The Letters Written

Chapter 11: The first clients

Years have past since the loss of Mrs Ileana's sight.

"So how may I help you Mr D'Silva", as Shreya nervously played with her fountain pen in her hand and bouncing the mini notebook on her lap, open to a page, with pre written questions. The barista handed Shreya a cup of iced coffee latte, extra milky with sachets of brown sugar and a tea spoon on the side of the saucer, and Mr D'Silva a cup of earl grey tea, just the way he preferred it, a little tepid with a slice of crystallised lime sitting at the ridge.

Shreya was seated at a café, owned by the client, it felt good to come out of the stifling heat of the overbearing sunshine, to a calm breeze of circulating air provided by the rotating fan. Shreya's first client was a loving husband, handsomely peppered stubble, chin heavy, deep wrinkles etched to the outskirts of his eyes, his jet black and streams of white hair was slick back from his forehead. His kind and sorrowful eyes gave away a humbled plea, however sat proud and calm wearing a white chef jacket.

With a deep breath he began. "I would like to assign you, Lady Shreya. To write the things that gives my wife's life meaning. In the hopes that she will grow strong again". Shreya staring blankly at the man, didn't know what to say. Before Shreya could interject. He continued "You see my wife has unfortunately lost her vision. She was once an up-and-coming Novelist, her writing was just exquisite, each tale, heart wrenching, soul diving and wonderous then the next. All to be left unfinished in scraps, or filed away, never to be see the light of day. I hope in the coming days, they too will find their freedom, to be told to the world". I want the memory of my wife being permanently etched into the world of great authors. I have fulfilled my dream, and now I wish to support my wife, as best as I can. Lady Shreya, my wife and I have been, in constant search for that miracle, that will give my wife's sight back, to our dismay, it never arrived. Till now that is, you see along with her eyes, she lost sight of her dream, She is so talented, but she can't use her talent, she can't act on those ideas and gifts of genius sparks that come out of nowhere. I think it hurts her even more, when these sparks of inspiration of ideas come knocking at her door, but she has no ability to make them live through her".

Shreya listened attentively, she was touched by the man's request, but the notion of writing a full novel for someone was quite a daunting task. In fact, the task was that she interpret his wife's spoken words onto paper, keeping in pace with her telling a story with up keep of grammar and spelling. It's also possible in this sense that Shreya may even contaminate, her ideas with her own spin, or ideas to it. Shreya's centre between her eyebrows furrowed, as she considered the hefty task. Her fear side to her, kept yanking at her, giving perpetual anxiety to this seemingly immense task. "I could back off from this, there's no shame in not being able to complete this request, to be honest I don't know these people, I may even add to their problems" thought Shreya.

Hemen smiled, as if to answer her thoughts he said, "we would be delighted have you Shreya, and don't worry about my wife Ileana. She is a strong woman; she is very kind and intellectual. She will understand when you need help writing the novel, even if she does not, you are welcome to just ask. All things considered, she will be all to glad to have someone to talk about her novel with, you will be a blessing to us lady Shreya, so please would you consider writing the novel that my wife has been pregnant with day and night to born into this world.

Reluctantly or empathetically she agreed to Mr D'Silva, and with that she left giving a warm smile, and her work number on a card. 

Krishan watched as Shreya paced the garden, looking around but no where in particular. Krishan brought with him a tray of black tea for them both, he may be a great doctor but as far as cooking goes, he could expertly boil water in a kettle. Krishan looked to her silently, adoring her... worshiping her. He called her, to receive no answer, he continued to watch.

Krishan's thoughts; I see the flames lap from within Shreya's eyes. So determined is she, that what wary disputes what once seemed of pure depths of exasperation and hopelessness began the endless decay of a living entity suffering in life tremors. Her eyes now have life back in them, but still my heart of hearts feel pain, that even medicine just doesn't content. Constantly feeling the twist of a knife so smoothly imbedded as to not feel the tear of the skin or breaking of bones that encase the rhythm gem of life, the motor in which once switched off, neglects the entire body, left in a stupor to sit and wait for the demise or blooming of a new era.

The flames in your eyes burn me, accuse me of not being the partner you need. Can life reanimate whence married of bliss? How is it that one meeting with Arbaaz could light a fire within you? Which I once stubbed my self out of foolish uncertainty and resentment.

Here I see you in perspiration, from the Bangladesh heat, your rose like cream complexion having tanned and auburn brown. The returning colour excites me, floods chemical reactions through my body, telling me to hold you to gain that much needed release. The animalistic jungle dweller within me, wishes to come out in rath, and devour you whole, to bathe in your beauty. Your eye's finally met my gaze, and you smile as if I've brightened your day somehow.

"What's the matter I've been calling you for a while now, come have your tea". They sat together on the porch overlooking the garden with black tea in hand. "What's troubling you my dear?" Krishan said.

Holding her cup close to her lips "Aren't you busy today, my love?" Shreya asked curiously. "No, why would you say that?" replied Krishan.

"You usually have something happening. I dare say you finally found a break in your schedule? If so, you mustn't use your precious time on me. That's how things work here, doesn't it?" Krishan grimaced a little from the reply. But he didn't mind, instead he leaned in closer, his nose took in the delight of the sweet honey smell. The closeness felt tantalizing. "you look beautiful dear", her breath sped up. Her tawny brown eye's now focused on his, he took the cup out of her hand to the table. His eyes focused back on hers. Hearts could be heard pumping hard against both their chests as they get closer, her lips looked rich, and his strong. Their lips touch delicately, raised goosebumps to their skin. They exchanged soft kisses, their hand brush against each other's clothes, feeling for skin.

The sound of porcelain hitting the decking, startled them as the half-a-cup of tea, poured over the now-soaked papers, Shreya had worked on. As they cleared away the papers, and tea cups the rare cool summer breeze settled the heat of the moment. They again return and sit fingers intertwined, Shreya holds his to her lap. "I can't remember when we last were like this. Perhaps it's never happened" Shreya reflects. Krishan agrees "no, your right, it's been too long, how I have been longing for this day, I still feel as though I will one day simply wake up disillusioned." "Anyway let me hear what's unsettling you."

Shreya paused, shaky nerves returning at the thought. "can I do it? Am I good enough? What if I make a mess of it? All I'll be doing is disappointing Illeana, not to mention Mrs Chatterjee. Am I meant to be doing this, someone better could be helping them, don't you think Krishan? What am I going to do?

Krishan smiles as he holds her hands firmly. I know within my heart that you will be great Shreya. I may not know all the difficulties that come with your work and the commitments you have running a family, however, I know what I want and how I picture my life with you will be.

"Focus on the feeling behind the words Illeana narrates her story. You are outstanding at writing literature, so I have full faith and confidence in you, my love" "Have all attention on getting her words onto paper"

Krishan thought to himself, On my behalf. So I vow to do my best to take care of our family. I promise to try to ignite the same sparkle in your eyes, that I see now when you are taking charge of your life.

"Shreya, you are on the cusp of reinventing yourself, gaining new knowledge, and new interests and I can't wait to see where you go". As he looks deep into her eye's, I want to look at you with the same adoration as I did the moment I realised I loved you. There gaze never faltered, staring deep into each others eye's. Krishan could no longer hold back. He drew her in, they kissed softly. Krishan picked her up in his arms, and she squealed with surprise. A little more motivational incentive was necessary, so the destination had changed to their bedroom. 

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