Short Story - First Cup of Tea

Nervously she put cardamom pods in the boiling water. She took her hand to the tea box, making a melodious sound with her orange bangles made of glass. Nilima, a women in her late twenties, for the first time in her life, was cautious making a tea.

Nilima was very good with cooking. Specially, her tea was very popular amongst the people who knew her. People would specially visit her for her tea. Strong masala tea, made with her secret recipe. Everything in the world could go wrong, except her tea.

Still! She was nervous today. Because it was a special occasion tea.

She had a big fight with her husband four days back. Reasons - just usual husband wife issues. The issue stretched for three days when none of them spoke to each other. Even though last evening both of them resolved the matter, but, things weren't like before. Something had changed.

She met her husband, at her best friend Sanaa's birthday party, 4 years ago. The whole group of 15 people went for a movie, followed by a lunch at a restaurant. After the lunch, 9 out of 15 people, went to Sanaa's house, for an extended house party. Everyone danced, laughed and snacked. 

"Tea anyone?" asked Nilima.

She counted the number of interested people and went to the kitchen to make tea. 

Few minutes later, she came back with deliciously smelling tea. One by one she started offering the tea to everyone.

"Sorry, I don't drink tea" said an intense masculine voice of a person with whom Nilima had had very limited interaction. 

"Ok" said Nilima with a smile and started to move towards the next person.

"Take it man Suraj! You will love it. She made it for us with so much efforts. And it's my birthday, you can't deny me." said Sanaa in a very friendly and casual tone.

Suraj stood up and walked towards Nilima. Extended his hand to pick up his first cup of tea. "Thank you" he said.

Suraj went back and sat on his chair. He carefully sipped the hot tea. He was astound with the flavors that were playing harmony in his mouth. He had never tasted or smelled a better drink than this. His taste buds danced on every partake of the tea. His mind got completely relaxed as he enjoyed the tea till the last sip. 

With empty cup in his hand he walked towards Nilima who was sitting on a chair enjoying her tea. He bent down on his knees. Taking the empty glass towards her he said "I want more please. Not only today, but, everyday. Marry me"

Nilima, knew how much her husband loved her tea. She wanted to bring the freshness back into the fight affected marriage. She wanted the tea to be just perfect. She put some ginger into the boiling tea. 

The clock struck 7 in the evening. As she was expecting, the door bell rang. She ran to open the door. It was Suraj. They both gave each other a reserved smile. Suraj went straight into his room, changed his clothes and came back to the living room. The cup of tea was waiting for him on the table.

Nilima was watching him from the distance as he picked the cup, smelled the tea and had a sip. He paused for few seconds. Then putting the cup back on the table, he stood up and went back into his room, without saying anything or even looking at Nilima.

Nilima kept waiting for him. Restless, she went near the table where the tea was. The tea was getting cold. He had never done this to her tea.  She started to become sad. Suraj came back from the room after 10 minutes and went straight into the kitchen. 

Picking up the sugar box he went to Nilima and said "You forgot to put this."

Nilima panicked on hearing this and started staring at the cup of tea.

"I am going to give you your worst fights even at the age of 60." said Suraj in his intense voice

Unable to look at Suraj, Nilima put her hands on the cup.

Suraj continued "And I know that you will do the same. Because we are two individuals with different thought processes, different opinions and different beliefs. But! I also know that we will together find a mid way every time."

Nilima picked the cup up in her hands. Nilima was still looking at the cup, while Suraj continued "So lets not let these temporary phases change the goodness in us."

Bringing the cup close to her lips Nilima had a sip from it.

It was the worst tea she had ever made or tasted - no sugar and the ginger was over powering!

She looked at Suraj with no reaction. And a second later -  Both bursted into laughter.

"Can I, now, have my usual tea please" said Suraj with a smile on his face and love in eyes.

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