The Promised Coffee

Present 

A promise was all that it seemed.  For it was with someone non existent in the present. Yet, it was all that was hers. Rekindled memories appeared with the thought of keeping the promise. It was like a long forgotten kiss felt on the sour lips. The fresh smoke out of the bag hidden somewhere in the past, was inciting her. Somehow it was the date that didn’t let her sleep. It was her favorite month, once again. A fool’s delight was the date tonight. Yet, something told her that he might not take it a miss. What if he skips the deal and later pronounces with those shameless words, ‘O darling. That was a April Fool’s joke’. But she is known to keep her word. And he never did. So she took the chance, for a promised word, they made a decade back.

Ten years back 

A phone call it was all.  Somehow she initiated the conversation by a simple forwarded text she sent him.  But, then somehow they wanted a talk. It has been years since life happened.

He: Hello.
She: Hi. I wasn’t expecting a phone call.

He: And I was thinking of some coffee.
She: Eh? Sorry?

He: The apology for not meeting and remember I have to return that book.
She: And those change too.

He: O ya *Chuckles*
She: Since when did you start needing excuses?

He: Since you stopped meeting.
*Silence*

She: Anyways, so what is new?
He: Will tell you when we meet.

She: Eh? I thought that was a joke.
He: Nope. O comeon just a coffee. Tomorrow?

She: O Ya Ya. Let us make a deal. Coffee on you. Years on me.
He: Eh?

She: 10 years later. Same date. Same city. Coffee. You and me.
He: Hmmm. And I will still be nothing.

She: My career hasn’t even started. Deal?
He: Deal. 1st April 2013. We meet again.

She: You never asked where and what time?
He: Our place. I am sure it will still exist. And for breakfast?

She: Promise. And then we will talk.
He: But tomorrow?

She: I am just not yet ready.
*Silence*

She: Talk to you later. See you.
He: See you.

It has been five years since she saw him last. Yet, she wasn’t ready. Will life be any different ten years later. She wondered.

Present

Basking in the glory of the present, she realized how he still manages to make her feel miserable. How she was still a vacuum unknown. Everything used to be magical in his presence. Then, she reveled in grief and pain too long.  She never really raised a finger over the wrongs once. And today, something was not really right even in the perfect surrounding. . Maybe, it was waiting for the closure she will be giving herself tonight. She should have done that decade back. But then she wouldn’t not have given herself that seal then. Now she can. After all, tomorrow is another day.

As the sun was out in its glory, she found herself in front of the mirror, trying to look the best. After all, sometimes impressions are all that are yours. So, here she was ready before time and on the way to the place. They called it their place. Sigh. She thought how the memories still pass through you after all these years. Five years of togetherness. Fifteen years apart. Yet, a string strung.

She finally was standing at the edge of that buzzing coffee shop. She still could find a imprint of them stuck to their old corner.

Feeling the fresh corners of the seat that held them once, she found a comfortable posture to settle down. She was in an anxious mood as to if she did the right thing by being here. What if he didn’t remember. Or what if he choose to forget the promise. Her convoluted mind and confused thoughts were interrupted by a familiar scent and a familiar face. Just some grey hair and a wrinkled lines on a bespectacled face were the new addition. Otherwise, he was still the heart stealer .

He: So you did stop by?
She: Even you did.

He: This city is still my second home. You have gone places.
She: This city will always be my first home. Anyways, how you been?

He: Good. Just a bit old maybe.
She: Still fishing for compliments. Are you?

He: Not at all. Infact, you deserve too many.
She: * chuckles* I am too old for that.

He: Life begins at forty darling. And I must say you have taken quite a good care of your body.
She: So you saying I have finally achieved the perfect figure which I never had back in college. Right?

He:  Transformation from an angel to a diva I say.
She: Stop buttering. We are no longer in college

He: O college. Makes me feel like how long it been. Even the university days were over long back.
She: Fifteen years since we last saw each other.

He: You remember?
She: I do. Though it wasn’t such a great memory.

He: Sigh. I know.
She: So spectacles make you quite serious

He: Now we look bit similar.
She: Hahaha and professional.

He: You do. I am still stuck in the same old routine
She: Sympathy gainer you still are.

He: Not with everyone
She: Ya Ya. So, how is Natasha?

He: * Stares*
She: I know her real name for too long.

He: Sometimes wrong facts are the only option we have.
She: Dishonesty is never right. Only if you were not the coward.

He: I wasn’t. Just the circumstances….
She: O ya. Circumstances make you cheat. Fall in love. Anyways, any kids?

He: Not yet. Actually I am planning to go abroad for a degree.
She: Doctorate isn’t your game darling. And still confused about your life? High time you take control of it.

He: Haha. You still know me quite a bit. I see, You did very well with that part. A writer. You always wrote well.
She: I hardly wrote back then. But then found my calling in it ultimately.

He: Marriage?
She: Who has the time?

He: Don’t do that?
She: Everything isn’t about you, love.

He: You really loved me no? Wish I…
She: Courage is the word. But don’t. For then I would have turned a drop in the ocean. Pain teaches us life. And you never had that around you.

He: You also had the destiny to be so.
She: Yes. Even you did. Just you never saw

He: That is so not…..

Before he could complete the sentence. A horde of fans were surrounding her like devotees. She had no option but to make a move, she finally said:-

” You only wanted artificiality  I only wanted you. But my path was right and yours was wrong. You are still mine in those memories. Fame was bestowed, for I had love. And you have an empty hand. Next time wish with a clean heart “

Tears rolled. He loved, but with conditions. And he finally realized it.. She ultimately found the closure. As she let him go completely.

Love grew in the innocent hearts
Memories were all it left then
They still curse it for the pain
Yet relish it for the desire abound.

Also Prompted @ 3WW, Inspiration Monday, Sunday Scribblings, NaPoWriMo, Theme Thursday, Carry on Tuesday and A-Z Blogging Challenge ( K for Kiss and L for Love)