Technicolor

The early morning bustle had already set in. The school next door had already given over for the day. Soon the kids would be piling themselves in an assortment of colors on to the waiting mini vans. The drivers  looking at them with a mixture of disdain and affection -- after all, they were imp sized brats, annoying but lovable.

He waited till the last van left, only a few parents lingering now, and opened shop. It was almost time. She didn't disappoint.

As the smell of cloves filled his nostrils, a haze descended on his mind. Sweet smelling rice pudding, packed in a little tiffin box for him, sitting side by side, shyly at first...

It had gone on for a while now. She would come to the shop everyday just as the school gave over, smelling of different spices and asking for some more. The soft melodious voice reaching his ears as  she smelled and selected the herbs lining the shelves. He looked forward to her tinkling bangles, and her earthy smell -- it always made him weak. So weak that any strong smelling herb would be enough to make him forget all else but Her.

He imagined it many times. How they would share their lives together -- a small one bedroom cottage, a small kitchenette, and a bath. All of them colored with their presence -- from the bed they shared to the dreams they dreamed of together. 

He could see it all so clearly, her plump form wrapped in a light red cotton saree, with his name marking her forehead and her nape. Bidding her a sweet chaste goodbye before he left for the shop, he couldn't wait to get back to her. He couldn't believe he would be separated from her for the entire day -- it felt like he was betraying every fiber in his body by leaving her behind...He couldn't leave her...He couldn't --

"Are you done yet?" Came the deep voice of Her husband.

"Yes"

The coin she was handing over clattered to the floor and rolled  under the cupboard.  Along with his technicolor daydreams.

Inebriated

The beach was nothing like she had expected. She had had hoped for a Wordsworthian silkiness kissing her feet. She had imagined a whirlpool of frothy waves thundering their way over each other to meet her. And lording it over them, - like a knight in shining armor - would be the Sea…falling over himself to woo the Earth.  

Not THIS! Not the glutinous expanse before her...murky and slick. Not a slimy murky Bay of Bengal slithering its way up her ankles…Life was supposed to be that way! Not the bloody free flowing Bay of Bengal!!!

 Didn’t Poseidon have some sort of standards to meet... some decorum and code of conduct when it comes to sea beaches? This was a direct violation of any such code…it was like picking a book by Shelley, only to find Arnold lurking between the covers!! 

How insulting. This was criminal, so very atrocious that she should be cheated out of her fantasy...so very...

He came and stood by her. Still wearing the track pants he had worn the night before, with a cotton shirt that clung to him like the very air that she was breathing. The fresh salty air that clung to her nostrils and overwhelmed her senses...just like he did. She smiled at the bright sun, the shining sea and the glorious day that was going to make memories.

******************************************************************************

They walked down the beach in the evening, the glasses clinking between their enclosed hands. He was rather pensive since the morning and she didn’t quite mind. It was more than enough.

“This used to be our place”, he began quietly. “I used to bring her here quite often those days, we didn’t have much savings and she loved Nature more than she loved me...” he laughed. She felt compelled to laugh with him. 

“It was just after we got hitched, that was the first time I brought her here, she was ecstatic, and we have been coming ever since. She used to be so cute and vibrant, the sun used to color her eyes in rainbows. I didn’t have this much work then, things were easy...just a tiny little flat, a home to come back to every night and a kid or two. That was the plan...”

Yes, she thought, that is always the plan. Happiness, love and bliss...all of it...total captivation.

 “But that was before junior was born” He broke into her thoughts with a sigh. “That was before our paths divided, before our priorities changed.”

She touched his fingertips. He looked at her and smiled. “You look exactly like she used to...”he caressed her cheeks tenderly... “Fun and open, beautiful...” She flushed. 

This is what I WANT, she thought, watching the spark light his eyes, the spark that she spied in the Boardroom when he signed a contract. 

Yes, exactly this...The Sun kissed the Sea and blazed His way to a new day.

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Monday lunch was just sandwiches and coffee. The same as her boss was having everyday without fail. That was when the Wife walked in, complete with stilettos and overwhelming Chanel perfume. 

“This way please,” it was up to her to escort the Boss Wife to his chambers.

“Sir, your wife is here to see you.”

“Thank You, Ether”, He smiled at her before turning to his wife, the spark intact.

“No problem.”

Ether turned away with a smile of her own.