I had never been attracted to older women. Or blonde woman for that matter. I found both types to be pretty unattractive and frankly boring. That changed with Ginger.

"Hey, how have you been?" she asked the morning after I was back from vacation "I haven't seen you in a while. And you have new look! I like the goatee and long hair".

"Oh thanks" I said trying my best to conceal my embarrassment at the compliment. "I was on vacation" I replied steering the conversation away from my looks. I'd normally be quite pleased when I was the subject of conversation but coming from her I did feel a bit awkward, perhaps, because of the subliminal crush I had on her.

Ginger and I worked at the same place doing very different jobs. She was a technical writer and I a financial analyst. Her world was about explaining and sharing. Mine was mostly about assuming everyone knew what I knew and considering them dumb if they didn't.

We started bonding after one of the company happy hours. Over gin and beer, I came to learn that she went to high school in the same town in India that I did. Of course, her’s was the American school there, mine a mere missionary school and we went to school about 20 years apart. Originally from the Chicago suburbs, her dad worked for an engineering firm in Lebanon. Back then many American expats in the Middle East sent their children to boarding schools in India and then onto the American University in Beirut for college. She was a product of both places and had great stories to share about her time in India and the Middle East. She had even visited Nepal. Unfortunately, most of her memories of Nepal were about doing drugs and getting high.

She was in her fifties , was married, presumably happily, and was the mother of two kids. She must have been attractive when she was younger I thought. She had a slim body structure and shoulder-length blonde hair. Make-up concealed some wear and tear on her pinkish-golden skin. She was the last person on earth that could be compatible with the single, eligible and aggressive image I had of myself. But life sometimes plays out strangely. Over the next couple of months, between coffee breaks, lunch excursions and happy hours in local bars, our conversations became longer and deeper and we learnt quite a bit about each other's lives. You could say a chemistry of sorts was beginning to develop between us.

"What are you doing for lunch today" she asked "Want to go to the Korean place?"

Ever the methodical planner, I blocked an hour and a half off my calendar. I had known Ginger for a almost a year then and learnt that she was not as happily married as I had first assumed. She was divorced five years ago and her ex-husband had died in a skiing accident a year after that. Her eldest son had to go through prolonged therapy after his father's death. On more than one occasion I sensed what I thought was a faint exhaustion with life. However, I also observed that she had, incident after tragic incident, become stronger, more independent and developed the will to carry on.

She said that she was content with life now because her children were grown up and doing well and she didn't have to worry about them. She confessed that she very much enjoyed the freedom and independence she now possessed. For most of her life, she had been someone's daughter, wife and mother. Now she was just herself.

"I'm old enough to be your mother" she would often tease me.

"I don't see why that matters. I am not trying to marry you" I would jokingly retort.

"Hey, then find me a husband next time you go to Nepal" she would counter and give me that smug look so characteristic of her.

"You'll won’t survive beyond the second day with someone from that part of the world - and vice versa" I would tell her.

That day at lunch she ordered the Sushi special and I got the Udong Dol. "Did you meet any interesting Nepalese girls in DC?" she asked referring to the ANA convention I had attended there.

"Nah, there were some pretty ones there but I didn't meet anyone of my type"

"I'll can find you a good American girl if you want" she started teasing again.

"I won't be able to survive more than a few minutes with one" I said much to her amusement. My love life was one topic she could exhaust every time it came up. "Wanna play golf this weekend?" I had to change the topic in order to get back to the office on time.

It has been several years since I last met Ginger. I am not sure if I ever meant anything to her. Perhaps, I was just another know-it-all young analyst, who, like the countless others she had worked with before me, faded from her memories soon after they quit for greener pastures. I am not sure if I was truly attracted to her or merely fascinated by her life experiences. She seemed so complete back then. She never said a wrong word or made a wrong move. She had a charm and grace that would send many a man day-dreaming. Today, as I sit on the verge of settling down in life, I look back at all the broken hearts in my life - some were my hearts that others mercilessly stomped on, others were hearts I broke for reasons I don't care or dare to remember. I am ready to put most of those memories behind and move on but the memory of this one American woman still lingers. I wonder what my future wife will think when I tell her that I once was in love with a woman the same age as her mother. "Goree mem?"

that means you're NOW in love with her? wow lol! interesting!!!

i like older guys too, but not like FIFTYS!

i dun think you should tell her or even think about marrying her, just my point, doesnt matter but still...!!!!!

Aznshawty, LOL. This story is fiction. The sad fact is I am in love with no one today :) Maybe it's another of those phases ... he he.

ANZ, budo keta man parne bhaye ma chhu ni ta. ma fifty ni lageko chhaina.

sajha gazer, LOL, you didnt mention that it was a faction, it sounded like you were really in love with a 50 yr old woman altho it sounded like you werent that sure, but the last sentence proved tht you were, okay if its fictional then its a good one.

but dont marry a woman of 50

"I wonder what my future wife will think when I tell her that I once was in love with a woman the same age as her mother. "Goree mem?" "

oh thats awfully awful!

"ANZ, budo keta man parne bhaye ma chhu ni ta. ma fifty ni lageko chhaina. "
budo, STYLE ko budo ni hahahahahha!

Captivating fictional story! Enjoyed every bit of it. I believe there is nothing wrong in liking or admiring people. :)

Hope to hear more of you. :)

Sajha gazer,

fascinating story. the plot was quite a revelation of a young man's heart. and it was totally unique--one of a kind. thanks a lot for sharing. and yes, keep writing.

BTW, you are a financial analyst, and worked in DC? I am sure you worked form FMAC? did't you? :P

The old lady reminds me of my lab administrator. she must be in her 50's. but she is so adorable....i have a crush on her...i know i am naughty, but can't help it...hehe...she is my mother figure though and i totally envy and respect her.

Good one!!

Loote

typo form ===for

Loote

I ve never had it with anything older that 30...i wonder what its like to have a older woman.

thats it ?write some more..............................

Aznshawty: No, under the current circumstances in my life, I dont expect I'll be marrying a woman in her fifties:) But if I reach fifty without getting married, then I suppose I might have to give it some thought ... he he he

Flip Flop: Thanks for reading and leaving behind a comment. I have heard many people profess admiration and sometimes even love for people who are older. This is a subject that has always fascinated me and like you I consider the idea pretty kosher.

Loote : First off, I am a big fan of yours starting from your "Loote has a Gf" and "Loote Dies" days. Your writing reveals a good natured guy at the other end of the keyboard and your good spirt is pretty infectious :) But no, I did not work for FMAC and neither am I a financial analyst - remember this is all fiction :)

Sidster, Enigma_viz: Thanks for reading and dropping a comment.

Have a good day all!

just thot i might say this before i hit the bed?;oP hehe

i didnt miss this..but yeah havent read it..due to time constrain :oS...but i just feel smthin is good ehre ;oP hehe...time will tell eh?;o) hehe..

gazer wat took u so long?;oP hehe

good day!...:oD

Nice read Sajha,

Enjoyed every lines.

50 yrs old goree mem are not as old as 50 yrs Nepali mem ke as long as their living style is concerned.

"Ahem! Ahem!!"

Somebody said we are 100 yrs behind. hmmm...That means a 100 yrs old guy had lived a life we are living now. She is just 50 yrs old and assuming you are 25, she is 75 yrs younger than you. If we say the lifestyle changes every decade then she is like 7.5 times modern than you are. Now, in this fast pace age, we can make up the difference in no time. This means she has the same living style you have. So, there is no wrong loving a women living in same life style. :oP

OoOOoo interesting story.....and guess what?? i was watching that movie..hmmm " Rumor has it" and in that the grandmother has loved one guy and then the mother and then the daughter too...hmmm 50 yrs old guy :-S

that was an interesting story too...wouldn't say it was a great movie...but weird and interesting i guess :-D

keep writing ... i am a fan of ur stories
:-)

Nicely put!

I once was love with Hema Malini when was five year old, thought I would marry her someday. Kinda looked like an opposite version of Parijat's story, very well narrated.

"Ginger and I worked at the same place doing very different jobs. She was a technical writer and I a financial analyst. Her world was about explaining and sharing. Mine was mostly about assuming everyone knew what I knew and considering them dumb if they didn't. "

Good one Gazer.

" For most of her life, she had been someone's daughter, wife and mother. Now she was just herself. "

I loved these lines too.

different... very different from i know it all outpour of ego you see in sajha lately. keep up ur good work!!!

Nice story...like it...