Just like any other day, Sarah was lying cozy in her bed, wrapped around her was the broad-flowered quilt, one that she was used to now. She woke up early today before the alarm bell rang,but decided to leave the bed only once it did in real. Soon enough at 7:05 it did ring and she popped out of her bed. Last night was nothing but terrible, but like none other she knew. She took out the clothes which she was going to adorn for the day and went to the washroom.
After a heartwarming shower, she went to the kitchen to prepare her special masala tea for the day, which she was accustomed to have in her house. With the first sip of the tea she was carried back to her childhood days when her mother served her this special tea in the evening and the entire family sat down to have it, together. But things have changed now, she was alone in this 2 BHK flat of hers. The memories of the past and self realization of her loneliness was interrupted by a message on her cell. It read" Happy birthday, sweetheart"
The message was indeed special one but she turned her phone off then for the day because something from yesterday hit her memory lane.
The last night:
It was freezy outside, Sarah was done with her work in her own little cabin where she edited news. An assistant editor she was:Always liked to cut things short and remove the mess. But to her misery she somehow could not remove the unwanted characters from her life. Tomorrow was going to be her 27th birthday and 2 years of her job in this place. But she hardly cared now. Once she completed her work, she went out. It was dark by now, people have stopped flocking on the streets. Sarah decided to go to some restaurant to fetch her dinner.
At the restaurant :
"Table for one please"
"Yeah sure mam, please do the formalities" said the manager giving her a big book and a pen.
Sarah went quietly to her table and sat there, a waiter came with the menu and served her a glass of water. Things went as they had to go, the usual way. Only then, she saw a man straddling towards her. At first she was scared but soon enough she found him familiar.
"Abel, is that you? "
" Thank god! Girl you recognized me" said the well groomed guy, who wore a tux.
She stood to embrace him but then feeling hesitated, she offered him a hand shake. He gave her a curious look and then accepted it.
" I can't believe you are here, I mean how? You were in Ohio, and now.."
"Take a breath girl, you haven't changed at all, you always want answers to everything." said Abel offering her a glass of water
And then spreading his legs he sat and then bent forward to Sarah as if he was going to open up a deep secret to her.
" I was here for my friend's wedding, and yes he is not your friend so don't interrupt me. So this friend of mine he called me to attend his wedding and i went there and to my surprise, guess what happened "
"There was no wedding?? "added Sarah
" No, you lady something more terrible than that. He was marrying my ex girlfriend, that bit**"
"Oh and you... ", uttered Sarah
" Zzzzzz!! Zip up, you girl. I still have my part to be completed. So he invited me to his wedding, marrying my ex girl and knowing that it was my ex girl and how she ditched me, but still he was the groom and me! Who? " Abel paused.
"That's sad,i can understand the feeling.. I.." said Sarah
"Yeah, it is sad. But i did something that gave me peace. Once their wedding was done i stood up to speak a note and i did say many things about his wife". Leaning forward, he whispered in her ears, "I said may she not bite you..... she is wild"
Sarah flushed out hearing that, "Are you serious! Did you really say that in front of everyone?"
"Yeah Abel sighed, "and then i left"
" So practically, you see I am hungry coz i couldn't eat there and I know that you will buy me some food"
"You have no money? " asked Sarah
" Ofcourse, I do... but a treat from an old friend is always welcomed "
" You haven't changed either, dude", squeeked Sarah giving him a pale look.
"Hey, so what's your story "asked Abel
" I have no story ", smiled Sarah
" Ah, yes but you seem to have something...... Loner, still the same? "
" Maybe, I don't know but it's hard to change " agreed Sarah
Abel gave her a pity look as if he was the happiest person ever.
" So how's your work going on, girl, all good? "
" Nothing much in two years, the same routine "
What do you do Abel?, I don't know what you actually do"
" I am an artist" said Abel, crossing his legs and bending backwards.
"Must be interesting, isn't it? "
" Yeah, somewhat, you see when you lack imagination and inspiration .. It's an end"
"I hope you have enough imagination left ", enquired Sarah
And in the mean time the waiter came to note down the dish they were going to have,noted them down and went.
" Yes, yes, I have enough imagination left " flaunted Abel and then said," You know what, i am pissed off for the day, I cannot take it anymore"
"Take what? "
" These formalities of knowing about each other, you see.. You would have never even thought to enquire about my work if i hadn't met you today.... And it's true. So let's not fake "
Sarah kept quiet and listened, he was speaking the truth. She hardly cared about anything.
" So tell me are you engaged, Sarah? "
" Yes"
"How long? "
" 3 months "
" Ah! I see and hopefully you are not happy "
" Sorry!!" , Sarah was angry at such a revelation.
"Relax, dear i am just saying.. Like it's quiet common for a girl who is engaged to talk about her fiancé when asked about her story but you clearly denied, it means you aren't happy with this story of yours"
"Don't you think, you conclude things too quickly ", said Sarah angrily
"No, my queen of chaos!!"
"I have no chaos in my life "
" Yes, you don't,I know , I was talking about the title of my new painting...... You are not the queen of chaos but chaos itself ", added Abel
" Look, I don't get what you are upto but i don't allow anyone to comment on my life, nobody "
" Hmm, I can see that "
" See what? "
" That you don't allow even yourself to comment on your life " said Abel
" What's wrong with you? Abel, have you gone nuts and why do you think that I am not self balanced in my life or unhappy with my engagement or not willing to accept it. "
" Umm, you said it, now you decide ", said Abel
Soon then the waiter came with the dinner, Sarah glared at him and the waiter sensed that things were serious at this table and looked at Abel, who smiled and winked at him. Having done the chores the waiter left.
" Food, the love of my life and there is the rude... "Abel said giving Sarah a questioning look.
Sarah was quiet and poured water in her glass, taking sip after sip somehow her anger melted into pain.
" You are right, i am not happy ", she sighed
" Ah! I know, have your food, it's tasty " said Abel
Sarah quietly surrendered herself to the food. Food was indeed tasty, the best she ate till now.
" Sarah, how's your puppy? "
" It has turned into a dog now ", she smiled
" Oh! Nice, so do you feel sad that your puppy has grown into a dog and will die soon. "
Sarah was crossed but she replied "No,I don't even think about it"
"Hm and how's your shared flat and your roommates, once you uploaded about your" blues" over there on fb"
"Noo! I left it long back, now i have my own 2 BHK flat, it's not my very own, my parents invested too,but I will make it to them and thankfully no "blues" there.
"Yeah, thank god, must be lonely there ", said Abel
Sarah's face dropped and she sighed" yes "
" But you are independent aren't you and can call your parents anytime you want to, I hope you know this advantage "
Sarah said nothing but it was damn true, she never thought of this.. Calling her parents to stay with her even though she felt lonely.
" Are you going to seek a job somewhere else? ", then asked Abel
" Yes, thought of it "said Sarah
" Great! Then "
Till now they have finished eating, Abel called the waiter to clear the bills, the waiter brought the bill and Abel asked Sarah to pay.
Sarah paid and Abel put in a 100 rupee note in it and then the waiter went
Sarah looked at Abel's move.
"I know you must be thinking why, did I put that extra 100 rupee, it's fine you'll get to know. But Sarah do you remember what you once said to me,You told me that you would always be obliged if you are someday independent and be able to pay your own bills, including mine..... "
" Oh, yes those were the college days, when you always showed off by paying our bills and i waited for that one day to pay yours ", smiled Sarah
"Exactly! And that day is today, today you are an independent girl who can pay off her own bills, who no more has" blues" with her flat, instead owns one, and whose puppy has turned into a dog"
Sarah just looked at Abel but said nothing
Abel started again, " Why did you get engaged?"
"I had to, my parents asked me to", said Sarah
"And you agreed?, Did they force you? "
" Yes, who won't i am grown up, going to turn 27 tomorrow, what else?, they didn't force me, I thought so.. "
Abel poured himself a glass of water and taking a sip he said,
"Irony! You are a kind of girl who isn't sad with the fact that your puppy turned into a dog but agreed to marry a guy coz you were turning old, oh sorry 27,i mean"
"I..... ", uttered Sarah
" Zip up girl, tell him a no and yes you aren't unhappy, it's all in your head "
" What all? ", asked Sarah
" The sadness, the loneliness everything even your dislike for the work. Hey friendi! You don't have to take it so hard, give yourself a break, you are living the way you wanted and job: it's the beginning, miss editor, learn to edit your life. " said Abel
Sarah blatantly looked at him, he was right, it was all in her head, the loneliness, the forced relationship everything.
Soon then the waiter came back with the bill," Sorry sir, got a bit late "
" It's okay you may keep the change. "
" Abel! so much money... For the tip " hissed Sarah in his ears
The waiter seemed happy looking at the tip
Abel then said to Sarah "Get back your inspiration girl, happiness will come to you"
Sarah questioned "how?"
Abel again looked at the waiter and asked "Can you please forgive me for this and then quickly turned to Sarah and poured the entire jug of water on her head....... And said" all clear... Now, like this!! "
And Sarah sat there gasped, the chilled water ran through her spine. She was stunned but something relaxed her, she felt lighter.... A big burden getting put of her head...
The next day, after the tea:
Sarah again switched on her cell and went back to reply to the birthday wish, yes it was her fiancé wishing her. She started texting, but then she decided to call.
Her fiancé received it and wished her again,she greeted him well but finally asked him to meet.
She then went out to meet him at the restaurant, this time knowing that she wasn't upset and things will become better if she tried. She was going to make them right, first, by calling off her engagement.
Abel had a different story today, he had to catch his flight for Ohio in the afternoon.. After a heartbreaking wedding... But with a new inspiration "the queen of chaos. "