I was on the late night flight back home from Abu Dhabi. As I approached the waiting area near the gate, I looked around to see if anyone interesting was there. My eyes picked up all kinds of people – fat people, old people, ugly people. It would be a boring flight.

As boarding was called, we made our way into the bus that would drive us to the aircraft. I noticed a young guy, probably in his early twenties getting into the bus. He wore a cap and had a black backpack on his shoulders. He had dreamy eyes. His lower lip was remarkably thick, in a sexy way. He wore denims with a white, full sleeved T shirt with black stripes. Our eyes met for a brief second before his moved on while mine rested.

“The only thing that can make this flight pleasant is if that cool dude comes and sits right next to me”, I thought to myself. I recalled the flight a couple of years back when Gentleman Luck smiled at me and Vijender Singh happened to be seated right next to me. I usually am terribly unlucky with such things and almost always am seated next to ugly fucks of either gender.

We reached the aircraft and everyone rushed to board. I had a middle seat.

There was this young, ugly guy sitting on the window seat. Well, to be fair, he was not that bad. But he tried speaking to me in an American accent despite having bad grammar. That combination can be quite lethal.

“Right here. 13D.” I lifted my head to see who that was. I noticed the same guy in the cap with the nice lower lip lowering his body into the seat next to mine. I smiled within. Gentleman Luck was being kind to me again.

My mind started racing. Ok, what was I going to say to him? What could I ask him? How would I break the ice?

He reached out inside his pocket and pulled out an iPhone X. Not bad. Soon, out came a pair of AirPods. Whoa! We’re onto something here.

He made a quick call and spoke to someone in Urdu. He was banging away rapidly on Whatsapp most of the time. I kept turning to my left to look at him. I noticed a cute little stubble that covered only his chin. He spoke in flawless English to the air-hostess. Just my kind-of guy.

Soon, we were airborne. I felt foolish trying to think what to say to him. For a moment I thought, why do I need to say anything at all? In three hours and forty five minutes, we would be on our way anyway. Probably never to see each other again.

The next time I turned to look at him, he was asleep. He looked very vulnerable in his sleep. A tuft of hair fell lightly on his forehead. I felt like offering my shoulder for his head to rest. I felt like running my fingers down his cheek.

To break the tension, I turned to him and asked him to excuse me so that I could pick up my bag from above. He quickly got up. I got my bag and sat down thanking him and saying sorry for disturbing him almost simultaneously.

Was I being overly awkward? Was he seeing through my fawning?

I took my iPad out and also pulled out my AirPods. I instantly berated myself for doing that thinking he might assume I am trying to show that I have AirPods too. I put on my AirPods and started listening to some music.

Lionel Richie sang Hello.

I’ve been alone with you inside my mind

And in my dreams I’ve kissed your lips a thousand times

I sometimes see you pass outside my door

Hello, is it me you’re looking for?

I can see it in your eyes

I can see it in your smile

You’re all I’ve ever wanted, and my arms are open wide

‘Cause you know just what to say

And you know just what to do

And I want to tell you so much, I love you

I saw myself get out of my body, take him in my arms and plant a deep kiss on his lips.

I awoke with a start. I had fallen asleep. My head was arched towards my good-looking neighbour. Luckily it was not on his shoulder. I realised that the plane had already landed. Within a few minutes, he was off the plane. I looked out for him in the baggage collection counter. No sign. My reverie had ended.