He carefully measured freshly brewed coffee powder, poured it in a filter and started the espresso machine. The aroma behind the counter just heightened. With lightning speed he took a “Grande” size cup from the shelf and placed it neatly below the espresso nozzle. His actions were swift and mechanical. Although it wasn’t crowded at this hour, he was just so used to this set routine. He was trained in this routine to minimise service time. He was also trained to greet the customers and smile at them. But when the regulars walked inside the cafe every day usually around 8.30 in the late evening, his smiles and greetings were genuine.
This Starbucks was just convenient for Anushka. It was right in the campus of her office in Brigade Towers. After a long day at work, one cup of “tall Americano with cream” is all what she needed to get her spirits up.But almost all the time, she took a take away in a hurry to avoid getting stuck in traffic on Outer Ring road to her home in CV Raman Nagar. It was only since past few days she had started doing overtime at work and had started opting for “have it here” option.Her spot was also fixed; last side table by the window with a view of the mall, bustling with noise and lights. Coincidently it was Sameer’s favourite spot too. But he has been enjoying late evening coffee at that table for almost a month now. But they never had crossed paths at cafe so much to start a conversation; at times had only exchanged few pleasantries. But today was different, somehow the timings matched and this conversation happened.
“Do you mind?” Sameer pointed at the empty chair in front of her. Giving quite a deliberate glance over the almost empty sitting area, Anushka replied, “ Sure. Clearly I don’t see any other empty seat”. Taken aback by the mean sarcasm Sameer almost snapped, “Hey. Don’t be rude. Actually this is my usual spot. Don’t bother, I will sit somewhere else”.
“I am sorry. Didn’t mean to be rude. Please have a seat. This is my Sheldon spot too” Anushka said. With a silent chuckle Sameer settled himself in the chair wondering if he was little out of the line by insisting to sit at that table.
“So you also come here regularly?” Anushka broached the silence.
“ Yah. From past couple of weeks actually. Same time, same place” Sameer smiled.
“Wow. You seem to be doing overtime at work. Didn’t know you product guys also have to stay this late?” Anushka said it in a little mischievous yet caustic tone.
“Hey, it’s not like only you business folks have so much work on their plate." Words came out of his mouth like darts fired and landed straight into Anushka’s coffee mug. Anushka took the onus on her to swiftly change the topic.
“ I was just kidding ya. Actually, I like to come here just to catch a little break from everything.”
It could have been his over enthusiastic imagination but he did feel that on this sentence, Anushka’s smile really didn’t reach her eyes. There was more to that “everything” than just work. But shrugging off that thought he too replied with similar “because I am really expected to” smile, “Ya. Tell me about it. Now a days I actually look forward to my coffee time here.”
“ I am sorry to have intruded in your lone coffee time then.”
“Nah nah..Technically I was the one who intruded. Anyways, a fellow coffee lover company is always welcomed.”
Half completing her sip, Anushka threw the words quite excitedly, “ Let us make a deal. We won’t talk about work at all for the next 30 mins we are here.We will talk about anything else…coffee, other interests, movies…”
“ Deal. Although I have an objection. Why just 30 minutes? I don’t mind staying till they shut the cafe. It’s high time Bangalore should do something about this 11 clock deadline”
“Yah, Only weekend extension is not enough. But I guess it's enough for this break. I don’t think I have a luxury of so much time today. Well, Mr. Sameer, some of us have people waiting at home, so." For some reason she gave a quick glance at her wedding ring as if to make sure it is there. A voice inside was laughing and telling her, “That’s it. That dreadful day has arrived. You have turned into a typical “married” girl, using “family” as an excuse."
“Madam, I have a family too.” Not just words but he also flashed his phone in front of her with the photo of his wife and a few months old kid. “It’s just…you see…it’s good to catch such breaks”. Rest of the words couldn’t really come out of his mouth, they lingered somewhere in his thoughts.
“ Yah, I get it. A little time to yourself is much needed at times. And that’s Kartik, right? How many months old now?” She gave a courtesy smile.
“ Six months.” Both of them were now looking down at their half finished coffee mugs, aimlessly fiddling with the stirrer. Not knowing what exactly to talk to break this silence, Anushka just spoke the first words which she could think of, “But don’t you wait eagerly to get back home and see your little baby?” He knew it was a casual and most natural enquiry yet those words pricked Sameer and then next it was his guilt speaking, “Hey it’s not like I am avoiding going home early. But at times it is too much… gets on your nerve. I…” Then came the realisation of sharing too much when not required and he bit his tongue. Anushka was taken aback and she almost felt like ducking to avoid those words from falling on her. “ I am sorry. I did not mean that" is all she managed to say. Then again there was that long awkward silence.
Sameer was not even listening. He was already lost in his thoughts. He was thinking if these are the exact words he should use to talk to his wife.His was the same old story. They were not ready but nobody ever is. But soon they realised that it is a big responsibility. They had to bring so many changes in their lifestyles; less social hang outs and a hectic routine with work and a kid. Everyday he looked at his wife; hopeful, confused, helpless and guilty. And he was met with the same glance. Overtime at work and late evening coffee was just his excuse to stay away from home. He didn’t feel proud about it. Probably most married people do this at some point or the other in their lives. He just felt guilty and helpless. He didn’t want to admit to himself that he can’t handle responsibilities and was acting like a coward.
Barista’s loud and enthusiastic “Welcome to Starbucks” halted his guilt train. As if woken up from a quick nap, he looked up and met with Anushka’s concerned gaze. She was clearly trying to put two and two together. “Listen, I know it’s none of my business but any trouble at home?” Anushka tried to put up a matured face while in her head little devil was mocking her as if telling her, “You have glass walls, don't throw stones at others”. While she was almost hoping that Sameer will avoid the question and change topic, he just got carried away. Even Sameer was surprised. It was as if his brain had no control over his heart which was pouring out all the pent up thoughts and feelings having found a listening ear after a long time. Sometimes it is just easy to open up to a stranger.
Fortunately the awkward silence was filled by barista’s “Last order” from behind the counter. Slowly the heaviness in the air also dialled down.After patiently listening to Sameer, Anushka took a good one minute to put together her response. “So Sameer, thank you.” That was unexpected. Sameer was not just surprised to hear that but was strangely irritated. He thought Anushka was kidding but she had her poker face. He did not know how to react.
“ No I really mean it. I know you are expecting some sympathy here or advice may be. But you reinforced my decision. Sort of helped me mitigate the tiny guilt I had”
“ Okay, now you lost me. What are you talking about?”
She took a deep breath and said with a tone of a confession. “ So listening to your predicament , I realised there is no point in rushing into these decisions of having a kid until you are ready. I mean why make that child suffer due to our wrong decisions or lack of responsibility, right? I am even more convinced now, about my decision of not keeping it. You know what, you should talk to Aditya. He wants this baby. We are having a huge fight over it. But who knows if he also starts doing “overtime” like you when we actually have this kid and I drown myself in work just so that I can run away from responsibilities?”
Sameer was baffled and shocked. Out of all the expected responses, this was never even on his mind. Anushka had this strange expression on her face; that expression of relief when somebody tells you “It is not your fault”. But Sameer was not ready to take that burden on his shoulder and be the reason or inspiration for ending a life so to speak. This was completely unexpected. How does somebody even react to that?
“Hey hey hey, now hold on. Don’t thank me and all. It’s your personal decision. I am Pro Choice and all. But it’s not as grave as you are making it sound like. I am stupid. It’s my momentary laps. I will recover for sure. I mean unless you jump into the water you will never learn how to swim. I know I am sounding cliche here but I am just saying don’t make your decision based on one jerk like me. Just be open to both the options. okay?” Tables were turned. Sameer was actually surprised that he could talk sense.
Anushka just gave a faint smile and nodded. Coffee was over long time back and as both of them realised so was the conversation. Sameer was the first one to get up hurriedly. “ Good night. See you tomorrow at work. And thank you”
“Will save up a seat for you here” Anushka asked with an unspoken question mark at the end.
“Amm…I dont think I will be doing overtime from tomorrow" Sameer replied with a clam yet serious face, a face of someone who has just had a self reveleation. As he was about to get inside his car, he looked back. Anushka was standing near her car searching for keys in her bag. He had this strange thought. He paused for a moment but then immediately shouted, “It was all made up. You said that just to make me realise my mistake without sounding preachy. Right? One brilliant move. There cant be so much of a coincidence. It can't be true? right?" Anushka just stared right back at him. For the first time today evening she had a mischievous grin on her face which reflected in her eyes. “Why would you say so? It can be true. Good night Sameer. Give my regards to Krithika and Kartik”. She got inside her car, started the engine and drove away. Sameer looked at her car going away with a confused expression. He was impressed by Anushka’s move and started dialling Krithika as his car took a reverse on a driveway.
Somewhere on the ninth floor balcony of Jain Heights at C V Raman Nagar, Aditya was standing, staring at the city sky line. His phone blinked. “ On way home. I am ready to discuss. Please wait up”.
Back at the acafe, barista had locked up the cafe door. He was about to start his bike when his phone vibrated in his pocket. “ Bhai enough with your overtimes. Come home fast. Mom and Dad are fighting again. I cant take it alone”
