The Lost and Found of Love

Carman liked to sit in the corner window of the coffee shop to read. It gave a view of the whole room, the people walking by on the street, and gave the most privacy. People coming in did not immediately look in her direction and she could blend in, hide for better lack of a word. Living in New York, sometimes a quiet place was hard to find. She sipped her coffee, reading her book, and suddenly the hairs on her neck lifted. Raising her eyes over the top of her cup, she scanned the room. Her eyes locked with the man who had just walked into the shop. He was striking. Raven hair, an olive complexion, broad shoulders, but his chocolate eyes were what she got lost in. He had been staring at her, when their eyes met, he winked. Carmen flushed to her toes, her pale complexion showed every emotion; no one ever looked at her. That is why she sat here, in the corner. Being invisible was easier in a hiding spot. His wide grin showed he saw her warm cheeks. He turned and headed for the counter. When the eye contact broke, she blinked and swallowed. She had never had a reaction to a man like that, not even her fiancé. Thomas loved her. She still didn't know why or how. He had been the All-Star athlete, and popular, good-looking guy. She was the book nerd who people ran into in the hallways and knocked books out of her arms and didn't stop. She helped him with a class and they ended up going to the Prom and a few years later they were getting married. She set down her coffee and put her book up over her face, telling herself to ignore him and just enjoy the last few minutes of quiet before meeting the girls at the bridal shop for the final dress fittings. “May I sit?” A voice like warm honey with a slight accent she could not place, tapped the table. Looking up, she met his smiling continence. White strait teeth, clean shaven, strong jaw, his hair was long, falling in waves almost to his collar. Looking like he just stepped off of a romance novel with those long lashes caused her words to get stuck in her throat,  “Uh..”. His smile widened so much it almost swallowed his whole face.  “Is that a yes?” With her breath caught, she just nodded and started to rearrange the things on the table. She should not let a strange man sit with her, but for some reason she couldn’t help herself. So she decided fleeing was her only option. Swallowing and taking a deep breath, she finally found her voice.  “I’m leaving anyway. You can have the table.”  “That’s disappointing. I was hoping to learn your name. I am Maheen.” He sipped his drink, and leaned back in his seat, a small smile playing on his face. Carman could smell the Chi.  “Uhm..I’m Carman.” She stood, collected her items and stuck her hand out. She realized she resembled the scattered book nerd with her purse and book stacked in the crook of her elbow, her coffee balanced in the same hand and her other stuck straight out. Somehow, the confidence she had found in the last 2 years had just evaporated. He looked at her hand, then up to her eyes, then slid his hand into hers. When her cool skin connected with his warm one, a heat spread up her arm throughout her body. It was like his warmth wrapped her in a blanket. The widening of his eyes with surprise, showed he felt it too.  “Nice to meet you.” She blurted, pulled her hand out of his and fled.  Maheed stared after her. Her long blond hair flowing, the sun hitting it showing red highlights. He had heard of soul connections. His Nani talked about how she had it, despite her arranged marriage. As the matriarch of their family, they listened and respected, but never really believed. His Punjabi culture arranged marriages, and many times love was a dream. He was not getting married until he found love. He saw his parents love one another and would not settle for less. He was still staring, even after she turned the corner.  The heat flash she created in him when she touched him had not faded. The way her blue eyes widened and her pupils dilated told him that she had felt it too. Never having had that feeling before, he was sure that was what his Nani had meant. He did not know how to find her, but he had that feeling that she was his forever. He laughed at himself for his romantic thoughts. His father always told him he was a dreamer. He would keep dreaming if that was what they felt like when they came true. He needed to trust fate to bring Carman back into his path. He was not going to let her disappear again. “Thomas! Will you hurry up? We are going to miss our flight!” Carman rolled her luggage down the hallway to the door. “The car is here!” They had been married a whole 12 hours and he was already driving her crazy.  “Sheesh woman! Stop your bellyaching.” He stomped down the stairs with his suitcase. His wide shoulders barely slid through the hallway. His dark brown hair was disheveled, from constantly running his hands through it. He stopped in front of her, his green eyes sparkled as he scooped her up and kissed her hard on the lips. “We will make it baby. It is our honeymoon. Relax!” Thomas was laid back when it suited him, and intense the rest of the time. Carman felt they suited each other. She was a spaz, pretty much all the time. The car ride to the airport was filled with soft conversation, kisses and talk of their trip to Greece. The wedding was beautiful and everything every girl could wish for. Now they were on their way to the Mediterranean for a dream honeymoon. Thomas got out of the car and took Carman’s hand to help her step out. He had a lot of rough edges, but was always a gentleman. He kissed her nose and turned to get the luggage out of the trunk. Carman’s heart was full. She loved her life. She was going to school to be a teacher and working as an afterschool teacher. Thomas was working for his father's company and their future looked bright. She was so excited she babbled and walked backwards towards the entrance. “Thomas, you know what we should do first? We should visit the Acropolis.” Smiling indulgently as he carried their suitcases. “Whatever you want babe.” “No..No..we should go to the beach.” She glanced behind her to make sure the doors were opening. Then she turned to look back to keep talking, but her shoe got caught in the metal strip at the bottom of the threshold. She fell back, and landed against a warm hard surface, strong arms wrapped around her.  Heat rushed over her whole body, she did not need to look, she knew whose arms held her. It was a brief moment months ago, but it had seared her.  “Maheed”, she breathed. She had tried to force him out of her mind. Her day to day mind had been cleared, but her dreams had been filled with him. She loved Thomas and she was not going to let a stranger she met once derail the path she had set out for herself. Looking up into his dark eyes. He smiled into her surprised blue ones. “It seems we are meeting again, sweet Carmen.” They just stared into each other’s eyes. He held her close. Carman's heart was racing. She didn't know about his, but his eyes were dilated and that small smile was playing on his lips and his vision roamed over her eyes. “Uh Excuse me?” Thomas’s incredulous voice broke the spell and they both turned and looked at him. He had dropped the luggage, frozen with his arms reaching towards her. Carman jumped back as if she’d been burned. She didn’t know why she felt guilty, but she looked at the floor. Her face burned. She could not look at either of them. She didn’t want Thomas to see the flush on her face and was afraid if she looked at the exotic man again, she would jump, not fall into his arms. So she stepped closer to Thomas.  “Thanks”, she whispered. “You wanna tell me who this guy is, Car?” Thomas looked mad and confused, his hands yanking his hair again. Maheed turned and smiled at him, reaching out his hand. “Hello, I met this lovely lady a few months ago in a coffee shop. It was crowded. We shared a table for a moment. You must be her significant other.” With doubt, Thomas reached out and shook his hand.  “Yeah. Okay. Hello.” He shook Maheed’s hand quickly and turned, “Carman, we are blocking the door and we need to get through security, so we don't miss our honeymoon.” picked up the luggage and started to walk off.  “Yeah, Babe.” Turning to Maheed,”Thanks for catching me.” She gave a halfhearted wave as she walked away. When she turned around, he mouthed “Anytime”, and was staring after her, his face impassive. The smile was gone. Maheed was in turmoil. She was married. Fate could be cruel. She presented him with his perfect match, of that he had no doubt, but she was taken. He didn't believe in affairs, or divorce, or taking things that weren't his. He stood staring after her. He had a plane to catch, and maybe a phone call to make to his father. He may just accept that arranged marriage after all. She had never been on a plane this big before. There were 9 seats in rows of 3’s. They got a window row with an aisle seat for Thomas. His large frame did better when he wasn’t stuck in the middle. She sat in her middle seat. “Is it bad that I am hoping the window seat is empty so I can get a chance to look out the window?” Carman settled her bag under the seat. She always brought a carryon small enough so she wouldn’t have to get up if she needed something.  Thomas shook his head, wagging his eyebrows, “If that seat is empty, I will ask for blankets and we can join the mile-high club.” He closed the overhead bin, and sat down. He leaned over and kissed her. Smiled. “You are beautiful. You know that, right? But who was that guy? Like really! He stared at you as if you were his favourite dessert”  “I love you.” Carman’s heart felt full. “He was no one. I met him the day of my last dress fitting in my coffee shop. I was getting up from my table as he came in and he asked for my table. That’s it.” “Car, he knew your name..” He looked concerned. “He introduced himself. It was rude not to reply.” She leaned over and kissed him. “Thomas, you are my one and only. Please, let’s just forget about it and enjoy this trip. It is for us.” He nodded and started to put his arm around her. “Pardon me, but I believe that is my seat.” They glanced up to see Maheed standing in the aisle next to them, pointing to the window seat. Maheed had mixed feelings about the announcement he had just made. He wanted to sit with her and learn everything about her, but he knew he could never have her. Had considered asking for a different seat. If it came up before they took off, he would offer his to someone else, until then he was going to enjoy himself. “This guy again!” Thomas threw his hands up in the air and stood up. He opened the overhead bin and shuffled his bag, so Maheed could fit his in and stepped aside. Carman curled her legs into her lap so he could slip by. The look of shock and the flush on her cheeks showed she too was very discombobulated about the situation. When he sat down, his thigh brushed hers. The heat rushed to her core so fast, it stole her breath. He glanced over at her and smiled. “Fortuitous”, he whispered, then pulled out a tablet and promptly pretended to be occupied. He kept looking at her from the corner of his eye.  Carman chose to ignore him. She pulled out her chocolate bar and her book. She gave Thomas his Dramamine and snooze kit. It always tickled her that this big strong man got motion sick, so he chose to dope and sleep. He was snoring before the plane even started to move. Eye mask on and ear plugs in. She would wake him for a drink or snack when the flight attendants came around if it was something she knew he would eat. She slipped a piece of chocolate into her mouth as the plane started to taxi. The divine flavor melted over her tongue and she slowly swallowed it as the plane rose into the air, she slipped another piece into her mouth. Trying to be discreet as she tried to look out the window over Maheed’s shoulder. She loved to watch the ground slowly get smaller. As she broke the third piece of chocolate off, a piece fell into Maheed’s lap. He glanced down at the chocolate and then over at Carman. A smile broke over his handsome face as he realized she was trying to look out the window at the ocean, slowly slipping away. “If you want to look, I can let you lean over.” Jumping at the sound of his voice, she blushed guiltily. “Thank you. I love to look outside. Watch the ground get smaller. The different perspective from the sky, as it were” She smiled, and he thought his heart would beat right out of his chest. He picked up the chunk of chocolate, held it in front of her face. “And the sweets?” Carman blushed. “I love chocolate.” The cute look on her face made him laugh, but he watched her carefully as she got animated talking. “I believe that, but why now?” She sighed and shook her head.  “It is a trick I learned from a book I once read. If I slowly melt the chocolate piece by piece as the plane rises in altitude, I can get my ears to properly pop and not get airsick. It works.” She opened her mouth to put in another piece and he popped in the piece he had in between his fingers. Her eyes widened as his finger brushed her bottom lip. An electric shock passed between them. They both pulled back. Her hand went to her mouth, her face burning. He smiled at her. “Dry air.” Carman just nodded, and picked up her book.  “ Thank you, but I’m going to read now.” “The view is still there, you can still look.” He tilted his head toward the window. She tried to hide her smile, and glanced out. He leaned back just a bit, as she leaned forward. “Do you like the water?” she turned to answer, realized how close their faces were, and just nodded. “Carman?”  “Yes, I like water. I love it! Sorry, I was distracted.” She smiled. “Do you like water?” By the time the in-flight dinner arrived, she had learned he was from the Punjab region of Pakistan. He had come to New York for a month's long internship at NYU as an exchange with Oxford, where he was doing his business schooling. He was going to take over his family business one day and his father thought he should be 'properly educated'. He learned that she and Thomas grew up together and they were going on their honeymoon. The more she spoke, the more aware he became that he had just lost his soul mate. His heart hurt. Had he followed her that day in the coffee shop, would she still have married the snorting man in the far seat. But he couldn’t help himself, he had to know her. So they talked about their lives and their dreams. When the flight attendant arrived at their seats, “Excuse me, but is he gonna eat?” Her nasal voice and southern accent snapped the two out of their bubble.  “Oh, yeah, I will wake him. Give me his tray.” Carman felt awkward, as she took both meals and placed them on her table tray. Meheed helped her shuffle them. He smiled at her. She felt guilty. She felt like she had completely forgotten Thomas. She had sat next to him for the last 5 hours and had barely remembered his presence. She had talked about her relationship, but almost in the abstract. Not like the man was sleeping in the seat next to her. She felt guilty and ashamed. “Thomas, my darling. Wake up. Honey.. you should eat.” He stirred open his eyes, “Hey baby.” He sleepily smiled at her. “Thank you.” He took her blush as a compliment instead of the embarrassment it actually was.  “You are welcome.” She slid his food over to him and started on her own. Deciding to eat and not speak. They ate in silence for a few minutes, until Thomas broke it. “Well, it is true what they say about airplane food. It leaves a lot to be desired. So, Manhead, are you enjoying the flight?” “Seriously, Thomas, don’t go all jock on us now! You know exactly how his name is pronounced.” The annoyance in Carman’s voice was obvious, and she wasn't sure why she got quite so upset. She normally was;t so waspish with him, even when he was being a turd. “It’s alright Jaan. We men like to assert dominance around each other.” She didn’t know what the word was that he had called her, but it made her feel warm all over. “Yes, Thomas.” His accent made the letters in Thomas’s name sound backwards, and very attractive. “I am finding this flight quite enjoyable. Very relaxing.” Thomas stopped chewing and looked at Maheed, his face suspect. Carman just continued to look down and shovel food in her face. “You are correct though, this food is awful.” Thomas just nodded. “Car, babe, would you mind getting me another motion pill? This food isn't settling well.” “Yeah.” She scrambled to reach under her seat with the tray table down and not spill her food. Maheed, watching her struggle, lifted her food tray, and then helped with the tray table. “Thank you.” She whispered and got into her bag. She put her stuff back, as she handed the pill to Thomas. He didn’t even notice the exchange. c*****g her head, she watched him for a moment. He popped his pill and started to go through his messages on his phone. “You’re Welcome.” “Yes, Thank you, babe.” He didn't finish his dinner and was putting his things in order. “Are you enjoying your book? Have you finished it? I know you brought two.” He didn’t wait for an answer, but stood up. “I have to whizz babe, be right back.”  “Now that he has said that, he isn’t blocking the aisle. I have to as well.” She looked at him, agreeing, who knew when Thomas would be awake again. “Maybe we should take advantage of it?” He smiled and nodded. Stacking all the trays on his table, so they could slip out. He moved deftly for a big man. They moved in opposite directions down the aisle. Per his habit, he watched her walk away. He had a feeling this was going to become a thing.  Somehow, Carman made it back to the seats first and chose to situate herself and get out her stuff for a nap. They still had 4 more hours in the air and she needed to distance herself a little from Maheed. Thomas flopped down in the seat next to her and flung himself out. “Don't fall asleep until our seatmate gets back. I really don't want him to trip over you and fall on me.” Thomas turned his head and smiled at her. He watched her arrange her neck pillow and the blanket the flight attendant gave her. “Can I throw my legs over yours once he gets back?” “Anything you need babe.” He leaned over and kissed her forehead. She smiled, he was sweet and she did love him. “Excuse me.” Ugh! How is it that her husband can kiss her, but it doesn’t make her feel as warm as that man’s words. They scrambled to get up and let him sit. As he sat down, Camran made sure to put her eye mask on quickly and curl up against Thomas. Maheen smiled sadly as he watched her pull away from him. They had conversed about many things and he found her fascinating. If she felt even half the attraction he did she was probably confused. He decided that sleep was a good idea and called the flight attendant for a pillow and blanket.  A soft touch on his shoulder pulled him from sleep. He looked over and saw her head had fallen back on his shoulder. She looked ridiculous, her legs splayed over Thomas’s, her head back on his shoulder, her mouth open, emitting a tiny little snore. It was the cutest thing. He smiled and, before he could stop himself, kissed the top of her head. She sighed in her sleep, rolled towards him, curling her feet up to her chest in a ball and set her hand on his arm. He knew he should feel bad, but he just felt calm. He laid his head on hers and promptly fell back to sleep.  Thomas stared at them with an enigmatic look on his face. He wanted to be angry, but he knew how she slept. She flopped around like a fish out of water. She had on more than one occasion whacked him in the face. He was a little surprised she had managed to stay in the seat. So the fact that she had flung herself across the other man didn’t surprise him. He didn’t like it. He just waited. He wanted to see what happened when they woke up. Maheed stirred first, and he lifted his head and looked down at her smiling. He just stared at her, didn't even bother looking around. It was obvious the man liked her. He was good and looking and exotic, so he understood her getting a little revved up. Hell, he got revved up from time to time by some of the hotties that walked the streets of the city. His Car was beautiful. It took him awhile too see it. She never wore make-up. She had a natural look that got passed over unless you looked a second time, and unfortunately people didn't look a second time. He was glad he did. She was worth it. She looked up and smiled back at him in the moment before she fully woke up. For several moments, they were lost in the gaze. Carman snapped out of it first, jerked back and apologized, making excuses for her weird sleeping habits. Maheed used that word again, Jaan, he really wanted to know what it meant. They both looked at Thomas at the same time. She looked embarrassed and flustered. He didn’t even look ashamed. Thomas realized that she had never smiled like that at him upon waking. She usually growled and mumbled about how 'waking up was the devil'. Yet, she was his wife and he would keep her whatever the cost. “You guys have a good sleep?” His nostrils flared a little as he spat out the question. Carman ducked her head and didn’t say a word. Maheed c****d his head at her reaction. He understood the man's jealousy, he felt it himself. Looked Thomas in the eye, “Yes, I don’t think I have ever slept as well on a plane. Your wife is a comforting soul. I hope you treasure her as much as she deserves.” He didn’t like how the vibrant, excitable woman he spent several hours talking to retreated into herself at the sound of just a few words. She whipped her head around to look at him so fast it made him chuckle. “Careful Jaan, you will hurt yourself, you keep that up.” She worked her mouth, but no sound came out. Thomas’s arm slipped around her shoulders. “Don’t you worry. I take care of what is mine.” Carman was starting to feel very uncomfortable between the two men. She wasn’t completely sure what was going on, but she knew it wasn’t good. She started to try and say something, but before she could, the announcement to put on seat belts as they were approaching London-Heathrow Airport came on. They didn’t speak as they all got arranged and the attendants collected the blankets and pillows. The landing was tense in their aisle as both men radiated frustration and jealousy and Carman just felt confused. She didn't understand it. Why was she gaining the attention of a stranger, and Thomas should know she loved him! She married him for goodness sake. The plane doors opened and Thomas stood up quickly, immediately opening the overhead bin, grabbed his bag, and offered his hand to help her stand up. He then quickly ushered them to the front of the plane. Making sure that Maheed couldn't follow them. It was a statement and Maheed knew she was gone.