Counting your Chickpeas

Ash dragged himself to his apartment as the day had taxed him to the core. As he stepped out of the apartment, he saw that his neighbour was talking to a young man, probably in his early twenties.

"Bhabhi, call me if there's anything, even if it's at the dead of night. Please. Do not hesitate." The man smiled sadly at the woman and left without noticing Ash. The woman, however, noticed.

"Hey Ash. What happened?"

"Oh.. Hey.. I suddenly remembered something. I have left my tiffin box at the office. Was thinking about that", he lied. "Is that your husband?", he upped the lie game by one more.

"Ha ha no, no. That's my husband's subordinate. He was my junior in college. Now he's working with Sunil." Vinita's voice carried no fluctuations; it was outright deadpan. She was either too good at this or she was abnormally numb about everything.

"Ah, alright. Your husband.. Is he working in a private firm?"

"He has a company of his own. He started it with a friend. The friend passed away last year and ever since, my husband has been acting weird." She sighed. It was only then that she realised her blunder. "Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to say that. It was really random. I'm sorry if I've overstepped my boundaries."

"Hey.. No, no. It's okay. Happens. Oh, yeah, the other time you said you were good at cooking, right?"

"Yes, do you wish to eat something in particular?"

"Naah. I need a recipe. How do you make south indian bengal gram curry.. You know, chickpeas?"

"Oh simple! I'll write it down for you."

"Better, I'll give you my number. Could you text me or Ychat me?"

"Ychat, it is. You should get freshened up. Meanwhile, I'll text you the recipe."

"Cool."

__________________

Ash took a bath and came to the living room. His phone was charging near the sofa, on a small bureau. He picked it up to see whether Vinita had texted ; not yet. He downloaded few apps that Max had asked him to and then ordered all the essentials for the kitchen and the house in general. It would be delivered in 40 minutes. It was a good thing that he was living in the tech hub side of the city: everything was accessible and fast.

The order came faster than expected. As he stepped out to receive it, he wondered if he should ask Vinita again. But he realized that would be intrusive and also extremely impatient behaviour. He went inside and disinfected all the new arrivals. He soaked some chickpeas for Vinita's recipe. Just then, the bell rang and he went to check.

"Ta da!" Vinita was standing there with a tray of food.

"Whoa." Ash was stumped.

"Actually, I was surprised when you asked for that particular curry because I had soaked it few hours ago. I made dosa and chickpeas curry for the night as my Avni loves it. I'm from the southern state of Kay. So I'm really good at this." She beamed.

"Ah. But I soaked them too." Ash sighed.

"You can make them tomorrow. Here, I've written down a detailed recipe."

"Okay, wait. I'll give you the plates back."

"It's okay, you can return later."

"No, no, please. I insist. Why don't you come in?"

Vinita hesitated.

"Ah, right. You can wait here. I'll be back after transferring the food." Ash went in. He quickly changed the plates, washed them and filled them with packets of cookies and sweets; then he went out.

"Here.. This is for Avni."

"Oh my.. This is unnecessary."

"Please, I bought it for her. I don't eat any of this."

"Oh. Okay. Thank you. She'll be very happy."

"Nothing compared to the food you prepared for me. Thanks a ton." Ash smiled. Vinita said goodbye and returned to her apartment.

Ash realised it only then. He had smiled.

Smile—A stranger at his doorstep all these years.

Why have you suddenly come knocking?