Skip to main content

There’s A Change In The Air…


“Thank you for sending out the parcel for me,” she says, taking the proffered receipt. 

“It’s no problem. I was going to the Post Office anyway.”

She nods. He smiles.  

“Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?” she asks.

“When have I ever said no to tea?” he retorts, eyes twinkling.

She smiles. Leads the way inside her house. He follows.

“Make yourself comfortable,” she says over her shoulder. “I will get on with the tea.”

As she sets the water boiling and puts out the milk to warm, she hears him walking around the living room.

“Fresh flowers!” she hears him exclaim. “So, you do seem to have a green thumb, huh? Who knew!”

She smiles at the boiling water. It is nice of him to notice and to comment on the tiny bunch of flowers from her garden that she has arranged in a small vase out on the table.

“Well, who knew!” she says.

And when she turns to get the sugar and tea out of the cupboard, she sees him standing at the entrance of the kitchen, one hand on the door frame and the other resting lightly on his stick. And somehow, she finds it fitting. Like it is the most normal thing in the world for him to be standing here, in her kitchen, smiling, chatting her up.




They take the tea on the porch. She has laid out snacks with the tea today. Batter fried peanuts. The kind they loved as kids. The ones they would steal by the handfuls from glass jars laid out on the counter of the local bakery, when the owner was busy with the customers.

“These are amazing!” he says crunching them now. “You know, I have been to so many different places, and I have tried these masala peanuts from all those different places; but this taste from our local bakery? I have never found it anywhere!”

“That is because our local baker uses the worst possible oil to fry them in!” she says without missing a beat.

He laughs heartily! She pretends to sip from her cup, hiding her smile.

“I am so glad you have not lost your sense of humour in all this time,” he says.

“Well, it is the one thing that has kept me going all this time….” She says. “That, and my daughter…”

He puts down his cup. Touches her hand lightly. “Krishna,” he says. “You are in a good place here. I know you haven’t had it easy, but life is smiling at you now.”

“I know,” she says, putting her hand on top of his. “I know.”

He nods and they fall into a companionable silence. Occasionally, one or the other makes a remark or points out something just beyond the gate as they continue to sip on their tea.




Ever since the day Ananta visited on his wife’s anniversary, Krishna has been surprised at the way she spoke about her marriage so openly and so candidly that day. It was the first time she had ever opened up about it; and yet, it feels to her, like the most natural, the most normal thing that it was Ananta she opened up to. 

Since then, something has changed between them. Something’s shifted. There is an ease around them now. They meet regularly. They laugh a lot. They chat about everything under the sun. They even take in an occasional DVD together in either of their homes during lazy rainy afternoons. And these ‘teas’ that they have together, well, that’s almost routine now. Not a day passes when they are not sharing something. Be it tea, or the local gossip, or some childhood memory or even the wonderful recipes from their times that Krishna is so adept at making.

Latabai cooks less and less for Ananta now. And most days, even she takes home a casserole from Krishna. Ananta does Krishna’s errands and helps out with odd jobs around the house. They know each other’s routines and each other’s preferences; and between the two of them, and Latabai, it is almost as if the years in between had never happened.       

Every morning, Ananta returns from his morning walk with a spring in his step, so he can greet Krishna with his Top of the morning to you! Every evening, Krishna waits anxiously to find out if Ananta wishes to join her for tea. On most days, he does.



“You know, there’s a play come to town?” he asks now, frowning against the bright sunlight.

It has been ages since Krishna has seen a live play on stage. Her husband never liked live shows and truth be told, they didn’t share the sort of relationship where they would take in a play or a movie. But she enjoyed watching live plays in her days and even now, keeps herself updated through the advertisements in newspapers.   

“Yes,” she says. “It’s a comedy.”

He nods. He opens his mouth to say something. Then thinks better of it. His manner is suddenly hesitant. As if he is not sure what he is going to say. She senses the change.

“What?” she asks. “Has the tea gone too cold, should I warm it up?”

“No, no.” he says uncomfortably. Then he runs a hand around his collar. Although, his shirt is open at the neck.

“Is it too hot for you? Sitting out here? We could go in, I could switch on the fan…”

“Can I ask you something?” he says suddenly.

“Sure,” she says.

But the next moment he says, “Oh, never mind.”

“What is it?” she asks, impatient now. “Oh, come on Ananta, it’s me, Krishna! You know you can tell me whatever it is…”

When he looks up at her, his look is so intense, she starts. For a moment she just sits there, looking into his eyes. But then she remembers his old habits and gives a light slap on his wrist. “Quit the drama Ananta!” she says her eyes laughing. “Out with it. Now!”

But he doesn’t seem in a playful mood. “Promise me Krishna. If I ask you something and you don’t like it, we will still be friends.”

“Oh, please! You and your riddles!” she says.

But he continues to be serious. “Promise me.”

“Okay. I hereby, solemnly promise, that no matter what you say, I will still be your friend. Is that good enough?”

He is silent for so long, she thinks he is not going to say anything more. But he does.

“Krishna,” he says, hesitantly, “I just wanted to….it’s just that ….ummm…”

She can't help giggling like a little girl. "You stammer like a teenager asking a girl out on a date!” she says, and then laughs heartily throwing her head back, one hand on her chest. When she opens her eyes though, she sees him looking at her, his gaze direct, and the expression on his face so serious, she does a double take. 

“What do you want to ask me Ananta?” she finally asks, sobering up.

And then he surprises her.

“Can I take you out to the play?” he asks her in a suddenly very sure voice.

She doesn’t say anything immediately. She just sits there looking at him, her emotions running amok. He looks at her with an expression that is part hope, part anxiety and part surprise. As if, he has surprised himself by asking her out.

She finds her own emotions running a similar course. She immediately wants to say yes to him! She doesn’t go out much and would really love to watch the play! But she isn’t sure she should do that. On the one hand she wants to just hug him for having even asked her to go out with him! On the other hand, she also feels they are too old for such outings. But honestly, she is really happy that he wants to take her out.

And it is this thought, which really surprises her. Because in her heart, she knows this is not merely about one outing. Things are changing. Rapidly. She is getting too used to Ananta. She is getting very comfortable with him. She has never known what she expected when she came here. But the change that she feels in her heart now, she doesn’t know what to make of it.  

His eyes still hold hers. And she is very aware of this. She knows he waits anxiously for her answer. Just as she waits, with bated breath, her heart fluttering in her chest, to see where life plans to take her now, from here.




Note: 
This is Part 4 of the story I am writing as part of WriteTribe’s October 2017 ProBlogger Challenge.
The story is presented as an ongoing series. You can check out the story so far in Part 1 and Part 2 and Part 3. And here's what happens in Part 5.   
  

Comments

  1. Lovely! This part has covered more story with emotions :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Ramya. Yes, it was time for this side to show now. For emotions to take over :)

      Delete
  2. We wait with bated breath too for her answer!

    ReplyDelete
  3. wow, what a scene of story.

    ReplyDelete
  4. A very interesting point to end todays chapter .I hope there's an exciting ending.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Amrita :) Let's see where the story takes us :)

      Delete
  5. ITs good to find some company when they have no one else. Hope she says yes!

    ReplyDelete
  6. That was so beautiful, Rashmi. I read this post first thing this morning and now I feel so romantic and beautiful, thanks to your romantic and beautiful writing! I truly hope Ananta and Krishna find the love, companionship and friendship they have wanted all their life.
    You are such a gifted writer, Rashmi! Love the way you weave such exquisite words !
    Take a bow, lady! It's a pleasure reading your work!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so, so much, Shilpa! You are too kind :) What can I say, I am just humbled. Thank you

      Delete
  7. I hope she says yes. But I see hesitation from her. What have you planned for Krishna and Ananta next?What a brilliant, crisp writing, Rashmi! I shouldn't say this out loud, but, honestly, I envy you. Applauds girl!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aww Vinitha, thank you so much! You are an amazing poet yourself. I can never weave the words in beautiful poetry the way you do :)

      Delete
  8. Beautiful! I don’t know what to say. This story is so beautiful. I’m glad both of them are finding love and care in lives. So what is it’s late in life. I’d love to you how did the idea come to you?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Parul. Let's see where the story takes us :)
      As for the idea, I see so many old people around, who are just unhappy. Many of them have a lot of expectations, some live alone, others aren't the center of their children's lives any more, and yet others, sad for some other reason. And I felt, why should old age be only associated with regret and sadness? What if there was another beautiful way of looking at it? And this is an attempt at looking at it from a different angle. :)

      Delete
  9. I totally love it. Rashmi this is a book. You need to turn it into one. You capture the varying emotions so perfectly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Tulika! Let's hope, someday... :)

      Delete
  10. Love the conversations and the warmth of affection that comes through in your narration, Rashmi.

    And here I am waiting with bated breath for the next part, Rashmi.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Corinne! :)
      Hope you will like the next part as well!

      Delete
  11. Rashmi, your story has me rooting for the sweet couple. She better say yes to him for life :) This is such a cute love story. I am warning you, no sad ending please. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awww that is just so sweet Sulekkha. Something tells me you are just going to love the next part! :)

      Delete
  12. I am waiting to read a yes from her side :)

    ReplyDelete
  13. The story is moving on very well. Each part ends at turning point and then have to wait....:) But that's what stories should be. Look forward to see what happens to Krishna and......

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a beautiful story and so romantic! I hope that she says yes!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. wow... I wish she says yes....

    ReplyDelete
  16. I thought I had commented on this, but I can't find it. Great detailing and building of suspense.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey Nupur, you did comment on this! Yours was among the very first few comments :) Thanks so much!

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

आईचा ब्रेक

मिस्टर सानेंनी हळू डोळे उघडले. खिडकीतून उन्हं येत होती. खाडकन जागे झाले. दुपार झाली कि काय! घड्याळ बघितल, हुश्श, आठच वाजतायेत! पण पुढच्याच क्षणी लक्षात आलं, आठ वाजले तरी किचन मधून काही आवाज येत नाहीयेत. आज तर गुरुवार, वर्किंग डे, एव्हाना किचन मधून आवाजच नव्हे तर तर-तर्हेचे वासही यायला हवेत. डबा तयार झाला असला पाहिजे, चहा तयार झाला आला पाहिजे. पण आज कसलीच हालचाल दिसत नाही! शेजारी पहिल तर मिसेस सानेही शेजारी नाहीत. काय भानगड आहे बुआ आज?   चष्मा चढवून मिस्टर साने बेडरूम मधून बाहेर आले. मिसेस सानेंचा घरात कुठेच पत्ता नव्हता! गेली कुठे  ही? मिस्टर सानेंनी सुनबाईंना विचारायच ठरवलं. पण श्वेता त्यांना कुठे दिसेना. इतक्यात, "गुडमॉर्निंग  बाबा!" म्हणत श्वेता जांभई देत बाहेर आली आणि त्यांच्या उत्तराची वाट न पाहता, तडक  "गुडमॉर्निंग आई" म्हणत किचन मध्ये गेली. मिस्टर साने तिला काही सांगणार इतक्यात,  "अहो बाबा, आई कुठेयत?" म्हणत पुन्हा बाहेर आली. एव्हाना तिची झोप पूर्णपणे उडाली होती. "माहित नाही बुआ, मला वाटलं तुला काही बोलली असेल..."   त्यांना वा

Love them or hate them....

"Behind every great kid is a mom who is pretty sure she is getting it all wrong", they say. True, parenting is a game of 'wait and watch.' There is no right or wrong here; or nothing that is a sure fire success mantra. Everyone has a different take on on how they wish to raise their young ones. And it is the choices that parents make that impact their children majorly. 

Of life lessons and listening to one’s heart - Mrs. B speaks

Small pleasures matter in life. Really small, everyday pleasures. Like, being able to smell the garden in full bloom on a hot summer day, or being able to have a hot water bath in cold weather. Or even being able to drink a hot cup of coffee first thing in the morning. Or, for that matter, being able to eat junk food to one’s heart’s content! Ah, bliss! Oh, I almost forgot, for those of you who haven’t met me before , myself, Mrs. Bhagirathi. The kids in my building call me Mrs. B. I am a housewife. Or better still – a homemaker. I work from home and generally spend time reading and surfing the internet when the kids and my husband are away for the day. I also cook and clean, and wash and iron clothes – but I guess all that is included in the title of “homemaker.” So no special mention needed. So, like I was saying, life is a sum total of small pleasures. And what I said about junk food, is absolutely true. Especially when you think of the cheeseburger. Or the veggie bur