Coffee with Kabir
Shot 2
After locking his cafe at near about 11:30 PM, he looked up at the night sky. The scattered clouds played hide and seek with the moon and for the same reason, the winds had turned moist and icy. He quickly zipped up his brown jacket as a chuckle escaped out of his mouth out of cold. Reaching near his car, something caught his eye. He narrowed his eyes to see that there was something written over the wind shield of his car. Someone had dapped strokes at the wet glass owing to the mist. He took it as something since the letters weren't much clear. He just was able to recognize that the initials were: Ni and then whatever was written after it was rubbed away as the glass looked clear at the patch.
He shook his head and took out a cloth inside the car as he couldn't drive with an obscure screen obviously.
Before he could start his wiping business, he noticed one of the front tyre gone flat.
"Yaar!" he shut his eyes briefly and advised himself "Kabir, aaj tujhe hi duniya k saare kaam karne hai lagta hai" he temporarily left the cloth at the car's bonnet."Kabhi chef, kabhi waiter, kabhi singer, kabhi preacher, aur ab mechanic..." he continued his blabber moving to his car's dickey for stepney and tools.
"Hey Bhagwaan" he suspired as the stepney itself needed repair i.e. he had changed a rear flat tyre a fortnight ago and the stepney was currently fitted at the rear side. He closed the dickey smiling foolishly at his short term memory loss.
"Ab kya karega beta tu?" He pondered glancing at his wrist watch.
"11:40 ho gaya hai, Soch soch soch..."
"Dukaan to hai piche side yaha, par khuli hogi kya is waqt thand me? Kya karu?"
He chose to take a last chance confirming whether the repair shop at a distance was still open or not. He constantly prayed on the way the least possibility be true that day because taking a public transport appeared not a good option to him at odd hours.
He pouted learning the repair shop closed and whirled but hurriedly took a step back in order to prevent a collision. The figure in front of him also stopped abruptly but still bore a lowered head.
His lips regained the stretch up coming across a familiar soul.
"Hi" he greeted with delight. He could see the little wisp made by his hot breath.
She shifted sideways so as to continue her walk ignoring him.
"Arey tum to vahi ho naa dukhi aatma?" he blurted humourously.
She lifted her head to find the same guy looking at her with his mesmerizing eyes. She couldn't refrain staring at his orbs that always unknowingly casted a spell on her.
He added grinning, "Ab tak bhatak rahi ho?"
She forcibly flickered her eyes away.
"Ek minute" he said and put his hand inside coat unzipping it to half.
"Tumhari amaanat" he forwarded the rose.
She negated with straight lips.
"New Year ka gift samajh kar hi rakh lo" he insisted sweetly.
She heaved a sigh and uttered, "Dekho mujhe akela chod do, mujhe kuch ; Let me complete first!" she raised her voice as he was about to cut her in. He closed his mouth and she continued, "Mujhe kuch nai chahiye tumse, naa ye rose naa aur kuch!"
"Tumhari shakal dekh ke lagta hai ki -"
"Meri shakal hi aisi hai"
"Nayi yaar shakal to tumhari theek thaak hai"he chuckled.
She crossed her hands glaring at him, "Aage ek shabd aur kaha to muh tod dungi tumhara"
"To dukhi aatma ko gussa bhi aata hai eh?" he japed.
She turned her head other side.
"Chill yaar!"
"Already chilling..." she mumbled under her breath as she rubbed her hands against her coat. As he heard her, he started to take out his warm jacket.
"No thanks" she muttered.
He still draped it across her shoulders smiling at her childlike behaviour.
"Arey?" she gawked but soon his eyes held hers, kindly, but with a challenging glint.
"Kya hua?" he asked softly.
"Huh?"
"Kya hua?" he repeated.
"K...kuch nai" she shifted her eyes at the road.
"Kal vaapas kar dena coat, mehenga hai yaar"
She lightly smiled at his statement, "Tumhe thand nai lag rahi?"
"Nai"he denied and the next moment a shiver passed down his body. He smiled nervily whilst she laughed.
He felt his heart race observing her laugh for the first time. It was a rare chortle that one could witness just like a pearl hidden within the hard shell.
She spoke in the mid of removing the jacket, "Ye rakhlo vaap-"
He prevented her doing so and wrapped it again around her. She finally asked, "Kaun ho tum?"
He displayed his happening grin, "Kabir...naam to suna hi hoga"
She chuckled and began to walk away waving her hand with a smile.
He quickly hopped to her side, "Mind if I accompany you till your destination?" he inquired with a gentle smile.
"Manzil ki raahe hi to mod kar chale gaye..." she looked distant beginning the stroll.
He said in a hushed tone, "Turns are a part of journey"
She glanced at him and he too moved his playful face to her that moment. They shared a beautiful eye lock which eventually broke as another shiver struck him unaware.
"Take your jacket back...I forgot" she hurriedly removed his coat over her.
"It's fine..."
"Nope" she firmly disagreed and stood over her toes to be able to cover his shoulders.
He was ready to argue but got lost in her eyes as she was busy in folding the jacket over his arms. An accidental twist in her foot landed her on his chest. He stumbled a few steps back unpredicted of her sudden weight on him but moments after stood stable.
"sorr-"
"shhh.."
Their trance broke with a loud horn. She gradually stood back straight. He swiftly carried forward their stroll. Their face intermittently shone as vehicles' lights fell upon them.
"Tumhe dar nahi lag raha aadhi raat mere saath sadko pe chal rahi ho?" he asked curiously.
She gestured a no without looking at him that brought warmth of relief to his heart.
He said with slight hesitation, "I ensure that everybody leaving my caf possesses a smile but you...left crying"
"Khushiyo ki ummidein tutne par dard hona laazmi hai..." she said.
He nodded, "Par mai samajhta hu ki hamaari khushiyaa humare haath me hoti hai...agar hum decide karle hume khush rehna hai to koi humaari khushiya cheen nai sakta"
They walked side by side between the shade-swipes of golden emerging from the street lights.
She said after the pause, "Decisions are the hardest when you have to choose between what you want and what is right"
His lips curved up, "Glad that my friend chose what is the right"
"Friend?" she raised her brow.
"Err...aren't we friends?"
"No"
He shrugged, "Alright..."
She smiled, "We're good friends"
He swirled his neck to her and smiled back in reassurance, "And I even don't know the name of my good friend"
"Yeah,right" she affirmed.
He chuckled at her smartness to dodge this question. He had seen many sides of hers in just a day: angry, crying, unhappy, laughing, soft and clever. He still had a doubt how comfortably she was walking with him as if he was no stranger and even called him as her good friend after a single meeting. He mulled over the thought, "Puchu kya? Par kahi bhadak gayi to?" he rubbed his cheeks with wide eyes apprehensive of earning a slap.
"Kabir"
He was quiet with his palm rubbing against his cheek. She called once more tapping his forearm, "Kabir"
"Ha?" he appeared absent-minded.
"Bye" she ceased suddenly and giggled.
He discovered that they were standing outside the main entrance of a colony and waved sheepishly as he understood she had read his thoughts.
He stared at the retreating girl, silently begging her to turn around.
A huge grin swept his face as she did swivel. He showed her the rose.
"New Year abhi aaya kaha?" she whirled after a chuckle.
He rejoiced after she walked beyond his sight.
"Kabir, you have got a nice friend" he said eyeing the red rose in his hand with his dazzling smile.
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The sunrays welcomed the next morning but fell short of the desired warmth. She peeped inside the cafe that encompassed net of sunlight with dancing dust particles.
After some seconds of contemplation, she slowly took her place at the same table she had been a day before. She moved her eyes around but the two waiters that were present seemed busy. She leant back in the chair.
"Want to order something?" Kabir stood opposite her with a pleasant question.
Shimmering nave sunlight glorified their faces and the golden knot of loyalty the two people shared.
She tore her gaze from his hypnotizing eyes and from his welcoming smile yet again and spoke, "Yeah...I want-"
He interrupted, "my heart right?"
She shot her eyes up dazed.
"I know, just 5 minutes" he nodded merrily and left.
She was pulled out of her thoughts as he set the frothy cappuccino over the table, "Here"
"Thanks" she acknowledged watching the heart designed froth.
"Sorry bolna chahiye tumhe thanks nahi"
"kyu?" she faced him in wonder.
"That is because you take away my heart each time" he stated cheerfully.
Her cheeks turned little pink moving her eyes back to the mug lifting it.
"Aaj subah subah?" he asked pulling a chair beside her.
She blowed air before a tentative sip "Hmm"
"Aaj free nai hai coffee" he chuckled settling himself.
"I was willing to pay yesterday too" she smiled after tasting the cappuccino.
"Keep smiling like this madam" he pointed his finger at her lips.
She took a long breath and nodded blinking her eyes "You too"
He rolled his eyes.
"Kya?" she questioned confused at his facial expressions.
He offered a tissue paper to her.
"Ro nahi rahi mai ab" she asserted firmly.
He smiled, "Mera dil laga hai tumhare hontho pe" and hinted her to clear the froth over her lips.
"Oh... to directly bolna chahiye naa" she said removing it.
There was silence between the two and a waiter broke it, "Sir aapke liye kuch lau?"
He smiled to the waiter, "Okay one black coffee"
The waiter left fetching his order.
She wrapped her palms around the hot mug "black coffee?"
"Yes, I like the dark blend" he smirked.
Soon the waiter arrived and handed him his mug.
"Vo udhar" he spoke to the waiter eyeing a new customer and the waiter nodded in understanding.
"May I know your name?" he asked casually.
"What's in the name?" she smirked.
His mobile rang making him to divert his attention, "Hello"
"Abhi?" he uttered bewildered.
"Par...accha...nahi...kyu?...chalo thik hai...hmm...bye" he cut the call with a slackened jaw.
"What happened ?" she inquired keeping aside the empty mug.
His body posture tilted with a jerk out of blue as he speedily shot his eyes to a tiny figure. A little girl stood giggling by his side after her tickle at his waist.
"Choti Shaitaan" He brought his lower lip in between his teeth bringing his eyes to slits. The kid grinned and spread herself into his embrace. He chuckled and hugged back delicately.
He cuddled lifting her and placing the little kid in his lap.
"Chocolate?" the child pouted.
He negated.
After watching his refusal and the kid's frown, she unfolded her fingers in front of her that displayed a packet of chocolate bar.
"Yay!" the little girl took it within a second and started gorging.
Looking at the kid's innocence, a bright smile made its way to her face. She encountered his glare at her for the first time and her smile turned sheepish.
He then shifted his gaze to the person reclining to his protective arm, "Thank you bolo"
"Thank you aunty" the kid beamed.
"Aunty?" her pupils diameter widened.
The girl laughed developing a giggle out of him too.
She flared her nostrils and was about to speak but Kabir barged in talking with the kid, "Idhar kyu aayi tu? Manaa kia tha naa mumma ne?"
The kid remained indifferent to the surroundings as if in her own dreamland of chocolates.
"Beti hai tumhari?" Her heart sped waiting for him to answer.
"Ha" he affirmed and she looked away after a mild nod.
"beti jaisi hi hai meri...she's my niece" he said stroking his niece's hairs lightly.
She brought her eyes to his captivating ones, "accha"
He placed a peck at the kid's cheek who was still busy in her chocolate.
"Mai chalti hu ab...pay kaha karna hai?" she got up at her feet smiling.
"There's the counter" he eyed it.
"Bye" she waved.
"Bye and 1st Jan ko new year celebration hota hai yaha" he smiled back.
"Ohkay"
She paid the bill when some words by him brought her to a standstill.
"I love you Nisha" She swiveled after listening to Kabir's voice.
She found him brushing his nose over his niece's one and the duo laughing thereafter. Corner of her eyes crinkled thinking she would have probably heard something wrong and hence took a turn.
"Ab aa hi gayi hai to kiss bina nahi jaane dunga Nisha"
She spun instantly with enlarged eyes and growled, "Ye kya badtameezi hai!" She strode to his table in anger.
He got astound at her sudden blast and posed puzzled. His niece ducked herself in his chest "Chachu..."
"Bacchi ko daraao mat yaar" he chuckled dragging his niece straight and then dropped the kid on her feet gracefully.
"Sharam nahi aati tumhe ladkiyo ko chedte hue?" she blasted again.
He looked back at her after sweeping his eyes over few customers in the caf who didn't pay any heed.
He questioned getting up straight faced, "What's wrong with you?"
She was going to speak but her eyes fell on the upset kid who hid herself half behind him. She calmed herself and uttered pointing a finger, "Dekho tum-" and went quiet taking notice of his niece's sniffs.
He worriedly looked by his side and swiftly bent cupping his niece's cheeks, "Rote nai Nisha...meri aankho me dekh" he urged with a smile. The kid's lips curved up a little. He tickled her that grew the stretch on her lips.
"Nisha???"
Kabir and the little girl moved their respective pair of eyes at the person before them having a weird and baffled look.
"Hi, I'm Nisha, Nisha Rathore" his niece forwarded her hand with a touch of pride.
Kabir said, "Nisha jaane de use...madam ka dimaag hil gaya hai" he smirked.
"Tu idhar aa chachu ke paas" he pulled the small kid back smiling.
"Chachu?"his niece made her ever so cute face.
"I-I'm-I'm Nisha" Nisha stammered.
"Huh?"
"I mean...erm...my name is also Nisha, Nisha Gangwal" Nisha smiled.
Kabir blinked at first but slowly got back his enchanting grin.
"Hi Nisha" Nisha forwarded her hand with a chuckle to his niece who shook all excitedly.
She moved her eyes to Kabir, "Sorry Kabir vo-"
" thoda confusion ho gaya" he completed her sentence rocking his niece back and forth.
"Papa!" his niece ran away elatedly to an approaching man who carried her by his shoulders and left the place talking with his daughter after waving shortly to Kabir.
"Bade Bhaiya bhi naa" his face reflected pure affection looking at the father-daughter bond.
"Meri bhatiji ko chocolate kyu di?" he asked.
"Children like eating chocolates" she said.
"Use dentist k paas le jaane ki masshaqkat mujhe karni padegi" he joked.
He added, "Tum chocolates rakhti ho apane paas?"
"Nahi...par kehte hai naa nayi shuruaat meetha khaake ki jaati hai" she faintly smiled.
"Yeah..."
"Chalo bye"
"Bye"
"See you at 1st of '17 " he hastily added.
She walked upto the door.
"Nisha" he called her out.
"Ha?"
"Just trust the magic of beginnings" he raised his thumb up.
She did the same in response and left the cafe after a wide smile playing on her lips.
To be continued...(for Epilogue)
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