Chapter 11: Over a Cup of Coffee

      I don't remember how long I sat there that morning. I only remember getting up and rushing inside my room, keeping my book on the table and heading towards my little kitchenette. I desperately needed a cup of coffee to soothe my nerves.

    Though as residents of Bhairavi we were not supposed to have a kitchenette in our rooms, yet the atrocious food on some days and a horribly brewed coffee drove me to set up one in my room. You would certainly empathise with me being a Tam Brahm girl that a cup of horrid coffee is definitely a huge setback. i had grown up with the wondrous aroma of filter coffee and freshly grounded beans. For me, a cup of coffee followed every little life event - success in exams, securing a job, and....any firsts in my life.

       My kitchenette was nothing but a small cupboard near the window housing my crockery and cutlery and a little stool next to it on which I had kept my electric kettle. I had already thought of adding an electric heater for cooking up something once in a while.

      As luck would have it, while I was indulging in the pleasure of making a hot cup of filter coffee for myself, I heard a familiar voice drifting into my ears from the window.

       "Hey girl, what are you up to???"

      I stopped what I was doing, opened my door and lo and behold!!! Mallu was standing next to my window with books in his hand. It took me a second to regain my composure.

      "I...well..er...I was making a cup of coffee for myself."

      "Coffee!!! that sounds so refreshing!!"

      I was left with no choice but to invite him in. He came into my room for the first time and sat on my study table, the only piece of furniture closest to the door. I could sense his discomfort and silently smiled to myself completely amused at his awkwardness. He sat there looking around when his eyes fell upon the display board next to the table. He stood up to have a closer look and found it filled with write ups and caricatures that I liked or had created myself.

       "Here's your cup of coffee."

       "Thanks. You really write well."

       I smiled.

       "I did not know you doodle too."

      "Thanks and I must compliment you for playing the flute well."

       "When did you hear that??? I am amazed!!!"

       "Well...when I had got up today I heard flute being played. I could not help asking Komol who was the flutist and he took your name."

       "Komol is a big chatterbox. I hardly get time to practice. It is only on weekends that I get the time. By the way Komol told me you are a singer."

       "I am a hardcore bathroom singer. I did get trained in Hindustani Vocal but my vocals are no worse than a two year old kid bawling."

       He laughed.

      "Ok then...thanks a ton for this refresher. I really needed it before getting down to the business of studies."

       "You have an exam coming up???"

       "Yes. Not just me but Athlete, Chow, Brat and all the other guys in my office have to appear for an in-service examination. I was on my way to Athlete's room for a combined study. Thanks again. I should be on my way now."

       He put his empty cup on the table, picked up his books and went towards Athlete's room. My phone beeped. It was a message from Mallu (another first!!!)

       "Thanks for the really good coffee."

       I replied.

       "You are welcome."

       There is nothing as refreshing as a hot cup of coffee especially when you are breaking your head over lengthy calculations and theory questions. I decided to make a cup each for the whole Bhairavi gang. I headed towards Athlete's room and found tempers flying high. Chow, Brat, Athlete and Mallu were arguing over an answer. They stopped when I knocked.

       "I made coffee for you all," I said hesitatingly.

       I was half expecting one of them to scream at me but least expected the next statement.

       "Thanks a lot. Just the thing we need right now. Guys she makes good coffee."

       "How do you know?" asked Athlete a little skeptically.

       "While I was coming towards your room I smelt the aroma of coffee coming from her room. I asked and as a result I ending up tasting a refreshing cup of coffee after a long time."

       I went back to my room. The net result was that Athlete came me his electric heater and declared me as the official cook for the gang. Chow ordered me to ensure regular supply of coffee especially in the evenings till exams got over. And Mallu...well, his message said it all.

       "I will need more number of coffee breaks than others. Will message you whenever I need one....if it is ok with you???"

       I replied back.

       "I'll make coffee any time. Its absolutely not a problem."

       It was after messaging a reply I realized that my initial disgust was waning away. In fact....it all started happening over a cup of coffee.