Have you seen Her?

The long tresses caressed her face just like the clouds holding the moon tightly in its arms, making her more desirable and irresistible. The dark eyes are an invitation to take a dip, deep down. Yet, something about her wasn’t worldly.
It was well past the time when women would dread being out (courtesy crime rates scoring high). And he was returning from work, tired after the long day. Tomorrow too didn’t look any different. Work was sitting in the pipeline already. Life had gained such monotony in the recent times that he had to fight hard to earn the regular sleep hours.
And today sleep was catching up fast. He was struggling behind the wheels to keep himself awake. The accident happened right then. Before he could realize and press the brake, she came right in front of the car. The car took its time to recover and climbed the pedestal with a huge lump in the bumper. He knew from the sound and sleep was too shaken to bring him back to his full consciousness.
He got out of the car to scrutinize the damage. The bumper was badly hurt to which he had an idea from the experience of long years of driving. But what he feared most was the damage caused to the human figure that had hit upon the car. He found her sitting on the pavement. “Are you all right?” he enquired and offered to take her to the hospital.
She looked back and nodded her head in negative. Her face had a weird appeal that left him speechless. Few conversations later, he heaved a sigh of relief in the knowledge that she was unhurt. The hours were too oddly to leave a lady on the street and he offered to drop her. To this she readily agreed and together they went on with the journey.
He tried hard to have a close look at her but something just came in his way and after a point he gave up trying. All he could see was that she was a woman of great allure. A woman who had a unique charm yet a certain grace that secludes her. She was distant and relaxed without any hesitation of travelling with a stranger. Though he never had any intention of causing trouble to her after such a lucky escape but it was strange for a woman to be so composed and oblivious to the situation. Not for a second she looked unnerved or shocked by the mishap. Rather she was as calm and engrossed in her beautiful world.
They hardly spoke to each other inside the car. She kept looking out avoiding his gaze and he concentrated on the road, too awake from the jolt. The mounting bill on repairing the bumper occupied most of his thoughts. The insurance won’t cover the damage and he was calculating the expenses already. Thank God! The casualties didn’t surmount any human injury or a police case. Next time, he would be more careful he pledged.
Right in the middle of nowhere, his co-traveller asked him to stop. He was lost in this own thoughts so didn’t hear her first. When she repeated again he couldn’t help but ask, “Here but why? I don’t see anyone.” She replied coolly, “Yes I know you can’t see but I can see my friends here. So please stop.”
Her voice had a sudden authority that made him to stop. She got out and thanked him. He asked her again, “Are you sure because I don’t see a life?” She smiled back, “Offcourse I am sure. And you’re right. It’s natural to not see something that doesn’t have a life. So have a great life till the time you have one because once you’re dead you’ll go unseen like us.”
She walked and disappeared into the darkness from where she had emerged. He couldn’t feel a thing and his mind went blank. If she were what she told him, shouldn’t he be very scared?
Years later, he hasn’t changed his job, neither the route. Nor does the oddly hours leave him aside. But his eyes keep searching for her whenever he passes by.

Pic Courtesy: Google Images