The Coffee Mug

The Ride To Home

Reena's frantic search gets her the attention of Mr Srivastava, a gentleman in all sense. In his early forties, his brown hair gives away is endless efforts to keep his hair from showing strands of white. He is the only person to show up in a suit every single day. Clean shave, a perfectly combed hair and shiny brown shoes complimenting his attire.

"Have you lost something dear?"

"There's everything that's important except for my earphones."

"Oh! You might have forgotten them on your table. You can use mine if you want. They have been untouched ever since I got them with my phone."

"Thank you so much, sir. But I am certain that I have packed them before leaving the table. See here they are. You know, you should use these little things. Music is good for health too."

She finally puts on her favourite playlist. It always intrigues her that how easily she can forget about the things she comes in contact daily and yet remember a crystal clear view of every chaos that is shaking up her life. Lack of sleep makes her doze off in a few minutes. As if a trigger has been pulled, all the memories, all the chaos returns to her in her dreams.

"Why don't you try to understand, it's perfect for you to get married now."

"And who in the world defined that? You, I guess.", her voice even hurt her own ears.

"Why don't you people let her decide when is she ready? Why do you have to force...", Meena is interrupted by Mr Gupta, "Meena, is your sister seeing someone?", his voice as cold as ever.

"Oh! Common dad, don't be such a hypocrite."

"Watch your tongue girl.", with anger boiling into his eyes, "This is what you have been feeding your daughter. They don't even respect the situation leave alone the person.". Mrs Gupta looked to her daughters with a silence in her eyes.

"Oh great! See who is talking about manners.", though she is tough in her voice, she is already regretting her words.

Before anything else has been said or heard, all they noticed is their father's right arm going up and the next thing they see is Reena lying on the ground with bruises, hot red on the milky white cheeks. Reena picks herself up clutches her sister's hand, rushes into their room locking it from inside.

"No need to get your daughter's consent. I will call upon the suitors, make sure she is ready before they take a seat in my house."

Her dream changes course after this. It's similar to that of a static and then a crystal clear image of next scene. Here she is on a picnic with her sister and her mother. They are in a park near their old residence. She can see local kids running around, playing games she can't even make out names for. Her father has been missing from her dreams lately, his only appearance is limited to the statement he made after she entered her room.

She can sense someone calling out her name. She realises she must have been dreaming and pulls herself out of these dream sequences.

"Reean Maám, we are here. It's your stop."

"Hmm...yes. Sorry I guess I have a disease of dozing off every time I ride home.", she manages to put on a slurry smile and then leaves.