I read it once, then twice. I wasn't imagining it - I had won the lottery! I always wanted to win a big lottery. Tried some childish ones in childhood, then some online ones and this time I stopped near a street vendor and bought a lottery. I thought if nothing happened, still it would be little help to this poor seller. He looked at me when I asked for the ticket, and asked ,"Have you ever won a lottery my dear?" I said, "Never! Maybe this is my last experiment in lottery business."

His eyes shone with excitement, he rubbed his hands, shuffled in his pile of colored papers and tore me one ticket. I handed him the money and he handed me the ticket with an advice. "My dear, if you win this lottery, don't forget to tell me, I don't want any share but I would feel good that someone won it through me."

I put the ticket in my bag, tapped his shoulder, thanked him and left saying, "Will see." I could feel his eyes on my back. I had no clue where the results will come so I googled about it and set an alarm to check in the evening.

I had a coffee date with myself that day, I was sitting on my favourite spot enjoying my cappuccino and playing game on my phone when the alarm beeped and I paused the game and opened Google and wrote my lottery number with no hope. The numbers matched , from first to last digit, I was in state of dismay. I asked for a paper and pen from the staff and wrote numbers on sheet, matched them once again, they did match. My hands started trembling and sweat beads appeared on my forehead. Runu, the sweet attendant, saw me and came near me asking,"Ma'am, are you alright?" I looked at her, nodded, kept the page in my bag with the ticket and left. She was also shocked to see me like this but didn't nudge me more.

I sat in my car, took the ticket and page out from bag, kept it in my lap and re checked the numbers again. It wasn't a dream, I told myself, took screenshot of the lottery result and called my father, one guy who always told me not to ever get into lottery business.

"Yes my darling, how are you?" asked Daddy in his calming voice. I fumbled, "Daddy! I won a lottery and it's huge. I am sorry I bought it, but I promise you its the last time." No response came from other side for a minute, I waited and muttered again, "Daddy? Are you there?"

He spoke," Tear it right away and send me the picture" and hung up. I did same and went back again inside the cafe and told Runu,"One cappuccino darling and one black truffle pastry too, slightly warm." I felt good and resumed my game.

© Meenu