Flavours of Coffee




‘Beep.’ I woke up with a start. I have always been a light sleeper and at the same time afraid of even the little noises. I looked around and it took me a while to realise that I was in a fancy hotel of Gangtok. I checked my message and it was a spam. It was 6 am and I was in no mood to sleep anymore. I checked my phone and looked at what all commitments I had today. Thankfully, today was my off day. Yeah! Off day in Gangtok. Doesn’t it sound beautiful? Well, these are tiny perks when you work as a food and fashion blogger in one of the top magazine houses, plus you kind of head them too. My work had ended yesterday itself. I could have gone back home by the last flight, but I chose to stay back for two more days. I wanted to unwind myself and really explore this beautiful place. While sipping my coffee and sitting in my ultra-luxurious balcony with a stunning view, I decide to be the tourist that day who was on a mission to explore things for her own self rather than for another edition of her magazine.
I was sitting in a quaint café. My visit to Rumtek Monastery was an amazing experience. I found a quaint, cozy café and I decided to have a cup of coffee. I don’t know what came on to me that I ordered Hazelnut Frappe. I was reading a book wen I took a sip of the coffee. The first sip only reminded me of Saurabh. It was strange. He was my first boyfriend. You can call it pehla pyaar. But if I look back, thank God we were not together anymore. But it was still ok. But today, after so many years, it was for the first time that he came to my mind. I kept the book aside and looked at my coffee. The coffee was strong (not that I mind it), but it was average sweet. And it was bloody hot. I realized that this used to be my favourite coffee while I was with Saurabh. Looking back, I realize that there are too many similarities in between Saurabh and Hazelnut Frappe. It sounded stupid to my ears too. I quickly drew out my note pad and started writing. Saurabh was neither sweet nor bitter. He was just average. But no doubt, he was strong. Not only physically, but mentally and emotionally too. Maybe that’s why our breakup didn’t matter to him much. The coffee and the syrup didn’t gel with each other. With every sip, I could feel as if I had ordered for something extra. Same was the case with my relationship with Saurabh. Either one of us had to put an extra effort. Things didn’t seem natural. They seemed made up.
I was surprised with this revelation. And somehow, I wanted to see whether the other relationships of my life could also have a specific coffee flavour. I was still thinking about it that I bumped into an acquaintance. He wanted me to feature his chic café in my magazine. Honestly, I wasn’t interested but then he bribed me by saying that he would treat me food and most important of all with coffee. I looked at my empty coffee mug and then at my notepad. The offer was too hard to resist and at that time it felt as if it was God sent. So, I said yes, and I went to his café.
His café was located at this hill and had the most stunning view. I was glad that I got a stunning location to write about in my next feature, but most important of all I was looking for my bribe. Suddenly he presented me with a ‘Brownie Blast Shake.’ Topped with oodles of whipped cream with brownie slices, the chocolate shake looked tempting. And the word tempting reminded me of Anirudh. I bit my tongue so as to prevent myself from blushing and told my acquaintance that I would need some time alone so that I could write a little about the café. Honestly, I wanted the alone time to compare the shake with Anirudh. I took a sip and it was prepared with tons of sugar. Exactly what Anirudh was. He was one of the sweetest and nicest guys I had dated. I took out my notepad again and started scribbling. The shake was damn thick. Anirudh was also thick-skinned person, not in a bad way, but in a determined way. He had his own ideologies and notions and he wasn’t ready to trade them for anyone. I took a sip again and I had to say that the shake was orgasmic. Well, so was Anirudh. The way my body reacted when I was with him, I never knew that it would be possible. The brownie slices were add on points. In the relationship, I never had to worry about anything. I knew that I could rely upon Anirudh. I knew that he would catch me if I fell. Last, but not the least another similarity in between the shake and my relationship with Anirudh was that, it ended too soon. I missed the relationship just like the shake after it was over. The taste still lingered on in every cell of my body and I knew it would stay. But the experience was fulfilling.
At night I was sitting in my room, fiddling with my contact list. I wanted to call up Saurabh and Anirudh, but I knew it wasn’t right. Technically, I messaged Anirudh (I’m still in contact with him) and told him that he was Brownie Blast Shake in my life. He laughed seeing my message and then sent me a hug emoji. I smiled and drifted off to sleep.
I was sitting at the airport, waiting to board my flight. I checked my watch and I had plenty of time at my disposal. I was walking when I came across a South Indian café. The first thing that ring the bell when I see a South Indian café is ‘Filter Coffee’ and then Akash. I checked my watch again and realized there was still a lot of time at my disposal and I could easily compare the coffee flavour with him. The coffee and the first sip described him. Strong and Bitter. Now, don’t get me wrong, Akash wasn’t bitter. He was strong but then he wasn’t completely a boyfriend material so he might come off as bitter. I could have easily added more sugar to make it according to my taste but I liked the coffee the way it was. That was the best thing about our relationship. I didn’t want him to change. He was perfect in his own way. That aromatic smell made me nostalgic of how things were in between us. It is the Filter Coffee that makes you realize that this cup is made after brewing fresh coffee beans that’s why the taste is so authentic. The coffee is real with no adulteration. That’s what Akash was. Infinite. Real. Edgy. Loving. Caring. And no doubt, harsh too. Just like ‘Filter Coffee’ isn’t for everyone, neither was Akash. But I had a knack for both coffee and him.
I don’t know when I boarded my flight and when it landed. I was too busy reading what different flavours of coffee in my life had presented/devoid me of. I took a cab and reached home. I had throbbing pain and all I wanted to do, was just lie down.
“Hey, you are back?” Abhay (my husband) smiled and hugged me. “So, how was your trip?”
I returned the hug and kicked off my stilettos and threw my bag. I slouched on the couch and replied, “Hectic.” And a bit emotional too. I didn’t dare to say the words aloud. “I’m having terrible migraine because of the flying and all.”
“I knew you would be having one. So, here you go. Drink it.” Abhay handed me a cup of coffee. At first I was scared to take it but then I took it from him. I took a sip and everything fell into place. Abhay handed me a simple cup of Nescafe coffee. The coffee was just like Abhay, simple and I could have it as many times as I wanted. It was a right mixture of everything.  Moreover, I had the power and liberty to make the coffee the way I wanted. I could make it strong or keep it light. Just the way, I have liberty to be in my relationship with Abhay. I know he will accept me in every way. The coffee felt home. And so, did Abhay. I looked at my bag. I could easily spot the notepad wherein I had scribbled the flavours of coffee and how they fitted in my life. Then, I looked at Abhay. He was telling me something about his office all excitedly and then I looked at the cup of coffee in my hand and within that moment I realized that this is what I would want for the rest of my life. A plain cup of Nescafe coffee.      

Comments

  1. The comment below is by Preeti Mam

    That’s awesome. Coffee flavours and personality association... what a beautiful way of bringing up ur thoughts! Just loved it. Probably one of the best stories of urs. I just loved every bit of it. I could feel everything... even the flavours of each cup of coffee... fabulous piece of art....(this time it is much more than a piece of work or just writing..)

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  2. Love your thoughts and way of expression! Keep writing and sharing. And coffee reminds me, we all have to meet once things get normal. It’s been a long time. More power and love to you! ❤️��

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    1. Thank u so much sweetheart. M so glad that you liked the story. And yes we have to meet. It’s been sooo long. I crave for coffee.

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  3. Aaah. A lot can happen over a coffee! So rightly advertised by the makers! ♥️ It was a very refreshing piece of writing Deepali! Just like the flavours you incorporated. Beautifully blend with the right quantities of sugar, spice, bitterness and nostalgia. The best thing is that it's so easy to read your pieces. They speak for themselves! ♥️ And almost always some part of us can associate with them ♥️

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    1. Love u so much Divya Sethi. This is such an amazing and encouraging feedback. I am glad that you think so highly about my stories. Love you to moon and back.

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  4. Wow. I am definitely craving for coffee after reading this. Loved all the flavours of words mixing our beloved beverage with different personalities. Well written Deepali.

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    1. Lol trust me I too had a cup once I had finished writing it. Thank you so much for the lovely compliment.

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  5. That’s awesome. Coffee flavours and personality association... what a beautiful way of bringing up ur thoughts! Just loved it. Probably one of the best stories of urs. I just loved every bit of it. I could feel everything... even the flavours of each cup of coffee... fabulous piece of art....(this time it is much more than a piece of work or just writing..)

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    1. Mam, this is one of the feedback’s I desperately wait for. Thank you so much for being such an active reader and giving me valuable as well as encouraging feedback.

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  6. Thank you so much. Your feedback matters a lot. Let the lockdown open and then a cup of coffee for sure.

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