The Neighbor

As I looked out of the window with my morning cup of coffee, a van that seemed to belong to the movers came and stopped in the neighbor's driveway. A bunch of boys quickly got down and one of them who seemed to be their supervisor began to shout orders at them to move it!

Furniture that seemed to be very expensive was carefully carried inside piece after piece. And finally after about six to seven hours, the hustle died down and the voices slowly started to drift away.

I was bursting with curiousity to see who had moved into the house next to mine. I could hardly wait till the next crack of dawn and finally when I couldn't wai any longer, I decided to carry a quick bite of dinner for my new neighbors, late that very evening. As I was walking up their driveway, I felt a familiar sense of excitement - it always excited me no end when I had to meet new people. I perceived this an opportunity to know people, their attitudes, the million different personalities and the hundred other ways each person's mind ticked away! The human canvas always intrigued me.

I reached the doorstep, and rang the door bell. After what seemed to be a brief 30 seconds, I heard a flurry of footsteps inside, right behind the door. I patiently kept waiting for the door to open. Me, ready with a bright smile and a welcome-to-the neighbourhood speech ready on my lips. But nothing happened. I kept patiently waiting shifting my weight from foot to foot. After a good 15 minute wait at the door and repeated ringing of the doorbell, when nothing seemed to happen, I decided to give up and turn around. I just left the food at the doorstep and left with a puzzled expression on my face.

The next morning, during my coffee routine of looking out of the window I saw the woman! So, she is my neighbor I thought to myself. She was indeed a very beautiful woman, with hair that glittered like gold in the sun - tall and poised.
I quickly approached my end of the fence to pipe in a hello, and to accept her thank you for the food last evening. I barely reached the fence, and she quickly turned on her toes and dissappered into the house. But before she went in, she signalled and waved at me from the doorway, and threw me a smile- that meant nothing to me!. I had caught a glimse of her eyes - they were filled with the softest look, filled with a million expressions in that brief moment!

I felt blood rush to my face - I was angry. She certainly did not have the courtesy and manners to match her ethereal beauty, I thought. Like all humans I think I wanted to quickly satisy myself that she lacked something too. She had a fault, and I had found it! I quickly came back in.

In the week that followed, on one of the days I was busy shopping for groceries at the local store. I thought I saw a familiar figure paying at the cashier's - I quickened my pace and as I stepped past the people, carts, kids, I saw that she was already at the door. She again smiled a fleeting smile in my direction and dissappeared. So, she did recognize me! Now what hurt most was that inspite of knowing it was me, she had ignored me! Amazing. I had never met someone so arrogant. And what was she proud of afterall ? Didn't she know that looks and wealth were never permanent? Here I was trying to extend my hand of friendship to her, who was new to the neighborhood and she kept thwarting me ? It hurt.

The next Sunday, one of the neighbors had a pool party that was the highlight of the summer in the neighbourhood. As I was busy munching on the goodies and explaining the flaws in a latest movie to a friend, I saw her walk in. Elegant and beautiful. All heads turned and there was a brief moment of silence. Before I knew, my exuberent hostess ran to receive her, and gave her a big welcome hug. I never got one from this very host, inspite of being the best neighbor ever - I walked her dogs, I watched her kids on a Saturday night, I cooked for her and even took care of her lawn at times. So, why not me? What had this angel done to walk into my territory, walk over me and take over my friends?

I didn't want to stay any longer - I told my hostess that I had to go to the airport to receive a friend and left the party.

For the next month or so, I saw all my friends in the neighborhood go in and out of the pompous diva's house ( I had named my new neighbor that). I felt left out. What had I done to deserve this? Anyway, who cared ?

Time flew by, and a season changed. Fall was here. I had stopped looking over my neigbor's yard with the coffee long ago. The curtains remained drawn.

After a long dull spell, I had gotten a call this morning!! It was from my sister and that she would be visitng me! At last there would be some activity in my now lonely life - even if for a few days. I had already made my plans of where to take her and what I would do with her! I was so excited - we would giggle and laugh just like we did growing up!.

I was late already and as I parked my car in the airport parking lot, I heard the annoucement that my sister's plane had landed. Gosh! I'am always late - I never learn. Thinking about what I could do to better myself, I rushed into an elevator. The doors almost closed on me! I finally got in. The person inside had held it open for me as I had run towards it.

I turned to thank the kind person, but the words froze on my lips. I couldn't hear my voice. I hated this situation - it was the pompous diva! She stood there with the happiest smile on her face, so elegant and untouchable. I hated the sight of her. There was nobody in the elevator other than the two of us.
The moment stood still - I thought to myself that I should not be the one to forget my etiquette and all the virtues that my good schooling and my parents had taught me. So, I said "Thank you". She smiled and nodded her head ! what would she lose if she just said something as simple as "you are very welcome" or even "that's alright"?

Who did she think she was and why did she treat me as if I were the lowest of the low? This got to me - I had to make her speak to me- so, unabashedly I continued the monologue - I said "we haven't met. I'am your neighbor by the way, and have been trying to just say hello to you. I had even left you some food on the evening of your arrival. Did you find it ? I was surprised you hadn't even mentioned it". I couldn't stop spitting out the venom.

Then she smiled a slow smile and raised her hands - and was using the sign language to say something. Oh my God ! She couldn't speak - She was dumb ! And all this time I was busy hating her. When she had signalled the first day to me, she was actually thanking me ! But, I was so blinded with my contempt for her that I could not see beyond.

We had reached the terminal I had to get off on - without saying a further word, I just squeezed her hand and said - "I'am sorry" and got off.

I saw the puzzled expression on her face as I turned around, and the doors of the elevators closed - I'am sure she was wondering - sorry for what ? I knew better - sorry for every negative thought I had about her, sorry for speaking ill about her to the others and sorry for being inhuman. I was sorry for myself...ashamed at my own thoughts....

I couldn't wait to get back home and make up to her ...