Month: May 2014

A Cup of Coffee…

A Cup of Coffee…

“Those standard coffee-shops don’t agree with me at all. Instead, We could go to some garden. It will be fun.” I was trying to take her out of the sedentary positions which always make you stick to something. Either the chair butt, or your laptop or the ah! the cellphone – during office hours.

My colleague retreated, “Hey, what will you get by going there? My tensions are getting the worst of me, and you are interested in scenery?”

She continued, “Exams are on the verge, the boss is all excited on new projects, the deadlines are drumming off my head. And there you are, describing the gushing surge and the blissful urge.”

I momentarily looked at her tensed up and sweat ridden face, droplets of pure exhaustion were visible even inspite of the ‘23 degrees’ display peeking at her from the sidewall of our cubicle.

“Dear lady, I am a poet by birth, my mind will wander in trees, it will marvel at flowers and beautiful faces.” (I never left a chance to indicate his intentions, though…)

“Ah you surprise me!” said she.

But, in any case, she was looking dainty and delicate as ever. The traces of a mild lipstick that she had smeared while giving the latest presentation were still blocking my attention towards work. The tangy twirl of hair was further inviting me to whirl around in the chair and……

The right bottom part of the desktop screen was already alarming. “Hey you, it is time to… leave the office. It is already 5.30 p.m. Your bike is waiting for you downstairs.

I started packing my belongings in the usual untidy way. She was still sitting gradually dropping miscellaneous things into her handbag. Slowly but neatly. I marveled at her ability to chat on WhatsApp, pack her bag and maintain those tensed forehead lines simultaneously.

“You are coming with me right?” Sheer expectation; although I didn’t show it on my face.

“Hmmm, let’s try. Come on!…” (Ha, finally)

We reached the hill top in about half an hour. Securing a place partly hidden in a dense shrubbery, I said, “Look Adi, (short for Aditi), you are going to do few things before we take a start.”

“Start what?” She stared at me blankly. (Start expressing my feelings, I thought)

“Before we start soothing out your tensions.” I replied in a jiffy.

“First you are going to switch off all electronic devices.”

“All? I only have my cellphone dear.” She prompted. (Thank god for that.)

“Now nothing will disturb us, I mean you.” I faltered.

“Next, sit straight, close your eyes, and take a deep breath. Close your eyes dear!!!” I exclaimed out of apprehension.

She closed her eyes with the expertise of a trained yoga teacher. “Better. Now forget everything- the boss, the beauty contest this week, your exams next month, friends, even my presence.” (Don’t forget me though.)

I was muttering slowly in her ear, fully aware that my warm breath was clashing against the cool, breeze lashing her red cheeks. Yet I continued, “You are now independent. Free from everything; observe the plain audacity of the wind, the occasional chirping of the returning bird.  Listen to the sound of silence….. Forget the desk, talk with stones… Forget the seats, talk with leaves….”

I left her in this trance and became engrossed with the vivid sunset. The setting sun shone on me, but what I saw was her face.

After some time she opened her eyes. “Feeling better.” she said. I took her hand in mine, “Adi, Did you just witness that you can remain aloof if you want to; without ever needing closed walls and air-conditioned rooms? To talk. Talk with nature and it talks back….”

“Hmmm.” She replied.

“So, now what, after this sacred realization?” she asked.

“Now what!!” I muttered under my breath in just an attempt to say something to pour my heart out.

“Let’s have a cup of coffee….”

 

Phew!!!!

She lurched towards the bike to indicate movement; and me; I pat my hand on the forehead. Suggesting ‘succumbance’ to her majesty.

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You….

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She is waiting for me. I have purposely fallen behind for half an hour or so. I have already received three missed calls in my logs. And don’t know maybe a lot more on my private telepathic wavelength with her.

I walk casually into the park. Twinkling with enthusiasm, I duck behind a tree just across our decided park bench. She is a gorgeous sight. Dressed in pure Indian attire, she looks beautiful as ever. Blessed as I am in her presence, I stand there far too engrossed looking at her….

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You..

Meeting You, is a fantasy.

Catching a glimpse of You, is soothing.

Finding You engrossed in something, is pleasing.

Seeing You smile, is in itself destiny.

Eyeing Your eyes, is density.

Hearing You saying my name, is “lovely”

Tracing Your expressions, is heavenly.

Catching Your hints, is bravery.

Holding Your hand, is smoothness.

Touching Your heart, is fullness.

Sitting beside You, is peaceful.

And watching Your going steps, is indeed “grateful”.

Dedicated to someone’s “HER”……

From a soulful heart…♥♥♥

The Title story…….

The Rivulet of thoughts…

 

                      I get up, yet another day of my life, I rub my eyes. The world is same as yesterday; it will be same tomorrow and the day after. Probably, for the next few days also. But it is a surety it will change over time. Then something dawns on me, I began to ponder. I begin to search the difference. My habit of having a “thought for the day” through school beckons me. I start guessing the reason for my living this day, I search for questions and the answers to them, and I exclaim, and I beg nature for ideas that will leave me guessing about its wonderful ways!!!!!!

                   I do a horde many more things than just sit there in the bed enjoying the breeze flowing out of the sun shone morning air. I remember the half read book, resting idly at my bedside. My notice the wrinkled blanket and wonder what intriguing dream I had, last night, will it come true or won’t, Or what on earth was its significance in my cerebellum. I gather my emotions, my feelings, my beliefs, my faiths, and my hopes and I step out into this whole wide world.

                   I check out my mails, texts to me, whatsapp chat histories, messages sent to me sincerely, faithfully, truly, lovingly or simply ending with a curt FYI or PFA and Regards without actually meaning it. I scan the newspaper with a broad gateway to outside world; gulp down some tea with all sorts of bitter and sweet memoirs of the previous days to begin the day afresh!!!

                   I move out of the house. I arrive at the train platform. Oh What I love crowds!! The crowd inspires and elevates me. I listen to people, I watch them, I communicate, I discuss, I argue, I criticise, I praise, I condemn; and Oh! What a response I get! Reaching my workplace, opening up the laptop gives me a sense of responsibility. Working, I strain my eyes, meet colleagues, deal with them, berate juniors, mock seniors, admire some, respect them, and have awe for few others. Few I inspire NOT to be like, ever in my life.

                   I leave work, going through all the idiosyncrasies again, I witness the sunset, I watch the birds returning to the safety of their homes, check out my favourite sport to play, burn some fat and sweat a bit. A meet with a friend gives me extra energy to carry on during the rest of the 24 hours allotted for “Today”. Casually I drift down the street, catching a glimpse of few sufferings, some romance in and around the trees, or maybe a tearful eye on a shoulder or a restful bliss on a fair face. I notice people noticing me and I keep on walking. Some time or the other I may get a chance to sit beside a river, the flow moves something in the insides of the soul and not just the body which gets soothed by the calm waters. I climb my own mountains, my ambitions, everything just to get a bird’s eye view, just to satisfy myself to be above the world. In the evening, I return to the recesses of my own desk at my home. Yet another eventful day has passed…….

                   I come back to where I had started, I began to wonder, and once again I gather myself, I thank people I met during the day and express a desire to meet someone special in due course. I gather myself over the intricate coincidences happening in and around me. I keep pondering over in my mind – begin to get a state of completeness and there I am…………..

                  All that I see gives me a reason to think. That is the moment when a small trickle runs down the lane, drop by drop it gathers strength, and out flows a rivulet…… A rivulet of thoughts……

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For Calm and cold as it may flow,

Weed or Reed along may grow,

Thirst to write is all it needs,

Imagine, and there it is for all you know…….