One Stop Destination

       It was a week after the coffee break began that we all decided to go to a temple. The boys were desperate to bribe the gods for passing them in their upcoming exam. For the first time, Mallu signalled me to be his pillion rider. Though we had gone out before, I heard him sing for the first time.        "I did not know you could sing too."        "I am a bathroom singer too. An untrained one at that."        "You really sing well. Why didn't you sing on our earlier trips."        "I had not known you then. Why don't you join me? I am pretty bad when it comes to remembering the lyrics."        Together we sang some of the songs known to us. For the first time I didn't feel the need to clutch on to the side bar and holding it tightly as if my entire life depended on it. I felt relaxed, at ease and comfortable being with him.        By the time we reached back, my heart was almost on the verge of lea

          My phone beeped around six in the evening. It was Mallu.       "I desperately need a coffee break."        I made a cup of coffee and took it across to his room. I handed it to him with a smile.        "Where is yours?" he asked.        I had not made for myself so I just shrugged my shoulders and shook my head as a reply. He got up to fetch a cup from his peg table, divided the coffee into two and handed me a cup.         "Won't I be disturbing you while you are studying if I sit here?"        I was hesitant.        "No ways!!! sit on the bean bag. I could do with some good company for a refreshing break."        My ears pricked up but I pretended not to have heard it and took a sip of my coffee.        "You really make amazing coffee."        "Thanks. I am glad you like it."        "So...what do you do in your free time??"        "Me??? Well..

      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 hea

      I was the first one to reach the waiting spot for lunch. I had had a tough day in office. My Boss' Boss the Goliath had shouted at me in front of my subordinates for no fault of mine. I was really down in the dumps and therefore sat with my face down. The sound of an approaching Royal Enfield Bullet disturbed my thoughts. I looked towards the entryway and could feel my heart sinking. Mallu drove past me up the driveway and parked his motorbike. I felt like running away. I did not want further torture. I had had enough for the day. He was the last person I wanted to see.       "Hey what is up??? Why are you sitting like this?       "Nothing sir."       "Come on, speak up. I am not going to eat you up. Maybe I can help??"       I wanted him to shut up and leave me alone. He probably sensed my discomfort.       "Look, even I have gone through bad days. Tell me, I might help out."     The tone in which he spoke touc