There was a time when I used to be upset that I am not charming. I felt jealous when a classmate impressed a girl with a snap of his finger. But with time I have grown patient and realized 'if its not to be its not to be.'
Few days back that urge to be charming once again seized me. I was at a railway station ticket counter in Kolkata. The queue was not very long. When turn came for the man in front of me something focused my attention to the woman behind the counter. She might be in her early forties but she looked younger and prettier than her age. She wore glasses and seemed a little frustrated with her job. May be she has two children and a jobless husband to feed.
Anyways what focused my attention was an argument between the man infront of me and the woman.over change (money). The man gave a Rs. 100 note while the ticket was for Rs. 5. Obviously the woman refused. Then the man started to speak in an inappropriate manner. At the peak he said, 'I know some politician from Bihar. I will take your glasses off.' The woman seemed not an expert in arguments and her voice shook while speaking. But she seemed brave and didn't hesitate to counter him her best.
Then the train arrived and the man left. When my turn came I saw her eyes. She was in the verge of crying. She might be 40 plus but she looked vulnerable like a child.
I booked my ticket and left. On the way I thought only of the incident. I know what 'not being able to kick back' feels like and over that she is a woman.
Only thing I wished was to lean by the counter like Leonardo DiCaprio in Catch Me If You Can and say like he said to the pretty cashier in the bank while faking his cheque
'Listen. Did someone tell you that you have the prettiest eyes?'
All I wanted is to charm her to stop her crying.