Straight from Kitchen - Masala Chicken with Jack Daniels

What if ?

Question Asked
Answer Avoided.

Despair Heart
Mounted Doubts.

Places changed
Time flew.

New people
Agonies afresh.

Wander Lust
Lonesome Tears.

Years Passed
Both asked.

What if?
What if?

Pinche Symphony

"Pinche Symphony !", Rick shouted. He always used Spanish slangs when he was angry. It was easy this way to express his anger on Alejandra.

Tears were rolling down Alejandra's eyes. There was a sob every minute or two. She was sitting by the huge glass window of her main room. The room was brightly lit. Outside was dark. Rain drops were hitting the floor with vengeance. The wet evening cast a sorrowful look into her heart.

"You know I don't like concert. Why do you keep asking me ?", an irritated Rick asked.

There was no answer. Alejandra kept looking at the magazine lying on the table. She was sitting on a sofa, wearing a beautiful black dress. Her feet was up and her hands were around her knees.

Rick looked at her and said slowly,"Honey! Don't cry.You know I hate to see you cry.". Rick never knew whether he loved her. But every time she cried, he had felt an inexplicable pain in his heart. Alejandra knew this too.

Moments passed. Her tears has stopped. But she sat on the sofa watching the magazine on the table. She thought about the many concerts she had attended alone while Rick was away with his friends. She never understood why Rick hated symphony and Rick never understood why she loved it.

Rick lit a cigarette. It was the second best thing he needed when he sad, the first being Alejandra. Deep down he hated going to the concert, but today he felt sad. He again looked at her and said slowly,"Ok. Let's go.". Alejandra didn't reply.

Rick came closer and sat on the table. He touched her soft shoulders and said,"Honey ! Let's go." Alejandra just nodded her head.

In half an hour they were at the car. The rain had diminished into a drizzle. The apartments were staring at the roads. The new light posts proudly lit the avenue. They got into the car. Rick drove away from the colony and sped into the highway.

Rick had always compared driving the car with driving his life. He took a U-turn. Every time he took this U-turn, he always had a fear that he was leaving Alejandra behind, forever. The car sped down from the top of the hill. Rick turned to his right. He was not watching Alejandra, who still looked sad. He looked through the window to the brilliant lights glowing far away in the city. Thousands of lights illuminated the otherwise dark night. He loved the view, the view of an outsider. He never felt comfortable when he reached the bottom of the hill. He felt lost in the crowd.

The car rode over the flyover and then turned a sharp left and then a right. He enjoyed the turns. His life never had taken a straight route.

The car got into several boulevards and prolongacion. Rick had forgotten about Alejandra's presence, lost in the maze of his life.

"izquierda", shouted Alejandra.

"Sorry.", and Rick turned left.

"Don't you know where the Concert Hall is ", Alejandra asked.

"My car doesn't like going that way.", smiled Rick.

"Shut up.",replied Alejandra and angrily said, "You and your car !!!"

Rick kept smiling.

It was ten when they reached the concert hall. On a rainy dull night, the building looked alive. The place was crowded. People were running towards the entrance. The rain had started again.

They got out of the car.

"It looks beautiful, doesn't it, Rick?", smiled Alejandra.

Rick looked at the first smile on her face in th elast five hours.

"No lo se. But you look beautiful."

"NO. Look at the place. You see me all the time." And she held him close putting her head on his shoulders.

They hurried towards the entrance, Alejandra watching the building in childlike excitement.

The huge wooden doors of the concert hall was open. People were getting themselves seated. The hugeness of the hall made the people look tiny.

"Hey guide me. It's huge.", Rick said slowly. Alejandra smiled.

They crossed several rows and seats and finally were seated. In a foreign land everything seems hostile; the elegant chairs, the people, the gorgeous lights and the symphony band on the stage.

"Do you like this?", Alejandra asked, with a doubt in her eyes.

"Yes, I think.", came a short answer. His eyes were glued to the stage where a group of musicians were getting ready for the show. There were all kinds of instruments, most of which he dreamed never existed. Alejandra never stopped giving him an introduction on each instrument.

They waited for the symphony to begin, and in half an hour there was an applause.

The symphony began in chapters. The composer gave the directions and the players played devotedly. There was beauty in watching the players playing in synchronization, when one stopped, the other began. The flute players were meddling with the air trapped in the flute. The huge violins happily sang to the tunes of their masters. The music rose up, the music fell down. Alejandra's eyes twinkled and she started tapping her fingers on the knees.

She turned to Rick and said, "Hear the chickens are dancing.". Rick listened carefully and probably heard the chickens. Or it could have been any other animal Alejandra had mentioned. The only thing he could feel was the passion in the music, the altering tones, the changing moods, and the dramatic faces of the music players.

"How do you understand all this?", asked Rick.

Alejandra just smiled. She held Rick's palm softly and looked into his eyes. Her face was calm, eyes fixed on him, afraid to think that he may leave her anytime. She turned her eyes away suddenly towards the stage. A tear drop was building in the corner of her eyes.

A new chapter started. The music became grave as if mourning for the lost ones, grieving for the ones who were never ours. The music became sombre, the music grew loud. The flutes cried and the violin gave a loud chill. The molecules in the air became heavy, unwilling to move.

The touch of her palms had a new sensation inside Rick. It seemed that the molecules were dissipating from her into him. The palms became warm and cold with each changing tone. She held him tight one moment and the other left him loose. Rick saw the different shades of life in the music just like he put the shades of life in his stories.

One says a deaf person listen to sounds by feeling them. Rick felt the music through the palms of Alejandra. He forgot the time, he forgot the place. He submitted himself to the touch of Alejandra.

"Honey. It's over.", Alejandra said.

"Hmmm.", Rick shook in his seat.

"Hmmm.", again replied Rick.

"Are you okay ?", a worried Alejandra asked.

"Yeah."

The crowd left the hall amazed and soaked in the pure music. It was already midnight. The rain had stopped. It was cold outside. Alejandra and Rick were walking with their shoulders crossed. Rick was watching the crowd dispersing in the dark. He was not afraid of the crowd anymore. He held her closer.

They came to the car.

"Wait.", Rick said.

"What?"

He gently brought her in front of him. The splendid hall shone bright behind the beautiful face of Alejandra. His heart was beating fast. He puller her closer.

"I may never understand symphony. And I may never hear it again.", he paused. He paused again, and it seemed indefinite to Alejandra. But in the dim light, she saw a different Rick.

"You know I have always wanted to tell you ...."

Alejandra stopped him and said,"I know."

She lay her head on the chest of Rick and was glad to hear the symphony of his heart beats. Rick held her tight looking at the concert hall and wondering whether it was the symphony or just another turn in his life.

The Taste of Coffee

Rick sipped the coffee watching Karen. He then lit his second cigarette in a row. The act of smoking always served as a perfect camouflage for his looking at Karen. And today Karen looked angelic. Her short hair, unpainted lips and the dark t-shirt , everything looked different.

"Another mocha please.", Rick told the waiter.

"How can you drink mocha ? It tastes so bad."

"And you, plain tasteless black coffee ? It sucks !!!"

Both smiled. They had the same argument every time. They placed their orders. Rick put his hand across the chair, stretched himself and looked at Karen.

"Why are you looking at me like that ?", quizzed Karen.
"Nothing. Just looking at those marks on your face."
"Ah! They are from my childhood. The disease left their beauty marks.", giggled Karen. She continued to tell more about the marks, but Rick was not paying attention. His eyes were glued to her lips, which were popping up and down, her head bending sideways while she adjusted the jacket on the chair.

Karen didn't talk what she thought; she talked because that was a diversion for her thoughts. Rick talked what he thought.

Suddenly Karen asked, "You are not talking much today. You want to save your energy for your flight tonight ?"
"Not really. Well, I will not be hearing from you for such a long time that I want to capture the sounds in my pores.", smiled Rick.
"Oh ! Yes !"
There was a twinkle in her eyes, the way women appreciate flirting.

"Yeah, flying tonight to Columbia. Two weeks there and then off to Argentina for another two weeks.", Rick said changing his posture.
The evening wind in downtown Vancouver was getting cold. Rick rubbed his palms. He hated wearing a jacket.

"And what are you doing in the vacation ?", asked Rick.
"Nothing as always. I don't know. May be will go to Victoria to see my friend. You know her right ? But mostly here.", she stopped and then continued,"I hope you have a good time.", rather pensively.

"Thanks.', replied Rick.

Karen gave a deep sigh, and then looking at Rick said, "Owen asked me out for dinner this weekend.", she paused and then asked, "Do you think I should go ?"

Rick thought for a moment and then replied,"I think you should. He is a nice guy. Haven't spoken to him much though.'

There was a sudden waft of warm air.
"Oooooo ....", shouted both of them simultaneously.

"That was strange; like a warm chill.", gasped Karen.

It was strange for sure, Rick also thought. The downtown would no more be the same, nor the Coffee Beans cafe shop nor the beautiful lady who sat in front of him.

He looked around the coffee shop. The beautiful waitress was serving at the tables. She had an elegant figure and an eternal smile.

"She is beautiful, isn't she ?", asked Rick.

"Yeah. She is beautiful. You should have asked her out long time back. You waste a lot of time.", spurted Karen and then glanced away towards the street where a bunch of guys were playing jazz music. Rick looked back at Karen and sipped his coffee.

"You think so ? I waste a lot of time ?"

"What?", and then Karen continued, "They are playing good. I wonder if they are stage artists."

There eyes met for a second and then Karen said, "When is your flight ?"

"At 2 a.m."

'Okay.', and then with a naughty smile she said ,"How is Jenifer ?"

"Ha Ha Ha !', Rick laughed. "She is doing good. She got a promotion and will be going to Montreal for a month."

"You didn't ask her to join you for vacation ", giggled Karen.

"Okay enough ! Stop it !", Rick looked away to the music band.

Karen didn't talk about Jenifer anymore, just looked at Rick. Rick turned his face and starred into the eyes of Karen.

Rick thought - Never had she looked so beautiful before, and never had he felt so peaceful.

Rick's cell phone rang. He saw the number, but didn't answer. It rang again, he didn't pick.

"Who's that ? Jenifer ?", mocked Karen.

"No. This was from the travel agency. They want to confirm the tickets.

"So why don't you answer ?"

" 'You take a long time.' ", echoed in Rick's ear.

"Another coffee ?", Rick asked.

"Don't you have to leave early ? It's already nine now."

"Yes, I know.", Rick said. He probably wanted to say more, but the waitress came too soon.

It was getting dark outside. The downtown was getting crowded on the Friday night. It looked pretty with the people walking across the glittering high rise buildings. Rick thought about the several downtowns he had visited. All of them are beautiful in their unique way. May be the people make the place beautiful. perhaps the families and the couples make the atmosphere cheerful. Rick had his chances too. He always blamed the weather for not having taken the chances.

"So, are you seeing someone yet ? I guess its been a long time I have known you and never heard anyone in your life ?", inquired Karen.

Words , by themselves, do not have any meaning. When they are spoken with a changed tone, quizzing eyes, and a reluctant moving lips, they breathe life.

"No. Not really."

"Why not ? Jenifer is nice. And you know her."

"Yeah. Dorothy and Susana are also nice.", smiled Rick.

"Choose one ...", replied Karen taking her eyes away from Rick.

"I will do a lucky draw sometime to pick up one.", smiled Rick.

He turned around and watched the kids playing roller blade on the pavement.

The cell phone rang again. Rick didn't pick.

"Why are you not picking the call ? Something wrong ?"

"No. Nothing.". Rick looked into Karen's face. His face straightened and eyebrows drew in. The adrenaline rose. He lit another cigarette. Karen too.

The waiters had started putting the chairs back in. It was signal for the customers to leave. Karen looked around.

"I guess, we have to leave now. And see you after a month.", she paused and then said smilingly, "If you still drink coffee ..."

"Even if I don't, I can still bear your company ....", Rick replied looking at Karen.

"That's sweet ... Now let's go. You need to leave now."

They paid the bill, got up an walked across the street. Over the next few minutes, they talked about Vancouver and Bogota. They talked about life in general, past exes and would be exes.

They walked slowly side by side, walking leisurely. They crossed the huge malls and the small ones. People crossed them on the left and the right. But when people crossed in between, Rick had always felt uneasy. Why ? He didn't know. He did't want to know. He was never lucky in the crowd.

They kept walking, watching people. They knew so much about each other, that there were moments they didn't need to talk. Karen was slower than usual.

"Let's watch the juggler show.", said Karen.

"Sweetie ! You will be late.", smiled Rick.

"No, it's okay. Anyways vacation from tomorrow.", Karen replied watching the juggler playing with the five balls in his two palms.

They stood there watching the show. They stood close to each other, oblivious of the fact that there was plenty of space around. It is when the mind is not willing to accept, the body takes the lead. The only vacation that Rick wanted was to stay here with her.

The juggler finished his show. Everybody clapped. Some of them left few coins in the box. Karen and Rick stood there for some more time. The cold breeze swept across their faces.

They turned round to the street and kept walking. Streaks of light was falling on their faces from the tall street lights. Rick looked at Karen and turned his face away.

"What ?", asked Karen.

"Do you know why I had gone to Victoria the other day ?"
"Yeah, to see the place."
"No. I went to see you. I couldn't wait till Monday."

They started to walk even slower.

"Oh ! Is it ?', naughtily said Karen.

"Oh yes !", laughed Rick.

They walked a little farther, without speaking. Then Rick said," Lets call a taxi. We have been walking for a long time."

"Yeah. But I kind of liked today."

"Because there won't be anyone to waste your time from tomorrow."

There are moments in life that one needs to tell the thing that he needs to tell. He is left with no option, but to tell.The words come naturally, like the baby comes from the mother's womb. And then the person feels newly born.

"So you are leaving tonight ?", asked Karen hesitantly.

Rick gave a final glance to Karen, the glance of a lifetime.

"Wh..a...t ?"

"Nothing.", he paused, he sighed, and then his lips moved and he barely uttered the words, "I feel like kissing you."

There was a silence. Karen didn't move. Her lips didn't move.

Rick took his cell phone and dialed a number.

"Hey Julie ! It's Rick. Please book the tickets.", he waited,"Yeah, that's right. Yeah. Okay.". He waited for some more time."Okay, good. Thanks Julie. Good night."

Rick kept the phone and shouted "Hey Taxi !!!"

The taxi came.

"Okay. See you then after a month. You have a great vacation.", Rick smiled.

Karen was starring at Rick's face.

"Now what ?", Rick asked.

"You say kiss me, and the next thing I know you are calling a taxi and sending me off."

"What am I supposed to do ?"

"You know what you really take a lot of time. Even for booking your tickets."

There was a silence. The taxi driver shouted," Hey guys! Don't waste my time.'

Rick stood there with his head down, like a school kid stands after being punished by the teacher for not completing his homework. Karen sternly looked at him.

"I booked two tickets.", Rick said slowly. "If you want to come ..."

Karen cut short Rick, "Fuck you ! That's why you were not answering the call."

Rick didn't answer anything.

"Now get into the taxi. We don't have time." She gave the directions to her house and then to Rick's house. In moments the taxi sped on the freeway. It was dark inside, occasionally lit up with the passing cars.

Karen came closer to Rick and placed her lips on his. Their hearts were racing faster than the car. Rick could taste the black coffee inside her mouth. He pulled himself away and said, " Does black coffee taste so good, or is it because of your lips?". Karen pulled him back," Stop talking."

The taxi driver smiled as he watched them through the rear view mirror.

Keep writing, Keep writing Till the day I stop breathing .....

Keep writing honey,
Even if I am not there in your heart ...

Keep writing baby,
Even if you fall asleep on some other's arms ...

Keep writing sweetie,
Even if I become your past ...

Keep writing applepie,
Even if there no dinners together ...

Keep writing darling,
Even if you don't mean a thing ...

Keep writing, Keep writing
Till the day I stop breathing .....

Thoughts ....

The success to a happy relationship lies in believing that the partner doesn't exist when you need him/her.

Do not ask me a why

Do not ask me a why,
Do not ask me, do you ?
All I know with you I fly,
Without you, I have no clue.

Yet again, you ask me today,
To give you a reason,
But, that would be to my heart,
An act of treason.

A kiss on their lips

A kiss on their lips,
Was bliss for the thirsty mouth.
Hugging close and tight,
With the black clouds heading south.

Their hearts beat fast,
Louder than the roaring thunder.
Deep within awoke,
Emotions from the long slumber.

Tongues entagled,
Soaring high in their prime.
Like a rudderless ship,
They drifted in time.

The lips pressed, afraid
Where the night goin' to lead.
Tears swelled in the eyes,
And the hearts began to bleed.

Days had passed to months,
And the moment had come to say bye.
Sad that the sweet innocent kiss,
Had left their hearts dry .....

Quotations ......

Some quotations from my own writings ...

1. Eight years – five countries. Life has been very tiring.
2. No dependency – right! Rick, sometimes a dependency on others helps.
3. I am tired of dating, work and life.
4. So few girls speak English in Mexico - And unfortunately the lonely ones dont !!!
5. I really didnt care to know her. Her situation was the same as mine.
6. They rarely saw each other in the face. It was an inconvenience and they conveniently avoided.
7. Marc cut the potatoes into tiny cubes of marble. Then he took the onions and sliced them into the beautiful rings of Saturn.
8. "Karen, you are full of faults, except your faultless beauty. And it is of no good except in the bedroom."
9. Modern marriages had become less real-like and more business-like. Relationships ended with a thank you note.
10. The conversation was cut short with a prolonged kiss on her lips.

I miss you .... A funny poem ...

I miss you like I
miss my sugar in my coffee ....

I miss you like I
miss chatting when I see you offline .....

I miss you like I
miss my umbrella in the rain .....

I miss you like I
miss my cigarrette after dinner .....

I miss you like I
miss watching TV before sleeping .....

I miss you like I
miss coming back late from office ....

I miss you like I
miss drinking road side tea ....

I miss you like I
miss the rain in the summer .....

I miss you like I
miss the flowers in the fall ....

I miss you like I
miss my first cup of coffee of the day .....

I miss you when I feel my fingers cold
And yours' are not there to warm them up .....

Over a Cup of Coffee

“Will it rain today”, Rick asked sipping down the coffee.
“I think so. My husband called me sometime back and told that it is raining heavily on the east of the city. It may rain here. I don’t know.” Karen replied looking outside through the thick glass windows of the café shop.

“Okay.”

The coffee shop was busy with people - some tourists, some daily customers, and a few new comers. A couple was sitting around the corner busy with themselves rather than with the coffee. A newly married couple, perhaps! An old couple was sitting in the next table. They were having their second coffee or may be third. They didn’t talk at all and occasionally glanced at the newly married ones.

“So finally in Paris”, Karen asked gleefully.

“Yeah! ….. I guess. The achievement of something makes one so delighted that he becomes unsure whether he really wanted that. “, replied Rick stirring the coffee
with more sugar.

“Hmmm.”

“Eight years – five countries. Life has been very tiring. Ah! Very tiring indeed.” Rick continued, now leaning his back on the wall.

“Tiring and you? I cannot believe it.”

“You have to.”

Rick didn’t want to continue further. He looked at the clock. It was seven in the night. He had a flight at two in the morning.

“So, still a bachelor?” asked Karen.
“Yes.”, came a sober answer.

The old couple had almost finished their coffee. They were thanking profusely the beautiful waitress for her service. As the old lady got up, the husband took the coat and wrapped around her. It was getting colder outside. The lady placed a slight kiss on the starched lips of her husband. They started for the door, holding each other’s hands.

“Don’t they look beautiful?” asked Karen looking towards the old couple.

“Who?” Rick quizzed unaware of the incident that Karen had been looking at some time now.

“Oh! The old couple that was sitting there. They looked lovely. Years of companionship have made them so understanding to each another. They would have started as love birds singing songs, and then settled down in the married life, with trifles, quarrels, and more love adventures. And at the evening of their life, they complement one another.” Karen paused for a while, then continued, “Didn’t you see them at all?”

“I don’t think so. Or maybe I did. You seem to have observed them a lot in such a short span of time.”

Karen looked at Rick for a moment. At thirty five, he still looked like an adolescent. He still drank his coffee with lots of sugar. He still preferred to sit leaning on the wall. She remembered the old days of friendship, the office gossip, Rick’s adventures, her worries; everything discussed over a coffee cup.

“So what are you doing nowadays?” asked Karen.

“Well, I am into fashion designing. I work for this company which sells fashion accessories for women. I am into the market research area. “, Rick replied and continued,” The work suits me.”

Karen said, “Why?”

Rick paused for a long time. A very long time indeed. He took a couple of sips of coffee, looked at the clock, gave a pensive glance to Karen, stretched his arms and gave a sigh.

“Well, it’s challenging when you have to analyze women’s thoughts, their bodies, and their souls. And it’s easy for me to ….” Rick paused.

“To? To do what?”

“Nothing.” gravely replied Rick. A vacant face answered, “Nothing in particular. Just easy to move on.”

Karen again saw his face. He really hadn’t changed. It didn’t bother much Karen. For she knew Rick had his own ways of leading his life, his own norms, his own ideals. But Karen was a woman too. The woman understood the man sitting in front of her. The woman knew what the man was afraid of.

They continued talking about life in general, about their old friends, old bosses. They talked about him and her, about the coffee and the coffee shop. As they were talking Rick’s cell phone rang. He saw the number, looked at Karen, and excused her for taking the call.

Karen was looking outside, but something that Rick said over the phone caught her attention.


“Honey, I don’t understand you.”
“Okay, so what. I will have 2 hours to spend with you before I leave.”
[A long pause]
“I really don’t know. But may be yes, sometime soon. You know me. So –“
[A distracted and angry face]
“Okay then, good night. I won’t disturb you again.]
[Hangs up the phone]


Rick gave a deep sigh, turned around to Karen and started, “Well this is what I hate in every relationship that I have.” He looked angry.

There was a silence for some time between them. Rick was thinking about his past, about Elena, about his trips to France. He was also thinking about the countries he visited. He was thinking about Seattle, Johannesburg, Queretaro and many more. He was thinking about the red sparkling glow of the lights in the strip clubs. He was thinking about the pretty women walking briskly on the lanes outside. He was thinking about his trip to Finland, the Nordic women he would meet, the new adventures he would experience.

Karen saw his face, read the lines, and then turned towards the glittering pathways.

“Hi, guys do you need another coffee?” asked the waiter. “Sure.”, replied both almost simultaneously.

“Do you really like your coffee with so much sugar?” asked Karen after the coffee was served and Rick started pouring sugar cubes.

“Well.” Rick paused for some time. “Well, not that I like sugar so much, but that the whole act of adding sugar buys some more time to sit at the coffee table.” He smiled.

“Oh! Very smart! And I was thinking you liked sugar……” smiled Karen. Both laughed.

They drank their coffees in between their talks. One topic led to another. During these talks, Rick mentioned about Elena. He was seeing her for the past three years. And so was he frequenting his adventures elsewhere. He didn’t want to settle down, raise a family, and grow old together with someone.

Almost an hour and half had passed. They were feeling hungry. It was time for some sandwiches. They gave their orders and continued with their talk. To talk casually of the past is a wonderful feeling. Only when one becomes emotional, things become bitter.

“Why don’t you get married Rick? Well, it is your decision and no one has any rights whatsoever to force you into it. I don’t know. Perhaps, you are still searching for your soul-mate. Leave it, I was just curious.”

Karen dropped the subject and continued with the sandwich. Rick looked at her thoughtfully chewing a piece of bread. He took a sip of coffee and cleared his throat.

“You ask me why I don’t want to get married. Well… I guess I want a free life, no commitments, no attachments. . But I don’t understand marriage. It’s superficial, a vestigial custom! I want women in my life as a coffee partner. It may lead to something more or may not. It doesn’t matter. And then there are places where you can satisfy yourself.’

“Rick, you haven’t changed in these years. Your world still revolves around strip clubs, sex and Seattle. Life is not just having coffee partners; it needs a life partner as well. “

It was nearing nine. They got up, paid the bills and went outside. The wind was blowing a little harsh. The clouds had disappeared. Rick and Karen stood outside for some time talking over things.

“So, do you want me to drop you somewhere?”

“No, thanks. I will go myself.”

“No dependency – right! Rick, sometimes a dependency on others helps. So when are you planning to come back?”

“I don’t know. May be a year later. I will call you.”

They bid farewell. Karen crossed the street to the parking lot. Within seconds she drove away.

Rick stood there watching the streets and the coffee shop. He watched the table they were sitting at. How different the views were! Sometime back he was sitting inside and studying the wide world through a glass window. And now he looked at those seats from the wide open. Inside the coffee shop, it was frightening to see the outside world. And now he was a part of the world, completely unafraid. Wasn’t his analogy the same as his fear of marriage? He thought of Karen for a while. May be she never wanted to marry, who knows. But she did. He remembered over a cup of coffee Karen had said “You are looking for company, I for marriage.” He smiled at himself. On the side bench, the same old couple was sitting hand in hand. But he was alone outside the coffee shop. Alone in life.

Time was ticking. He had to leave for the airport. Elena would have forgotten him, forever. Or did she wait for him? He was standing inside a maze. He was not afraid that he may be lost; he was afraid that he may return to the starting point. He stood there thinking.

The ringing of his cell phone brought him from his maze to the present. He took the phone from his pocket and answered it. It was Elena.

“Hey, I just wanted to wish you a safe journey. Take care. I will miss you.”

There was silence on both sides for a long time. “Are you there.” asked Elena.

“Yes.” “What happened? What’s wrong with you? You have the tickets? Don’t you?” a worried Elena asked.

“That’s the problem. I think I left it at your place.”

“How many times will I tell you….” And she went on and on. Rick had kept the phone farther from his ear. He knew Elena very well. He knew she would become a good wife. After Elena got tired, Rick continued,” I am coming over now. If we get the ticket I fly, else will have to spend the night there.” They hung up.

From his coat pocket Rick took the plane tickets. He smiled at the words “Boarding: Paris Airport” “Well, let’s change it to “Boarding: Sunshine Coffee Shop”” He tore the tickets and threw it in the dustbin. He leisurely walked on the roads to catch a taxi. Karen’s words came back in his ears,”Marriage may not change you, but will definitely do you good.”

Feel so far away even though near .....

Sitting next to her, drinking a beer,
Feel so far away even though near.
I look at her beautiful face with tired eyes,
And flashes before me, her sweet lies.
I want to hug her, but hands dont move,
I wonder what they want to prove ?
My heart starts beating, pumping up in motion,
Or is it just emotion, combustion or suggestion ?
Do I love her, now I have to admit,
But the pain in me asks - Is she worth it ?
She laughs and giggles with her bonbon,
I am done, I say, Honey it's time to move on ................

Fiction - One night at Centro Queretaro

"Centro Queretaro - a beautiful place with swirling pebbled roads, a myriad of destinations, captivating age-old buildings and brimming with history. Walking down the roads, one sees the old buildings with huge doors - so huge that they remind of the by-gone days of chariots and horses.

"Couples walking, couples kissing making merry. A kid hops holdng the hands of his parents. Music lofts by from every bistro. Neon lights shine on the Victorian stands. The bell rings from the Cathedral. The church may be empty, but the bell boys do their duty. Taxis with their red signals creep by to pick tourists and the fellow citizens.

"The weather is cold, harsh and windy. The centro is still, not like Christmas anymore. The stalls are gone, the Christmas tree is already packed. The pinyatas still hang high waiting to be broken. It is ten at night. The mercury dips further down.

"I am sitting on a bench in the artistic park at Plaza Indepencia. The bistro guy asks me to come in. I say no. Gracias. I light one more cigarrette, look around. Some native Indians are sleeping on the streets. It is really cold - pinche frio. Not much different from India. I guess homeless people share eveything in coomon around the world.

"My thought is distracted by a beautifu girl. She is sitting alone in front of me. Nice features, I say. She is wearing a tight blue jeans and a black coat. Her hair is untied, long and I guess smooth. She is smoking. Okay - I say. I am leaing tomorrow. Whats the big deal. Lets talk. Anyways it is pinche frio....

"I get up and slowly walk towards her. The music grows loder ... "Its going to be a good night, its going to be a good good night ..." Wow - Is it really ? I ask myself. I am tired of dating, work and life. Already had a couple of drinks at the Irish Whitglow. I felt good. I am getting closer to her. She looks at me.

"Hey do you speak English?"I ask.

She smiles and says " A little"

"Its good to talk to a woman in signs. It reduces lots of problems. Funny huh ! Sometime I feel language can be a misery for communication.

"Well Buenes Noches Senorita ! I know pokito espanol. I am a tourist. I am leaving tomorrow." I stop and check whether she understood. She says yes. Good.

"I am alone and if you are not busy, can we have dinner maybe? Or some drinks."

She didnt understand anything. My bad ! She thinks I am drunk may be. Who cares. One more try. I am bad in Spanish. I should have learnt.

So few girls speak English in Mexico - And unfortunately the lonely ones dont !!!

"With my fingers I try to make signs for eating, walking and drinking ....

"Where are you from, I ask

"Morellia.

"Whats your name ? nombre ..

"Lupita. Your name ?"

"Alfredo." I had to say some name she can pronounce.

"Hola Alfredo." She is happy. At least she can say my name.

We sit there for sometime. This is a bad choice, I think. Never mind. The clock is still ticking.

"Today - My birthday." she says.

I am surprised. "Oh! Great ! Happy birthday. "

She says Gracias. May be she wanted to say more. - pinche English. But that a global language. Every one should be able to speak English. Hell English. I light another cigarette.

I wait for sometime and say -"Lupita - Lets go for a drink - drink Corona Indio ..." She gets the point. We start towards Cinqo de Mayo - the pub street.

"I really didnt care to know her. Her situation was the same as mine. There were couples hugging around. Lupita looked at me and then straight ahead. We were walking close. I held her palms - They were really cold. She smiled.

"She wouldnt be more than twenty three. She couldnt be. Her face still had the shine and joy of life.