She looked in through the big French windows, once again. From beneath her downward gaze, lest someone should catch her hankering for the forbidden fruit. She quickened her pace, shuffling quickly, a slipper sensing her reluctance to move on, stayed behind… as if to uphold her sinking confidence!
“Uff, these horrid chappals… you get me into trouble, rather than out of it,” she cursed under her breath.
The latest cafe in town, ‘Coffee with Warm vibes’ was tastefully decorated in shades of pink, with the wide open windows inviting all to step within. Young couples, were thronging the place, their sweet nothings barely audible, yet the peals of laughter, gaily tinkled through.
The romantic Tina dreamed of holding her beau’s hands and walking in. He would whisper sweet nothings in her ear, asking her which coffee she would like. She would point all over the menu card and then settle for a cappuccino. They would be one among many… in love and oh so romantic!
That’s what Valentine’s day did to her and hundreds of other young romantics. She pictured, ideal love, where everyone understood each other, gave space and respect to each other … and lived happily ever after.
“Hey Beautiful! Thinking of me?” drawled the deep, sensuous voice over the phone. She blushed at the warmth it pulsed through the device. “No, not at all!” The emphatic denial was anything but convincing. “But I am!” he drawled on, hoping to catch all her attention.
“Shall we meet for coffee at Warm Vibes tomorrow?” she ventured, trying her luck.
“If you promise to dream of me.”
“I will let you know tomorrow!” she tried her hand at being coy.
The next day she hung around the French windows… listening to the tinkle of cutlery, tinkling laughter and watching couples walk hand in hand as they indulged in hot coffee and warm banter.
After half an hour she received a call, “Sorry Tina, got caught up. The new client walked in with big business. Let’s meet next week. OK?”
And that next week turned into next year. They got married with much fanfare. Their passion fanned by cramped spaces and long absences, brought along a brood of bonny babies in quick succession.
What happened then?
Rearing children became Tina’s occupation. While her husband expanded his business, buying fancy cars, new homes, and vacations.
She had long shoved away her romantic ideas, running her home, taking care of the children and her husband.
“Ma, I am going for coffee with the gang! Do you want anything?” asked Priya, her eldest born, over the phone. Her voice indicated indifference and self-absorption simultaneously.
“Nothing! Thanks Pree! You be back before Dad. Else, you know the drama he creates,” cautioned Tina.
“Pree can you and I go for coffee today?” asked Tina hesitatingly, a few days later.
“No, I have to go for a birthday party. Why don’t you go with your friends?” suggested an exasperated Priya. “Let it be!” said Tina walking off in a huff, to the kitchen.
“Dont wait for me at dinner!”
“Why? That is our family time together in the entire day!” Tina pointed out to her husband.
“The Delhi clients are here. We will be carrying on with our meeting over drinks and dinner. Tell me… Which has better desserts and coffee? Taj or Marriott?” he gushed in a hurry. Tina stared at him, nonplussed. One of the first rules they had framed was, family time together would always be given top preference.
“Why don’t you go out with your friends, too?” suggested he nonchalantly.
“Let me make my decisions!” she answered with a firmness not seen before.
The dark clouds gathered by evening. Rain threatened to lash out at the simmering heat, that had been having a field day for weeks. Humans, plants, birds and animals; all had wilted. Then there came respite. Cold, fat rain drops. Like pearls, shiny and gleaming. How everyone welcomed them! Children and grownups alike were laughing and scrambling in the streets. Even the trees seemed to open their branches, Heavenwards to welcome the Divine respite.
“Perfect for a cup of hot coffee!”
The Coffee Cafe, in the fashionable street beckoned all java junkies. The wide French windows, the aesthetic decor in aquamarine and teal, and the overpowering aroma of freshly brewed coffee, cast their spell. Tina, gingerly climbed up the wide stairs, admiring the blooming petunias and geraniums dancing in the moisture laden breeze. She pushed the door ajar, putting her well heeled foot on the threshold, allowing the intoxicating aroma to wash over her.
Her mind was buzzing with; ‘should she, shouldn’t she, what will her husband say, what will her neighbour say, what will the neighbour’s dog say etc. etc’. She gently shook her head, released her hair from its traditional pony tail and walked towards a table for two, by the window. The music belting from the speakers was some neo rock funk… sounded wonderful, she felt like dancing. Shaking her head once again she smiled, patted her wildly beating heart and took her place. Tapping her fingers to the beat, she told the waiter, “Cappuccino please- one!”
Once the coffee was placed in front of her, she inhaled deeply, taking in the sights and sounds, feeling a deep stirring from the bottom of her memories. Coffee was stirred. She lifted her cup and took a sip! “Mmmmm perfect!”
Something was still missing… childish longing, perhaps. She smiled and blinked away the tears that pricked her eyes.
She would be doing this often, now. All by herself! ‘Happy Women’s Day Tina!’ she murmured to herself.
PS: Written for #Inntales-3
Pic : Courtesy Unsplash
