THE FAMILIAR STRANGER

Part 2

           

It wasn't as much awkward as was weird, as to think that what under the sun made that woman find anything between us two, that made us look like we're a couple to her. Must be the damn movies she watches.

I looked at him staring at me and out of nowhere I remembered the face of Alex from Madagascar when he saw the tigress. He looked so damn lame, staring at Gia like that. And obviously there was no stopping me anymore. I was in peals of laughter.
I was apologising in between my giggles. I solid had no clue why I remembered Alex.

My laughing cracked a smile on his face too. But he was confused.

He asked, "What's so funny?"
"Nothing."
"You know you're acting weird?"
"Yes, but seriously, it's an inside joke."
"Okay"
"Let's get back"
"Yeah let's."

With that we walked back and sat where we were seated. Something had changed between us since the cafe incident. We didn't talk. But the silence felt comfortable. Like we knew what was wrong, yet at peace with it. I got back to my book. And he started sipping on his coffee. He looked like he hadn't slept for days.

I must have been at least thirty minutes into my sonnets and chill. 23:04

Time was flying. I looked sideways to check what my very bored fellow commuter was upto.

What i saw was beyond adorable. He had dozed off. His jacket acting as a pillow. His coffee in his hand. Probably empty. Wisps of hair carelessly fell on his forehead and his lips slightly parted. Astaghfirullah. I chided myself inwardly being so insolent. I looked away in a hurry irritated with myself. And then moved towards him and carefully took the coffee tumbler from his hand which was about to fall from his sleepy grasp and kept it on the seat next to me along with my empty one. He didn't budge. I was amazed how carelessly he slept inspite of being alone in one of the world's biggest airports. I mean no matter how much one gets used to the enormity or hustle of commuting, one cannot ever just be this careless. Sleep is bae though. No conditions apply when it's sleep, even if it be in front of the King of Dubai himself. Way to go, stranger.

I got back to reading. Soon i was sleepy too. Sleepy vibes from the person next to me. I had to keep myself awake. Mom called. She asked about how long till boarding. I looked at the clock. About 2 more hours. Or maybe earlier. After a little more chit chat about how truly over protective they are, my mom disconnected.

I switched on the wifi on my phone. I had atleast a score of notifications buzzing my phone to an utter trauma. Mainly my social media and the like. I carelessly glanced through and replied to some, ignored others, deciding to take in them later. Took a snapchat selfie. No, reader, don't judge me, i was feeling sleepy. I had to keep myself awake and active. I was about to take another selfie, when i heard a chuckle. I looked around to see this sleepy looking amused yet exhausted Tanveer. Embarassing. Getting caught while taking a selfie is no fun, i tell you.

"When did you wake up?"

"Just when you opened snapchat and made an expression of a far sighted dreamy supermodel"

I cleared my throat. I could just go hide somewhere.

"Umm, I was feeling sleepy, so i had to keep myself busy, selfies help kill time"

He raised one brow, skeptical with a ghost of a smirk lurking somewhere. God, i hate this guy. But did i say how he looked straight-outta-GQ. But that's only because sleepy people look really adorable. Astaghfirullah. My nafs has grown some feathers.

"Okay, your statement, my word"

Hhmph.

"Umm, you should probably go to sleep? Or is it your boarding time already?"