One of my short stories published in the magazine GURLZ

A Cup of Love

There was no possibility of taking a walk that day as the mornings turned quite misty in the cool months of December. Looking out through her windowpane, Ayesha saw that there was a light drizzle. She pulled back her hair, which fell in a neat fringe framing her petite face.

She jumped into bed again with a small frown. As she crept under her sheets, she heard the door open quite unexpectedly. Pulling the sheets over her head, she pretended to be in deep slumber. “Sweetie! Are you awake? You know what day it is, right?” Ayesha’s mom Tara parted the curtains to a not so glorious but hazy morning. The dim light filtered through the window casting shadows across the room. Tara was picking the clothes off the floor, and saw Ayesha’s toe wriggle as she was about to leave the room. Tara mischievously pulled the sheets off to catch Ayesha unawares. “ Ayesha, enough of day dreaming and looking through half – closed eyes…when will you learn to look after your clothes instead of throwing them around? Sometimes when I enter your room I feel I see your clothes more than the person who stays here.” Ayesha put her fingers into her ears and screeched, “Ma, not so early in the morning. Please…you know me…what today is… then don’t pester me, let me be.”

Tara stormed out of her room, as she mumbled under her breath, “I hope you know Shantesh will be coming too.” Ayesha watched the figure of her mother leave the room. The only thing that registered in her mind was the name of Shantesh buzzing in her ears.

Switching on the light in the bathroom, Ayesha turned the tap on in the washbasin. She cupped the cold water in her hand and splashed it against her face. Taking a towel out of her cabinet, she wiped her face dry. She began to brush out her curls with a comb and remembered the way her father used to call her little princess. She smiled. But her smile did a topsy-turvy turn when she thought of Shantesh. “Why should he come? Why won’t mom understand? Why does Shantesh have to butt in everywhere?”

Dismissing her thoughts Ayesha took a photo of her family, which was placed on the table. Her hands felt the picture come alive. Suddenly her mind flashed back to the yesteryears. “Ayesha come here. Let’s take a photo, don’t be a fusspot.” Her father said as he cajoled Ayesha to sit on his lap. Ayesha wriggled out of his reach but when he started to tickle her, she couldn’t help but laugh and give in.

“What a happy family we were,” Ayesha thought, as she pressed the photo to her chest. “Couldn’t we have remained one? I only wish dad will be there for the convocation. He promised me so.” Ayesha had finally completed her Bachelors degree with flying colours and was thrilled when she came to know that she was being awarded “The Best Outgoing Student of the Year”. She only wished her father would be there too when she received this award.

Hearing the door open, Ayesha put the photo back and raced to the bathroom. Tara called “Ayesha …I shall go pick Shantesh from the airport…be ready ok…” Ayesha reluctantly replied, “Yes Ma, shall do so.” Tara closed the door leaving Ayesha to ponder on the memories of the past. Ayesha decided that the only way she could get rid of her feeling of discontent was by pampering her body and senses - which included scrubbing, cleaning and emerging more refreshed and perfumed then ever before. Tying a towel around herself, she sat on the bed. She began to apply the body lotion as she began to speculate on why she hated Shantesh so much. She thought aloud “Why could he not just go away?” Just like the lotion that her skin absorbed so easily.

It had been a few years since Tara divorced her husband. Since then Ayesha rarely met her father. Tara never objected to these meetings, as she firmly believed that it was very important for the father- daughter relationship to go on, as nothing could erase the nature of the relationship they were born into. But Shantesh just breezed in and the intimacy that Tara and he shared was something that threatened Ayesha time and again.

Lost in such thoughts she heard her mobile ring. It was Anil - her childhood friend from school who studied with her in college too. “Hey Ayesha, why do you sound so low … today is our convocation … shouldn’t you be excited … ooh you’re going to wear a sari too … wonder where all the guys will look today - the chief guest or you?” Ayesha drumming her fingers on the table said, “Anil don’t tease yaar, am already bugged. And you know something; to top it all my mom is bringing Shantesh along.” Anil replied calmly, “Yeah so?” Ayesha still trying hard to keep her voice down said, “Anil, you know how much I dislike him. I wonder why he still comes.” Anil who was well aware of the way Ayesha treated Shantesh on several occasions said, “Look Ayesha, he is close to your mother. Don’t be like this. They love each other dearly.” Ayesha whose anger was slowly rising said, “Yeah, but why did he have to come when things were going just fine.” Anil said, “Listen Ayesha, you know what the truth is… I need not tell you. You know Shantesh is not to be blamed, grow up, and see the reality. Tell me truthfully did your father actually come to visit you while you were at the hospital; no he did not even call. Even then it was Shantesh who ran around. Would he do that if he did not care for you? Be happy for your mother and stop having such unpleasant thoughts. It does not help, please….” Ayesha who was listening attentively said, “But Anil,” “Look Ayesha I don’t want to fight today. Now you cheer up. Shall catch you in the evening my beauty queen. Bye.” Ayesha smiled and said, “Bye Anil.”

Ayesha knew that what Anil said was more or less the truth. Ayesha’s father was on a business tour, but even then he did not cancel it for his daughter. On the other hand Shantesh left everything to be a moral support to her mother. Tara was totally shattered when Ayesha fell sick. One night Ayesha even overheard the conversation between Tara and Shantesh as they sat beside her bed. Tara was apologizing on behalf of Ayesha who had snapped at Shantesh a few minutes ago. Shantesh only caught Tara’s hand, pressed it warmly and said “Tara I understand what Ayesha feels…she feels I’m stealing you away from her. I’ve never had a father around too. So I know how it feels.” A tear fell from Tara’s eyes. Something she missed sharing with Ayesha’s father was the understanding she so simply got from Shantesh. He continued “I’m willing to wait for her to accept me into her world.”

Tara was almost at the brink of losing herself when her marriage broke up. She desired no social life as work kept her quite tied up. It was only when Shantesh came that things changed for the better, allowing Tara to be herself again.

Ayesha had no words to express the way she really felt for what all Shantesh had done for them, as tears rolled down her cheeks. Now Ayesha felt that now it was her turn to return the favour. “I have to look at things with a brighter perspective.” Ayesha thought as she looked at the skies turning a brilliant blue --- thank god for the clear skies - hope they remain the same throughout.”

She heard the horn of the car and saw Shantesh getting out to open the gate. Ayesha wasn’t at all surprised when Shantesh was welcomed with jumps and licks from Pogo her Alsatian. Shantesh had presented Pogo to Ayesha for her last birthday. Initially Ayesha ignored him as it reminded her of Shantesh. However when the dog felt ill, it was Ayesha who nursed the dog back to health - and eventually couldn’t help but fall in love with the adorable looking dog. She thought aloud as she saw Shantesh petting the dog lovingly “Oh boy! Is my dog loyal! I think I need to learn from my dog!”

Ayesha knew that her mother would feel disappointed if she wasn’t ready yet. She made it a point to wear the dress he brought her from Malaysia, which she had never touched till today. Rummaging through her cupboard she finally found the dress. She slipped into it immediately and on hearing the key turn in the lock, went to open the door with a wide smile “Hi ma! Hi Shantesh! How are you? You give me those bags, shall keep them in the guest room. You’ll be staying long won’t you?” as she made her way in. Both Tara and Shantesh looked in awe at Ayesha, looked at each other, shook their heads and walked in. As Shantesh made himself comfortable on the sofa, Ayesha walked into the living room and asked Shantesh, “How’s my dress? Remember this is the one you brought me.” Shantesh smiled and said “Good to know you like it.”

“It was so nice of you to come…would you like something to drink?” Ayesha asked wide-eyed. Shantesh who was still taking his time said, “Hmm coffee would do. Thanks Ayesha”. Ayesha smiled and as she left his eyes began to water. Feeling a hand on his shoulder he looked back to see Tara sitting next to him. Tara pressed his hand warmly and said, “She’s changing Shantesh. Your tree is finally bearing fruit.” Shantesh was about to speak when Tara closed his mouth with her hand and said, “Say nothing.”

Ayesha watched all this quietly from the kitchen, as she did not want to disrupt this moment. Many times Ayesha knew that she had hurt him, but now she knew the decision she had taken was worthwhile. Taking the coffee off the stove, she saw the steam rise, just as the coffee steam disappeared; she saw how her resentment towards Shantesh had evaporated. She knew that just as coffee had to be brewed to draw out its superb flavour, she had taken her time to unravel the layers of this man. Stirring the sugar into the coffee she decided never to take things at face value. Pouring the coffee into the mugs, she prepared herself to take on the new world. “Coffee for all” she said, as she joined Tara and Shantesh in the hall. In less than five minutes Ayesha was already spilling out secrets about the pranks they played on teachers, “You know we put fevicol on the chair. It was so funny when she got up and her sari tore.”

She noticed how intently Shantesh concentrated on every word she said and even laughed a few times. Picking up the empty mugs, Ayesha went to the kitchen. She heard Tara and Shantesh laugh, and she spotted the harmony in the laughter they shared.

Ayesha took up her cell phone and began to message Anil “Hi Anil! You were right; maybe it was me who refused to change. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and have decided to let Shantesh stay. Thanks for bringing me to my senses. Shall call you later.” Anil smiled when he saw her message. Tossing his phone on the passenger seat, he laughed to himself as he thought aloud, “She has finally found reason. She has accepted life. ” and he drove away into the bustling streets of Chennai.