I was desperately waiting for her. And the day came, she texted me in the morning that I’m coming your home. I was at cloud 9. I made all arrangemen...s. When she came inside i welcomed her in a decent manner. Offered her water and then soft drink. I played some soft and romantic music. I like ghazals of jagjit singh, so i played “tamanna phir machal jaaye agar tum milne aa jao”. I introduced with all my fishes and turtle.Thereafter we started chatting and she said your life is amazing. I said. Ek roti se kya hota hai? Neha ne lunch box meri taraf sarkate hue kaha. Bas bahut ho gaya kehkar mein uath gaya. Meine haath dhoye aur neha ke paas aakar bolo – ‘ accha , neha , mein chalta hoon. Ok . Bye-bye neha ne bhi muskurate hue kaha. Us din baad jab bhi office mein ham dono ka aamne-saamne hota, dono ek dusre ko dekhkar musukura dete aur haal hawal puch lete. Ek din mein neha ke pass jakar bola, ‘ aaj tumhare saath baithkar tea pine ki iccha ho rahi hai. To pi lenge meine kab mana kiya. Thanks.’ ‘No problem. I’ll be back with them in a minute,’ I was glad to turn away. I think I fancied the fireman. As I walked away, I heard the engine hissing, and looking back realised the face had disappeared to attend to it. I wasn’t looking for love. In fact I was enjoying not having any ties, being able to concentrate on the challenges in my job and relaxing with friends while enjoying my railway hobby. If you’ve never been on a Santa Special on a steam railway, you’ve actually missed a. The evening wears on with more silly conversations and laughter which help me forget my financial woes. Finally the bell rings for last orders, bet we decline and grab our coats. As always, Neil asks if anyone would like a lift home, and it’s an offer which I gratefully accept. When I’m the last passenger left in the car he asks me again about our earlier conversation and money being tight. I joke that if things get much worse I might have to start selling my body to buy shoes and we both laugh.