Of Swings and a Moonlit Sky ...


She sat waiting, On the porch steps . The winter was just settling in . There was a slight chill in the air. A welcome change from the sweat and humidity of the month. The summer had been cruel . It had sapped the life out of the garden and the bottled money plants she so loved and nurtured. The sky was clear . She lifted her chin high and arched her neck to look into the dark blue black expanse above her. She adjusted her palm around the white china bowl she was holding . She did not want to spill the veg Manchow she had learnt to make from the chinese cookbook . It took her the whole afternoon getting things together and another hour at dusk to prepare it. He had given her a tring in the evening and had asked her to get ready to go out for dinner. She had politelyexcused it by saying she had already got home stuff to eat. It had been quite a while since she had prepared anything at home. Work had been really sapping for both of them for the last few months. Yes ! he would be surprised !
He had come a few minutes back, and nonchalantly went ahead to freshen himself . The two white china bowls shimmered under the moonlight. He still had not come out into the portico . She took all the time to lay out the garden table and chairs , with the soup bowls filled to the brim. She tiptoed in and got back with the vinegar , pepper and salt holders. Discernible wisps of steam curling into the darkness above the cups. Nestling a bowl in her palm, feeling its warmth, she walked upto the black, wood and wrought iron swing on the edge of the lawn.

He walked out saying he was feeling hungry and he had work to do. Towel around his neck .. he walked towards her, amused at the serenity she was exposing. A naked tenderness in her twinkling eyes. It was as if there were two shining stars down on earth. He forgot everything. Walked up to her . A smile strengthened by her gaze. Sat down next to her. She could feel his warmth next to her. He picked his bowl and beamed at her. Deep down she hoped he would like it, the soup .. It was a mild warm.. he didnt mind it, he gulped it down. Savouring every drop of it. Talking of the days rigours .. they soothed their parched souls and could feel the distances narrow. Keeping the bowls aside., She leaned on his shoulder, in the nook of his neck and looked up into the sky.He could smell the lavender fragrance of her shampoo in her hair.. as it whiffed against his chin and cheek.She giggled as he almost sneezed. The stars were looking down on them.. blessing them.. The moon peeked at them from behind the palm leaf ..A perfect smile as they both saw the sky at the exact same time . The gentle breeze tugged at her hair... and he kept pushing it behind her ear.!! He felt a faint hum and music in his ear..hummmmmm bzzzzzzz..

WHAACK !!!


"Damn these mosquitoes !!!! , Lets go inside !!! "