A Sunday Brunch

By Kanishka Jain

Two mouths coming closer, noodle getting shorter, eyes glittering. One hand holding the other with every finger filling the gap in the other hand, the second hand on the leg, and the other leg playfully sliding on the leg in front. Riya and Madhav enjoying every bit of the meal and moment they are in.

“You eat first”, urges Bhupesh in a loving and assertive tone

“No, you eat first.”, suggests Bhumi in a shaky and romantic voice

Fighting over who loves more will be symbolized by who feeds the partner first or more. 

“Now, you go”, commands Bhumi

“No, you please, you go again.”, pleads Bhupesh 

“Sweetheart, I love to eat by your hand. However, you will end up starving. And I don’t want that!” clarified Bhumi

“You ate, I ate. The same thing you know.” blandishes Bhupesh

Bhumi ends up taking another bite and then makes sure that he also eats a little.

Now,

 Riya informs in a trembling voice,” Hey, Madhav I have got that yoga instructor job in Banglore” She itches her neck and smiles nervously

Madhav acknowledges in a thrilled voice holds her hands tight and sparkles in his eyes,” Great, Sweetheart! I am so happy for you I know this was your teenage dream and finally true. So, thrilled for you. This calls for a bottle of champagne.” 

Madhav clicks in the air and calls the waiter. And asks him to bring a bottle of champagne

Riya questions perplexed in confusion with her mouth open and hands scattered in the air,” Darling, I don’t understand. Why are you so calm and collected?”

Madhav replied a little astonished yet sarcastic,” What do you want angry and shattered me!”

Riya in concern rubs her hand on Madhav’s hand and the lines on her forehead come and go when she assures, inquires and expresses,” That will not come as even be the last thing in the world, that I want. But how are you so calm about this, You know I was so worried that how will I tell you this news”

Madhav,” Why! What’s wrong with it. That we will be some distance apart?” answers by a question in a casual manner

Riya queries,” Ya, How we will manage that?” in a worried sense

Madhav tells with a question,” Do you want to be with me?” in a vulnerable voice with love in his eyes

Riya agrees,” Yes ! Without a doubt “ with full determination and assertiveness

Madhav declares,” So do I, we will find a way.” in a cool style

Riya asks,” What do you mean?” all confused and with curiosity 

Madhav explains,” Effort, It all about effort.” Puts his index finger and thumb together and shakes his hand twice like he holding a seed in his hand.

Riya asks,” Please explain Mr. philosopher!” playfully and bent towards Madhav showing her full dedication and attention to him.

Madhav elaborates,” If you water a plant daily, it will grow, right? Waters the plant in the middle of their table.

Riya points out,” Yes” in an Obvious tone

Madhav continues,” Similarly if you put effort into a relationship every day, It will bloom.” Puts his chin on his hands and elbows on the table in a confident manner.

Riya connotes,” So by this logic, the champagne is on me” Winks at Madhav.

Madhav smirks and mentions,” I would love to be spoiled by, my Lady” smiles and lays back relaxed on the back of the chair.

Both laugh and hold hands and keep gazing into each other’s glittered eyes.

On the other hand, 

Bhumi warns,” Bhupesh, Please don’t overreact. We are in public. I just wanted to tell you I got into my dream University on mine.” In a troubled voice.

Bhupesh discusses,” What do you mean don’t overreact? We both know this news already. We are going together there. And It’s our dream university, right? That’s the one you are talking about” higgled- piggeled.

Bhumi clarifies,” No, I mean just my dream university.” Widen her eyes and bit her lip in nervousness.

Bhupesh inquires,” What do you mean by that?” a little annoyed

Bhumi,” See, I know our relationship is 4 years long but I had dreams to be in this university before that. I have been waiting for 6 years to apply and get into this university.” Explains herself.

Bhupesh questions,” So?” oblivious to the situation

 Bhumi replies with a question,“ What do you mean, so?” in an angry voice

Bhupesh persuades,” You were a kid back then.  Didn’t know what was good or bad for you. I think you should back off from this idea.”

Bhumi rejects,” I  beg to differ.” In a decisive manner

Bhupesh says,” But we are in a relationship. We make decisions together. That is what is good for us.” in an authoritative tone.

 Bhumi,” Where am I in that us?” questions politely

Bhupesh,” You are with me.” Without an ounce of thought, he replies 

Bhumi,” That is great but I want to have a life of my own also.” Tries to put her point

Bhupesh,” You can think of life without me?!” asks unnerved 

Bhumi,” I want to be in your life you to be in my life. But I don’t want you to be my whole life.” Elaborates her statement

Bhupesh verbalizes his feelings,” But you are my everything” in a helpless tone

Bhumi answers,” But things don’t work like that Bhupesh” in an assertive manner

Bhupesh asks,” Then what’s the point of being in this relationship?” with a voice of worry

Bhumi,” That we love each other and we want to be together.” Still explaining

Bhupesh commands,” I want all of you or none of you” in an authoritative voice

Bhumi inquires,” Then what should we do?” in sadness

Bhupesh forces,” Leave the university or me?”  an authoritative voice

Bhumi exclaims,” Don’t put me in that circumstance!” in a puzzled and sad manner

Bhupesh alerts,” Choose the next set of words, wisely!” in anger

Bhumi stammers,” I want both.” In hesitation

Bhupesh put across his point, I can’t believe that choose between me or a random famous university. If I am not your first priority, as you are mine. I think we should over this.” In anger

Bhupesh storms off from the restaurant and Bhumi’s body chills up. She cannot believe that Bhupesh left. She cannot interpret how and what happened, she went into a shock and got numb. She tried to yell and call Bhupesh but she was so stunned and stuck to her place.

Whereas,

Madhav and Riya leave the restaurant together to have a walk till their home. As they starred into each other’s eyes. Suddenly a drop of water falls on Madhav’s jacket. And before you know it is raining. Luckily, Madhav saw the weather before leaving home and brought an umbrella. They got their excuse to hold hands by holding the umbrella together. Out of nowhere, first Riya throws the umbrella off. And they both dance in the rain holding each other. Madhav holds Riya from the waist and Riya elegantly puts her arm around him. They join both the other hands together and danced on the beat of falling rain drops, some solo performances to make each other laugh. Then Unexpectedly, Madhav sees a stall of moong dal ki pokadi which is Riya and his favourate in a good rainy day. They take shed in the stall’s roof and order a plate. They were remembering all they great years they had with each other. How Riya was very studious scholar in school and Madhav was a spoilt brat who also was school sports captain. How they were poles apart and they made it work one step at a time.

Beside all of this, Bhumi somehow mutters the courage to get up the get out of the Restaurant almost the same time. She unfortunately or fortunately had no idea of rain. Yet, she freshen up her mood by the smell of wet soil in rain and enjoyed every drop of it on her body as well. Then out of no reason she overhears the conversation between Madhav and Riya. And realizes that she has been making a lot of compromises without noticing in her relationship with Bhupesh but Bhupesh only claims her to his first priority.

This fires her up and she changes into and absolutely different person. She recalls how Bhupesh has restricted her to eat from stalls on street and dance in rain which she used to love before him. Then she dances like a Phoenix bird in Rain turning into ashes and reborn again as herself and only Herself.

By Kanishka Jain