Listening to love stories

“So, you’re headed to the airport.”

That was more of a statement than a question. However, on long rides like this, and me riding shotgun because one of my cases took up the backseat, making small talk seemed only natural, even necessary, something to while away the time.

I answered in the affirmative. My driver Phil, was a kindly old man, who looked a little like Stan Lee, in my opinion. I had booked the ride well in advance, having heard enough about the Friday evening San Antonio traffic. I voiced my concern about this, and he said we’d make it in time, not to worry.

And on we talked. That I was from India, that I’d only recently moved here and was heading to Dallas for the weekend to meet friends and colleagues, so on and so forth. He told me he drove Uber as more of a pastime than a source of income, as he liked driving and that it wouldn’t hurt to earn a few dollars on the side. Knowing not many drivers were based out of New Braunfels, I asked him where he stayed.

He said he lived a few miles away, had been here only for a few years. He was originally from Alaska. That conjured up images of a frigid, barren wasteland, isolated from the rest of the United States. He said he’d be flying back next month with his wife to celebrate their thirtieth.

“Thirty years!” I exclaimed. “That’s a long time!”

“Yes, sir, that it is,” he replied with a grin. “That is where I finally proposed to her. I still remember we’d gone sledding that day. When we were done, I asked her to marry me. We’d been together for five years, and she was starting to get a little anxious”, he laughed.

“I’m assuming she said yes?”

“Of course she did! We got married soon after that, and here we are now.”

That set me thinking. How does one find someone, get to know them, fall in love, and spend the rest of their lives together? What does it take? A miracle?

“How did you know that she was the one?” I asked.

He shrugged. “Well, I didn’t know for sure. It just felt right being with her, and I took a gamble. But thirty years later, I can safely say, yes, she’s the one for me.”

I had nothing to say to that. I smiled and kept my silence. I wondered, where was the one for me? When, if ever, would we find each other? Or worse, have our paths already crossed and gone off on tangents? Was a life of solitude all that I was destined for, I pondered darkly, staring out the window.

“So, what of yourself? Are you engaged?” he asked, casting a sidelong glance at my left hand.

I told him I wasn’t. That I was single and wasn’t really looking for anything because I was tired. Tired of looking, being disappointed and let down. Better this way, or so I liked to tell myself.

“Oh, come on! How old are you, if I may ask?”

“I’m twenty-four.”

“Twenty-four!” he scoffed. “That’s young! There are lots of women out there, and you’ve still got plenty of time. You will find her soon, I’m sure!” he promised. Having learnt from experience, I somehow wasn’t convinced, but I said nothing to disagree with him.

We spent the rest of the journey in silence, for the most part. A silence born of different reasons. I could see him smiling faintly, a twinkle in his eyes. He was probably young again, back in Alaska, going down on one knee, and she was gushing with joy, her tears falling with the snow. I didn’t want to break his train of nostalgia. On the other hand, I was in a dark mood. Sure, it made you feel warm inside listening to such tales of lasting love, but when do you get the chance to recount one of your own? For once, instead of being the listener, would I not get to narrate? Although I felt glad for him and his wife, I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel a slight pang of jealousy. Towards him and so many others.

As luck would have it, there wasn’t much traffic. Just as he had assured me, we had made it with enough time to spare. He helped me with my luggage. I stood on the pavement and thanked him for the ride. After a moment’s hesitation, I extended my hand.

“This might be a little too early, but here’s wishing you a happy anniversary in advance.”

He beamed as he shook my hand.

“Thank you so much! And don’t give up yet. You will surely find her!”he cheered.

I chuckled and watched him drive away. Maybe I will, maybe I won’t, I thought, as I walked towards the open doors, my baggage trailing behind me.

Only time would tell.