The magic of serendipity

“Nothing in life is a foregone conclusion unless and until it is foregone and concluded” 

― Rasheed Ogunlaru

“It's all a series of serendipities 
with no beginnings and no ends. 
Such infinitesimal possibilities 
Through which love transcends.” 

― Ana Claudia Antunes, The Tao of Physical and Spiritual

“Throughout this journey of life we meet many people along the way.
Each one has a purpose in our life.
No one we meet is ever a coincidence.” 

― Mimi Novic

“Serendipity will take you beyond the currents of what is familiar. Invite it. Watch for it. Allow it.” 

                                                                                                      ― Jeanne McElvaney

"Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous." 

-Albert Einstein

She had an appointment with the dentist that evening; she was rushing back home. There was, as is ordained with every office, a deadline to complete a task on a day when you have a personal engagement. She had postponed the dentist visit thrice already and was in no mood to put it off further. She met her director to inform him of the fact that she was being forced to leave early that day. Her director, being a considerate man, agreed. She was making mental calculations as to how she would reach, driving down. Her mind was juggling between choices - of driving down and the less stressful choice of taking the company bus, due after 20 minutes. Ever ‘should I, or not?’ question in life reveals as to why the human mind, well, is indeed a monkey. She finally plumped for the car.

Her office was stationed on the 19^th floor. Office space is hard to come by; a premium. Hence many companies have their offices in a building – Hers was on 19^th, his on 13^th.

The lift stopping at the 13th floor of the building had significant impact on her. The heart would thump, the blood would get cold and at times, the beats would race.... Only to slow. She would pray as much to have a sign of him as much as wish not to. It is a weird feeling when you want and don’t want to meet a person.

The lift stopped at the 13th floor. It wasn't the office rush yet and she was alone in the lift, standing at one end near the buttons. It was him. It was because of him, the one personality who had thrown her life upside down over the past year and a half or so. It's amazing as to how perfect strangers, come together, become acquaintances, then friends, best friends, and unfortunately to being strangers again. You don't want to, it's unpleasant, but life, that's the way it is. She was reminded of a Nicholas Sparks quote – ‘People change. Circumstances change.’

The doors of the lift opened. she couldn't see anyone. The fingers of her left hand were searching for the 'close' button when it happened. Events happen in a flash.

There he was.... she couldn't believe it. She was leaving earlier that day and did not expect him, of all people to be in that lift; but strange is destiny.

Serendipity.

She nodded her head, as if in half an ask as to if he wanted to get in. Her face, radiant as it was, turned pale... The one that happens with chameleonic frequency when you don't want to be in a situation where you are forced to be in.

He, after half a nod, entered. Ah, she could not contain herself. The heart started running like a headless chicken, so much so that she could feel it pound in crystal clear Dolby sound. She went to the other end of the lift, the other corner with the buttons.

She froze. They looked into each others’ eyes only to unwillingly draw them back, like reflex action.

His green shirt barely helped him camouflage the sudden little paunch he seemed to be unwillingly patronizing. Of late, every day, that was the sole, sore physical grudge he had. He had played out of his skin to get to where he was from a roly poly mound of flesh that he once was.

The past ten months or so, she was living only on memories. Only memories. Nothing else. A chance encounter would elicit a nod, an awkward smile.... That's it. It was hard, hard to live this life, but she wasn't able to make much headway. They had more than feelings for each other, but something stopped them from sharing them.  

Do people move on? If not are they caught in a time warp, a myth, a web of lies, perhaps.... Which they only create? They were both sure that each had tried their best to eradicate memories, feelings, but of no avail and with no success.

This was like a permanent thought in her head, with everything else having the luxury of saying goodbye. This never went, rather, refused to go.

“Ground floor?” she asked. She was going to the basement as her car was parked at the basement.

“Yes,” he said, proceeding to press the button, which they eventually ended up pressing together.

He tried to start a conversation, knowing fully well that it would be as awkward as it can get.

“Leaving early?”

“Yes, I have an appointment with the dentist, which is why I am leaving sooner. What is it about you; you always stay late.” she asked, to his surprise.

The surprise was because she hadn't shared anything with him even after his probing questions over the past year. If they had been a couple, they would be called estranged.

 “Was a bit too tired today and hence I thought I will scoot an hour early. Not feeling too well.”

They both did not know what prompted them to have the conversation they were having. But it was all happening. She was only playing a role. He was, too. The role meant for her. And him.

His musk perfume pervaded the tiny area of the lift. The conversation was happening oblivious of the people flitting in and out of the lift at every other floor. Rather, every floor.

 “Of.... Of course. You aren’t known to take great care of your health. Office has been worship always, hasn’t it?” she said, with the sarcasm she was always known for and a strange kind of firmness he wasn't used to.

Unbeknownst to her, she was feeling good and happy at accidentally being in the right place at the right time, like bumping into someone at a place unplanned. This was a sudden feeling.

After a very short pause during which he was searching for a reply, or rather a reply which he would find appropriate, she posed, “I.... I am driving down... So if you want to, you may join.”

“Oh, no!” he thought. Aloud. Or was it “Oh, yes?”

For once, it seemed strange. All these days, nay, months, they avoided eye contact, at all time sharing only an awkward nod or raised eyebrows. There was something that day which stopped her. And him. Sometimes things happen, whether they are coincidences or whatever you call - fate or destiny, maybe, take your pick – but when they result in making you smile, you don’t want to investigate. Perhaps, you will be left with more questions than answers if you do.

The lift was empty at Floor five. Just when the doors were closing, an office boy rushed in carrying files. He got in, only to get out. He forgot something, perhaps? Or he wanted them to have a few more private seconds?

Destiny works in strange ways

She raised her head to look at him. Her observation prowess being top notch, she surveyed him in nano seconds. The musk was lingering out there and playing its part.

That day, suddenly, out of the blue, she felt an urge to connect with him. She felt the olden days. Why? She could not fathom why. There he was, before her, in flesh and blood, but she felt like how she did when she met him the first time. What is magnetic that connects one day and repels another? Strangely, it was happening to him too. Maybe if the bad things did not happen, he and she would not appreciate the magical happening.

The ground floor. She expected him to exit the lift, now that he hadn’t replied to her offer.

“Aren’t you getting out?”

“I thought you were driving me down! Aren’t you?”

“So, you wish to join me?” She asked.

He made a half nod at that and then it escaped. His smile, that is.

Then they smiled. Lovely beautiful smiles. Smiles with the power of lessening burdens, the power of healing, the magic of love, of life. For moments they were looking into each others’ eyes. And smiling.

They didn't exchange a word till they reached her car. She then pressed the ignition to whirr the car to life. Just like they felt a whirr to their lives, suddenly.

It started raining when they left the building.

How, what, why... No questions could be answered. There was something waiting to be felt that day - safety, care, security, lust, love... Whatever you call it. It obfuscated the past, rather the uncomfortable things from the past.

Serendipity. Maybe the universe fights for souls to be together. And wins. It makes hearts speak in the same language and heartbeats to share the same voice. We don’t choose one another, the universe does.

Perhaps it is how abstract that is.