In the name of love

NOT BAD

The LED glare was bright as usual. The copy had too many mistakes. Radhika sipped on her lukewarm green tea and made the corrections. After ten years of being an editor at the WE MAGAZINE, work was mechanical. Edit line, change word, replace, remove para, move para, check spelling, proof, proof more. She threw out the reminder of the tea in the sink. Fresh coffee brewed and was flushed into the cup. Coffee beans, one of her favourite aromas. It was 4 p.m. on the clock, she needed to get on to the next copy quickly.

After an hour, Radhika packed her bag and dashed to the elevator. Doors opened. Closed. It felt like everybody in the elevator was stuck in an awkward metallic bubble. Radhika did her counts. 10- 9-8 -.... until she heard the elevator door open. In the parking lot, it was colder, darker. Radhika got into the driver's seat and drove out. It was a humid day. The sun was out. Cafe's bloomed with people drinking coffee, eating sandwiches, deserts. As the traffic lights turned green Radhika turned right, then left. Outside the South Leadership Academy, two children aged 10 and 13 walked to her car carrying a pile of things in their hands. Sports equipment, books, a guitar.

'Mom can we order from Big Joe's today', asked Ashley, the elder one

'Today is papa's turn to cook my love, so you would have to ask him', replied Radhika keeping her eyes on the road.

'But it's you that decides', complained Ashley

'Sometimes, I do', replied Radhika, her mind busy with a list of things that needed to be done.

'Mom c'mon everybody is going to Rosie's party today. I am asking you for Big Joe's', interrupted Ashley.

The complaining tone was a bit much for Radhika after a long day at work.

'Please Mama', Joy pleaded.

He was the quiet one. The nerd. The no trouble kid. Not that Ashley was trouble. Lately, Ashley was changing. Her friend circle had changed. Radhika had no idea what Ashley liked to read or watch anymore. She didn't talk as much as she did when she was smaller. Radhika understood that it was a part of growing up, but she never imagined it would mean growing apart. It made her feel like a part of her was moving away from her. She, Radhika had a kind of friendship with her own mother that had only deepened over the years. Not that they never fought. Her teenage years had been a struggle too. With Ashley, Radhika felt that time would make it alright. It always did. Overall, things had gone pretty well for Radhika.

Life wasn't too harsh, thought Radhika. Whenever somebody would ask her, how's life?

'Not bad', she would reply.

It was never great or fantastic. The way things were, that was exactly how they needed to be. Nothing was out of place. Nothing was mad or crazy or spontaneous even. It wasn't all roses for sure. But, it was not bad. 

'Please Mama', pleaded Joy again over the sound of moving traffic.

'Alright kids', replied Radhika regretting it instantly as she pulled into the lane. She didn't want them to get used to eating junk. She would need to discuss this with Nick. Pulling into the driveway, Radhika sighed. They were home. 

Radhika opened the front door. At the kitchen table, there was mail that needed checking. She brewed some coffee and got out the fresh bread that they had baked. The garlic butter from the farmer's market was in the fridge. She evenly applied butter on a slice that she cut from the loaf. Then she cut out two more slices and applied butter on them too... then on a whim she got out the olive jar and added some olives to a bowl then she added salad leaves, cherry tomatoes, drizzled some balsamic vinegar and cold-pressed olive oil on it, flavoured with rock salt and pepper. Mixed.

'Joy, Ashley come down for some salad you must be hungry.', Radhika called out. They were already upstairs in their rooms. Just a year ago, they would have to be begged to go into their rooms and freshen up after returning from school. 

'We are not hungry, we will eat later from Big Joe's', Shouted Ashley

Radhika frowned and kept the salad bowl inside the fridge. She took her coffee and her buttered bread and sat by the window. It had been a long day. Days had seemed the same for a long time until she felt the tide turn. Radhika wondered whether she was afraid of change. Change was inevitable, of course. She knew that but there was a comfort in being able to know all that was required of her. A comfort in knowing that she had nearly perfected her routine. She hadn't changed. Not in a long time. 

The door bell rang, bringing her out of her reverie. Radhika answered the door. It was Nick. Nick, who had become gentler with time. More settled. Less crazy. He was dependable. She liked that about him. 

'Hey', said Nick as he kissed her on the cheek.

'Hey you', answered Radhika, and then asked him, 'Coffee'?, 

'Yes, I'll have it and whatever you are having' he answered with a wave of his hand, ' I am famished. It was just too long a day.'

'Tell me about it', replied Radhika plating two slices of buttered bread that she had kept aside earlier. 

The living room was filled with the aroma of fresh coffee.

Radhika didn't like shoes inside the house. Nick removed his shoes and socks and called out to the kids.

'Kids, I am home,' 

'Hi Dad', Joy called out

Ashley didn't say anything

As the sun went down, Nick and Radhika sat on the sofa by the window. It was just another day. Things were changing. Kids were growing up. Life was moving faster than they would have preferred. But it was alright. For the most part, life wasn't bad.