The cafe
95,96,97,98,99,....goddammit ahhhh it's not working , it was my tenth time tonight still not working it's hopeless all I could do was lay there and accept that it was just another day and another stupid trick I had tried to make myself sleep tonight clearly counting numbers slowly does not make you sleepy as it was said in that video , it had some millions of views are we really forgetting how to sleep that we need
a ten minute guided tutorial ??
Let me not torture myself with questions about our existence and failures . I whispered to myself as I laid on my bed my eyes wide open thinking in silence a few minutes passed in silence then suddenly I heard voices of people from the street All singing sweet Carol's and shouting Christmas wishes as they passed by the houses in our street
I decided to go for a walk it was already almost midnight but it was better then laying in my bed and stare my night out in to nothingness . I wore my jacket and stepped out it was a cold full moon night with an unsual warm feeling to it I could still slightly hear the group singing their carols
I zipped my jacket and started walking a few lanes passed and I was lost in my thoughts everything was so calm and cold even the street lights were dim and flickering like they too wanted to sleep
I've read somewhere that electronics if given some rest would work more efficiently than before ,seemed strange but who knows maybe there are alive too maybe we just can't understand their existence I kept walking and enjoying the peace and diffrent shades around me
As I kept walking I noticed a small stall at the corner of the street it was a cafe and I started to walk towards it as I was happy to find an open tea stall at this cold hour
There was nobody at the counter it was a small room with an opened door on the opposite wall which led to another room or a house maybe I could hear the tv playing in the other room I think it was a serial or something
"hello can I get some tea ??? I called with a raised voice Nobody came I called again This time I could hear a low voice of an old woman saying
""wait I'm coming young man I hear you "
" what would you like to drink ? She asked ,
" Ginger tea aunty" I answered
" sit down while I make it for you"
The voice replied back .
I sat down at one of the table and started to scroll through my phone
After a few moments
"One Ginger tea " I heard a voice and went to the counter to take the tea and
Put the money on the counter and said thank you
She turned around to take the money
And paused for a moment and smiled , I didn't understand what was going on and asked her so but she didn't reply and went back inside .
I sat down to drink my tea .it was well made and very delicious I should come here more often I thought to myself and continued to sip my tea while checking my mail
A few moments passed
"Do you like it ?" She asked
"It is my own recipe which I had learned from my mom with a few changes, my husband used to like it a lot it was his favourite "
she continued as she sat in front of me with a cup of tea in her hand I looked at her silently not knowing how to react to her sudden conversation.
She was smiling , her eyes looked so happy and kind her face wrinked yet so full of energy she had long white hair she looked beautiful .Her presence felt warm and familiar
" It's delicious " I remarked
" Ginger tea is my favourite too"
"Maybe I should come here often " I said
" I'm glad that you like it " she said
"You are not from around here , aren't you ? " She asked
"No I'm from Gorol i had shifted here recently due to work I live nearby "
"All by yourself ? "
"Yes "
What about your food , do you cook for yourself ?
"Yeah sometimes , but usually I eat outside "
"No wonder you look so skinny " she chuckled looking at me "
I just smiled and continued sipping my tea
"So what is it that keeps you awake at this time?" She enquired as she came a little closer and looked me right in the eye
I paused for a moment and replied
"I don't know I just couldn't sleep tonight
It's nice outside so I felt like going for walk "
"Yeah it can be hard adjusting to a new place ,my father was in the millitary we used to shift a lot as kids I understand you very well "
"You'll get used in no time it's a beautiful town "
She replied
I had finished my tea by now and got up to leave
" Are you open till this time everyday " I asked her
" No, usually I close at 11pm but today , I'm
wating for our church Carol group
They are a bit late then expected , I'll close
when they leave"
Carol's ?? I paused for a second
Yeah why don't you join us son , you'll get some cake and snacks too
No grandma i have to go thanks for asking I replied back
"Take care grandma , I'll see you tomorrow "
" Why don't you come in the morning and try my tiffins tommorow" she asked affectionately
Sure grandma I will I said not to knowing what to say
First day meals are free for people who pay for monthly , I'll make good gulab jamun too she replied back with a huge smile on her face
I just smiled and nodded my head I only met her a few minutes earlier but she already felt like someone I knew very well, like we've know each other since a long time .
I waved my hand in goodbye and started walking into the night back towards my room not knowing what to make of this strange encounter
