Mr Johal stood in front of the gas stove looking at the saucepan placed on it. He was waiting for the tea to be prepared. The remnants of the night’s sleep took their time to depart from the mind.
“I am going out with my friends tomorrow, there is a gathering. I will leave early at 6 in the morning and I will return by evening,” Mrs Johal had said the previous night.
“Ok, fine,” replied Mr Johal busy focussed upon watching television
“Tomorrow is Sunday so you don’t have to go to the office. Will you be able to manage things at home?” asked Mrs Johal
Mr Johal didn’t reply this time, too engrossed into the news running on the television. Mrs Johal held his arm and shook him.
Mr Johal looked at Mrs Johal a little irritated, “Yes, everything will be fine. I will manage. You enjoy.”
The next morning Mr Johal woke up and went about his regular routine. It is when he entered the drawing room and called for Mrs Johal for a cup of tea when he truly realised that she was not present at home.
‘Oh right, she has gone out with her friends,’ Mr Johal thought as he recalled that he was the one who closed the door in the morning when she went out and then he went back to bed.
So, here he was preparing tea after what felt like an eternity.
‘I should do this often. Maybe I will get tea bags,’ thought Mr Johal
He continued on his routine after the cup of tea, freshened up, prepared a sandwich and another cup of tea, then he went through the newspaper thoroughly while having breakfast.
Mr Johal’s phone rang, it was his daughter Ritika, she was married now and even had a daughter of her own.
“Hello Ritika, how are you?” Mr Johal said trying his best to hide the excitement he always felt while talking with his daughter.
“I am fine dad and you seem to be as happy as you always are,” said Ritika
“Of course I am, what is there not to be happy about,” replied Mr Johal
Ritika did not reply but Mr Johal knew she might be smiling.
“By the way do you know your mother has left me alone,” said Mr Johal in a light tone
“How are you managing things?”
“I have managed to successfully prepare a cup of tea and a sandwich. I think I will order lunch today” replied Mr Johal
“… and medicines?”
“I will have them, right after I finish reading the newspaper,” said Mr Johal then his face suddenly brightened up, “how is my little granddaughter?”
“She is fine. She has gone out with her father to the market. I will ask her to talk to you when she returns”
“That will be wonderful”
“I will call you later then dad. Take care of yourself”
“You take care of yourself too Ritika”
Mr Johal disconnected the call and then peered inside the cup which was empty now. Then he adjusted his specs to complete reading the newspaper.
After he was done reading, Mr Johal folded the newspaper and kept it aside then he walked to the balcony to feel the outside air. Then he went inside and played instrumental music on a speaker connected to his phone. The instrument from which the music had originated was a sitar. He continued to do so for another forty minutes or maybe fifty.
Then, Mr Johal got up and walked to the refrigerator to get the bottle of juice and near the refrigerator was a photo of Mrs Johal.
‘How much time has it been.. two years maybe..’ Mr Johal thought
Mr Johal was still going through a difficult time believing his wife had left the world two years back. On weekdays he worked late and then went to the gym in an attempt to avoid coming face to face with the complete reality. But on the weekends, he would weave an imaginary story to justify the absence.
‘All right, time for another cup of tea,’ Mr Johal thought as he kept the bottle of juice back in the refrigerator and picked up the empty cup on the table on his way to the kitchen.
Another Cup of Tea
Early Morning Memories 