Cafe Coffee Day ~ A Romantic Date with Myself
Today while sitting in Cafe Coffee Day all by myself I read the caption written below the red and white logo of CCD on the menu card - A lot can happen over coffee. I see crowds of people entering this place filled with the intoxicating aroma of coffee beans - couples both old and young, mostly people of my age, teenagers and college students. But I am all alone sipping my triple sec mocha, enjoying its fruity yet strong flavour. I have been to this place quite often and love it but there are a few instances when i have felt so isolated in this crowd of so many people.
Today i have chosen to sit on a single seater instead of my personal favourite...the couch with red and purple cushions.I have finished my coffee. I ask the waiter for the menu card again. This time I want to order something different. I cough a couple of times. A few people look at me with a mixed sort of expression. Are they irritated? Oh! They are least bothered about my coughing! Its just that an alien sound distracted them from the "Ek Din" song playing on the jukebox. Am i thinking too much?! I am behaving like Prufrock!-me and my fragmented self.
As I flip through the pages of the menu card, a cute looking waitress Ramya, adds another chair to my table as if trying to fill up my emptiness. I smile at her and she smiles back. This momentary eye-contact makes me feel happy for a while. Life is so full of titbits. Bits of emotions can lighten or darken one's day. Suddenly I am jolted back to reality when the waiter comes to my seat and places another mug of triple sec mocha on my table. I look puzzled and say "This is not what i want." He says but you said "once again please." Oh! I said I want the menu card once again please. He must not have heard what i said. Not his fault really. I speak too softly at times. He looks at me dejected and i ask him - "Will cancelling the order cause you trouble?" the answer is but obvious. I tell him that I want to have the coffee. He thanks me and smiles.
Again I feel happier. Its good that I have this hot coffee - as it is I am shivering because the air conditioner is on full. I am feeling nostalgic - don't know why? I flip my mobile and see the time... its 13:54. My cabmates will be here in half an hour's time and then I'll go back home. Home is it? Memories Ah! So many things going on in my mind! I am brimming with thoughts! A lot can really happen over coffee! Even when you are all alone! I see the empty chair in front of my seat. I feel single life can be so boring yet one gets so much time for oneself! Self-denial is one thing that is impossible when you are single. I look at my mug of coffee. Its half empty and half full. I feel the same. I am so full of feelings yet so bereft of companionship.
I wish I had people around me. Well I do have so many people around me - but all of them are unknown, strangers - people I have never met before, people I don't know! But the beauty of life is that I can see them, observe them, hear them speak, understand their emotions. A couple is snuggled on the couch right in front of me. They are young, happy and seem satisfied with life. The girl is having an electric blue drink. She is constantly talking to her boyfriend who is in a typical Delhi University attire, white lucknowi kurta and blue jeans. They are a cute couple and compliment each other
Coming back to myself my coffee is finished. I am full of it now. I stroke my hair with my fingers. I wish someone could do that for me! Well I am a dreamer and have full faith in the fact that dreams do come true. I ask for the bill, call my friends and ask them when they will reach Tolstoy Marg? I pay the bill, smile at myself and leave the coffee shop with dreams and emotions brewing in my mind just like a hot cup of Grande Mug!
Today i have chosen to sit on a single seater instead of my personal favourite...the couch with red and purple cushions.I have finished my coffee. I ask the waiter for the menu card again. This time I want to order something different. I cough a couple of times. A few people look at me with a mixed sort of expression. Are they irritated? Oh! They are least bothered about my coughing! Its just that an alien sound distracted them from the "Ek Din" song playing on the jukebox. Am i thinking too much?! I am behaving like Prufrock!-me and my fragmented self.
As I flip through the pages of the menu card, a cute looking waitress Ramya, adds another chair to my table as if trying to fill up my emptiness. I smile at her and she smiles back. This momentary eye-contact makes me feel happy for a while. Life is so full of titbits. Bits of emotions can lighten or darken one's day. Suddenly I am jolted back to reality when the waiter comes to my seat and places another mug of triple sec mocha on my table. I look puzzled and say "This is not what i want." He says but you said "once again please." Oh! I said I want the menu card once again please. He must not have heard what i said. Not his fault really. I speak too softly at times. He looks at me dejected and i ask him - "Will cancelling the order cause you trouble?" the answer is but obvious. I tell him that I want to have the coffee. He thanks me and smiles.
Again I feel happier. Its good that I have this hot coffee - as it is I am shivering because the air conditioner is on full. I am feeling nostalgic - don't know why? I flip my mobile and see the time... its 13:54. My cabmates will be here in half an hour's time and then I'll go back home. Home is it? Memories Ah! So many things going on in my mind! I am brimming with thoughts! A lot can really happen over coffee! Even when you are all alone! I see the empty chair in front of my seat. I feel single life can be so boring yet one gets so much time for oneself! Self-denial is one thing that is impossible when you are single. I look at my mug of coffee. Its half empty and half full. I feel the same. I am so full of feelings yet so bereft of companionship.
I wish I had people around me. Well I do have so many people around me - but all of them are unknown, strangers - people I have never met before, people I don't know! But the beauty of life is that I can see them, observe them, hear them speak, understand their emotions. A couple is snuggled on the couch right in front of me. They are young, happy and seem satisfied with life. The girl is having an electric blue drink. She is constantly talking to her boyfriend who is in a typical Delhi University attire, white lucknowi kurta and blue jeans. They are a cute couple and compliment each other
Coming back to myself my coffee is finished. I am full of it now. I stroke my hair with my fingers. I wish someone could do that for me! Well I am a dreamer and have full faith in the fact that dreams do come true. I ask for the bill, call my friends and ask them when they will reach Tolstoy Marg? I pay the bill, smile at myself and leave the coffee shop with dreams and emotions brewing in my mind just like a hot cup of Grande Mug!
35 comments/suggestions:
Your blog entry is a classic example of how one can create such fascinating visual imagery with an everyday subject. Two thumbs up for being a keen observer and another two for penning it down so wonderfully. Wish I could do the same. Cheers.
heya...:)..lovely post...and wahts amazing is...i cud identify so well with it..the best part was the comparison to that half filled coffee mug..so full of feelings yet so devoid of companionship..:)..nice ya..liked it a lot!keep penning...god bless!
it's really nice story , usually i don't use 2 read long stories but ur story make me bound 2 search dat wat is gonna b further ......gr8 ........
nice coffee day buddy .....keep on ,chal cya
hey nice imagination .....n the day u wrote the story was also spl. (check out my orkut profile u will get the answer.)
A good story involves the reader and makes him a part of the experience... Your piece is something most of your readers will identify themselves with. Your writing style is so amazing - I look forward to your having many such creative reflections and I shall keep coming back for more... you keep writing!
hmmm nice one anu..
i lik ur style of creating pictures and images in readers' mind.surely good job.
P.S. jus BEWARE cuz if CCD ppl read this they gona take it fr their advertisement and publicity. so get copyright or smethng hehe.
hey... d blog u'v penned down is beautiful...while readin i cud visualize maself experiencin d wonderful experience u'v had n d way u'v penned such an ordinary instance is truly xtraordinary...keep it goin...
Its strange how one can encapsulate an entire array of emotions while just sipping a cup of coffee!!!!!
Great work Anukriti.
I must say it could surely be improved on the grammatical front..
But yea the way it's written..
I was engrossed throughout..
The words have been used beautifully..
But I must say the idea is great..
And your album simply rocks!!
great job maam,
i was just passing by & dropped into your blog, sumwhere & sumhow this post of yours reflects the real me, i also sumtimes have the same feeling bout myself.
keep writing.
it was a really well written, very captivating. Love to keep readin your stuff.. Keep up the good work.
You rock!!
"Self-denial is one thing that is impossible when you are single".. Made me smile all over again.. A lil nostalgic.. a lil crazy.. Funny hw thigs cm rushing back to u wen u read smthin dat U can so readily relate to.
And Triple sec Mocha... havnt had dat b4.. mayb coz d Menu here at CCd Patiala is severly limited.. My usual order is d Plain Cafe Mocha..I hav it thrice a week.. d Waiter remembers me by face.. and it a plasure to tell him.. "D Usual Plz!!" :)
nice blog..diverse topics mixed with beauty pics..I had similar experience in cafe coffee day, and am also addicted to it..
had written on my blog..
http://amitsinha69.blogspot.com/2006/10/lot-can-happen-over-coffee.html#links
Self-denial is one thing that is impossible when you are single.
liked this line.. the whole blog is nice tho..
n plz plz write smthinmg for this rainy weather... will wait for it!
;)
this looks like the Cafe Coffee Day @ vasant kunj. this used to be one of m favorite places after dark in winters!!!
so much to say but space too less...
Man this is so real.. Nice story :)
grrrrr8 writin...hats off 2 u...evn i m a writer, nd i feel lyk u became an inspiration 2 me..fantastic!!!! really tugged my hrt nd soul..U CN BCOM A DAN BROWN
Is this just your writing or is this you!??
ditto.
Chandigarh CCD.
i'll be back. i think i'm getting addicted to ur writing
Are You Sure You Were Alone? Everybody Who Read This Post Must Have Been Sitting Beside You...
Realistic Writing I Must Say...
Will Recommend Your Blog To My Friends...
Keep Sippin, And Keep Writin....
hmmmm
i was wondering tat y ppl express thmselves.I mean is it so so essential to pen down each and every emotion of urs which after writing down does not remain urs,it becomes public
ne wawys nice writing tc
Cafe coffee day!!! miss all that Barista and CCD!!!
As mentioned by people above, you have a nice writing style and the way you express your thoughts keeps the reader involved. While reading this post the pictures (in technical :) )of CCD build up in my mind. I can also also imagine the expression on the waiters face :)
Keep writing!
Great Wrting. I can imagine the CCD, the chairs, menu, even a sip of coffee. Keep penning.
- Nayagi MC
Nice one,
just a deviation from the habituated way of looking @ things gets to a new experience...
True to the tag..lot can happen over a coffee:)...
I liked the way you described a simple experience so vividly, but it is not at all allowed to cancel your order at CCD or Barista or even Costa! :P
Just curious, do you by any chance stay around South Delhi coz it seems I may have seen you! Not too sure though.
Good post.....A good example of making something interesting from everyday life....
It looks a lot did happen over coffee!!
Good post. And a beautiful background. And your photos are too good.
breezy, beautiful...n guess what...the music thats playing along side actually gives some feel to the lines!
following you! <3
So beautifully penned down.....Keep it coming dearie.....your posts touch one's heart.....and not everyone unlike you is gifted with such a talent to express thoughts in words :) Waiting to read more.....God bless...!!
loved it dear :)
Very sweet!
I don’t know why are people afraid of being alone.
I know we are conscious of the stares but I am used to it now. It does not affect me.
Very sweet!
I don’t know why are people afraid of being alone.
I know we are conscious of the stares but I am used to it now. It does not affect me.
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