Ek Black Coffee !!

There is something about winter. It was freezing and I was covered in layers of winter wear. My hands were still shaking and teeth clattering as I entered the coffee shop. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee tingled my nostrils and the warm colors of the décor lent a welcoming aura. I put down my rucksack and pulled out a copy of the novel I was reading. I was travelling back home.  I sat down and opened the page I was previously reading for sometime quite oblivious to my surrounding. The tranquil was broken by the steward who had come to take my order. The place was filled with people from all walks of life. Every table had a different character and I guess every character had a story. As I looked at them I wondered will my life ever cross theirs again? Will my story one day be a part of their story? I could never guess and only time would tell. That’s the beauty about life. The sheer unpredictability and the surprises that it brings with itself. Sipping my coffee on a cold Delhi winter day, I wondered where’s my life taking me. 

Much of the past year have seen me experience things unlike any previously. I learnt many new things, I found new passions, made new friends, had a long distance relationship again (with the guy i have been dating for almost 12 years), traveled like crazy at every opportunity, learnt to give selflessly, love freely, and became a more socially concerned and aware citizen. 

I was going through a flashback of the last few months and the cold was seeping deep into my skin. I was almost looking out for my cup of warm coffee again, when I remembered this random incident one Sunday morning. Like every other Sunday we went into the kitchen for the early morning (read almost 12 o clock) coffee and bleh! the coffee powder was over. After some lazing around and some other deliberation, we did decide that Sunday morning ritual should continue. So we went out to buy coffee powder. The man at the small retail shop gave us the change and put our purchase in a polythene bag. That is when my friend interrupted him saying, " let it be, we will carry the bottle in our hand", he then looked at me and explained he avoids using polythene as much as possible. After all he explained we all can do as much as we can for Mother Earth. Well, I now try imbibing the same habit myself, though with much difficulty. Its strange how some small random stuff at times creates so much meaning and changes perspectives. It made me grow up as a person and made me a better person. I was still smiling at the incident with a fond memory when the steward came with my coffee, and then the phone rang. "Babes, are you ready, you have a flight to catch, I am coming down now, get ready" , a gentle reminder from the guy bought me back to reality. I looked around and smiled, well, the next time when I am back in this place, would I be a better person than I am today....

If only I knew…