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.