Morning Blues

BETWEEN THEM
Part 42

It was not yet even proper morning....

The house was still dark as Shradha worked her way around the kitchen.

Hemanth would be up any moment.... He always wanted his coffee hot and fragrant, right after he woke up and she still had to boil the milk...

She moved the bright blue curtains aside... and the morning sunlight streamed in.... The grills of the window made a faint shadow on the kitchen table....

The phone rang.....

It made her squeal..... In that early morning soft silence, the dull shrillness of the phone seemed to make a horrid noise....

She picked it up.... hoping everything was fine....


"Shradha.... Good morning.....," Shriya sounded hesitant...

"Shriya.....!.... My! What happened?.... so early in the morning!"

"Shradha... I have something to tell you...."

"Hmm..."

"Tell me when you will be free.... I will call you...."

"Am free now... go on.... What happened Shri?"

"Shradz.... Yesterday was the most weird day I have ever lived through...."

"Anything went wrong?"

"Everything went wrong"

Just then Hemanth entered the kitchen.... He saw Shradha standing by the wall phone... Concern etched on her face....

"Some problem?"

"Nothing Hemanth.... Make yourself coffee...."

"Sure.... Will make some for you too"

Shradha turned back to the phone.....

"What happened Shri.... hey, are you crying?"

"No... er... am fine.... I met Krish yesterday.... When I went to donate blood...."

"That's supposed to be great news...."

"No... Wait till you hear it all...."

Once she had started, it was difficult to stop the words... Shradha grew quieter with each word Shriya spoke....

As she finished, Shradha spoke....

"I did not want to tell you something till it was time... Felt should not worry you extra... Anyway... I met Preetha.... she is the girl Krish was supposed to bring to the camp.... "

"How...."

"She was interning at Hemanth's branch here at Chennai... Then got transferred to Bangalore... She is staying at Krish's house, Shri.... And...."

"And....?"

"She told me that her sister was planning to marry her off to Krish... Though she did not seem very easy with the idea...."

There was a heaviness in Shriya's voice as she spoke.... "It's all for good Shradz.... After yesterday, am sure Krish thinks am a stupid nut.... Very immature of me to carry along that photo everywhere....."

"Shri...."

"No Shradz... To me it may mean a lot.... To him it would have seemed real silly.... school girlish..."

"Maybe... But am sure he will realize what that meant... "

"Yes, that I am crappy mad about him..... Actually, its a huge laugh... Don't you feel like laughing? I do...."

"Shri... please... Stop this..."

"Fine... I will.... I anyway need to get ready... Will be running late else...."

"Hmm.... Whatever you do... remember it is all going to be fine Shri..."

"Very fine... It is going to be real fine....,"she laughed "Tell Hemanth a hi from me... And tell him that I am sorry I spoiled his proper cup of coffee right in the morning.... I know how that feels...."

"Sure Shri.... And am sure he won't mind..."

"Thanks Shradz.... I don't know...."

"Oh... Stop it now... Have a great day..."

"You too...."


Shradha kept the phone back on the hook..... She returned to the table where Hemanth was waiting for her with a quizzical look and a steaming hot cup of coffee....

"Tell me Hemanth... Why the hell are you guys this insensible?"