A different kind of love

I first met her when I was around thirteen. She wasn't particularly good looking and she had an average body. She was not like the others, and was rather old fashioned. I used to catch a glimpse of her every morning while walking to the bus stop. I wasn't attracted to her so much back then. I highly doubt she was attracted to me either. I didn't know her that well. But all that was to change.

Five years later, I was formally introduced to her. I began seeing her more often, and took a liking for her. We started going out. Initially, I was a little selfish, and treated her as a prop to catch bigger fish. I'm sure she realized it, for she had her own strange way of telling me. But she never walked out on me. She showed her disapproval at my intentions, but she never deserted me.

It happened on one of those short drives. It was overcast, and that intoxicating smell of wet earth was in the air. I don't know how it happened - I fell in love with her. Maybe it was the weather. It could have been the music. I started taking her out for long drives. It was just so perfect. I would wait like crazy for Friday to come so that I could go home and spend time with her over the weekend.

It was a different kind of love. I took great care of her, for I loved her very dearly. We spent a lot of time going on those long drives. I discovered many things about her - her likes, dislikes and what not. I figured she didn't like the winters too much, and it would take me several minutes to lighten her mood. She would invariably start her day coughing ceaselessly, before I would attend to her.

There came a time, probably a year ago I think, that I believed I knew her inside out. I knew exactly how she would react to different behaviors of mine, and why she would react that way. She was mine. And I was hers. Being with her made me feel like a man.

Then it happened. It was decided that we were moving out of town. Believe me, a long distance relationship was out of the question. It was understood that there was really no future. So it was decided that we meet one last time.

It was a typically humid July morning. I awoke to discover that she was gone. They told me she had left town overnight. I was disappointed, for I never had a chance to say a proper goodbye. I would never see or hear of her again.

I'll always miss my first car.

-Rishi-