Tumbling around in vain about the neighborhood, my eyes spotted an insanely beautiful mortal. She had a bunch of keys in her hand, and was relentless trying them on a vehicle. Unknowingly, my feet had already transgressed into the private zone. She soon caught my shadow and sharply turned her head towards me. I have never seen a pair of eyes more stunning than hers till date.

Tumbling around in vain about the neighborhood, my eyes spotted an insanely beautiful mortal. She had a bunch of keys in her hand, and was relentless trying them on a vehicle. Unknowingly, my feet had already transgressed into the private zone. She soon caught my shadow and sharply turned her head towards me. I have never seen a pair of eyes more stunning than hers till date.

The keys were being tried on a Volkswagen – a 1974, blue blooded, miracle of German engineering. Ingenious as Einstein, dependable as Florence Nightingale and head-strong as Hitler, she was a dream. Intense bottle green coloration, white skirting around wheels and characteristic droopy backlights made her a car owners’ delight. It was there on one of the ‘eyes’ of the auto, that I noticed a limping sign, “For Sale!”

Before I could utter a word of praise for her (the lady!), the eyes broke the stare to the sound of the opening door. A huge, bossy, hefty, plump and stern man barged out crying out “Lisa.” If fathers have a sign written on their foreheads, he had a billboard! I knew who he was, but he didn’t know me. Despite finding Lisa, his eyes were riveted at my existence. I knew what was coming.

I never pride my intelligence or situational awareness, but that was one moment in my life when I really took the sharpest and most defining turn of my life. Already changing his color from red to purple, just as he was about to shout, I began “Great car sir, I saw the sign and just walked in. I hope I’m not disturbing or anything?”

The face color changed. And could I believe it, there was also a smile. As if he had never imagined in a billion years that he would ever be able to sell that car. Soon he began blurting praises for the auto, of how it was finest car ever to grace this earth. Well, I didn’t much oppose this fact. But Lisa was still silent. Her expression unchanged, her eyes unaltered.

I kept shifting glances from the VW to the lady, remarking one and looking at the other. What followed was a series of comments I made for the car, but Lisa’s expressions changed in consequence:

“A fine piece of creation there. I see you’ve taken good care of her.” Lisa’s eyes met mine.

“She doesn’t look from here.” Her eyebrows rose.

“I take it she’s very reliable, never disappoints you.” She now was sure.

“I understand you love her very much.” Lisa blushed.

“She’s really very beautiful.” Her first smile. I had scored!

“So it’s a deal sir. I don’t care what price you’re offering, but she is mine!” I declared to the rather surprised old man and for the ears of the startled female. “I’d never let go off such a wonderful creation. All my life I’ve been searching for this, and now I know is the right time.”

“A fine young lad! Why, come inside. Lisa, get him some coffee, will you?” came the salvaging comments that marked my victory.

For the purposes of formal documentation and legal work, I kept visiting their place a number of times. Each time I made sure I had missed an important deed so that it could be scheduled for the next time. And of course, the best coffee I had ever tasted in my life was always waiting for me.

6 months later, I got married to Lisa, and I brought her home in the same VW. Till date I have bought and sold Lamborghinis, Fords and Corollas, but I still keep that Volkswagen (and my wife as well!). I had a hard time convincing my wife later on that it was for her that I came, and not for the Volkswagen. Perhaps I did come for her, but I guess I stayed for the Beetle!