Where there is wind, the trees sway.

Books and coffee

Akansha

I parked my car in the garage and went inside my house. I checked my watch; it showed 6.30. I was late. I would have been home by 6.00 pm only if Ms.Geeta had not made me run a last-minute errand. I hurriedly took a bath and lingered at my wardrobe wondering what to wear. This was my first date in two years, so I was anxious. I wished Stacy were there. She'd know what to wear. I didn't know when I was going to see her since she was busy moving into their new apartment.

I looked at the dark blue kurti I wore last week. It was my favorite but a little too simple for a first date. I turned my head to see the one on my right, yellow, "too bright", I thought.

A small part of a turquoise green fabric was peeking below it. I pulled it out.

"This should do."

I started my car and drove down Hailey Road. I checked Google maps, I was 2 minutes away from my destination. I glanced at the clock on my phone, it flashed 7:02.i was running late. Soon, I saw a place with charcoal black words that said, "The Writer's café" on a white background. It advertised the image of a book next to a cup of coffee on the banner, above the writing.

The café's calm atmosphere calmed me. It was full of little conversations, avid readers, and invigorating smell of coffee in the air. Through the glass, I saw Abir sitting inside, waiting. I went inside and sat across him. He'd been looking at the phone when I sat across him so he got up and said, "Hi", with a sudden jerk of awareness.

"I'm sorry I'm late I said."

"That's alright. You're late only by five minutes." I was a freak when it came to punctuality. So it didn't help when he reassured me.

I looked around in wonder and said, "Where did you find this place?"

"One of my friends recommended it."

"So, you want to take a look at the books?"

"Of course."

I soon discovered that Abir was as much a voracious reader as I. Also, we had the same taste in books. We talked a lot. The conversation was never empty, any awkward pauses, no hesitant smiles, we simply talked our hearts out. We talked about our favorite books in our childhood, and what we did when we were not reading.

His favorite subject had been math. I liked math too, but I was better at Social studies.

I was about to order one siphon coffee when he said, "One siphon coffee."

He turned to me waiting for me to place my order, "Make it two.", I said.

I didn't realize how much time had passed and before I knew it, it was 9.00 pm.

He glanced at his watch and said, "Whew! I didn't realize how long it had been. Do you want me to drive you home?", he asked.

"No, I got my car."

"Then at least let me see you off."

'How sweet can a person get' I thought. I smiled to myself.

"I had fun today. Thank you.", I said.

"So, you want to meet sometime again?"

I decided to take one last glance at the café and was about to say, 'Sure' when I saw him. He was standing just outside the gate, talking on his phone when he saw me too, at the very same moment I saw him. He disconnected his call and walked over to me.

"Suresh? Why are you here", I asked.

"I came to meet a friend, and for work-related reasons."

"I didn't know if you were still in Delhi," he asked surprised.

He looked at Abir with a raised eyebrow. "I am Abir Jha." He introduced himself, offering his hand.

He shook it firmly. For a second, Suresh seemed disappointed. Well, he did not need to be.

He then looked me in the eye and said, "Akansha, we need to talk."

"No, we don't." I said, trying to get away." I don't understand why.", and walked towards the place I'd parked my car. I didn't wait for Abir; and he didn't follow me either. He knew that something was wrong and left me alone.

It was a long drive home. 'I shouldn't have agreed to a date.' I thought. Maybe then, I would never have had to meet my ex.