I had to catch the Last bus to Mangalore. I was already running late. It was a small town I was been alloted the center to a competitive examination. I enquired the way to the bus stop, it was a real tiring one with no concrete roads involved. I made my way through the rotten waste on the sides, leaves dried and soaked again due to heavy rains, the puddles of mud and what not. It was getting pitch dark, the grey clouds had surrounded, downpour was about to begin and I certainly wanted to reach the busstop before that. From childhood I never enjoyed the rains, cold is just intolerable to me and getting wet made it more worse.

I spotted a house like thing on the side of the road. It was the busstop. Finally I reached, made my seat right opposite to the police officer's supervising chair. They had appointed officers on every stop because of increase on safety concerns. I plugged in my earphones to avoid unnecessary conversation with others around, it started raining I was feeling the nose block, difficulty in breathing as well. There was a duty change in the officer. A girl officer went and a male replaced her as it was evening. He came and sat in front of me, I was shocked as I saw the familiar face, he was the same person I had spent the beautiful moments of my life with. The girl besides me started shifting from her seat and tried getting his attention. I knew many girls from the time we were together wanted his attention badly.
He poured from the Thermos coffee into a huge glass, and offered it to me and the left half a glass to a girl near me.
"The coffee has too much milk and is sweet", the girl said him.
"It's the way she likes", he shut her immediately.
He still remembered my choice.
"You know him?" The girl asked me annoyingly.
"We used to be friends once", I said her calmly.
"Ohh I see, I come here everyday just to see him. I just love the way he is. But he never repsonds to my signals. Infact I am shocked to see him caring for you." Said she sadly.
"Hmm..he is like that." I tried avoiding her.

The coffee was just the way I loved. He didn't change it. I held it in my hand and drank slowly enjoying the downpour outside. He was smiling at me and I could literally feel his gaze upon me. I was red with blushing. After finishing the Coffee, I took my cup and the other girl's, washed it with the water I had in the bottle wayside, and handed over to him the glasses.
"Thank you" I said without meeting his gaze.
"Your bus has come, unblock me on the phone I need to make sure you reach safe."
"Ok" I shook my head.
Unblocking him I took my bag and sat in the bus.
A message flashed the screen
'Turn on the video call before you sleep, will make sure you are safe, and we have lots of misunderstandings to clear. I won't let you go this time'

Turning on the video call I slept of the tiredness with a smile. I knew I saw the same satisfaction on his face. This had led to the beginning of a new journey between us. The coffee was indeed sweet!


© Soni

Pic credits: Pinterest
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