform in a hurry with 2 other girls, apparently her college mates since they all carried bags and seemed to know each other.

"Go on then, give her the card!" prodded Rajesh.

"Wait, I will give at the right time" replied Edwin.

"That is the Tambaram train coming on to the platform, you know that they will board the ladies coach, how do you plan to give the card?" asked Rajesh

"Oh! I will give it before she boards", replied a visibly agitated Edwin.

"The train is going to start, she is boarding!!! Go!" said Rajesh, pushing Edwin onwards.

Edwin rushed up to Anita who was standing at the entrance and thrust the card with the single rose they had picked up on the way. Anita was surprised but she opened the card, it took her just a few seconds to understand and then, she burst out into tears.

The girl who was next to her, picked the card, looked at it and turned back with a furious look.

It was her ear rings that caught his eye, realized Rajesh later. For some reason this girl was dressed differently, a long colourful skirt with a white top but then the ear rings made him look again. As the train moved away, he saw for the first time the lovely eyes, the angry pouting lips and those dangling earrings.  He could make out that the girl was saying something in the distance from the ear but it all sounded like music in his ears.

That was the first time, Rajesh was happy to have been a spare wheel.