I leaned over the parapet of the balcony of my apartment on the fifteenth floor . The preparations for the evening bhajan ritual had begun , I deducted from the escalating hum downstairs . The building watchman was arranging gray Neelkamal chairs in a semi circle between a sleek red Honda and a black Chevrolet SUV . I looked up at the jumble of skyscrapers . Yardley gardens was one of Mumbai's plushest townships that my family recently relocated to from the humble cobwebs of Nashik . The westward sun made me squint and I withdrew to my cushy C-backed bamboo swing , resuming the novel in my hand .
It was nearly six and I could hear the boys Playing football downstairs . In spite of wanting to join them , I stubbornly clung on to my novel . I didn't want to open my mouth and make a fool of myself .
I remembered reading 'It is better to stay silent and be thought wise than open your mouth and be proven foolish '. Or was it the other way round ? Immaterial , I wasn't leaving .
My first year of B.Com was to start in a few days' time . You could say I was a little nervous . The relocation was a little bit of , like they say , a 'culture shock ' to me. My father had taken up a new job that offered thrice the pay of the previous , along with a horde of benefits like company quarters at this place , a Tata sedan and discount coupons at various dining joints. A personal pizza was no more to be shared by the family.
The visit to the restaurants no more meant a strict decorum of mere daal , a paneer sabzi and roti . I could unblinkingly order appetizers and overpriced Cokes without a warning eyebrow . Just the very thought of them now made me hungry . I got up from the swing .
'Ma , I'm going outside , to eat something '! I shouted as I went inside the house .
'Why do you want to go outside ?' the voice came from the living room .
'Your grandmother has packed us some... '
'Mom!'
'These kids of today,' she muttered with annoyance before finally agreeing .
A crisp hundred rupee note , from which Gandhiji grinned to me .
~
Spencer Mall is more of a two floored convenience store . I was thrilled to spot on escalator and hopped right on .
The first floor host a small cafeteria consisting of three chairs each around circular wooden tables . There is a glass counter on the left where you get ' The best Frankies in town ' .
I occupied one of the empty table and studied the menu . The contents were reassuring . A basic vegetarian Frankie and they're many other with different fancy fillings . Schezwan panner Frankie commanded my interest . I went to the place an order at the glass top counter and there she was - A Girl behind the Counter. ❤️
Hi ! And what would you like to have today ?' she smiled at me affably. It was almost a smile of recognition , as if she had been privileged to have known me since ages and that I was her favourite customer . The thick and sleek black tresses almost shone and one lock of hair hung cutely on her dusky face . Her eyes were everything the on-screen a actors swoon to and poets write couplets about .
She was probably around my age and wore a black t-shirt that read 'Joe's Frankie '.
I tried to power up. Speak up , I screamed inside and mentally rehearsed what I say . Just order as you would normally do and say 'thank you ' when you get it . How hard is it ? A question popped in my head - how is Schezwan pronounced ? C and H are silent , duh , came the answer . How can two consecutive letters be silent , I wondered . Well , it just sounds better , doesn't it ? 'Sez-waan' , I reasoned . But this is taking too long , way beyond the line that separates a customer from this pint sized nincompoop . And was that sweat on my forehead ? 😌
'Sir?' the girl asked unfilinchingly , her expression intact . I hoped she wasn't just pretending to be calm while hunting for an alarm button under the counter .
'One plate Schezwan panner Frankie ', I said and instantly felt proud that I didn't shutter . Smooth , I praised myself .
'That would be fifty rupees , sir ', she looked into my eyes , smiling all the while .
I feigned interest in the pile of tissues in the waste bin behind her as I dug into my pocket . Finally , I produced the hundred rupee note and extended my hand to pay . At the same time , she stretched hers too and ended up accidentally touching my fingers.
I cringed as my fingers tingled , feeling like a biscuit that's been dunked in the tea a bit too long . I went back to the table with eyes squeezed shut hard.
'Excuse me Sir'! I heard a voice in a couple of minutes . It was her voice . She meant me . Me !
'One Schezwan paneer Frankie '. She gave me a roll with salad and cubes of cottage cheese lathered with sauce and gravy peeking out of the open end .
She had pronounced 'Schezwan' as 'Shej-waan' . In spite of the culinary wonder in front of me , my heart sank . I felt like stabbing myself with a spoon . Smooth .
'Thank you , sir ,' she said. 'Hope to see you again'.
That night , I slept smiling ear to ear . In spite of having absolutely no dreams involving her , I woke as fresh as a deodrant !.
~~~~~~
The next day , I again went there .
I walked up to her and went straight to the counter . Today , I had taken special measures to make myself presentable . I was wearing my best pair of shoes and my wrist sported Metal-strap sonata watch . My curls had been free , to inhance my look .
My gait was confident and tone smooth . I went directly at the counter and ordered without referring to the menu . She gave me her known-you-since-ages smile and asked me to take a seat . Since there were hardly any customers , the mood was relaxed . I took the seat facing her , careful not to slouch.
She was an epitome of effortless grace . The way she fluently dealt with cash , her eased out demeanour as she mimicked one of her colleagues , the elegance with which her features aided every word of hers and that voice that wafted , like an elixir to the ears . The more I observed her , the more I was drawn towards her . Ask what her name is , I scolded myself . It won't compromise the national security . But I knew I wouldn't . I dreaded the moment I would finish my roll and walk back .
Finally she summoned me and I went up to the counter . Taking the Frankie , I turned back . I wanted to disappear from the spot that made me feel like an coward . I hurriedly walked to the escalator . Even when I heard a minor commotion in the background . I didn't bother to check it . Like I even cared . As I was just stepping on it , I felt a pat on my shoulder .
It was her .
My heart violently jolted into a sea-saw . She smiled at me . The same sunny smile . I smiled back Stupidly , not knowing what else to do .
'Sir , you forget to pay ', she said.
As I lay on my bed that night , I wondered how I could have been so foolish . It was embarassing . Or was it ? She gave no other indication of my lapse . What she did was exactly the opposite . She accepted the money and said , 'See you tomorrow , sir '
I felt so invited ..😍
~~~~~~~
Today is when the phoenix shall sore into blue skies of hope , I decided the moment I woke up , making up in cliches what he lacks in style . She was not going to eat me up if I strike a conversation with her . Being well mannered was her job description . Being myself just won't do . Besides , there is no big deal in asking a person's name . I had Shakespeare to endorse that .
'I can , I will ' , was the day's Mantra . I enjoyed the movie I saw , chomped up some more popcorn , practised some pick up lines in front of mirror . I enjoyed the familiar noise of bhajans , relished the evening chirping and even helped one of the ladies from the store with her shopping bag . This is it . I thought as I went up the escalator .
It was yet another slow weekday . My palpitation jacked up as I noticed her . She was not at the counter though , and occupied one of the tables with a guy in his early twenties , deeply engrossed in a conversation . As o walked her , as if almost in cue , it was only when I reached the counter that she noticed me .
'Customer darling ' , she whispered to the guy , getting up in a rush .
'Hey wait up ' , the guy insisted , catching her by her wrist .
'Oh no' , she began to protest . 'I have to '
The guy kissed her knuckles and she responded by whispering something in his ear .
'See you soon ' she said , waving him goodbye .
She went behind the counter and adorned her position .
Giving me another of her well practised smiles , she asked ,
'A paneer - chilli Frankie ?'
I didn't know what to say . Somehow I managed a , 'Never mind ' , and started walking out .
'Oh , I'm sorry ', she said apologetically behind me , her voice dipped in desperation . 'Its Schezwan paneer , isn't it ?'
I didn't respond and followed a chirpy middle aged couple out on their grocery shopping down the escalator . I rehashed the events in my mind and tried to articulate what I felt being the unwilling witness . Was I sad ? Nope , that was not what it felt like . It was a funny feeling . I cursed myself - funny won't do , such words are what stupid people resort to .
I did like her , yes sir , most definitely I did . Or did I ? What was it that I felt for her ? I stopped on my tracks as the word hit me between the eyes - fascination . I turned and looked at one of the stained glass windows of Spencer Mall. I was captivated by her , by the novelty she was , like a Da Vinci painting , like an amazing novel . I turned to look at the stained glass facade of the mall . So why did I turn back ? Wasn't today one of the most confident days ? Why should it be a 'was' ? What if she has a boyfriend ? What was I hoping for anyway ?
Nothing ! A happy voice rang inside me . I like the Frankie , I like the Frankie Girl ; so what's stopping me from having both of them just now ?
Nothing! Came the reply again , even happier . I retraced my footsteps . There was no audible heartbeat this time , only pangs of joy , of inexplicable ecstasy . I went to the counter and smiled .
'Hello', I said .
'Hi , sir ', she replied , for once , more Surprised than rehearsed happiness .
'Name's Mudgalkar , Sumedh Mudgalkar '. I am king of cliches , I smiled wider .
She followed suit . 'Right,Sumedh', she said . 'And you will have one Schezwan ....'
'...Paneer Frankie ', i shared a moment with her . 'Thatzz rayyyght '.
'Right away , Sumedh ' , she said. 'Please have a seat '.
'Sure', i said and waited till she called me . And eventually , call she did .
'Sumedh , your Frankie's ready '.
'Oh yes , thank you ', i took the roll from her .
'Btw , there's something I've been meaning to tell you . ' I said hesisting
'Yes'? She looked into my eyes inquisitively .
I took in a deep breath . Yes , I can .
' I love your smile' , I said .
' Thank you , sir ', she beamed , gracefully bowing her head a little .
'Oh , and there's something I've been meaning to tell you too '.
I stared at her . This was unexpected .
'Yes'?
'My Name is Mallika ' , she grinned , extending her hand forward .
I shook it . This time there was no long lasting tingling sensation , no desperate urge to smell the palm for a residual fragrance . It was just a warm handshake , the way it is meant to be .
.... 🥀✨...
Hey peeps ! So here comes my another one shot ..
Woah ! First time I have written something more that 2000 words..😱 I myself couldn't believe it..
Hope you'll enjoys this one shot as it had took alot efforts for me..😌❤️
This is not a love story basically , but a story of first tingling sensation we felt in ourselves after meeting someone .. it may be for short period .. but it had its own joys too..
Have you ever felt something like this for anyone , may be for just moments !? 😋
Share your stories in comment section ..😆😍
