Dating & Doughnuts

Sunday morning refreshment began with a cup of filter coffee. One sip transported her back home & brought a smile to her face. She picked up the coffee mug with her left hand, pulled a phone out of the drawer with her right hand & walked into the balcony. While she sipped coffee, she scrolled through the phone. She glanced over text messages of standing instructions from the bank back home. She casually opened the messaging application & skimmed through. She ignored the group chats filled with random & unproductive forwards. She came across a message from an unsaved number & her eyebrows knotted. The number looked vaguely familiar, but she could not place it.

She narrowed her eyes & opened the display image associated with the number to view Ayra & her father's picture. She drew a sharp breath & settled into a chair. She slowly placed the coffee mug on the table & held the phone in both hands. Her head exploded with questions & thoughts, 'He had my number all these years? Why message now? What does he want?' While she thought hard, the phone battery died. She cursed & plugged it for charging. She slowly sipped coffee which catapulted her overthinking. After a half-day of breaking her head & a slight headache, she replied to him courteously & casually.

The difference in time zone had no effect, for he replied immediately. After an exchange of pleasantries, he complained about the delayed response. The reasoned response was crisp. Working abroad came with the price of neglecting the phone carried from home. She would attend to that phone over weekends. Over the months, he continued to message her randomly. It seemed rather strange that he was a conversationalist. She dismissed her pessimistic thoughts & gave the benefit of the doubt.

After 6mons, she was back home for a month. She sat on the swing on the porch & sipped filter coffee made from freshly milled coffee beans. She picked up the buzzing phone to see a message from Ayra's father. She placed the phone beside her, slowly sipped coffee & wondered, 'How did he know that I was back home?' At that moment, Rayansh waved her bye & left for school. She slapped her left hand to her forehead, 'The most reliable source...Rayansh!' She had no choice but to reply. He insisted on meeting for coffee. Eventually, she gave in to the meeting the following weekend.

She entered the busy coffee shop & looked around. Their eyes met & both smiled. No sooner did she reach the table than she observed that her favourite cold coffee & doughnuts were on the table. The sight transported her briefly to their first date. She drew a slow breath, settled down & they exchanged pleasantries. She munched on the doughnuts & handed a small bag full of chocolates for Ayra & some goodies for his wife & him. She sipped cold coffee & remarked, "It was so bizarre to receive a message from you after all these years. Did you have my number all this time?" He seemed uncomfortable at the question. He presented the prepared response, "I had deleted it long ago. I could not recollect it from memory & did not want to ask the common friends."

She took a bite of delicious caramel-filled doughnut & inquired with raised eyebrows, "Then?" He continued, "Well, in those times, very few people owned mobiles & you were one of them. I noted your number in my phone diary. After some searching, I found the phone diary in the attic. I took a chance & pinged on the same number. Glad you had not changed the number." She found it strange that he had gone through the trouble of finding the contact number while consciously & cautiously avoiding friends. She replied, "I had to retain the phone number as it was associated with the Government's Unique Identification Authority. I assumed that is the same reason you still hold the same phone number." He nodded 'yes' & silently thanked the Government for once.

The dialogue was on like the good old days. However, anyone at the cafe could point out the contrast at the table. While the conversation seemed pleasant & enjoyable, the air seemed tense. The chatter was on for an hour & both were running out of topics. No sooner did her eyes dart towards the wristwatch than he knew the time to muster the courage had arrived. He asked, "Why haven't you married?" She casually replied, "I did not see the need for it." He continued, "No pressure from family?" She shrugged, "They did from time to time. Now they know better than to ask. Also, fortunately, I'm always on the move." He questioned, "Are you seeing someone?" She was taken aback by his curiosity & audacity.

She consumed coffee & shook her head to convey 'no.' He jumped, "So you have been single for over a decade?" She giggled & reacted, "Nope. I have been in a few relationships." He voiced, "Then?" She raised her shoulders & coolly responded, "The relationships ran their course." He pressed, "Why?" She patiently answered, "I travel frequently. It is hard to keep up a long-distance relationship." He curiously voiced, "After all these years, you haven't figured out how to make it work?" It was enticing to say something nasty. Instead, she chose to reply, "I'm at an age & place where I have no time for drama or trauma."

He continued, "You haven't met anyone with whom you wanted to spend the rest of your life?" She shot a sharp look towards him, which could have minced & beaten him into pulp. She chose not to answer & slowly chewed on a doughnut. He swallowed hard & persisted, "Are you sure there is no other reason?" She rolled her eyes, threw her hands up in the air & declared, "I give up! If you have something on your mind & wish to share, would you please do me a favour & get to it?" He articulated, "I'm convinced & certain, you have strong feelings for me. That is the reason you haven't married." He added, "Also, I realized I still have feelings for you." She almost spat, "What?"

The unexpected revelation jolted her & she was ready to breathe fire. The café being a public venue, restrained her from screaming at the top of her lungs. She controlled her temper & uttered, "That's preposterous!" He sipped the last of the coffee & shook his head a 'no.' The table fell silent & he signalled the waitress for a refill. She stared at a spot on the coffee table with knotted eyebrows. She occasionally sipped coffee & said nothing. He sat at the tip of the chair in anticipation of her response. After 10mins, she raised her eyes to meet his. She clapped & laughed so hard that a few heads turned towards the duo. She calmed down & stated, "Dude, that was a good one! Just because I pranked you the last time, you attempted the same. You almost got me!" While she relaxed & slipped into a talking mode, he sat still as a stone. His clenched fist & stern look conveyed that he meant it. When it dawned on her, she drew a sharp breath & covered her mouth with both hands. The colour drained from her face.

Take Away: Dating & doughnuts are sweet & come a full circle; both have gaping holes & aren't the same after the first bite.

P.S: The story is a sequel to "Breakup & Algebra."