Castle in the air (901 words)

Vijay was always there at 8-30am in front of his apartment’s elevator. He was on the fifteenth floor, the topmost floor of the building. There was another young woman whom he found most days waiting for the elevator around the same time. There were many apartments on each floor, and he did not know in which apartment she lived. She must be around 25, smart looking, attractive, a bit dusky and wear her dress well to enhance her charm. He has never been able to strike up a conversation with her, as a few other residents invariably joined to take the elevator. He had seen her casting furtive glances at him. Vijay was a tall and handsome young man with curly hair that any woman would be happy to have a second look at.

The elevators were taking a long time to reach the top floor. It was drizzling heavily, and the sky was overcast. The morning paper had forecast a heavy downpour with thunderstorms. She looked at her watch restively and repeatedly looked at the display panel. There were none around. Vijay smiled at her and said, “Should be here anytime. The weather is scary.” She did not reply but with a faint smile, nodded her head in agreement. Emboldened Vijay asked, “I see you quite often here. I am Vijay in apartment 1516.” She just said that she was also residing in the same floor but did not indicate the number. Meanwhile, the elevator came. They were the only two occupants, and he pressed 0.  As the elevator started sliding down, he heard a roll of thunder. The lift was going to the thirteenth floor, twelfth floor, eleventh floor…..

Vijay said, “I am always scared to travel by lift during the rain. This thunder is scaring me. I am somewhat relieved that I have some company.”

Just as she replied, “I am also averse to using the lift in such circumstances, but I am in a hurry today.” Even as she was speaking, there was a loud thunderclap, and the lift came to a sudden halt. As Vijay swore “dammit’, the girl said softly, “The power must have been cut, and coolly, pressed the call button and asked for help.

She was told that the power had gone out in the entire area due to the rain and thunder, and that they may have to wait for a while. Looking agitated at the reply, she said that she had an important meeting to attend to and that all the papers were with her. Vijay replied, “There is nothing we can do except to pray to God for the resumption of power. It can take an hour or more depending on our luck, Miss, er. . .” Viji “, she replied.

They sat down on the floor at two corners and were silent for a while. Viji was afraid to be alone with this young man whom she had seen several times, but drew comfort with the thought that he was, after all, a co- tenant in the complex and appeared decent.. Vijay on the other hand was inwardly happy at the power break down and the prospect of spending an hour or more with this attractive woman alone in the small confined space. He had always watched her with romantic interest, though he had no occasion to cultivate her. He saw from the corner of his eye Viji casting stealthy glances at him.

 Vijay started fantasising about how nice it would be if she were Mrs Vijay. He told her that he was an IIT/IIM product, a vice president in an MNC bank, that he owned the apartment and that his parents were pressing him to marry soon.

 She looked at him with wide eyes and said, “Congratulations! What a wonderful accomplishment with a bright career. I hope a girl of your choice would materialise soon”

. Vijay took this as a subtle hint and was thrilled. He asked her what she was doing and was told that she had a PG Diploma from Xavier’s in HR Management and that she was with a reputed company. Vijay was doubly happy that if she agreed, his partner would also be equally highly qualified. He had already started building castles in the air.

 He moved slightly near her and asked in a whisper what she thought of him as an eligible groom. She broke into a sweet smile and said, “Which girl would refuse you? You are a talented and handsome hunk in a very nice position. She will grab you at the first opportunity.”

 Vijay concluded that this was an oblique remark to indicate her interest in him. He was on cloud nine. He decided to ask her out in the evening to take the matter to a logical end.

Even as he was rehearsing the sentence in his mind, the elevator became alive and started sliding down fast. As the doors opened on the ground floor, with many waiting there impatiently, he finally mustered the courage to ask her, “Viji, would you come out with me?”

 “Certainly, why would I not? How long do you think we should be confined in this sultry rat hole? Meet my husband, Ravi,” she pointed out to a young, charming man waiting at the entrance and waving his hands at her. “He is an IAS officer and a topper that year,” she added.