Love - Not My Cup of Tea

Meet Ms Swecha and Mr Rudra

Swecha:

I sat at my desk, files scattered before me, when my phone pierced the silence. I glanced at the display and hesitated, recognizing the name. The phone rang persistently, over ten times, before I finally silenced it.

My office boy appeared at my door. "Madam, MLA sir asked to call him."

I nodded, my eyes returning to the files. "Thank you. And please, bring me some coffee."

The office boy departed, and I immersed myself in the documents. Moments later, the MLA stormed into my office.

"Good morning, sir," I said, my tone neutral.

"Morning," he growled, his face reddening. "I called you, but you didn’t pick up. You’ve suspended my brother. Maybe you did it without knowing that he is my brother."

I leaned back in my chair, my expression unwavering. "I know he is your brother. But I think you don’t know that he’s running a private clinic and neglecting his job as a government doctor. If he can’t do justice to his job, there’s no need for him to bear the burden of it. I just helped him to run his clinic happily," I said.

The MLA's anger intensified. "Collector, don’t you know how to talk to an MLA?"

"Sir, this is the collectorate. People are waiting for me to listen to and solve their problems under my jurisdiction. I think I’ve made my point clear to you. So, if you permit me, I will continue my duty without any further waste of time,," I replied firmly.

The MLA's face darkened. "Seeing those three letters—IAS—under your name has made you proud. But don’t forget that I am the MLA of this constituency."

"Those three letters under my name were earned through my intelligence, hard work, and a desire to serve the public. But the three letters—MLA—under your name were donated to you by the public. I am proud of my achievement and I still respect the public too. More than me, it’s you who should serve the public and think about their welfare, because if they hadn’t cast their votes for you, you wouldn’t be in this position."

The MLA's warning hung in the air. "I won't let this go."

"Thank you, sir. Your cooperation is very necessary for the smooth functioning of our system," I said, my tone steady.

The MLA departed, leaving me to prepare for my video conference with the Chief Minister.

Later, as I drove home and stepped into the tranquility of my house, I allowed myself a moment of respite. A steaming cup of tea soothed my frazzled nerves.

The phone rang once more, shattering the calm.

"Hi, Tanvi," I said.

"Hi, madam. How are you? What are you doing?"

"I'm good. Just relaxing with a cup of tea," I replied.

"My son's birthday is the day after tomorrow," Tanvi said. "Since it's on Sunday, I hope you're free to join us for the party."

"Tanvi, you know I'm not fond of parties. I'd rather relax at home on Sunday," I said.

"Come on, Swecha," Tanvi persisted. "My brother-in-law is coming to the party, and I'd like you to meet him. I'm not forcing you, but why not give it a try?"

"Tanvi, I've already told you I'm not in a hurry to get married," I reminded her.

"Swecha, you've focused on your goals for years, and now you've achieved them," Tanvi said. "Don't you think it's time to consider marriage and starting a family?"

I remained silent.

"Are you in love with someone else?" Tanvi asked.

"Love isn't my cup of tea," I replied. "The right time for marriage is when I find the right person. Until then, I'm happy to wait."

"But Swecha, how will you know if someone is right or wrong if you don't give them a chance?" Tanvi asked. "How will you find true love?"

"True love finds its way," I said. "Anyway, I have some work to attend to. Bye, take care."

As I set my phone aside, Robin Sharma's "The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari" beckoned me. The cool breeze wafting through the window carried the scent of serenity, and I settled in my favorite place, immersed in the words that had inspired me countless times.

This book was more than a favorite – it was a guiding light. Its wisdom on balancing personal and professional lives resonated deeply with me. As a dedicated IAS officer, I prioritized my duties, but I also cherished my "me-time." Reading, soothing music, and the symphony of raindrops on parched earth brought me solace.

The petrichor's earthy aroma filled my senses, transporting me to a world beyond the stresses of my profession. Watching flowers bloom, their textures, fragrances, and vibrant colors, was a balm to my soul.

Love, however, was a different matter. I didn't reject the concept, but the pretence surrounding it disillusioned me. Authenticity seemed lost in the noise of artificial emotions. My notion of love was simple yet elusive in these modern times.

"I'll wait for the real thing," I whispered to myself, the words disappearing into the gentle breeze.

Rudra:

I descended the stairs, ready to start my day. My mother waited patiently, as she always did, despite my repeated requests to prioritize her own schedule and well-being.

"Mom, please don't wait for me," I said, serving her breakfast. I waved away the servant, preferring to serve myself.

My mother smiled knowingly. "If I didn't wait, you'd skip meals. I'll stop waiting when you're married and your wife takes care of you."

I shook my head. "Marriage isn't in my plans. I'm capable of taking care of myself. I don't want to burden anyone."

My mother's eyes sparkled. "It's not a burden, Rudra. It's a responsibility born from love. You'll understand when you find the right person."

I finished my breakfast quickly, avoiding further discussion.

"Mom, I have a late meeting tonight. Please eat dinner on time and rest," I said, before departing for the office.

The meetings dragged on until 3 AM. Exhausted, I retreated to my room and collapsed onto the bed. My phone pierced the silence.

"Hello?" I answered.

"Rudra." The familiar voice sent a jolt through me, stirring memories long dormant.

"Sanjana," I said, my voice measured.

"I want to meet you once," she replied.

"Take my appointment tomorrow," I said, ending the call, giving no scope for further discussion.

Memories I thought were long buried resurfaced, haunting me still. Five years hadn't diminished the pain. I blocked Sanjana's number, a futile attempt to shield myself.

Everyone extolled love's virtues – a magical source of happiness. But for me, love was a destructive force, ravaging my life and stealing every joy.

I recoiled at the thought of love, and with it, marriage. How could I commit to someone new when trust and love had been irreparably shattered? I refused to risk ruining another life.

Love was supposed to unfold naturally, but mine was a chapter forever closed. I tossed my phone aside, the past lingering like an open wound.

Hi friends, how is the episode? What do you think about Swecha and Rudra? How will they come together and gets married? Will they end up getting their feelings hurt again or becomes each other's strength?