(Adapted from a 2011 unpublished original)

It was a full moon night with occasional rain showers.

We looked at each other. Staring eyes. She stopped reading her book. Me too.

As if that one look meant the universe to both of us. In an instant, a lightning-like feeling hit me. Was it love at the first sight? Gazing at each other. A glowing smile. Somewhat idyllic.

And then, suddenly again, the lights go green.

Our buses go in different ways.

That was the last point where the lines ran in the same road.

We know that we will never see each other in the same way again. Whether we can meet again, that is a bet I would not place my chips on.

And if we do, it will never feel like the first time.

And if it is, we will no longer recognize each other among the people in the dense night.

But the city can’t afford to stop.

Neither can we.