COTTON CANDY MAN

"Spectacular! That single word perfectly encapsulated the evening sky's breathtaking beauty – a mesmerizing fusion of cotton-candy pink and serene blue, layered together in flawless harmony. Amidst the bustling weekend rush in Bengaluru, where countless souls hurried homeward, I decided to take a different path. Instead of joining the frantic pace, I opted for a leisurely stroll. As I stood atop the Bayappanahalli metro station overpass, gazing at the heavens above, a profound sense of wonder washed over me. It was a moment filled with happiness, a hint of hope, and an unmistakable air of romance waiting to unfurl."

As I waited at the ticket counter, I gazed at the sky once again and whispered to myself how breathtaking it looked, hoping to experience its beauty again soon. I boarded the metro and as the train departed, I was taken aback when, at the next station, he entered and stood beside me. There was something undeniably special about him. Initially, it was the vibrant pink T-shirt he wore that caught my attention, but it was the scent that enveloped him that truly intrigued me. It felt as if he embodied the essence of the evening sky I had been admiring earlier. A smile naturally spread across my face, and I believe he noticed it too.

As the train continued its journey, it grew increasingly crowded, pushing us closer together. We were so close that I had to divert my gaze downward to avoid staring into his eyes. It was a bit awkward and somewhat embarrassing. I couldn't help but acknowledge the inner conflict within me. I found myself quietly enjoying the presence of this stranger, a sensation I might have despised in different circumstances. But sometimes, life surprises us, and we accept it for what it is.

Time flew by rapidly, and it was time for us to go our separate ways. The train doors opened, and I adjusted my bag before stepping off the train and moving forward. However, I felt an unusual pull, or was it someone trying to hold me back? I turned around, half-expecting a romantic Bollywood-style moment, only to realize that his pink shirt had become entangled in my bag's zipper. Just like that, the enchantment of the moment dissipated, replaced by a sense of panic. We were left with only two choices: either I re-entered the train or he stepped out. He acted swiftly, choosing to exit the train.

"Unfortunately," for both of us, he managed to disentangle his shirt and re-enter the train in time. We exchanged smiles, only to realize that the people around us were also smiling, having witnessed the entire incident. Just as the train departed, his friend shouted out loud, "Maybe next time."

I stood there, watching the train disappear into the distance, and then continued on my journey to catch my next train. The smile on my face remained, and I couldn't help but feel happy thinking about how he had chosen the gentler way to handle the situation. He could have easily shouted at me, but instead, he acted with kindness.

To the dear stranger, I have given the name "Cotton Candy Man" and shared this encounter with all my close friends and family.

It was a pleasure meeting you. Every time the sky bursts into colors, you will rush into my thoughts, filling them with happiness and bringing a radiant smile to my face.