It felt nice.
Just to sit outside, not worried about exchanging a hello to a known person or
acquaintance. I watched the sun as it drowned in a sea of amber clouds and was
happy to enjoy a clear weather which was of course a rarity during monsoons in Mumbai.
It was that rainy day when the roads didn't seem flooded and I could finally
manage to wear my new pair of shoes. Leaning over the glass table, I stole a
look at them. I was impressed with myself momentarily for finding such a pair
at the Sale for straight fifty percent off. I smiled ear to ear
fiddling with the napkin holder.
A sudden thud
on my table broke my self-appreciation half way. Another cup of coffee found
its place along with mine. I looked up confused, only to find a tired
apologetic face staring back at me. A tall man dressed in formals towered over
me and my coffee.
"All the
tables are full. I was hoping, since you are alone, I could borrow a
chair." His voice was cracked as his eyes narrated the tale of a
treacherous day. He needed his coffee time more than me. I nodded my head
approvingly and slid my chair a little backwards since we were now sharing the
same table.
"Thank
you!" He sighed taking a sip.
"No
issues." I mumbled picking up my cup from the table.
I watched him
as he completed his coffee in silence. He looked miserable. Tie a bit undone,
shirt a bit crumbled and an old black leather bag sitting on his lap. I
wondered what struck him so hard. Getting fired and a cheating girlfriend were
the first thoughts that crossed my mind.
I stared at
him from the corner of my eye. He asked for a paper napkin and gestured for a
pen. The next second, he started writing something on it. I wondered what could
he be writing. His number for that waitress? A service note maybe?
I realized I
was more of gossip monger when I was alone. So I scolded myself to mind my own
business and decided to leave before it got dark.
I could still see him standing at the counter,
scribbling something. And when he was done, he pinned the napkin on the message
board with all the other notes. I found it a bit strange. As he left, I got up
to foot my bill.
Searching for
my card inside the never ending pouched of my bag, my eyes fell on the note he
pinned.
"Today
was a crappy day. Actually the last couple of days have been the same. First my
bike gets stolen, then I get kicked out as I couldn't keep up with my apartment
rent and today my boss cancels my promotion. Well, the only good thing that
happened today was a coffee at this place and the girl sitting in front of
me.-KS"
I let off a
chuckle reading it, not at his constant luck with misery, but at his ability to
look and think beyond it. I walked out of the cafe, smiling unknowingly.
I too have
been a part of a ruthless tryst with bad luck. Almost everyone has. And such
encounters do leave a mark like every storm leaves a trail. But when to think
about it, a few storms are necessary in our lives. To root out the unwanted and
week thoughts cropping up in our minds. To settle the dust that was clouding
the vision. The trace that storms like these will leave on our window panes,
will eventually dry out in the sun. I wish I could have hinted him that in
person.
But I did a
leave a note of mine besides his on the board. It was like a story lost amongst
hundreds of those messages, an encounter that found a small place. Just to let
him know that there always be other survivors in the storm.
"Hey
there 'KS'. I hope all your troubles die down soon. And I am flattered by your
remark. Thank you! - 'the girl sitting in front of you.' "
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