We both knew the evening would be awkward. The text messages arranging the meet were terse and polite yet they didn't fool anyone. We met at our erstwhile haunt but didn't know how to greet each other. A hug would have been inappropriate but a wave would have been equally hurtful. So we ended up shaking hands. Sometimes something as simple as an eye contact is the most difficult thing to do. There is always the fear that you could the eyes and lose all the restraint you have put on your body to not let the emotions bubbling just beneath the surface and let them out. Today was one of those days. It was just about an year ago that we had last met each other. It was right before she was leaving for the US on a year long work assignment. And a lot had changed since then. We had parted a couple of months back but there still remained the issue of iPod she had already bought for me and I had paid for. Today was supposed to be purely transactional but in actuality it was the closure both of us were desperately looking for. Letting go after desperately holding on to something tightly for so long is nothing short of nightmare which is why we were both reluctant to look at each other. She was staring at the neatly manicured grass near her feet and I was literally twiddling my thumbs.
I saw her make a decision and then dig around in the purse. The iPod box was out and was being extended over the table. I was very careful to make sure that while talking the box, there was no physical contact to spark off anything. I needed the evening to end but also wished for it to never end.
She got up. I got up with her. We both stood there for a minute without moving a muscle. She looked into my eyes and I looked into hers. I saw regret in them and she saw the pain in mine. We didn't say a single word but our eyes were talking. I broke off the stare and turned to leave. Then I heard her voice and my heart skipped a few beats. She said "I hope you like it."
I turned all the while dialling back the tears that were welling up just beneath my eyes. It was the most thankless "Thank you" I had ever said in my life. She said "Bye" and turned around and left. I slumped back on the chair staring at her exit, hoping to see her look back one last time but it never happened.
The moment she turned to leave, she wanted to turn back but she couldnt. Too much had happened since the last time she had seen me. She kept on going because she knew I would call her, or atleast she had hoped.
I got up, pocketed the iPod box, zigged and zagged furiously through the traffic and reached home. I opened the box, booted up the iPod only to find that it had one song on it. "See you again" by Charlie Puth and Wiz Khalifa. I listened to it and all the memories rushed back in a single jolt. I was wallowing in self pity when through watery eyes I saw a note inside the box. It said "I wish we could start all over again." I read the note thrice before putting it back in the box. My hands slowly reached my phone and found her number. With great amount of resolve, I hit the call button.
She picked up after the first ring. She said "Oh babe! I was hoping you would call me. I am sorry."
I paused for a couple of seconds before finding my voice.
"You better be sorry. You gave me a used iPod bitch. I want my money back!".
