| Snow-capped mountains fringed the plain as Jack | | | | care. He hunted back and forth, but she was lost in the |
| engaged himself with the panorama via the carriage | | | | assembling crowd as folk flooded to disembark the |
| window. Tibet had constantly held enchantment with | | | | train. |
| Jack ever since childhood, growing up in England. | | | | He hastily buttoned his jacket and joined the departure |
| Images on television seized his imagination at a | | | | line. Despite the summer season, a cold chill wafted |
| youthful age, driving his passion for the land during | | | | through the air, though locals seemed to take it for |
| adolescence. As he observed the landscape from his | | | | granted. Jack waited anxiously as passengers filed |
| seat on the train, it became evident his childhood | | | | leisurely off the train. Once on the open platform |
| fantasies were justified. As the terrain revealed before | | | | maybe he might catch sight of her, but no one |
| him, youthful memories were realised as he scrutinised | | | | seemed in any hurry to disembark and Jack was |
| every detail of the vista. Suddenly his concentration | | | | getting impatient. He leaned faintly on the individual |
| broke. | | | | ahead in his endeavour to hasten the exit, but knew |
| "Do you have the time please?" said a gentle female | | | | this was not going to yield any success. |
| voice in soft broken English. Jack was taken aback as | | | | Once outside the station he scanned up and down an |
| the pretty young lady waited patiently, anticipating his | | | | active street for sign of the mysterious young woman. |
| reply. She wore a sweet scented perfume, | | | | Alongside a moderately inclined road lay a plethora of |
| complementing her seductive traditional dress. Her | | | | shops, bars and restaurants. A gentle stroll turned into |
| platted hair was adorned with elaborate beads and | | | | a gradual jog as he speculated and proceeded uphill. |
| her lack of makeup served emphasis to her natural | | | | As the path became ever occupied he switched to |
| beauty. | | | | the road, making swifter progress. Travelling promptly |
| "I think it's about ten thirty," replied Jack, realising he had | | | | past a cluster of shops, doubts arose in his head. Had |
| forgotten to strap on his watch. He observed her walk | | | | he chosen the wrong direction? Was she still in the |
| towards the departure door as she smiled in | | | | station? He had to persist. |
| acknowledgement, her fragrance remaining long after | | | | Preoccupied in his pursuit, he collided with an elderly |
| she had gone. Jack's terminal approached and he | | | | gentleman who tumbled to the ground. Jack apologised |
| began gathering his effects. | | | | profusely whilst assisting him back to his feet. |
| Jack was on his way to a job interview. He needed | | | | Fortunately no injury was evident but Jack sensed |
| casual employment to subsidize the residual summer | | | | enough was enough and perhaps the moment to |
| weeks of his visit to Tibet. He had journeyed with | | | | acknowledge defeat. Maybe destiny was against him |
| friends, sharing rent on a town address until early | | | | and it was time to organize for his interview. |
| autumn when they would depart home to England. | | | | As he set the old man precariously on his way, the |
| Regrettably for Jack, copious expenditure had | | | | silhouette of a young woman fixed his attention. She |
| exhausted his resources and work was his only option. | | | | was seated alone at the window of a petite coffee |
| The train slowed as it approached the railway station. | | | | shop and seemed to be reading. Jack approached |
| Jack returned his gaze to the landscape once more | | | | inquisitively, anxiety swelled within. It was her. Maybe |
| but the girl began to occupy his mind. Who was she? | | | | fate was on his side. What would he say? Tensely he |
| What was her name? Where was she going? As the | | | | drew a deep breath but struggled to relax. It was now |
| train settled to a standstill, curiosity got the better of | | | | or never and he hadn't come this far to let pass his |
| him. He snatched his bag and surveyed the carriage | | | | opportunity. Apprehensively, he entered the shop. |
| for her presence. What would he say? He did not | | | | To be continued. |