Met At Harrow

By Kimti Vaghasia

London, the witness of everything new I did in my life. Be it the first time I started living an independent life, or the first salary I earned to send back home, or the first step into a pub or the first drinks of my life. London saw me growing up. And so, it saw me falling in love.

Like any other girl of my age, I was waiting for someone to step a foot in my life. Someone real and true. Someone beyond my dreams. Someone who loved me with everything he had.

He was around me all the time. But as they say, you don't see the good till you haven't seen the bad. After five long years, some wrong ventures, heartbreaks, misunderstandings, sparks of jealousy, distances and an entirely new country, my wait was over. I finally saw him...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kimti Vaghasia
• Release date: Sep 15, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311585721

Kimti Vaghasia

Kimti Vaghasia was born and brought up in a city called Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. She was surrounded by communities with different lifestyle rules, which molded her life for early 20 years. Now she believes that she is free from those religious and cultural rules but still she have some effects on her. She is not a full time writer but she believes that her experience is valuable and unique, which worth writing about."Met At Harrow" is her first book. It reflects that how she had to follow those rules in majorities of decisions, she made in her journey to find a true love. She was inspired to write this book by her amazing life events, which brought a great deal of change in her way of thinking. She gave direction to her passion by this book. Readers will feel her life and will also inspire them to find true love, like she found her. It was fascinating for her and now its time to fascinate whole world.From her experience, she said, “the journey to find a true love is always a bumpy ride, but there is always a new dawn if you are ready to move ahead even after unpleasant breakups. Your belief will find you a new direction.”

Book preview

Meeting Unwanted

Almost 2 months from my first arrival to the UK, November 2006. It was sunny wintery morning. Having coffee in my hand, I tried to stay warm while I was waiting for a bus towards Watford at Harrow bus station, London. 8am, peak office hours. My bus was late that day; I was eagerly waiting, as I didn't wish to see that tomato red 'latecomers not allowed' look on my manager's face. Waiting enough for the bus, when I thought my manager would go haywire, I thought better to call her and inform about my possible delay. Just when I dialled her number, my eyes fell on a guy, our eyes met and he gave me a smile. I didn't return his smile.

I stealthily noticed him while I was talking to my manager. A guy with good height and built, charming little beard, and an attractive jacket.

I finished with my call. I though that I was mistaken, maybe he was smiling to somebody else. But then he started walking towards me. Next thing I noticed was that guy standing next to me and asked, Are you from GECG Collage, India?

What? Shocked and surprised, not expecting anybody to meet like that, words stopped in my throat. Finally managing to speak, Yes I was, but how do you know that?

He replied with inviting smile, I was in that college too, I am your old college mate.

Bluntly I said, Really, but I have never seen you before!

I was in same year as yours and I have seen you many times with other girls standing near Library, he replied.

Well, I never seen you in 4 years of my study, I replied immediately with a firm voice, attempting to make him stop talking.

Strongly hating that situation, I tried to end conversation there. Why I hated? Well, I did not want to be in touch with any body from my previous college in the UK. The reason being, I was a naughty teen in college days, who did not care about reputation and was known in college for some wrong reasons. But there he was, blabbering about my college and reminding me of the unwanted. I still remembered his widely opened eyes, were delighted to see someone known thousands miles away from home country, in the UK.

People started moving, when bus arrived. Ignoring him behind, I started moving ahead, tried to get on the bus quickly as possible and hoped that he would leave me alone. Sitting on the first floor while bus moving makes me sick, silly sickness since childhood, so I had to sit downstairs. On noticing empty seat, I rushed to it and thought he might go upstairs with his friends. But unfortunately he waved his friends saying that he was going to sit with me. I got annoyed but couldn't help it.

Grabbing another opportunity, he started again with his unfinished chat. In one-hour bus journey, he reminded me a whole college time and my friends. He claimed to know few of my old friends. I tried not to involve much in that conversation but he still kept on taking. I felt this strong desire to tape his mouth shut; his talk was driving me crazy. I was hoping that he would read my expression at some point but alas!

Just when I was about to reach at my peak of being annoyed, that unwilling talk suddenly turned interesting. He managed to get my interest on one topic that was his current part-time job in the UK. We both were students in the UK and our part-time jobs were on same bus route. But his job was paying more for similar job I was doing already. My girly mind started its calculation straightaway. Top up money would give me extra opportunity to pamper my self. So I decided to utilize my meeting, I requested him to get me a job at his place.

With a big smile, he promised me that he would try. But his stop arrived and he had to go. We forgot to exchange our phone numbers, may be I didn’t even want to.

Stumbled Upon

Few months passed, I almost forgot about him and his job promise. I hardly saw him again. We were actually playing hide and sick with each other. We both had different reasons to ignore each other at that point. But I wasn’t aware about his reason then.

I was working at fast food shop, which was at Watford High Street. One day, I reached early then my work time. I thought to utilize time in window-shopping; I can never get tired of it. Wondering around, my eyes stopped on one lovey dress. I was just checking how it would look on me in the mirror and I saw him, through the mirror. He was far behind me, checking mans clothing. I quickly hid my self behind the cloth rail and slowly got out from the store. That was a narrow escape. Phew! I did not know why I was hiding from him, may be because of his never ending talks the previous time.

After sneaking out quickly, I started walking towards my work. Seeing him again, his last conversation was going though my mind. Suddenly it reminded me his promise, when he said that he would help me get a job at his place. I thought to go back and ask him, but my conscience stopped me. I couldn't be so selfish. So I dropped the plan of going back.

But after few weeks my perception of selfishness proved to be wrong. This time opposite happened. We stumble upon again at Harrow bus station. I was going home. Decided not to be rude, I gave him a smile. But that was his turn to be rude, I guess; he started looking away from me, pretending he did not see me. I couldn’t figure out why he was behaving like that. He kept on talking to his friends like nothing happened. I was sure that he didn’t saw me hiding from him in that store last time, so there was nothing wrong that I did that he knew about. Never mind, my bus arrived and I left. I was a little shocked for a while, but who cared, I hardly knew him at that point.

That kept on going for another few weeks. But one day, even after ignoring each other at station, we had to come forward to get on the bus as we both were travelling in the same direction. It was busy morning time and people were rushing to get on the bus. Seats were occupying quickly. He was ahead of me, and he managed to get his seat downstairs.

By the time my turn arrived to find a seat, it was all occupied. Unfortunately, I had to stand. Bus started moving and unexpectedly, he called me. I looked back thinking he was calling someone else. Then he said with angry face that he was calling me only. I still didn’t moved; I did not understand why he was calling me. I gave him a strange look. So he shouted again and said that he was calling me to sit at his place. I was stunned when he said that and could not understand why he was doing that. I didn't want to be rude and so I went there and he kindly offered me his seat. 

Gratified by his kindness, I asked, Why? Its your seat.

His reply left me speechless for sometime, I was ahead, so I manage to get this seat for you. Its 45 minutes journey, you will need this.

Amazed by his behavior, I said, You should not bother about me, I am used to standing in long journey.

People started noticing our little argument, so politely he said, Listen, I am going upstairs. Before some one else gets this seat, you better sit down. I know you cannot sit upstairs.

I got speechless. Before I could say any thing or thank him, he left to go upstairs. I sat down, but he left me wondering. It had been nearly 4 months when we met first time and he still remembered that I get sick when I sit upstairs. It was really kind of him to reserve a seat for me like that.

But then why was he ignoring me before and now, suddenly turned to be helpful. I did not intent to give him much importance but he was worth thinking about that day. It was sure that he wasn’t ignoring me intentionally. There had to be some reason.

As usual my stop arrived first and I got off. I felt awkward to go up and thank him, so I didn’t.

Catching and Chasing

The Harrow bus station was like our unwanted meeting place. Now let me tell you little about surrounding stations, as it played little part in this chapter. Between Harrow-Wealdstone station to Bushy station, there was a national rail running and interesting part was that, those 2 stations did not have barriers at that time. Eventually, people could travel free between those stations. Of course, it was illegal and chances to get caught sometime. But it was quicker route, so I was using it in emergency.

Once it was big sports event at Wembley stadium. All roads around Wembley were really busy. Completely forgot about that event, I left for work at the usual time. Luckily, I got my first bus on time to Harrow station, but it was hardly moving because of traffic. Making lazy moves, bus finally reached to harrow station half and hour late for my next bus to Watford.

Just when my bus was turning to harrow station I saw bus for Watford already at the station. Fortunately that bus was late too. Normally bus driver doesn’t open door until bus stops at the station, so I could not get off quickly to catch next one. It was really close. I was praying to catch it. Watford bus was about to finish with loading, and my bus opened the door. I started running for it, but driver of Watford bus closed the door. I requested him from out side to open the door, but he gave me ‘Don’t care’ look and did not open the door. He wasn’t even middle of the road. That stubborn driver! 

Bus started moving. That was only reminding me my boss’s red pepper face to me on reaching late. I was watching bus going, and then suddenly I saw him in that bus. My desperate look pushed him to go to driver. I saw him telling something to him, but driver did not stop. It felt like he requested to open the door for me. Unfortunately, I still miss the bus. I was furious. That rude man could open the door but he did not. I felt to take revenge.

It reminded me to take illegal way to Watford. So I planned to take that free journey of train to Bushy and catch same bus again. That way I would get an opportunity to tell that driver how rude he was.

I went to train station and got the train to Bushy. After reaching there, I waited for same bus to arrive. And it came. With no choice, driver had to open the door that time. I told him loudly how rude he was. He looked at me like he was glowing to blow, but he kept quiet. I felt relaxed after that. My mission was accomplished. Everybody in the bus was staring at me. Then my eye fell on him again.

He smiled and showed me the seat next to him. I gladly accepted.

With a surprised look, he said, I really cannot believe what you just did. How did you manage to get here?

With surprise I asked, Don’t you know about Train to Bushy route?

He replied, I know but it’s expensive to come by train, isn’t it?

So I told him in detail about that route. He was amazed to hear about free journey. He said that even knowing that, he would never come by that route and rather preferred to be late.

I replied smartly, I enjoy things like this. I was angry with driver and I had to tell him off. So I chose emergency way. Its not a big deal.

I was one who just made illegal journey but he looked scared as if he did that. He said, You know, you sound really crazy, if you get caught, you will be paying fine.

I had to explain him about my calculative risk, so I did, Yes I know maximum fine is £25 pound, but I have already used that route plenty of times. So if I divide £25 with numbers of journey, its still cheaper!

On hearing that, he couldn’t stop laughing and said, You are unbelievable! But I would still never do that.

I still kept firm about my view and said, Then it’s your choice but I don’t mind sometimes.

Before we could talk anything more, my stop arrived. Bushy station is just few stops before Watford High-street station.

He said with lovely smile, Ok take care and enjoy your self.

Yes I will, but thank for reserving a sit for me last time and thank you for kind request to driver for me today, I replied with gratitude.

I smiled and got off. He was being like my Bus stop friend, meeting me around Bus stops all the time.

Grocery Shopping

We made exception that day not meeting around bus stop. We both used to live near Ealing road, Wembley. On that road, only Asian Gujarati people occupied the houses and shops. It’s full of Indian grocery shops and Indian fast food stalls.

Now