Love : Sweet and Spicy #Blogaberrycc

Abhijit Ray

Sep 1

We commonly associate Spicy with Hot, some experiences can be Sweet and Spicy. This is one such experience posted in response to #blogaberry creative (September) challenge using the prompt Sweet/Spice.

With some difficulty, Shyam located the single storey house, mentioned in the letter, in the quieter part of the quiet neighborhood.

"Grandma is expecting you," young girl that answered the door bell shocked him " please come in."

"My God! The same sweet voice and spicy attitude, an exact replica of Nirmal, only younger,"

he wondered as he entered the sparsely furnished living room. A melodius song was softly filling the atmosphere. He recognised the lyrics, one of Nirmal's favorites,

"Woh Din Suhana, Phooldor Bandhe..." Nirmal's favorite tune played in the background.

"You just met Nirmal'daughter"

Mrs Singh was saying,

"Nirmal was right about you. She knew, you would certainly come, once the letter reaches you."

Shyam Sundar a dull and boring, somewhat sweet, and mostly a book worm boy met Nirmal Kaur, assertive and outgoing, you can call Hot and Spicy, student leader at Shambhu's tea stall. A place frequented by battle weary students for late night snack of instant Maggie noodles, bread omlette and above all sweet and spicy masala chai.

Two people could not have been more different in their life's goal and outlook. Shyam hoping to get a doctorate degree from a university abroad. Nirmal wishing to graduate into mainstream politics at state and if possible national level. A girl with a large fan following noticed a nondescript boy like Shyam was a surprise to him and also to their friends. But their friendship gelled over countless cups of Sweet and Spicy tea.

" Mother, take out your Sweet and Spicy rice pudding, today is a good day" Nirmal announced to an utterly bewidered Mrs Singh and Shyam, "won't you like to bless your future son in law?"

They were at Nirmal's home, probably as a testimonial to their blossoming friendship. "Arre phattu, we are not marrying now, " as if to reassure Shyam and her mother , she declared confidently, "you finish your studies, let me try my luck in politics, then we shall solemnise the relationship." Shyam was not sure if she was relieving family pressure to get married or taking permission to enter politics. But that was Nirmal sometimes Sweet, sometimes Spicy, always full of surprise.

"Nirmal was expecting her when you left for your studies, "

Shyam woke from his reverie as Mrs Singh continued,

"She made me promise not to disturb you with the news. Nirmal did not make any mistake choosing you."

"I shall gift you something," Shyam remembered Nirmal saying in an intimate moment,"if you even look at anyone else, I shall gouge your eyes out."

" Not so Sweet but certainly Spicy" Shyam didn't understand then, but he did now.

" Dad are you going to cry all day long? hurry up, we need to catch the train,"

the same sweet confidence and spicy demeanor Shyam wondered ,

" yes beta, let's go home."

The soft lyric played on in the back of his mind..

"Ab Yeh Bela Beet Chali,

Bhaar Biraha Ka Sahu Akeli......".

Click here to listen to an audio clip.