Trophies of Love

5th floor. Shopping mall.
..
          The calm escalator has managed to spare our breathe and the emerging belly. Though we don't usually romanticize in public places, Shree walked hand in hand, almost leaning on my shoulder. Might be her menstrual pain, I didn't want to ask. All of a sudden, she almost fell when a kid pulled her bag in the heat of being chased by her sibling. Somehow I caught Shree before she hit the ground and smiled at the kid. Meanwhile their mom came panting. I did see the fear in her eyes that expected some curse to be uttered upon the children by us.

         "I'm extremely sorry, I just cannot manage these two.. They are too mischievous.." with that weary look she actually tried to make her children  seek apology to us. Shree managed to steal a kiss from the younger one amidst this tensed atmosphere. I love her for this, I see myself in her. I was locked in the school for being a dumb introvert. She's my exact emotional replica. As math suggests, minus and minus became Love. Since then, the smile in her eyes and lips became the mascara and gloss to her.

         She grabbed a seat at the food court facing the big TV screen and made me sit in front of her. She allows me to take a sight of other girls too, but not any gadgets or tech while we are together. She looks beautiful as always. It is not that I love her coz she's beautiful, but she looks beautiful to my eyes since I Love her. Having no plans or agenda we were just gazing around.

"Icecream..?" I spoke to break the ice.
"Yeah sure" said she with her usual excitement towards icecream.
The Baskin Robbins counter was lit bright in a way that it could tempt even an adult to grab a scoop. There wasn't anyone at the counter. I asked Shree to choose a flavour while I scanned for the salesperson.

          Beside the children's play arena of the mall, there was a woman who might be the salesperson of this counter I guessed. Unaware of our presence, she was busy with a phone call. The boyfriend within me got irritated by her careless attitude but the actual me tried to remain calm and waited for her to turn back so that I could notify our presence with a wave. It was then I overheard her weep amidst that ambience. It was more evident when she wiped her tears. I dropped the idea of calling her aloud.

        "Do you know the symbol implied in this Baskin Robbins logo..?" I tried to engage Shree in a conversation, buying some time for the woman to come to us. "Are you serious..!? There is just a 'B' and 'R' and what do you find in it?", She exclaimed beyond her moodswings. When I was about to explain, the woman came, faking an accustomed smile that she had to wear during the sales hours.

       Shree ordered a litchee for her and a red velvet scoop for me. She knows what I love, that's why she came to me when I was hesitant about confessing my feelings for her. I asked Shree to wait at the table beside the counter till I'd get her the scoops. Tears welled up in the eyes of the saleslady, beyond her control. "Hey hii.. Mm.. Could I help you by any means..?", I asked her.

       She turned up with an incredible look. I hope, this might be the first time a customer had talked to her other than ordering icecreams. " No, thank you, but I'm okay with it ", she handed me the litchee scoop.
"I saw you weeping over the phone, so just asking", I was wondering why I was concerned with something which was none of my business. She paused filling the cup with that hardened red Velvet scoop and glanced at me with the eyes that mirrored her overwhelming anxiety. I handed the Litchee to Shree who was puzzled about my interactions at the counter. " Will be back", I smirked at her and returned to the counter.

      The woman said, "I know it is pointless to weep and it won't make much of a change, but I couldn't help weeping when I don't find a solution." It isn't suspicion but curiosity that dragged Shree beside me, trying to grasp the conversation. She continued, "I don't know whether you could help, but I feel like expressing it to someone.., if you don't mind". " Yes, please", Shree assured with that elegant smile.

      Since it was a week day and a pleasant afternoon, people got mostly attracted towards the spicy chicken than a cool icecream. She made us sit by the Kid's play area and stood at the dark corner where she was when we came. "My daughter is sick.." She broke out. Tears rolled down her cheeks that showed her love for her kid. Shree was worried and she consoled her with a hug. After taking a breathe, she continued.. "I'm Meha, a single parent. My husband was diseased and deceased a few years back. I have to work to raise my daughter and I'll usually leave her in a creche while I.. .." Her voice faded away and I felt pity and anger growing within me. The darkest part of my heart asked me whether I should listen to this or to be with Shree and make her feel better. I am on a date with Shree and moreover I could feel her pain through her eyes. I wished I could just leave the woman to weep herself out and somehow make Shree forget her pain at least.

        Shree turned to me with a fierce look, knowing that I'm not listening to Meha. I slipped back to my conscious where Meha might have already added some additional information about her life. Shree held her hands in console. I could see Shree's determination to help Meha by the grip of her hands on Meha's. "So how could we help you Meha?", I asked her with real concern. I've promised Shree that whatever she's into, I'll be with her all along the way.

       Meha handed us a visiting card, the creche's address and some medicine which didn't seem very common. Before that I grabbed Shree for a quick minute to check her out. "Are you doing this for sure Shree..? Coz there are several others out here in this biigggg mall. Everyone's busy with their own lives. Do we really need to help this woman despite you undergoing the pain..?" And this time, I asked this not with reluctance but to check whether Shree is really okay to travel on this weiry day.

     She looked deep into my eyes, "Dear, whatever I'm now, it's because of you. I was just another girl, before I met you. You showed me who I am, what I'm capable of, you motivated me, you moralised me..You've always been there when I was struggling. Whenever I asked you 'why do you strain so much to help me?' You've always told me that you fix problems that are within your reach and you've also told that if you don't fix those, your conscience might kill you. I know you are asking me these many questions to ensure my comfort..Baby, I don't want you to change your self because of me. Whether I'm there or not, be yourself and that's what I love in you.. You being yourself. And listen, I'm good to go. Let's get these to the kid.." I hugged her and planted a kiss on her forehead.

      With worried eyes, Meha looked at us fearing that we would chane our plans. Shree got back and picked Meha's mobile number. I managed to book a cab before we reached the exit. I felt being more of myself, with Shree near me under such circumstances. Things happened in a hurry, Meha informed the creche about our arrival. Little Meha looked like her mother. She looked pathetic when we reached. With Meha's guidance through the phone, we gave medication to the kid. After a while, little Meha seemed to be alright and her face bloomed with a beautiful smile. Meha was elated to hear her little one's voice and I heard a sigh of relief from her.

      Shree managed to steal a kiss from little Meha before we left. I Love this another habit of hers - snatching a kiss for a happy moment. Kisses were her trophies of Love.