Memories 1: May I have a Seat?

There was this one girl in my office. She was fair and petite, with long, silky hair. We had met once in an orientation session.

It was just another day in office. I had gone to bank for some work and missed having breakfast with my team members. So, I went to cafeteria alone. Two minute into having coffee, I saw her occupying a seat couple of tables ahead. In the conflict between mind and heart, the latter got the upper hand. I went to her table and asked, “May I have a seat?” She nodded. It seemed like an eternity without any exchange of words between us. The sound of my order being ready broke the silence. After returning with the order, I found her missing at the table. Before I could curse myself for screwing things up, I saw her coming with a cup of coffee in her hand. We talked for half an hour on various topics.

We became good friends though we seldom shared the same table. Our coffee buddies were different.

Fast forward to five months later. I was watching TV at the cafeteria alone after a long day in office. There was scarcely any other soul present there. After a while I heard a low and soothing voice asking “May I have a seat?” I turned to see who it was and lo! There she was, smiling nervously, with a cup of coffee in her hand.

~Sujit