Today while sitting in Cafe Coffee Day all by myself I read the caption written below the red and white logo of CCD on the menu card - A lot can happen over coffee. I see crowds of people entering this place filled with the intoxicating aroma of coffee beans - couples both old and young, mostly people of my age, teenagers and college students. But I am all alone sipping my triple sec mocha, enjoying its fruity yet strong flavour. I have been to this place quite often and love it but there are a few instances when i have felt so isolated in this crowd of so many people.
Today i have chosen to sit on a single seater instead of my personal favourite...the couch with red and purple cushions.I have finished my coffee. I ask the waiter for the menu card again. This time I want to order something different. I cough a couple of times. A few people look at me with a mixed sort of expression. Are they irritated? Oh! They are least bothered about my coughing! Its just that an alien sound distracted them from the "Ek Din" song playing on the jukebox. Am i thinking too much?! I am behaving like Prufrock!-me and my fragmented self.
As I flip through the pages of the menu card, a cute looking waitress Ramya, adds another chair to my table as if trying to fill up my emptiness. I smile at her and she smiles back. This momentary eye-contact makes me feel happy for a while. Life is so full of titbits. Bits of emotions can lighten or darken one's day. Suddenly I am jolted back to reality when the waiter comes to my seat and places another mug of triple sec mocha on my table. I look puzzled and say "This is not what i want." He says but you said "once again please." Oh! I said I want the menu card once again please. He must not have heard what i said. Not his fault really. I speak too softly at times. He looks at me dejected and i ask him - "Will cancelling the order cause you trouble?" the answer is but obvious. I tell him that I want to have the coffee. He thanks me and smiles.
Again I feel happier. Its good that I have this hot coffee - as it is I am shivering because the air conditioner is on full. I am feeling nostalgic - don't know why? I flip my mobile and see the time... its 13:54. My cabmates will be here in half an hour's time and then I'll go back home. Home is it? Memories Ah! So many things going on in my mind! I am brimming with thoughts! A lot can really happen over coffee! Even when you are all alone! I see the empty chair in front of my seat. I feel single life can be so boring yet one gets so much time for oneself! Self-denial is one thing that is impossible when you are single. I look at my mug of coffee. Its half empty and half full. I feel the same. I am so full of feelings yet so bereft of companionship.
I wish I had people around me. Well I do have so many people around me - but all of them are unknown, strangers - people I have never met before, people I don't know! But the beauty of life is that I can see them, observe them, hear them speak, understand their emotions. A couple is snuggled on the couch right in front of me. They are young, happy and seem satisfied with life. The girl is having an electric blue drink. She is constantly talking to her boyfriend who is in a typical Delhi University attire, white lucknowi kurta and blue jeans. They are a cute couple and compliment each other
Coming back to myself my coffee is finished. I am full of it now. I stroke my hair with my fingers. I wish someone could do that for me! Well I am a dreamer and have full faith in the fact that dreams do come true. I ask for the bill, call my friends and ask them when they will reach Tolstoy Marg? I pay the bill, smile at myself and leave the coffee shop with dreams and emotions brewing in my mind just like a hot cup of Grande Mug!
Today i have chosen to sit on a single seater instead of my personal favourite...the couch with red and purple cushions.I have finished my coffee. I ask the waiter for the menu card again. This time I want to order something different. I cough a couple of times. A few people look at me with a mixed sort of expression. Are they irritated? Oh! They are least bothered about my coughing! Its just that an alien sound distracted them from the "Ek Din" song playing on the jukebox. Am i thinking too much?! I am behaving like Prufrock!-me and my fragmented self.
As I flip through the pages of the menu card, a cute looking waitress Ramya, adds another chair to my table as if trying to fill up my emptiness. I smile at her and she smiles back. This momentary eye-contact makes me feel happy for a while. Life is so full of titbits. Bits of emotions can lighten or darken one's day. Suddenly I am jolted back to reality when the waiter comes to my seat and places another mug of triple sec mocha on my table. I look puzzled and say "This is not what i want." He says but you said "once again please." Oh! I said I want the menu card once again please. He must not have heard what i said. Not his fault really. I speak too softly at times. He looks at me dejected and i ask him - "Will cancelling the order cause you trouble?" the answer is but obvious. I tell him that I want to have the coffee. He thanks me and smiles.
Again I feel happier. Its good that I have this hot coffee - as it is I am shivering because the air conditioner is on full. I am feeling nostalgic - don't know why? I flip my mobile and see the time... its 13:54. My cabmates will be here in half an hour's time and then I'll go back home. Home is it? Memories Ah! So many things going on in my mind! I am brimming with thoughts! A lot can really happen over coffee! Even when you are all alone! I see the empty chair in front of my seat. I feel single life can be so boring yet one gets so much time for oneself! Self-denial is one thing that is impossible when you are single. I look at my mug of coffee. Its half empty and half full. I feel the same. I am so full of feelings yet so bereft of companionship.
I wish I had people around me. Well I do have so many people around me - but all of them are unknown, strangers - people I have never met before, people I don't know! But the beauty of life is that I can see them, observe them, hear them speak, understand their emotions. A couple is snuggled on the couch right in front of me. They are young, happy and seem satisfied with life. The girl is having an electric blue drink. She is constantly talking to her boyfriend who is in a typical Delhi University attire, white lucknowi kurta and blue jeans. They are a cute couple and compliment each other
Coming back to myself my coffee is finished. I am full of it now. I stroke my hair with my fingers. I wish someone could do that for me! Well I am a dreamer and have full faith in the fact that dreams do come true. I ask for the bill, call my friends and ask them when they will reach Tolstoy Marg? I pay the bill, smile at myself and leave the coffee shop with dreams and emotions brewing in my mind just like a hot cup of Grande Mug!
