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Posted by Trioenix - - 28 Scribbles on the last page

It was a rainy afternoon. He entered into a busy coffee shop- Sip 'n' Bite the coffee shop he used to visit with his friends when they were in college. While taking off the raincoat he turned around to have a look at the rain outside. It was raining hard, real hard. Handing off the raincoat to the gatekeeper he had a hurried glance in the dining hall to find a place for himself. The room was pack, not a single table empty! The waiter asked him to wait in the waiting room. He waited but it took no time for him to walk down the memory lane.

He remembered that how they idled away there time here, mimicking the professors, teasing the class fellows, pulling each others' leg talking about the college stuff and all... Soon he was reminded of the middle aged, shop owner Mr. Mehta, who helped these guys and stood by there side in each and every sorrow of their lives. Mr. Mehta had been a friend, a companion, a guide and every thing for these people. He had solution to every problem. How he helped these all these people with their relationships and even in studies... at the time of exams he would let them study here late in night. He wondered how Mr. Mehta would be now... after seven years... yeah exactly seven years back he left this place... left Mr. Mehta, the coffee shop, his friends each and every thing, without telling any one any thing... and now he is back. Returning back to the present he realised the book section which now acquired a bigger part of the shop, rather he realised that even the shop was more spacious now. The shop comprised of better book and even a music and computer section. Not to mention the whole coffee shop was now a wi-fi zone. Amazed with all new hi-tech coffee shop he was getting more and more curious to meet the owner. But just then he saw a book in the book section, rather thin book, the title read something like 'In Love...' his feet stopped and all of a sudden he started walking towards the book. He reached to the book it read 'In Love... Accidentally' by 'Kavya Sharma' without wasting a single moment he dragged the book out of the shelf managed a seat there and started reading it...
The second page read


"
To Mr. Mehta and his coffee shop,
who made the whole story possible.
"



"Oh! I'm so sorry ma'am! It was my entire fault, I was not aware, that somebody might be taking a turn here! I'm really sorry!" a young boy was pleading hard before me. I met an accident with him, not a major one though. But he was feeling sorry from the bottom of his heart that was for sure.
"Well" I said "That's okay"
"Is that really okay ma'am?"
"Yeah!"
"Should I drop you to the mechanic?"
"No, that will be fine. Thank you."
"Okay ma'am. Sorry again"
"Fine"
And we left. Accidents take place, we get wounded but with passage of time, the wounds get healed up and we recover. But who knew that this accident will leave traces on my heart and soul for a life time.


A week later, I was sitting a coffee shop down the lane, waiting for my friend, Ruchi, we had some project work to do, so we decided to meet up and discuss the things there. As usual she was late. I had a book with myself so I started reading it. A few moments later I heard the main door open. A group of boys entered and settled on a table next to me. They were followed by my friend. As usual I was very furious at her for being late and as usual she had a silly reason behind it! We started. A waiter approached us and asked us to place an order. I demanded black coffee without sugar and Ruchi demanded for cappuccino mocha. After a few cups of coffee and a long discussion, we finished off with our project work and decided to leave, when Ruchi said that the boy in yellow shirt amongst the boys sitting next to us was looking at me for quite a long time. I turned around without bothering much and found him to be the same boy, with whom I met the accident! He was still looking at me; he smiled, got up and started walking towards me. He reached out to me and said, "Good evening ma'am! Recognized me?"

"Yeah fortunately I didn't get hit on my head in that accident thus it didn't affect my memory!" I replied quite sarcastically.

"She doesn't mean what she said right now. Actually she is a bit sarcastic at times! Don't mind!" interrupted Ruchi.

I stared hard at her.

Then he said, "No. Actually that was my fault the other day! How r u ma'am?"

"Better now" I said, "Almost all wounds healed up. How about u?" I added

"Perfect!" After an awkward silence of a few moments he said, "By the way, I'm Rishi. I study in the engineering college down the lane, final year"

"Oh! Myself Kavya, pursuing Bachelor of Science, final from the college next lane"

"Okay, that's a nice college I heard!"

"Indeed it is"


Then I introduced him to Ruchi and he introduced me to his number of friends. Coincidently they were here to work on their project work too.

Days passed and we started spending time together. We all dined in that coffee shop almost every weekend. Talking, working and freaking out. We all exchanged our mobile numbers and e-mail ids and stayed in touch the whole week and eagerly waited for the weekend to spend time together. Among all of them I developed a very good relationship with Rishi. I started having keen interest in his activities, not a single day passed when the two of us were not in contact! God knows why, but I felt the same thing on his side. One day I was sitting on our usual table reading something, when Subodh one of his friends started talking to me. He inquired from where I finished my schooling and all what are my future plans and he was very surprised to know that I was preparing for LLB. He wondered that what was I up to. Then I explained him that I was always interested in law just that my parents wanted me to complete my graduation in science thus I was fulfilling their wish. Rishi dropped in then and we started talking on general issues, our regular course.

One evening I left my diary on the table and went around to Mr. Mehta to have a small conversation with him, Rishi picked up my diary and started reading it. I came back and snatched it away, almost in a very furious mood I started scolding him, "Don't you know it’s an offense to read somebody's diary without their permission?"

Rishi, "Sorry! I was just turning around the pages, didn't read a single word!"

I stared hard.

"Okay, I'm sorry! With your kind permission, may I have a look at your diary, Madame?"

"Yeah sure" I smiled and answered

After reading a few pages he turned to me and said, "You have written all this?"

"Yes" I replied

"Don't you feel that you are simply wasting your talent, by mixing those silly chemicals in the lab and not doing justice to your inborn qualities? I mean if some one can write so well at this young age, she can do wonders as she grows up!"

"Well, may be the effervescences of the mixed chemicals enhance my writing skills!" I replied in my usual style.

"Jokes apart, honestly, you are so good at playing with words, I think you are seriously wasting your time!"

"Well that is the reason why I decided to go for law in future and play with words professionally!"

"Yeah, even that's a good idea!"

"But what exactly do you want from your life? Science? Arts? Confused?" Subodh interrupted

"I love to study; I don't want my student life to end! I think after completing with Law I'll do Masters in English Literature or Psychology or may be both!"

"And what about MBA you were talking about the other day, when we were filling up the entrance exam forms?" inquired Subodh

"I'll do MBA too, in fact I posted my form the very next day!"

"How will you do all those things all together in one life?" Subodh wondered

"Why? What's the big problem?"

"Aren’t your parents eager to get their daughter married?"

"Oh that way! Well I'll complete my law in nearly three years from now after that I'll do MBA, then get married, then with the kind permission of my dear hubby I'll do masters in English Literature and Psychology and finally I do PhD in one of the discipline!"

"Quite a long planning! You think your in-laws' would support you?"

"Why not? I may continue with my job if they wish, along with that I'll be studying and managing my house as well."

"Is that so easy?"

"What? Job, studies, house all together?"

"Yeah?"

"If you think that to be easy, it is, else it isn't. Basically, all depends on what u think. Believe me; climbing up the Everest is as easy as walking up the lane just if you think that way!"

"Have you started studying for Psychology?"

"No!"

"It seems like you already have!"

"Well I think I should take a note now, it's getting late and I suppose even Ruchi is done with her sister's home work!"

"Yeah, the one who has a younger sister can know what a big deal it is to work for them that too at no pay!"

"You are growing very sarcastic day by day dear!" I teased.

"Company matters!" she replied.

We left bidding each one adieu. While walking back to home, Ruchi inquired, "What do you feel about Rahul?"

"Who? Rahul Sehgal?"

"Yeah"

"Nice guy! Helps out every one in each and every way possible! Why?"

"Don't know, I think I have started liking him, I like spending time with him and all that you know!"

"Yeah!"

"Yeah? My my, something going on with in you too?"

"No, not actually, not that way, but I can understand what you might be feeling after all I too watch movies and read books."

"Right!"

"So? What do you think?"

"God knows, I just told you what I felt!" By that time we reached my place.

"Okay! Bye for now, good night and yeah sweet dreams!" I teased.

"Thanks" Ruchi blushed

A week later was Valentine's Day. There was a big party at Sip 'n' Bite. We all went there just to pass away the evening having fun. That day we had a discussion that what every individual felt, love was. Every one was putting forth their views. Soon it was my turn, I said, "Well, Somerset Maugham in one of his short stories named 'Princess September' says, 'Love is to put the happiness of some one we love in front of our own happiness' I think this is the best definition I encountered so far."

"Hey that's a nice definition! Really nice!" Said Subodh

"Thanks"

"Okay so you feel this is love?" Inquired Rishi

"Yeah!"

"And what if some day, some boy comes and proposes you?"

"Well didn't get you."

"What if some day, a boy comes, holding a red rose in his hand, come to you and say 'I love you', how would you react?"

"See, I feel, then his love is not true. I mean if some body loves the other from the bottom of his heart, he need not tell the other person what he feels."

"Then how would the other person come to know?"

"Did your mother ever tell you how much she loves you?"

"No!"

"Does that mean she doesn't love you?"

"No!"

"Then how do you know that she loves you?"

"Well..."

"I'll tell you, when you love some one from the bottom of your heart, you need not tell the other person, gestures speak more than words!"

"You mean..." Rishi was about to say something when...

"Hey look at her, she is so cute!" exclaimed Amit (another mechanical engineer amongst us, who happened to be Rishi's friend) looking at a girl behind me, when every one turned around to have a look at her. She indeed was a very good looking girl.

"I think I'm falling for her, I wonder, what she might feel about me?"

"How would you come to know unless you talk to her." said Rahul

"Right! So here I go, wish me luck guys."

After Amit left, Rishi looked at me and found expressions of pity for Amit in my eyes, (my eyes always speak more loud and clear than my words.) and said, "What happened? Why such a look?"

I replied, "How can any one fall for the other in just one glance. I don't believe in crap like love at first site!"

"Really? Then how does one fall in love?"

"See, you come in contact with the other person by chance. Then you pass away time with him or her, then you come to know about each other's likings dis-likings. With passage of time, you start growing an inclination towards the other person, the time you earlier spent with each other him or her just like that, now turns out to be a leisure time for the two of you. You never realise how far you walked away holding the other person's hand and then when you do, it's too hard to walk back alone.
You fall for someone unknowingly.
Things are never planned in love; they just happen, just like that... You fall in love... accidentally"

I looked at Rishi and then read his eyes, he realised what I said and then I realised what I said and then both of us started looking the other way. After an awkward silence of a minute Rishi smiled, looked at me and said, "I think you are right, we fall in love accidentally!"

Somehow, I wanted to wrap up the topic, I looked at my watch and said, "It's getting late, and I think I should leave now." I picked up my purse and started walking towards the door, when Rishi called; "Kavya"

I turned around

"Are you in love?"

I shrugged and said, "Can't say" and walked out.

Walking back alone in that cool breezy evening, I was thinking why didn't I reply "No" why did I speak out all that? Did he understand what was in my mind? God that was the most confusing walk in my life.

Soon all of us were busy preparing and appearing for exams and no later the results were out. All were graduate with good percentage. My hard work and Rishi's intelligence bore fruitful results, individually, I was selected in country's best law school and he was selected in country's best business school, just the problem was that the two cities in which we were going to reside were at two different corners of the country! But we decided to move on.

I completed my degree in law and did MBA as per my aspirations, by that time Rishi was into a job. Living apart, that too at such a great distance, things might have changed, but they didn't, we came in touch with each other every day, rather every now and then, when ever we got time. Coincidently, Subodh and I were in the same town for two years but we rarely met up.

I noticed, that when ever Rishi wasn't around Subodh was very comfortable with me but as soon as Rishi was around Subodh drew his attention away. It took quite a long time for me to observe this. Soon Subodh started ignoring me, sometimes I felt bad but then I thought that may be he doesn't want to interrupt us. But I always behaved the same way as I would do earlier.

Finally, I even completed my MBA and was all set for my job, my first step in the corporate world. Every thing moved on smoothly and then we were home for Diwali vacations. Coincidently most of us were at home so we decided to meet up at our all time favorite place Sip 'n' Bite coffee shop. I was so happy to meet them all after a long time, all together. We passed away hours together when suddenly my I received a call on my cell phone, my mom called up. I picked up the call and hung it up saying that, I'll be there in fifteen minutes.

Hearing this Rishi was upset, he wanted to spend some more time with me, but I had to leave, as it was an emergency so I promised to spend the whole next evening with him and all the others, at the same place.

Next evening, when I reached Sip 'n' Bite, Rishi was sitting there waiting for me! I was so surprised to see him there before me, as he was always late! I entered the dining hall and he greeted me with his big smile and said, "Where was the fire last evening? You couldn't even spend ten more minutes with me?"

"Mom wanted to go for shopping, she wanted to buy things for Diwali pooja, dad was not at home, and so I had to drive her to the market!"

"Don't mind but, your mom can't drive?"

"No, she is scared of driving!"

"God! Your dad must be annoyed by all this, your mom can't drive!"

"No, he feels that it's okay if she can't drive. He says that every one has some weak points, so if you have to live together, it's better if you accept the other persons weakness and try to support them in their difficult times!"

"Hey, your dad is so cool!"

"I know, he says even he has a few weaknesses but mom helps him out! Dad didn't have a good dressing sense, then mom taught him how to dress up perfectly. Looking at them I feel, marriage is not a compromise, it's rectifying each other's mistakes and making the other one strong, I would love to make a couple like them with my husband!"

"Well, so when do you want me to drive for you?"

So surprised for a moment, I didn't know how to react! I was thinking is he pulling my leg, teasing me or actually proposing me?

Might be read my eyes, he continued, "I know you are not scared of driving, but I lack dressing sense, will you help me?"

I, still wondering what is happening around, gave him a confused look and said, "Are you pro..."

"Yes, I am proposing you." He took out a rose and a ring from his pocket, knelt down and said, "Will you marry me?"

"Rishi, see..."

"Yes or no?"

"Get up, I need to talk to you."

"I won't get up until I hear your reply"

"Look I seriously need to..."

"Shh... shh... one word reply, yes or no? And am not going to read and thing in your eyes or mind today, I want to hear a loud and clear reply! A simple yes or no."

"Listen to me. At least once."

"Okay, go ahead."

"Get up."

"You will reply, even after my getting up?"

"Trust me."

He got up, I asked him to have a seat, he sat next to me then I said, "See, I want you to come along with your parents and meet my parents. There words would be those of mine!"

"This is not done! I'll come to your place along with my parents either case; I just want to hear what you feel!"

"See, what's the use? In case, either of our parents disagree, we will feel bad that we are apart because of them and we might have grudges against them!"

"But you said that you'll answer, and now you aren’t!"

"I am calling you to my place with your parents, to talk about our relationship, about our marriage, am I not clear enough?"

"This is what you do every time! Don't know about your parents, but mine won't refuse my proposal, after all the like you!"

"They like me, but right now as your friend, things might change when they will see me as your wife!"

He said, "Things won't change!" and he started walking out, this was the first time since our first meet, that Rishi was going first, it was always I who asked to leave! Might be that he felt bad with my answer, but I was helpless, I didn't want him to blame my or his parents. While he was leaving, I in his usual way, called him, "Rishi"

And he, in my usual way turned around.

I continued, "Promise me, things won't change, what ever our parents and the destiny decides for us, we will remain friends for ever."

He said, "I promise!"

I just looked at him with a bit of uncertainty in my eyes; he smiled and said "Gentleman's promise!"

And continued, "I'll be there at
6 PM sharp at your place with my parents tomorrow, be ready."

That was the thing I really liked about him, he was never angry with me, irrespective of the things I did, it didn't matter to him, he kept on loving me for what ever I did.

He walked back to me, kissed my forehead and whispered "I love you" in my ears. I blushed and he left.

I spent a sleepless night and restless day. Next evening to my surprise, he was at my place at 6 PM sharp! I wondered was this the proof how deeply he loved me, how can he be so punctual twice in a row!

Our parents met, and without discussing much, agreed on Rishi's proposal! They had dinner at our place that night. After the dinner, I and Rishi went out for a walk, silent, lacking words, we just kept on walking. We walked to a park near our house, the park had a small lake and a bridge over it. We stopped by the bridge, looking at the sky admiring the full moon. Just then Rishi caught hold of me, looked straight into my eyes and asked, "Do you love me?"

I looked down, nodded affirmatively and said, "I do!"

Rishi said, "Then say that, at least once, for me!"

I smiled and whispered in this ear, "I love you!" and without knowing his reaction, I ran away. My heart was beating very fast, I didn't turn around to see his reaction, but I knew that he must be standing there looking at me! I reached home alone, somehow I normalised my breath and entered my home, everyone was surprised to see me alone, but I didn't wait there for a moment ran to my room and locked myself inside. I don't know how Rishi managed things after that, that evening and what did he answer them, but he managed, that was for sure.

Within a week we were engaged and soon it was the day of our marriage!


All set, things going on smoothly every one around us happy, blessing us for a happy future together, still something was missing. Both of us were missing Sobodh badly that evening, he didn't turn up in our marriage and we were unable to figure out the reason behind it, both worried about him, when all of a sudden Rishi received a phone call, it was Subodh, pleading for his helplessness to attend our marriage. His company was very happy with the successful launching of the first car that he designed and wanted him to immediately move to head office in US. Thus he was waiting for his flight to
Delhi from where he can catch the next flight to US with his entire luggage checked in and ready to leave all of us within a few moments!

I snatched the cell phone from Rishi, Subodh greeted me but something was wrong, I could hear it in his voice, but he denied and hung up the call saying that he had to board then.

We were almost at the end of the ceremony. We were just sitting together with our families after the photo shoot with friends and family, missing Sobodh and wondering on his unusual behavior when son of my brother-in-law came up to me and said, "Chachi, somebody left something on a chair there!"

I and Rishi walked down with him to the place and found a bunch of white roses, tied in a piece of gelatin with a white ribbon exactly the way I liked along with a small box and a card. I picked the flowers and the card along with the box and started reading the card. It read,

"Dear,
I always wanted to be a part of your marriage ceremony, but may be that wasn't in my fate! I always wanted to gift you people a priceless gift on this earth, but unfortunately every thing in this world had a price tag! I wondered what I can gift the two best people I've ever met on earth on the most memorable day of their life and then I decided you gift you this small box, this was the most priced thing I possessed in my life, but it isn't more precious than the smile I am going to miss, when you will open the box. Preserve it for the time when we will meet again.

Have a happy married life


Subodh"


The card also contained a printed blessing for us, but I was unable to read it, tears rolled down my cheeks I handed over the card to Rishi and I opened the box with moist eyes. It contained keys and a small chit, which read "step out". Both of us walked out. There waited for us, a brand new Speed, the car designed by Subodh. This was indeed the most priced thing he ever possessed, I managed to smile, even with moist eyes, I smiled for him. I unlocked the car there was a letter in the car it read, "Have a happy and safe drive together in the journey of life"

I found a cuffing near the car which was signed "S" similar to one that Sobodh used and that made me sure that he visited the place, but didn't come and see us.

Since that day we never heard any thing from Subodh's end.

We still sometimes wonder on his unusual behavior that evening!

I and Rishi have now moved to
Hyderabad and are living happily together. We are still in contact with all the friends and do visit Sip 'n' Bite when ever we make to our home town and our search for Subodh continues and hope to meet him some day at some turn of our life.


He closed the book. Walked out of the book room with the book and looked at the manager's place. He was surprised to see a young guy, solely managing everything. He walked over to him and greeted him. "Hi! Are you the manager?"

"Yeah! How can I help you?"

"Well... it's quite a long time that I'm waiting for a table, but seems like your shop has no room for me!"

"Oh! I'm so sorry sir! Actually, it's a rainy afternoon; the people prefer to be seated here. Since most of them are our regular customers we cannot ask them to walk out, neither it would be good for the goodwill of our shop!" He grinned.

"Yeah! I understand!"

"By the way, I never saw you earlier! Are you new to this place?"

"Yes. I mean, no, not actually! I and my friends were regular to this place, we visited almost every day, bunking classes and all, but that was long time back, seven years back."

"Okay!"

"The place has quite changed in these years!"

"Yeah! Demand of time and demand of customers."

"I know! By the way, those days the shop was owned by Mr. Mehta, how is he doing now?"

"Oh, he is well off! The shop is still owned by him. I'm his nephew, Prateek."

"Good to hear that."

"Past few days, he is out for business purpose, you see, since we are on high demand, we are thinking of expanding the business. Opening a few more out-lets in the town and a few franchises in other big cities."

"Hey hey, that's a great idea!"

"Would you like to have something, by the time I manage a table for you?" Prateek places the menu card.

"Oh yeah! Well... I don't need a menu card, I know what I want. In those days, we people were crazy behind Murli dada's coffee, can I have one?"

"Yeah sure!" Prateek asks the waiter to get his order.

"So sir, how do you find the shop after seven years?"

"Same, yet different!"

"May I know how?"

"Well... The shop is more spacious, more crowded, hi-tech and all, but still same fragrance, same love, respect, generosity..."

Coffee mug appears before him.

He sits back and takes the first sip...

"Aah! I've traveled from
India to US. Had coffee in US's best coffee shop, but I tell you, there is no match to Murli dada's coffee. He still rules my heart and will always..."

Prateek smiles but with moist eyes.

"What happened? Did I say any thing wrong?"

"You know what? Murli dada left us last year, a mere cardiac arrest! Simple life, simple death!"

"Oh God! I'm so sorry!"

"He was the head chef here and he taught each and every cook, the trade secrete of his coffee! Thus, even when he is no more with us, his memories drag people to our coffee shop!"

"He was a humble man! You know, Murli dada's coffee and Mr. Mehta's invaluable suggestions dragged us here those days!"

"Hmmm..."

"We were a number of people all together, studying in the engineering college next lane, you know, dudes!" He smiled and continued, "We shared each and every part of our lives with Mr. Mehta."


"Hey! Are you talking about Rishi, Subodh and all?"

"Yeah! How do you know that?"

"Wait a minute; you must be Subodh, for sure!"

"Yeah!"

"As described!"

"Well?"

"Uncle told a lot about you people. You people were his most loved customers I ever knew. He told most of you guys stories to us, but to be honest Rishi and Kavya love story was my all time favorite!"

"Yeah, mine too!" He lifted the book "In Love... Accidentally" smiled and continued, "Enjoyed reading all that again, I felt like I lived back my memories! Never thought Kavya would turn into a writer herself someday! She plays with words, what a magic... wow!"

"I myself have read that book a number of times and have it in my personal collection as well! The way Rishi proposed Kavya, all of a sudden, nobody could have thought about it, that was the best propose I ever heard about!" His eyes were filled with admiration.

"What a love they had! I wish I could do the same!" Prateek continued.

"Yeah! I have seen them practically; I know what it felt like, how deeply they loved each other and cared for! Gosh! I miss them so much!" By now, Subodh was nostalgic all again.

He continued, "You know that was the table where we dined, it was always reserved for us. No other customer was allowed to sit there!"

He smiled and pointed out the table, when he realised a good looking woman was sitting there all alone. Subodh excuses himself from Prateek and walks over to that lady with the coffee mug in his hand. He reaches out to the table, that lady was in a black suit, long curly brown hair- properly tied, hazel eyes, black angular glasses, she was reading some book, deeply absorbed in it and of course was sipping coffee. Sobodh cleared his throat and said "Excuse me ma'am! Mind my company?"

That lady looked up without bothering much, but as soon as she looked at him she was very surprised and said, "Sobodh? Long time, where were you so long?" realising his question she asked him to have a seat.

Subodh settled and said, "It was such a pleasant surprise to find you here, the same place from every thing started!" becoming a bit nostalgic again. He continued then, "So how is life treating you?"

"My story later, you tell where were you so long? We searched for you every where, but you left us all in despair! Why?"

"Well, long story!"

"Am ready to hear it all."

"Well you know the story till your marriage evening!"

"Yup, but I still wonder you visited the place but didn't see us, why?"

"Let that be, it's all past!"

"Past?"

"Yeah, let's not talk about it." Subodh sighed.

"Okay, what after that?"

"After that I reached US, worked hard day and night for the company, was promoted with passage of time, had a cozy home to live, a car to roam around, money to spend, more than I needed, but I was not satisfied with my life! I always felt lonely! I called mom-dad their, but they didn't like the place, so they shifted back to India, I had no option but move on, the company was not ready to transfer me back to India. So I lived there with my loneliness!"

"Oh God! Then?"

"Then one day, I met a lady in the accounts section of our company,
Jennifer, US citizen. She was also alone! We started dining and spending time together, that way somehow we could manage to sway away our loneliness!"

"Right, two's company!"


"Finally one day we decided to marry, my parents didn't like the idea much, but then they had to agree with me, because they had no other option!"

"Okay, keep going."

"We lived together for merely two months and she decided to live apart!"

"What?" Kavya was very surprised to learn that.

"It was all well planned, she already had a boy friend, she did all that for my money. She ditched me for my money!"

"God! What a cruel world! People lack emotions these days, money is their biggest emotion!"

"What ever! I was so depressed that I called up mom-dad, they asked me to leave the job and return to
India. They wanted me to be happy, they said that I'll find another decent job here, it would be better for me that I return!"


"What next?" Inquired Kavya.

"They are looking for a nice Indian lady for me, who can look after me and take my proper care. Then they will get me married again and will lead their remaining life tension free."

"And what do you demand?"

"I'm okay with that. I will marry their wish, just that I have one condition, she should not have any liabilities!"

"Liabilities? Didn't get you!"

"Kids!"

"You think kids are liabilities? The western culture has ruined your brain or what?" Kavya questioned in disgust.

"Yeah! To be honest I consider kids to be liabilities, unless they are not mine!" He grinned.

"Okay."

Just then the waiter appears before them, "Anything else ma'am?"

"Yeah! One black coffee, without sugar!" Demanded Kavya.

"Anything for you sir?"

"Murli dada's special
Cappuccino."

He left. Sobodh looked at his empty cup and smiled.

"What happened?" Inquired Kavya.

"I was just wondering that when there are a number of better options to have in coffee, why you prefer that bitter espresso."


"I like to taste things the way the are! I hate adding false flavors to them!"

"Will you elaborate it for me?"

"See, what's the real taste of coffee?"

"It's bitter."

"Then I hate adding sugar and milk to it to dilute its bitterness and taste a false taste!"

"Okay, philosopher!" Subodh teased

Coffee appears before them. Kavya sips it and says, "Coffee is bitter, so is life!"

Subodh surprised with this statement says, "What's wrong with life? Why did you say that?"

"We heard your story right now and you still feel your life is not bitter?"

"Okay... mine is, but what's wrong with that of yours? You got everything the way you wanted! LLB degree, MBA, decent job in a MNC, got proposed by and married to the man you loved the most on this planet! What else you want from your life?"

"Yeah!" Kavya sighed. "Sitting at that side of the table anyone would say that, what's wrong with my life, especially when he doesn't know what happened in past few years!"

"What happened? Aren’t you doing well with Rishi?"

"Even mine is a long story!"

"Go ahead; I've a lot of time."

"Well we were married and were living happily in
Hyderabad. A year later, mom-dad were going to visit us. They preferred the on road journey, on the way the car driver lost his control and they met an accident. All the three died on the spot!"

"God!"

"Somehow, Rishi calmed me down; his mom-dad looked after me just like mom-dad. I tell you such a nice family it is; I never feel that they are my in-laws. Soon I settled down and managed to carry on, busy again in my house, job and studies."

"So you are studying still?"

"Yup!"

"Then?"

"Every thing went one quite smoothly then for a few years, until
August 25th 2007! It was the day, when we had that accident and everything between us started."

"Yeah I remember, I was the another guy who witnessed that accident."

"A special day of our life. After our marriage, Rishi brought white roses for me every year on that day."

"How sweet!"

"He called me up from the office and said, 'Hi dear! Ruchi and Rahul are dropping in for dinner tonight. I know it's quite a short notice, but don't you worry, you start preparing I'll be there in half an hour, got some work in Kothi Locality and yeah I'll be bringing some sweets, from our regular shop, so don't prepare anything sweet. Okay?'
I replied, 'Yeah that will be fine. Any thing else?'
Rishi said in his regular romantic way, 'Yup wanna tell you that, I love you!'
I replied, ' I know that, now hang up the phone and hurry up!'
Rishi, 'Gosh Kavya you are so unromantic!'
I smiled and said, 'I even know that, bye and make it fast!'
He hung up the call saying, 'bye, love u.'
I was waiting for him, I had prepared almost everything, it was almost one hour and he didn't turn up, I was worried, but then I thought that traffic might have caught hold of him. Just then my phone rang; it was Ruchi, 'Hello Kavya?'
'Yeah Ruchi it's me.'
'Is Rishi home?'
'No. Are you people on your way?'
'Did Rishi call you up before leaving?'
'Yeah, he called me an hour ago and said that he'll be there within half an hour, may be he is struck in the traffic, am not even able to connect to his phone, may be ran out of battery, but Ruchi am having some bad feeling, am very scared.'
'Where was he going to go?'
'Kothi locality. He said that he will be bringing some sweets for dinner from our regular shop and had some work in Kothi Locality. Why are you asking me so many questions?'
'Turn on the T.V'
'What happened?'
'Tune into any news channel and don't worry we will be there in ten minutes.'
She hung up the phone and I turned on the T.V and I was stunned to see the news, it was about the bomb blasts, one of which took place in Kothi Locality! I sat down motionless for a few moments. Then I picked up the phone and started calling Rishi repeatedly, but it was not reachable. Just then the door bell rang, I got up without any emotion opened the door Ruchi was standing before me she hugged me and said, 'Rahul dropped me here and he is driving back to see Rishi, don't worry every thing will be fine.' She brought a glass of water for me, I drank it and the she received a call from Rahul, 'Ask Kavya what Rishi was wearing today?' I told dark green formal shirt and black trousers, he called up after a few moments, Ruchi held my hand and I understood everything ahead. They found a body, same cloths, holding white roses in one hand and sweets in other; they even got his company's id card in his pocket. I lost everything that evening, I lost everything." Kavya ended up with her story with moist eyes. But then she cleared her throat and said, "You see life is bitter! If it gives every thing, it takes away as well"

Subodh was sad and shocked, it was hard for him to believe that he lost his best friend, he was short of words, didn't know how to condole for Kavya. But he tried, "I am sorry Kavya, it's really sad to learn about it."

Kavya looked as if she just woke up from her sleep, "That's okay, life moves on."

"But how come you are here?"

"It was getting harder for me to live there, so I shifted back to our home town am now working with a small NGO here, they help mentally and physically challenged kids. I get enough money to live a good life, but moreover I get mental peace working for those kids."

"I can understand, but what next? I suppose you were the only child of your parents!"

"Yeah, I'll be completeting with my psychology degree this year and then mom-dad and Rishi's elder brother are calling me to
California, they live there; they don't want me to be alone. And I have applied for PhD in psychology in some universities there."

"So you will be leaving by June this year?"

"Yeah life moves on and we have to move along, willingly or unwillingly!"

Kavya had a glance at her watch, it was almost three in the afternoon, she demanded the bill, paid it off and left the coffee shop.

It stopped raining by now, the sky was clear, no traceses of clouds. Subodh thought that it might be the right time to tell Kavya why he didn't visit their marriage that evening, why he avoided her every time, how much he loved her, but just that he never wanted to be a reason for her and Rishi to be apart, he felt that the dark clouds of his life have cleared and now his life is as clear as the sky above. He followed Kavya. She walked down a less busy road, just then Subodh called her, "Kavya." and she stopped, he continued, "Kavya I love you, I want to marry you, will you marry me?"

Just then some bell rang, it was a school bell, they were standing in front of a school, kids ran out of the school, a four-five year old girl came out, long brown-curly hair, hazel eyes, lots of innocence in her eyes, fair colour, as if she was Kavya's childhood! She hugged Kavya's legs and said, "Mommy I'm back from school. Kavya took her up, she hugged her again and said, "Mommy I love you!" Kavya smiled, kissed her forehead and said, "I know dear, I know that!" She turned around and looked at Subodh; she didn't say anything but her eyes questioned him, "Still?"

***The End***

28 Responses so far.

  1. Sameer says:

    this bolg realy gives the great affection nd debonire relation between the beloveds.........thr way of expressing thr love to each other....it also tells how we fall in love wid someone accidently...n we were less concern abt it tht we r in love.....

  2. RChX says:

    Yippee........!!!
    Prajwala Is back...I Read Only Half Of It, But Will Print It & Then Read to do Justice to It.. :)

  3. Unknown says:

    you are a prolilfic writer , once again u have succeeded in grasping the reader,s attention to read your story eagerly and in one sitting. u have very beautifully conveyed the message to the opposite gender that will they accept the woman with off spring? and the end was abrup but it was beautiful one , as it has message in it . And other thing i have noticed in your stories that they are not the typical one it always has some social issue in it and u always wrapp up the plot intrically and very patiently. and another factot which makes me really happy tat kaviya has strong vision she wants to do masters in different subject n she is modern girl who has dream to attain good career, but when one her friend asks that will your parent allow you to study further , and wont they ask to marry and get settle down she very comfortable replies yes they will n she will marry and after marriage she will continue with the support of her in law and she will manage to balance with her marriage life and career was pure feast to me , as girl of these days thinks unlike. and secondly after achieving good success she goes into career and she is independent but still wen rishi proposes she says to him bring your parents instead of saying yes . prajo u rock once again . keep it up !

  4. Unknown says:

    Though im not a critic am an ordinary but sensitive reader .yet tries to pendown what i have felt after reading your simple yet elegant piece of work. cheers

  5. Unknown says:

    waaaaaaaaaaooooooooooooooo
    That was really a nice n touchy story with a nice thought in it...........
    u really create magic darling,ur words FORCED me read the whole of it at one strech
    HATSOFF TO U
    U REALLY ROCK LET THE MAGIC OF UR WORDS CONTINUE LIKE THIS
    MISS U

  6. Truly enjoyable ! Love the way it changes from the first person narrative to that of a distant observer--it's definitely one of the most striking aspects !
    Nice touches of Maugham's pathos and sensitivity in characters (beyond those beautiful lines as quoted) except in case of Subodh (as it whispers to me). Maybe, he had to bear weaknesses within to strengthen other characters !
    Thanks, madam, for such a brilliant piece of writing...

  7. CRD says:

    lovely story..mebbe a few grammatical errors, but moved at the right pace.

    keep writing :)

  8. J says:

    It was an interesting read.... I really liked to.... just try to avoid the grammatical mistakes =)


    One more thing tho... I noticed you were really confused as to who was supposed to be the 1st person speaker as in.... who's account the story was supposed to be.... you kept oscillating from kavya to rishi and back again.... avoid this like plague... its a big minus point that most critics notice in budding authors =)


    I t was a really nice read.... seriously

  9. Dipa says:

    This is the bestest romantic story I hv ever read...i loved every bit of it...you hv captured the ups n downs of ones life so well...I was in tears by d time I reached the end.Your really a gr8 writer..n hv bcom my favorite frm now on...thanx for sharing...it was simply amazing.
    Cheers n keep writing always :)

  10. RChX says:

    My Views
    1. The Coffee Shop Background Was Something I Couldn't Digest.
    2. Students Studying (Completing Projects) At Coffee Shop Is Unheard Of.
    3. Kavya's Character Was Simply Unique.
    4. Subodh Is As An Idiot Like Me.
    5. The Story Telling Was Gr8 But The Death Of Kavya's Parents Was I Mean Like Duhh. Life Is Bitter. F9, But Why Throw In All Tragedies 2gether. Things Go Gruesome.
    6. Again Storyline Was Simple But Told Effectively From Both Kavya & Subodh's Point.
    7. But On Top Of It......."THE CLIMAX".......Loved It. Faced With "Liabilities".
    8. "Prajwala" Is Back With A Bang!!

    Review: ****

  11. Anonymous says:

    fantastic!!one can easily construe after reading this ..wat exactly those 4 letter means 'love'!!..was waiting for ur next post after reading previous ones...n i m happy to say that ur new entry makes the 'wait' worth it..a fantastic read i must say..with all ingredients to make it a touching one...a matured sense of eng writing is reflected in this affecting luv story...a few glitches which i found being a reader was a few mistakes n lack of coherence in sum places..barring which it stands out in the way it is presented..highly poignant which compels reader to read it in one go n ponder over its social implications..one can easily relate it to daily chores of lyf esp coll students with the up n down n best part is to leave the answer on the reader's part in the end...keep rocking..gud luck..

  12. Rocking!
    Good Story, great pace,compells you to read it in one go.
    Wonderful Ending.
    One Word Verdict-"Breathless"

  13. Unknown says:

    wow..thank god i got to read that
    you are really awesome

  14. Unknown says:

    dunno how to define wat i feel after reading this story..yaar..prajo..i love u for this story.. i loved it!! it touched my heart.. ..

  15. Anonymous says:

    wow!
    awesome writing skill
    :)

  16. Trioenix says:

    @ Sameer

    thanks :)

    @ Threem

    thanks a ton for those words of appreciation :)

    @ Dhanya

    thanks a lot dear. missing u too

  17. Trioenix says:

    @ Siabal Barman

    thanks for appreciating :)

    @CRD

    thanks buddy :)

    @ Gabrieal

    point noted for future

    thanks and keep visiting

  18. Trioenix says:

    @ Dipa

    these words (that this is the bestest romantic story u have ever read) are really a big boost for a beginner and NOT-SO-ROMANTIC-PERSON like me :)

    thanks and keep visiting :)

    @ Romil

    thanks for the review mate :)

    @Gaurav
    :) thanks

  19. Trioenix says:

    @ Satyajeet, MomentarLapse & Tosh

    thanks

  20. Trioenix says:

    @ S-n-E-h-A-l = SEA = WIDE = OPEN = DEEP and Gaurav

    thanks for reading... keep visiting for more

    @ Rashi

    :) I know that, some times it's hard to put feelings in words. but am glad to know that u loved the story and u love me too :D

    @Sorcerer

    thanku :)

  21. bhaskar says:

    Simple awesome.. left me speechless..you really know how to juggle with words and emotions..looking forward to reading more..

  22. Trioenix says:

    @Bhaskar, and Anonymous, thanks :)