Poetic Sensibility

21- Angels And Plagues

        Sarah hadn't even begun explaining when her mother had called. Seriously. Sarah spent half her day at home and it was only when she was out (on a date with Kabir!) that she had to have an emergency and absolutely needed to speak to Sarah. She excused herself and answered the call. Her mum had called to remind her that they couldn't hold the upcoming session at her place because, as she had cheerfully mentioned, "Priti auntie and Jyoti auntie are coming home with their families." Sarah swore that if she had to entertain another bunch of evil spawns who looked like miniature versions of those over-the-top, life size hello kitties, she would pull her hair out. And there was plenty to pull. She quickly texted Romi who agreed to host the gathering at her place. Informing the others, she tried returning to the conversation; only to be interrupted by a curious Samay. Promising him all the details later, she returned to the conversation. Finally!

"Right... so the project," Kabir began.

"Yeah. So remember your 'Animal Angels', program?" she asked him.

        She remembered only too well when Kabir had spent 4 months at an animal shelter. He would keep telling her about the things he would see there. He'd become super attached to this wild horse that had been wounded in a freak accident. He had looked after it, ensured its recovery and then had taken care of it's adoption by a steed farm owner from another state. Damn. He was so cute. Even in her bloody thoughts everything about him was so... mind blowing. She had it bad. So bad. Bubonic plague bad. Kabir plague. Yep. It was a Kabir plague. And then she thought about all the other girls who might have the Kabir plague. Ugh that was not a pleasant thought. What was she supposed to do to get her mind of that now? Oh right. Zen. Peace. Zen.

"Uhhh yeeeah..." Kabir replied, suspiciously. He was probably thinking that if she was starting to volunteer with them NOW, after years and years of him begging her, he'd probably do a little celebratory jig here. She would have died and gone to heaven if she'd get to see him do *that* but she reeled her wild imagination in.

"Well," she replied, "I sort of drew inspiration from that."

"What do you mean?" he was confused. And adorable. A moment's silence for her Kabirism.

"You had left the brochure of that program back at my place and I couldn't help myself. I read it and it gave me an idea. I called Samay immediately to find out whether it was possible. We spent the next week drawing up all kinds of proposals and budget projectiles for the same. Then we approached four graduation schools in the city who loved the idea," Sarah explained.

"Yes, yes. But what's the idea?" she could see Kabir getting impatient. And a little more adorable. She could do this everyday. 

With a big smile, she explained the project to him. "It's sort of an idea incubation centre. Those graduate students who have workable and innovative start up ideas are provided expert guidance and finance by Samay's company through this incubation centre, which, by the way, is going to be an extension of the company itself. So it'll be under the same umbrella but it will function as an independent organization with Samay and me at the helm."

        She could see Kabir was impressed. He said so as much. And although she thought of herself as a very modest individual, she couldn't help that spark of pride that was now strolling side by side with the Kabir plague. Sarah realized that she could be the queen of nicknames. Did they have a record for the most or the best nicknames assigned? Because she was totally kick ass at that.

"But I still don't understand why Samay thought I'd be very interested in this. Don't get me wrong, it sounds great! It'll be an opportunity for a whole bunch of people who have fantastic ideas and you guys can help those ideas see the light of the day. But what has this got to do with me?" Kabir inquired as they started their meal.

This was her favorite part. "Because our first incubation is your idea."

Kabir was taken aback, "My idea?"

"Well, it will be a long time before it's realized but the proposal is being given a serious consideration. Your Soup Kitchen idea. The very first one in the city." Sarah was grinning so widely, it hurt. She couldn't help beaming at him. It had been his goal for a long, long time. And she was trying to bring it one small step closer to becoming a reality. So much beaming. She felt like the sun. A very hungry sun. Seriously, she was on the third slice of her pizza now.

        She could see that she had made Kabir's day. He was ecstatic. And forever adorable. She needed a new word for Kabir's level of adorable. The meal was a very pleasant one. They talked about the Soup Kitchen project and the people they could approach for help. Kabir suggested looking at people from the hospitality industry who could facilitate tie-ups with restaurants and catering businesses. They always worked with excesses. Sarah knew how much Kabir hated to see food or clothing or knowledge go waste. It was completely anti-Kabir. The conversation remained comfortable and Kabir hadn't brought up the "date" thing. Sarah wasn't sure whether she was pleased or disappointed about that. She would decide that later, when she was really cranky and wanted to give some grief to Kabir. Oh who was she kidding?! She would never bring it up with him. She was such a chicken. The queen of nicknames was a cockle doodle doo.

        They talked about the next poetry session that was going to be held at Romi's house. And then a little about poetry. Kabir expressed his dejection at the untimely death of Keats and Sarah decided to not tell him about Lord Byron's early death. There was only so much of adorable-looking Kabir she could take. If he despaired any more, her Kabir plague would claim her soul and she'd never recover. Not that she wanted to. Kabir was special and he would always be so. Awww, she was becoming so poetic. Romi would be proud. They called for the bill and when it arrived, Sarah picked it up.

"What are you doing?" Kabir asked her. She was confused. There was an unspoken rule between them that they would always go halfsies.

"Ummm... paying my half?" she replied.

Kabir plucked the bill out of her hands, paid and helped her out of her chair. "On a date? Not a chance. The lady shall not pay."

        Oh alright now, Sarah told herself, shut your mouth before a fly gets in and makes itself at home. He was always a gentleman. There is no need to be so gobsmacked. Sarah took out her phone and texted Samay:

Oh Sam. There is definitely going to be a second date. ;)

     

Fun Fact: The Soup Kitchen happens to be my best mate's dream.