1:
Kavya awkwardly stared at the plate, not knowing how to eat. Pooja waited patiently for her to act.
A moment later, she offered, “Can I?”
Kavya reluctantly nodded. Pooja gently took the plate of Parotta in front of her, slowly tearing it into small pieces using both hands. She poured the Salna on the table, the perfect proportion, and mixed it with utmost passion.
“Here, have some; it’s the best in the city”, a raised hand moved towards her face.
2:
Ram chased the massive lizard with a hit in his hand as it took a trip around the house because it was the only thing she feared.
Both made him breathless.
3:
They were both back from work. It was a tiring day. But as promised, she stepped into the kitchen to cook a special meal, and he followed her to do the dishes. Certainly not in the mood to converse, she would hand him one earphone while placing the other in her ear. A mutually admired playlist would take over in silence, letting each other know everything they felt as they indulged in the most mundane activity.
Suddenly, his favorite line would be interrupted by the sound of her water reminder.
Tired heads would turn, eyes would lock, and smiles would surface.
They knew there was an intimacy in the kitchen that couldn’t be found anywhere in the world.
4:
Forgive their drunk mistakes if they can be forgiven.
5:
He wanted to send her off in a memorable way.
Goodbyes happened on the last day.
Goodbyes happened at home.
Goodbyes happened at the airport parking.
Goodbyes happened even at the entrance as she weighed her luggage.
Nothing sufficed.
Being a wild romantic, he would run to the Indigo airline counter and immediately book a domestic flight to walk her off to the end.
One last glance, one last time!
6:
Sometimes, make it all about them in bed and watch them escape into deep sleep.
7:
When Shreenidhi was away on a work trip, Raghavi pinged her, saying this line from a book reminded her of Shreenidhi.
“Intimacy is not about sex. Intimacy is about truth.”
Shreenidhi replied that she hadn’t come across this book.
The next day, as she walked downstairs to have breakfast and hand over her keys before heading to work, the receptionist would say, “Oh, I forgot, someone sent you a book.”
Shreenidhi would rush to the cab and open the book.
The first page displayed the author’s dedication.
For Lilah,
Smash the patriarchy, sweetheart.
And below that,
Recently found this funny little smile and warm feeling I’d been missing for a while.
Thinking of you
Raghavi
8:
Two lost souls who felt extremely anxious time and again would schedule a call to paint on different sides of a screen.
9:
The New Year post that had to go up in the morning would be delayed because of a miscommunication. The copywriter would ping the designer in distress. The designer would fix it all in a heartbeat.
Not once would he let her take the blame.
10:
She had the keys to her house. The shoot was delayed more than expected. What had to end at nine would extend till 12:30 am. She would drive back at 1:00 am, unbothered and alone. Quietly, she would unlock the doors, tip-toeing to the hall, hoping she wouldn’t wake anyone up, only to find her father wide awake, waiting.
11:
For one year, her best friend paid for all her therapy sessions.
12:
Their only source of livelihood was fishing. A confession would be made to the sea loud and clear – “She’s not happy with me, I can’t buy her anything she desires.” He would ride the tides of turmoil early in the morning or late evenings, it was never predictable as was his return.
Although if he did return, with a catch or not, he always came back with beautiful sea shells from the shore.
She kept a separate box for it.
13:
They laughed a lot together.
She would always pause and watch as her partner threw her head behind.
Then, she would open her notes and start typing, “The world has witnessed ethereal beauty only in a few things – the skies, oceans, mountains, and you.”
14:
Often, immerse yourself in smoking hot water.
15:
Say the words, I love you.
Say it.