We went to Town

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We took the 2.41 train to CST. You went in the general and I in the ladies'. You were 3 compartments behind mine. You stood at the door and so did I. The train took a left curve and I turned to look behind. I knew I would see you standing there. And I knew you didn't like my standing there. You always cared. You were brushing your hair. You always did.

I smiled at you and you smiled back. We looked at each other for a while longer till the train straightened again. We got down and I waited for you to walk three compartment lengths. I saw you through the strange faces and saw your eyes searching for me. You spotted me and your hands went to your hair again.

You came close and patted my back. You always did that. I smiled and winked. I always did that. We came out and caught a cab to Regal. I don't remember which movie we went to. I don't remember if we even went to a movie. I remember walking on the footpath outside the Wales museum. And stopping by the guys that make pencil portraits. I wanted to get one. You wanted me to get one. You patted and I winked.

I took my place. I wanted to keep my cap on. You thought that was crazy. But that's why you liked me. I sat there looking at nothing. You stood in front of me behind the artist. You kept smiling. Passers by got interested. We had a crowd around us. You liked the attention I was getting and I liked the look on your face. You paid for the sketch. You loved the sketch. I thought I looked better.

We went to the Wales museum. You didn't like that we had to leave our phones at the security. You frowned at the stupidity. I smiled at your temper. I don't remember much of what we saw. I only remember we enjoyed ourselves. We laughed a lot. We went to the Jehangir art gallery. We loved some of the paintings. We were uninitiated about the rest. We had opinions though.

I don't remember much of after that. Movie? Play? Dinner? I don't remember. I remember taking the train back. This time in the same compartment. This time we sat. I took the window seat. I always did. You came all the way home to drop me. You always did. I sometimes didn't like it. You knew it. But you always did. You always cared.

I was tired. I didn't sleep. I waited for you to reach home and call me. You called. We wouldn't hang up.

You waited till I fell asleep. You always did.


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