A Bolt from the Blue ( 627 words)

The show was scheduled to begin at 6 pm. Uttara clutched two tickets in her hand for this film that she had waited for a long time. All tickets have been sold out, and the theatre was filling up fast. She was standing at the entrance for her brother to join her. She was surprised when her brother, unusually, asked her in the morning to come in a blue dress. However, she respected his wish by choosing a gorgeous blue sari. 

 He had promised to be there at 5.45 pm sharp. There was no trace of him. It was 6 pm and the bell had rung. Just then, her mobile came alive. It was her brother pleading inability to be present as his boss had detained him on urgent work. ” Uttara, I am sorry. Never mind the extra ticket. Please go in and watch the film. Hurry up lest you miss opening scenes,” her brother implored.

Disappointed, she turned towards the hall. At that moment, one young man came rushing to her and said, “Sorry, madam, I see two tickets in your hand. Evidently, your friend had not turned up. Can I use the spare ticket? I will pay even double the cost. I could not book in advance as I came to this city only this morning.”

She looked at him. He was a tall, well-dressed and handsome fellow and seemed well educated.” By all means, you can come. The ticket would have gone to waste anyway. You don’t need to pay. Just come along”, she said with a smile.

They found their seats in the dark. The picture had just started. A soft fragrance from his perfume gently drifted towards her. It was very soothing and light. He looked good. Would he be an unattached single, she wondered. Unexpectedly, his hand brushed her hand on the common side rest. She instinctively pulled away her hand and made sure not to use the side rest.

After a few minutes, he mumbled, “I am sorry my hand came in touch with yours inadvertently.

“Never mind. It happens by mistake,” she replied

When the intermission lights were switched on, he turned to her and said with an innocent smile,” I am Surinder from Hyderabad. I arrived in Bangalore this morning for work and will be staying here for a week at Hotel Stay Longer. I am an engineer working for an MNC”

“I am Uttara. I am a software analyst. My brother was to join me, but could not. Lucky that ticket was not wasted and you could come,” she replied

“You consider it lucky. I think that I am lucky too to find a gracious new friend,” he said.

There was no conversation thereafter as both watched the film till the end. Surinder then turned to her and said, "I have a request. Can  we have something to eat at the big restaurant opposite the theatre, a small recompense for your kindness?"

She smiled shyly with a nod.

That night, as Uttara entered her brother’s room, she heard him talking and stopped to listen, ” Surinder, it is good that our ploy worked. You could easily identify her in the blue dress. My God, I didn't expect that you would so quickly cast a spell on her, making her agree to eat with you in a restaurant. A lucky bloke you are. She is a gem of a lady for you." 

She realised now why her brother wanted her to dress in blue

Uttara heard her brother laughing as he listened to Surinder and exclaimed suddenly with uproar, "You wish to meet her again to take things forward. Ok, let me talk to her and wangle an invite for her birthday party tomorrow."

Uttara moved away before her brother came out, wondering at the likely denouement.