A sip of love

Chapter 4: Regrets and Hopes

Tears started streaming down his eyes, thinking of the past. How he wishes he had acted upon his suspicions. How he wonders if he could've stayed or taken Rachaita with him. How he hopes that he could have done something to save his sweet Rachaita from the hands of the monster who called himself her step-father. But all these wishes were of no use. Because that evil human had been successful in robbing Rachaita of her innocence that night and had skipped town after leaving her hanging between life and death.

Her mother had come home the next morning to find her in that state and had immediately rushed her to the hospital. She was hospitalized for a long time during which her mother did not allow any visitors especially any males on the advice of the counsellor. He went there every day, just to be returned without even a look. After being discharged, her mother moved away with her to take her away from her trauma and he was not even allowed to say a goodbye. Her mother felt for him, but Rachaita was her priority. He just looked outside the window with tears in his eyes but a smile on his face remembering how she used to love the rain.

He thought he had moved on. But just a smell can bring him to his knees with her memories.

Waiter approached him with his food.

Waiter: Sir are you okay? Do you need any help?

Samuel: (wiping his tears) I'm fine. Thank you

Waiter places his food on the table

Waiter: Let me know if you need anything else sir.

Samuel just nods in reply and looks at the soup. The waiter bows and moves away from the table to the back to gossip with his colleagues as there are not many people present in the restaurant.

The smell of the soup is enticing enough for Samuel to picture Rachaita right beside him. He picks up a spoon and dips it into the soup to lather it up to the brim and brings it to his lips. As soon as he tastes it, he is caught in the essence of it and closes his eyes to enjoy the burst of flavors in his mouth. But as soon as he shuts his eyes, he can imagine Rachaita making it for him. He remembers the taste distinctively. And this taste is exactly the same. As soon as this thought pops in his head, he opens his eyes and starts looking around.

Seeing him confused, his waiter comes to him quickly.

Waiter: Sir are you looking for something? Can I help you with anything?

Samuel: The soup! Who made it?

Waiter: Ohh.. do you like our soup? Well it was made by our owner.

Samuel: Can I meet them?

Waiter: Well, I'll have to ask if they are free, but we don't have many tables so they might be able to come out.

Samuel: I am ready to wait as long as it takes.

Waiter: Okay sir. Let me go and ask.

The waiter leaves his table and goes towards the kitchen. Samuel is sitting there, staring at the soup but not eating it, afraid that if the soup is gone, maybe the feeling of having her around him will be gone as well. 

A/n: Thank you for reading. Do give the story a like!!