A cup of coffee









She sat there in the coffee shop sipping her coffee. It was not the first time she sat there alone. She was 22, working, divorced and living with her doting parents. She was passionate about her career and was a role model for many. Her personal life was not that successful yet she always had a smile on her face. An amicable person for whomever she met.


Today was yet another day she wanted to have coffee and talk to someone but amongst the 2340 friends on Facebook and 367 WhatsApp contacts she could find none to go out with.



The past few weeks had lessened her sheen. She was frustrated with the mundane life. Office started getting boring and the manipulations which she used to take lightly were now making her lose sleep.



She was independent and well brought up and that is how she took a good look at the phonebook and sent a few WhatsApp messages to meet up but no one was free. She took it all in stride and decided to take herself out for coffee again.



She chose a new cafe this time, ordered her coffee, took a table in the corner and took a book from her bag. But she was in no mood to read either. She couldn't bring herself to even open the book. She sat there looking around; the place was bustling with people, mostly youngsters. One of her hobbies, to observe people and lose herself in them was also not giving her peace today.



There was a lot of noise, in the cafe, and, even more in her head. She was tired of fighting her battles, she was tired of controlling her tears from her parents, she was tired of keeping a happy face, and she was tired of staying bold and carefree. She couldn't take it anymore, it seemed nothing was working and nothing will ever work. She had given enough trouble to her parents and maybe ending her life would be an end to all the drama and questions, she thought.



The counter displayed her token number and as she was getting her coffee to her table she saw another girl enter the cafe, alone. She was dressed in blue jeans and a black cotton kurta, a bag in one hand and the phone in another, her hair tied in a tight bun, a blank face and eyes low, somehow she felt a connection with her.


She got to her table with her coffee but couldn't help watching the other girl constantly. She was a mirror image of her. She too ordered her coffee and took a seat but not in a corner, amongst the crowd. She kept on staring at her and all the while the other girl was busy in her phone until the counter buzzed her token number.


She saw her taking her coffee to her table, sitting there contemplating and adding sugar to the coffee - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 cubes, kept on stirring the coffee and still didn't like the bitterness. She mustered some courage and decided to go and speak to her after all they both were alone and maybe lonely.



She - Hi, can I sit here.



The other girl (with a blank face) – Ahem! Yes. Do I know you?



She - No. I was just sitting alone and having my coffee and saw you so thought we can sit together and have coffee.


The other girl - I am sorry, but I am waiting for someone and he'll be here anytime now. I think you should have your coffee at another table or you won't find any with the crowd filling up.

She - Oh! I am sorry. It was just I thought you were alone like me, so we could chat up while we had our coffee. Trust me I am straight...hahaha....I am really sorry.


The other girl (Her expressions getting softer) - It's ok. I am sorry I didn't mean it; it was just that I have never met or spoken to a stranger. You can sit here while he comes.



She (smiles) - Thanks. And my work makes me talk to strangers on a daily basis. I am a journalist. What do you do?



The other girl - I am a software engineer. And by the way my name is Misha.



And that is how they started to talk and revealed one thing after another about themselves. It is rightly said when two women get together they are never out of things to talk. They chatted on and on and were finally halted by a call by Misha's mother about where she was.



As she saw her watch it had been two hours that they were talking. She casually asked about her friend who hadn't reached yet. Misha said, there was no friend coming in the first place, it was just that she was scared of her.



Misha opened up more and told her, she was very depressed today with the turn of events. She is tired of her struggles; she is either on an unimportant project or without any work. People wait for the month-end for salaries; she is petrified if she gets a pink slip. She has been living alone in the city since the past eight months and it gets lonelier by the day. She wants to end it all. She has even attempted suicide twice.



That was more than enough for her to open her heart out. They sat there for another hour talking. Finally the two decided, in this city, they are going to be the go-to-pals for each other for those sad days. No matter what they are never letting the “loneliness” term come in their lives again. They may or may not get time to speak to each other on a daily basis but it'll be a ritual to meet each other every Sunday in this cafe at 4 pm without fail.



And that is how "this" cafe witnessed two sad girls coming for a lonely cup of coffee, going back as happy support friends.









P.S.  Everybody is struggling and going through their own battles, it is just that their way to battle it out is different. It is very easy to slip away in one weak moment and end it all. The suicide rate is more than 8,00,000 people every year and 25 times of this, people attempt suicide. 10th September  2017 is the World Suicide Prevention Day – “Take a minute, change a life”.  All it takes is courage, to speak up and take help. People be open and accept without judging and the numbers will diminish.






My Alexa Rank on 1st September 2017 was 5,501,560. :(






Comments

  1. Manisha here... I loved you post. I hope and pray that goodness meets people who are going through rough patch in some way.

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    1. Thank you for dropping by :)
      Let's spread the goodness.

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  2. Such a simple story yet beautifully narrated. I enjoyed the whole post. Wanted to read more...great job. You are right we all have us an downs but taking any negative steps is not an answer. Instead better to ask for help.

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    1. Thanks, asking for help is tough but one needs to make the move.

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  3. I have seen ppl who taunt on how weak a person is and all but what they they fail to understand is as u mentioned "Everyone go through their own battles and fight them in a diff way" so rather than pointing out someone they should learn to show empathy and compassion!
    PS: very beautifully narrated story indeed!

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    1. Absolutely, empathy and compassion are very important and so lacking in today's world.

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  4. September is also suicide prevention month. So sad that people are in such pain and see ending their life as the only answer. I hope everyone who is so alone finds a friend like the characters in your story.

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  5. Glad the girls connected. Sometimes reaching out to another human being is all that is needed, to prevent someone from taking the next fatal step. Good one.

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  6. That's an optimistic story. I wish each one of us could find a good friend that easily. In the end it is only about taking that first step, saying a hello and being interested in someone's life.

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    1. So aptly stated, we need to be interested in other's life as a genuine concern

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  7. I love to talk with strangers. But you have kneaded the story behind the pain of loneliness in girls. Great👍

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  8. I love to talk with strangers. But you have kneaded the story behind the pain of loneliness in girls. Great👍

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  9. Beautifully put up words to showcase the sad truth. We as an individual are so burdened by mundane activities that we forget to live life. Hope all strangers can find a friend at some cafe!

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  10. You have extended across a caring hand to the lonely ones through this story and have highlighted the prevention of suicides..which is very thoughtful.

    Just ignore those Alexa ranks and let the curve of the emoji be towards the roof...Cheer up!

    Keep blogging :)

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    1. Thank you so much. Your comment has been like elixir for me :) :) happy happy happy

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  11. Beautifully narrated story. Loved reading it.

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  12. This is such a hard-hitting piece, with a simple, yet powerful message behind it. I loved how you took this ordinary prompt and turned it completely around.

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  13. Open it up .. Yes I remember the movie " Everybody says I am fine " and in reality all of them fighting with their own fear and belief .Discuss , Chat , share and things will look very easy ..Chandresh

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  14. Great piece of writing. Really there are many suffering loneliness. Thanks for spreading awareness about a noble cause. Happy to join with you for #MyFriendAlexa.

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  15. I loved your post, very very relatable. Everyone has those bad and sad days.. it only takes a slip to let go of everything.. we need to lookout for each other.. who knows, you may safe a life :)

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  16. That was a very intriguing story Kadambari and as a fiction lover - both as a reader and writer I am so glad. read this. The message was conveyed strongly. Sometimes all we need in this world of social media and fakes is some love and someone to talk to

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  17. The bitter truth of life. Lonliness can be such a bane. It's so important to be surrounded by loving people who care. I'm glad they found a friend in each other.

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  18. Story which is well written and expressed and made simple story more intresting

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  19. That's the beauty of women when they talk they pour their heart out, like they were never strangers.

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  20. A simple story and such a strong message ! Loved it

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  21. Lovely post... Very nice read. Talking can help you in a great extent. Express yourself.

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  22. What an endearing post that was. Esp this part is such a start reality these days, its scary. Yes everyone has their own battles and inner demons and we need empathy not apathy.

    "Today was yet another day she wanted to have coffee and talk to someone but amongst the 2340 friends on Facebook and 367 WhatsApp contacts she could find none to go out with."

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  23. You've captured the fears of a stranger talking to another really well.... And yes cities have a way of isolating people...

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  24. Ah . I am going for coffee today . Alone. I hope to look out for any lonely souls , so that I too can share a cup of coffee and tales

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  25. Thats a very interesting story .Strangers to friends over coffee.Liked this.

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  26. Beautiful story.
    We all have our dark days but going on is the answer to every thought that is pulling us down.
    Love
    P.

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  27. Beautiful story to make everyone understand that you as a person can be important for someone else, if not for you, yourself.

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  28. Nice post. A lot goes in mind when you sit alone with cup of coffee. Very well narrated & all the best with your alexa rank.

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  29. Beautifully put! All you need is that one person to talk to.

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  30. A beautiful post. you truly understand the inner working of a person in the midst of a break down! much strength to everyone going through their journeys alone.

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  31. Hey Kadambari, I like the fiction. It is evidnt how two women get into a conversation for hours but important is the deepest issue being resolved in some hours.

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  32. I loved your post. And I wish I meet a stranger someday, just to talk. Who wouldn't judge me, just be a good listener. It's so easy to open up to a stranger for certain things. Wish everyone who goes through a hard time, thinking of ending their life, meet a stranger. :) Cheers!

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  33. Life is quite precious, and I hope people realize that whatever the bumps it brings, those bumps will pass, and highs will come if they let it to. Well written post.

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  34. Beautifully penned. You weaved a beautiful story of how one person reached out to another and it helped both. Loved the way you related it to a very serious topic.

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  35. A lovely story ! It is wonderful how synchronicity brings two kindred spirits together and a friendship is born. People can live together for years and still be strangers. Sometimes, it takes one step forward towards a great friendship-in-waiting.

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  36. thanks for spreading the social message. Its always important to reach out and help someone.

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  37. Loved the story and the message. It's so true, many people feel so lonely. If they pick up some courage to share thoughts with friends, they may not feel so alone

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  38. SUch a beautiful story and a very engaging way to share this important message.

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  39. It was a great read. such a nice message conveyed in a simple way

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  40. As a person who has suffered from mental health issues and writes about it, this is such an apt description of what it is like to suffer. You are scared of everyone, even yourself and you have no idea what to do.

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  41. What a lovely way for an insight into the Life of People fighting their respective struggles.

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  42. What a beautifully penned tale!

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  43. I just wish I had someone in this city like that. It's important to have people around you.

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  44. Love the post, Kadambari :)
    Most people get awkward about talking to new people, strangers particularly. Rightly said though, thousands of Facebook friends, hundreds of WhatsApp contacts but not a soul to really count on!

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  45. A lovely story and written very well :-) .. This is something that is so common nowadays. People have thousands of fb friends but no one to talk to .. We are social introverts nowadays ..

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  46. Lovely turn of events. So hopeful happy tale of courage and reaching out.

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  47. I'm glad you conveyed a social message thru fiction. It makes a great impact on people who completely delve themselves into the narrative. There is a great need to share the word across. Brilliantly written, Kadambari! :)

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  48. This was a beautiful story. Loneliness, depression and suicide rates are on the rise. Reaching out to people, rather than staying isolated in our phones is so important - after all, none of us is an island!

    Cheers!
    <a href="https://ModernGypsy.in>Modern Gypsy</a>

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  49. i just want to say one word -
    "GOOSEBUMPS"

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  50. Glad they found each other. A lovely read. true that everyone fights their own battles.

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  51. I loved the story. Beautiful writing style.

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  52. A lot can happen over coffee - this justifies that in a whole different way. Sometimes, all it takes is a step forward to open the doors. Interesting story!

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  53. Very well written ! enjoyed reading it

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  54. An excellent idea to find a friend in a stranger when friends turn into strangers. I hope we all find at least one true friend to help us get through tough times in life.

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  55. It's always nice to find someone who can relate to what we are going through.
    #MyFriendAlexa #literarylehareads

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