Filter Coffee

Sameer, a handsome and dashing guy hailing from a middle class Muslim family from Hyderabad who came to work in Chennai with an MNC and Lakshmi, a girl from a very typical and orthodox Iyer family from Kancheepuram, who also worked in Chennai but with a bank. It so happened that both of their offices were in the same neighbourhood.

Sameer had rented an apartment with two of his colleagues, Rahul and Prathik. They had a pretty calm atmosphere in their apartment except during the weekends. They had hired a maid to cook for them and even though this costed them a bit, they thought it was a better option than experimenting with their culinary skills. 

Lakshmi stayed in a rented house along with Krishna, Varsha and Megha. Their place was about eight kilometers away from Sameer's residence. All three of her roommates where from Kerala as a result of which she had started to understand a bit of Malayalam. Krishna worked in the same bank but in a different department. She had invited Lakshmi to attend her engagement at Thrissur, but since Lakshmi was tied up with her job, she couldn't manage to attend the function. She knew that Krishna's fiancé too was working in Chennai and that his name was Rahul. She was sure of meeting Rahul in the near future.

It was a lazy saturday morning at the boys' place. Rahul woke the other two who were still on bed. Prathik was pretty frustrated and said 'Sone bhi nai dega kya saale.?' 

All Sameer saw was that Rahul was beaming like a kid. He asked in between a yawn 'Wassup with you today ?'. 

'Guys, Krishna was asking if we could meet today and also go for a movie together. Since its the first time, I am sure she may have a friend of hers with her. I want you guys to come with me, if you don't have anything else scheduled.'

'I gotta get my laptop repaired mate. And also I will be staying with Manish tonight. He has arranged for his anniversary party and I will be back tomorrow only.' said Prathik.

'So you are not coming. That means you have to join me brother.' Rahul looked at Sameer.

'By the way which movie are you planning to watch.?' asked Sameer.

'Not sure re, She would be booking the tickets. Won't be a bad movie.'

'Fine. What time are we leaving.?'

'We planned to meet at 2.30. You get ready dude. You can use the bathroom first as a token of my gratitude.' Rahul said with a grin.

The guys were ahead of their schedule by around 15 minutes. As they parked their car and entered the mall, they met Krishna along with Varsha and Lakshmi. Rahul, Krishna and Varsha were having a conversation in Malayalam. Sameer could not understand a word of it and it was pretty evident on his face. Sameer stood there, staring at the coffee shop. The slogan written over the door read 'A lot can happen over coffee'.

He went closer to Lakshmi and smiled. 'Hi. I am Sameer. I stay with Rahul.'

'I had seen you in the engagement photos.' Lakshmi replied with a smile.

'I don't remember seeing you there.' He said with a puzzled expression.

'Couldn't make it because of my work here. I work with City Bank. Krishna and I are colleagues.'

'So, you are from Tamil Nadu or Kerala.?'

'Thanjavur.' she said looking at her mobile.

'Oh. How long have you been here ?'

He heard Rahul shouting out from some distance. 'Oye. Aren't you both coming for the movie.? It starts at three o' clock.'

'Let's move.' Sameer said to Lakshmi and pulled her along.

Just about to enter the multiplex, Sameer pulled Rahul by his collar and whispered, 'Dude, I already watched this movie last weekend. It sucks big time.'

'Its her plan mate. I am as helpless as you are. But I am ready to pay for your ticket too.'

Inside the multiplex they came to know that the seats were in adjacent rows. Rahul and Krishna sat together while Sameer tagged along with the girls a row behind Rahul.

'So, what were you asking.?' quipped Lakshmi.

'Err... I kinda forgot.?' said Sameer. 'I am sorry if you felt uncomfortable when I pulled you along.'

'It was a bit unexpected but its fine.' Lakshmi said as she nibbled into the popcorn bucket. 'Want some.?' She asked Sameer.

'Nah.. I am fine.' He said turning to the screen. 'You know, I had seen this movie last weekend.'

'Me too. Never knew she was gonna book tickets for this one.' She said just as the movie began.

They left the multiplex together at about 5.30. 'What now.?' asked Varsha.

'Why don't we go for a coffee.' said Krishna pointing to the coffee shop. Rahul was about to nod a yes to the offer when he heard Lakshmi say 'Its not such a good place. The coffee is not really good and the price is too high.'

'Even I don't like this place.' said Sameer looking at Lakshmi, hoping to see her smile. His wish was granted.

'I know a new shop' Rahul said.

'Why don't we go to our place' asked Varsha. 'I hope Lakshmi wouldn't mind making coffee for us.'

'Fine with me.' Agreed Lakshmi.

After a struggle in the traffic, they reached the girls' residence at about six. They entered the house and sat around the dining table.

'I was thinking if Krishna and I could go for a walk. We would be back in 20 mins or so.' saying so Rahul and Krishna went out.

Lakshmi went into the kitchen. Varsha was constantly moving from kitchen to dining area. 

'Where is Megha.? Didn't see her.' asked Sameer.

'Whoaa.. you are asking about her now..? Anyway she went to Kerala. Will be back on tuesday.' said Varsha.

Just as she was about to start a conversation, her phone rang. 'Its amma. Be right back.' She went out with the phone.

Sameer sat at the table checking out Facebook. That's when Lakshmi came with a tray of coffee. Coffee was served in the traditional manner. In glasses kept within small vessels.

'Filter Coffee ??' Sameer asked with a wide grin.

'Yea' smiled Lakshmi.'Where is Varsha.?' she enquired.

'Her mother called over phone. She said she would be back soon.' Sameer said as he picked up a glass of coffee.

He saw Lakshmi blowing into her coffee before taking a sip of it. 'Don't you think we should wait for them.?' quipped Sameer.

'Varsha would take another 20 minutes to finish the call. The couple won't be here soon.' Lakshmi said as she took another sip of her cup of coffee. 'To get its real taste, you need to have our coffee warm.'

Upon hearing that, Sameer too took a sip of his coffee. He found it really tasty but a bit bitter too. 

'Isnt this coffee bitter.?' he asked Lakshmi. 

'Well, that's how we love it here. Is it ok for you?'

'Of course it is.' and within the next 90 seconds, he had finished his coffee.

'Well, have you met Megha and Varsha before.?' asked Lakshmi.

'Yea. In Kerala during Rahul's engagement. We had a good time there. Too bad you couldn't join us.' he replied

'Big Deal !!' Lakshmi frowned under her breath which didn't go unnoticed by Sameer. All he could do was smile.

Rahul and Krishna came home only to see two glasses of ice cold filter coffee waiting for them. Rahul just gulped down his glass of coffee. By seven o' clock, the guys decided to take leave. While leaving Sameer went to Lakshmi and asked for her phone number, to which her reply was a blank 'Why ?'.

'I thought we could be in touch.'

'Lemme think about it.'

'Here is my number.' He handed over a piece of paper over which he had written his mobile number.

Later that evening, Sameer received a 'Good night' message from an unknown number. He texted back asking who it was. Since he did not get a response, he decided to call. The call was picked up after the 4th ring.

'Hello. May I know who this is.?'

'Won't you give me time enough to reply.?'

'But who are you.?'

'Lakshmi'

'Oh hello ma'am' he said jokingly.

'Was it a joke.?' she asked.

'Was a bad one. But why did you text me.'

'This is my number. Save it in your phone.'

'What if I don't want to.?'

'Do as you wish. Goodnight.' He heard a beep.

He saved her number with a huge smile.

Soon their text messages and calls had become so frequent that, it had ended up being a routine for them. During one such call Sameer asked.

'I feel like having one more filter coffee with you. How about you.?'

'I am ready.' She said feeling happier than ever.

'So shall we meet tomorrow evening?'

'Hope you know that I am vegetarian'

'How about Adyar Anantha Bhavan.'

'Fine. With friends.?' asked Lakshmi.

'I don't think so.'

The next day Megha wondered why Lakshmi took so much time to dress up. Lakshmi reached the restaurant and had found a table for them. Sameer came late by 10 minutes.

'Romba traffic di.' He said.

'So do you know to speak Tamil.?' 

'Konjam' and he smiled.

'How long have you been here.?'

'Just eight months.'

They ordered coffee and then were so excitedly talking to each other that they didn't notice time pass by. When they were left the place, it was already 5.30. They decided to walk around for some time.

'What is your plan for Krishna's wedding?' asked Lakshmi.

'We will be Kerala a day before the marriage and we were planning to go for boating on the day after marriage. You coming ?'

'Lemme ask my roomies. I will confirm in a day.' she said as she was about to leave.

He hoped that she would join him for the boating that they had planned.

'How are you planning to go home.?' Sameer asked Lakshmi.

'I will get an auto or a cab' She said, but at the same time her thoughts were why he wouldn't drop her.

'Shall I drop you home.?' He asked her, as if he had read her mind. Deep inside he was hoping her answer to be a yes.

'Yes.' Lakshmi smiled.

When Varsha and Megha were standing by the gate, they saw Sameer drop Lakshmi at their gate. After a bit of a chat with Sameer, Lakshmi came in.

'Now i understood why you were taking so long to dress up in the evening.' said a beaming Megha.

'Has he proposed to you yet.?' asked Varsha.

'Not yet. Let's see.' smiled Lakshmi. That evening the girls were celebrating this new relationship.

Soon it was time for the much awaited marriage. Everyone was in a jolly mood. After the wedding, they went for boating as they had planned. After much enjoyment and happiness they soon came back to routine life back in Chennai. Only change being that both Rahul and Krishna had decided to rent an apartment for their family and they moved out. This ensured that the entire gang had a new hangout at Rahul's place at weekends. By that time, everyone had come to know of the relation between Sameer and Lakshmi.

On a friday evening, Sameer received a call from Lakshmi. 

'Wassup girl.'

'We need to meet Sameer.'

'Of course we will meet. But you seem worried.'

'Its a bit serious. I will tell you when we meet. How about tomorrow ?'

'Fine. But where ? Rahul's place ?'

'Na. Our usual coffee place will do. At 5 in the evening.'

'See you there.' and they both hung up.

That whole evening, Sameer could not help but think about reasons as to why Lakshmi was tensed. When he found that he could not tackle this, unless she talked to him, he decided to give up on it and slept.

The next day he was at their usual place by 4.50. Lakshmi came by an auto after about five minutes.

'Hey, you look beautiful.'

'Thanks Sameer.' She said gloomily.

They ordered their coffees.

'My parents had come last week. They have started looking for suitable alliances for me.' said Lakshmi.

'Is that all. You scared the shit out of me girl. So what worries you here.?' He asked.

'Is this a game for you Sameer.?'

'What ??' he looked puzzled.

'You haven't decided upon anything in life. Have you.? Have you thought about us.?'

'Yes I have given it enough thought re.'

'And.?'

'I came to realize that my parents wouldn't be happy about me marrying a non muslim.'

'So ?'

'I need some time to convince them.'

'Do you think my parents would be happy when I tell them about us.?' She asked him with tears in her eyes.

'I know about our situation and all I need is some time to sort it out Lakshmi.'

'Time.? How long would you need.?'

'Six months maybe.'

'Do you realize that, while we are having this conversation, my parents are looking for a suitable groom for their daughter.? Do you think they will require more than six months to find a suitable groom.?'

He remained silent.

'SAY SOMETHING SAMEER.' Lakshmi could not control herself and began sobbing.

He still didn't have an answer. After a few minutes of awkward silence, Sameer looked at her. He held her hands together and said 'I love you Lakshmi. I love you so much, that I wanna have a family with you. I want to enjoy life to the maximum but with you on my side. Every morning I want to wake up to your smile. I love you.' He continued, 'The problem here is that, I need time to convince my parents that I want to marry you for what you are. It can be made easier, if you are to accept Islam. But I won't let you do that. I loved you for what you are and I want my parents to accept you for what you are. For that, I need some time.'
He saw Lakshmi was smiling but her eyes were gleaming with tears. She held his hands tightly in hers and said 'I love you too. I need to talk to my parents and my family about this. Let's hope that we can convince them. Let's hope everything is gonna be fine.'
'Everything will be fine.' He smiled at her.
'It's getting late. Drop me home,' she said as she stood up to leave.
He stood up, paid the bill and started his bike.

Sitting together on his bike, he could feel the warmth in her touch, and the happiness in her smile. He knew that both of them were happy but he was also aware of the uncertainty that existed in their relationship now. While going home, he saw a new outlet of the coffee shop chain being setup and the tagline 'A lot can happen over coffee' was being displayed. All he felt was, a lot can happen in a short period of time and uncertainty too was a part of it.