The sunlight entered into the room through the curtains and the rays fell on Niyati, who was lying on the bed. Disturbed due to the sudden warmth, she shifted and laid on her side.
Niyati smiled as she looked at Rishi sleeping without a care in the world, she shifted closer to him and laid her head on his chest. The rhythm with which his heart was beating, for some reason calmed her down and she liked the feel of him. She closed her eyes and let herself feel him a little more before getting up.
Opening her eyes, Niyati realised that she was alone on the bed. She got up and went to the bathroom, she looked at that one red toothbrush that was standing in the holder. She brushed her teeth and freshened up. She was relieved as the cold water touched her skin and cooled her down. Wrapping a towel, around her body, she stood in front of the wardrobe and decided to wear an oversized yellow t-shirt which didn't even belong to her. She moved to the kitchen and kept a pan of water to boil, as the water was about to boil, she added tea powder, sugar and ginger to it. Letting the water to boil, she looked out, across the window.
As Niyati eyes drifted out and across the window, she could she the older couple who was sitting in their balcony and sharing a cup of tea along with their thoughts. She smiled. They were adorable. As she continued to admire them, she felt the familiarity of another pair of hands on her waist. She blushed. Rishi turned the knob to a lower flame and whispered into her ear, "That would be us," he pointed to the older couple. She looked at him and pecked his cheek. He left her to add the remaining ingredients in the tea and helped around for breakfast. Niyati eyes again drifted to the older couple, the old man had gotten up along with the cups and let his wife read the newspaper. She smiled and whispered, "US, for sure."
Niyati sat in the balcony with a cup of tea, some toasted bread and the newspaper, which was kept on the table. She was about to pick the newspaper but stopped as she unintentionally eavesdropped on a conversation.
"Of course, I miss him. 1 year apart is nothing compared with 50 years together."
Niyati recognised the voice of the old woman from across her balcony. She had heard so many conversations of this lady over the past year and some before that too. They, themselves hadn't exchanged many conversations apart from the last time which was approximately a month back. Niyati looked at the picture of her and Rishi, which was hung on the wall. The old lady came out and sat on the balcony with her tea and some breakfast, as Niyati could presume.
"I wish, I was young again and got to live that time with him again, I would give anything for that."
Niyati couldn't disagree with that. Even she wished time could go back so she could take some things. Save some time. Save him. Save herself. Save herself from the pain and heartbreak.
"It breaks my heart every day, till today and I don't know till when will that happen."
Niyati smiled. She felt the same. How different was the time spent between the two couples and yet the feeling was the same. She lifted her cup and watched as the lady lifted hers, too. Their eyes connected as they exchanged a glance. She watched as they took a sip of their tea.
"It's only us."
She thought to herself as the lady smiled at her and hung the call.
It's a one shot.
