Shalin Jain’s Little Red Couch

This is a sequel to my short story Meeting Mira. If you haven’t read that yet. Scroll Down to read Chapter 1 and 2. Else: Read On!

I rubbed my eyes and pulled myself out of the rug. I looked at the timepiece in disbelieve. It clocked 7:56 am. I had to skip breakfast to get to college on time. It was a pleasant morning. I could see a huge gathering of clouds in the sky as if they had come together for a tea party. I was looking out of our lecture room’s windowpane. I was scribbling on the white sheet of paper pretending to write. It was quite unusual of me not focusing on the lecture. I blamed the weather for it.

“It’s a pleasant day today, isn’t?” I asked Arjun who seemed rather dull. We shared a plate of Samosa and bought two cups of tea for accompaniment. “Pleasant? I have been grinded down by my professor all the while” replied Arjun. He had had a tough day completing his project to the finest detail, thanks to the uncanny feedback of his professor on his well done project. “They point out unnecessary details which would never make a difference” sighed Arjun. “But that project will be done once and for all by today? Correct?” I asked Arjun hoping a positive response. We decided to go out for lunch after college. Arjun wanted a break and I wanted to enjoy the weather further.

“Take the next right” directed Arjun. We were about to discover a new continental restaurant he had heard of. We found the restaurant located at the end of the road. We spotted a corner table and started peeping into the menu card. Both of us were hungry. “Arjun, there is hardly anything vegetarian on the menu” I whispered. Arjun noticed it and we decided to walk out of the restaurant. “What choice do we have?” I asked Arjun. Arjun looked back at me with raised eyebrows; he was wondering if we actually had any choice. “I know an expensive Chinese restaurant close by; we can afford it for the moment” exclaimed Arjun. He felt that he had given out a million dollar idea. We walked into the Chinese restaurant. It surely looked very neat with great interior. The walls were painted blue and each table had a lamp hanging over it. We placed an order quickly.

“Vish, I should have got my digi-cam today, this blue wall is perfect for a picture” Arjun said while looking at the wall behind me. I turned around to see what he liked so much about it. The wall had a rough texture and was casually painted with uneven shade running around. It was very attractive indeed. We had the food served within 15 minutes of order. Arjun was telling me how bad the scene at college was for others who were struggling to impress the professor.

“So how pleasant the day has been for you” asked Arjun with a grin on his face. I would have answered that but meanwhile my eye spotted a young lady sitting on the other side of the restaurant. She was reading a book, probably a novel, while she sipped the green mango and kiwi punch. I guessed that as the Menu had very few beverages to offer. She was sitting in front of the blue wall. Arjun repeated his question, this time he was also looking at me. I quickly replied “Beautiful, it’s been beautiful today”. Arjun laughed. “I have been day dreaming since morning” I added. He laughed even louder this time. The lady on the opposite table had put down her book; she was holding the spoon and the fork. She had long beautiful hair falling down her shoulder.

“Day dreaming of…?” asked Arjun. “Arjun, you know when I met Mira” I paused to take a sip of water. Arjun seemed perplexed, wondering what I had to say ahead. “She showed me one of her painting; it portrayed a beautiful evening. A calm lake with land on the other end and moon above the lake; the lake was blue; the sky was blue and the moon - just like a pinch of salt on a blue canvas.” I completed. The lady sipped some more of the green fluid. It contrasted the blue wall quite well. She spotted me looking at her with her next sip. She paused and smiled at me. Arjun was looking at me expecting me to look at him while he replied. He had abruptly paused even before beginning. I smiled back at the lady.

Arjun turned back to see what I was smiling at. He spotted the lady smiling. He turned back to me almost immediately. “Vish, I hope you aren’t day dreaming now!” commented Arjun. “No I am just admiring the blue paint; I think that blue wall looks better.” I replied instantly. We laughed until we were interrupted by the waiter. We skipped the dessert and drove back to the college. Arjun wanted to catch up with his classmates. “Vish, Mira will be on your mind for a long time I think, don’t get lost with the ‘thinking of you’ bubble” said Arjun.

He always droped an advice for me every time we met. I drove back home with Mira on my mind. It was an unusually pleasant day with clouds painted in blue.