Over Coffee

Coffee-as described by the oxford .it is a seed, which can brew a drink. Different species Arabica and Robusta give different flavors. Some prefer having a hot coffee with cream or just black. Some would like it cold topped with ice-cream..

It tends to refresh mind .but here in my story it changes life.

Read on

26th Oct 2004,7pm

It was a little late than what I had calculated. I just couldn’t choose a PERFECT gift for ‘Sanjiv Sir’ for his birthday.’ Sanjiv Sir’ as we all call him in office is our Boss. Who we believe can write a book on "Effective managerial Skills". A great leader at work, a bundle of abilities. He has the power to get work done with just a flash of smile and show of dimpled cheek.
On his 40th birthday, we just wanted it to be special for him at work. So we decided to give him a gift, to show our affection towards him.

After hours of juggling over options at the store , I finally zeroed on a glass table clock which had a beautiful note placed at bottom "ONLY YOU CAN CHANGE TIME"
How True…

I waited for my call taxi to arrive. Suddenly my eyes fell upon the astrologer sitting by the side on his neatly placed mat. Yet don’t know what made me walk upto him. Guess it was just my overtired self.
"Come Sit,what would you like to know? " he said in a polite manner.

"Well…nothing(in fact everything ,said my inner voice) "

"whats your name? "

"Rina"

"Date of birth ?"

"26th August 1978 "

I kept looking as he drew quite an interesting square, then with some diagonals crossing, it sure looked like pure Geometry.

"Rina ,everything looks fine here…But"

My anxiety rose " But ?????"

"Something here says"

"Says what ?"

"Time will change,days will change"

"Change as in "

"Well your stars are changing positions"

I only thought people change positions in workplace or they positions change while making love."Ok,what does that indicate"

"Sudden money "

I don’t hold any lottery tickets, nor I have any relative who loves me so much to leave a legacy to me.

I saw my cab roll in and the driver get out and look for me.
"Thank you …but I really don’t believe in these "I handed him a hundred rupee note for his service and turned to leave.

"Rina, listen. Try and wear a ruby ring on your finger, would do you good"

"thanks" I would never I said to myself.

27th Oct-

I did’nt want to be late for office. After a quick shower I was ready in ten minutes.
Sometimes things go really worse and nothing goes our way, I broke the loop of my gold chain.
"What a Start "I said to myself leaving home.
I got down in front of my office ,"K.P Jewellers" had just opened a little too early as I looked at my watch. I stepped into the store to get my chain mended.

The salesman asked me to wait while he got it repaired. Looking around my eyes suddenly fell upon a red stone ring, lying amidst rings which had varied colored stones, some square, some round and some oval.
"what’s that ?"I said tapping my finger on the just cleaned glass counter.

"It’s a ruby ring mam, just came in for sale yesterday "

"try n wear a ruby ring,would do you good" echoed in my mind

I tried it on,perfect fit……. I couldn’t believe I bought it. how unpredictable I can be…..

Meanwhile my chain couldn’t be repaired and I left my number to inform me when it gets ready.

Back at office ,’Sanjiv sir’ really liked our gift .all he said was" Lets work hard now. To change our time". Words so original ,I tell you he should write a book now.

I was getting ready to work, suddenly my mobile rang.
"hello"
"Hello is it Rina,"
"yes"
"Hi ,this is Anil"
"so"
"I Got your number from the jeweler, Did you buy a ring today"

"Did It make news headlines" I replied

"well no, but I would like it back. Its mine, I had put it on sale"

"But I bought it"

"Well it’s urgent I can meet up and explain"

His tone sounded disturbed. I gave him my address and hanged up.

In just fifteen minutes, Anil was here.

"Can we sit at the café down"

"Fine "I said taking my cabin keys along.

At the café.

I ordered for a Latte
And Anil asked for a Mocha.

"Rina, I can explain"

"Go Ahead. Tell me why suddenly you developed this interest after putting it up on sale,I really want to know"…please say finish your reasoning fast…my pile of files still haunted me.

"I study in the states, have been here for a month now, After my fathers death. I have no interest in staying here. So I have sold off most of the assets. And his locker revealed some jewelery which I have no interest in keeping"

"ok"

"so I have put them on sale at the jewelers. One of his accounts at the bank has a secret password. I searched for it everywhere, its only yesterday that I learnt that the ring has the password inscribed, since my father always wore it"

"Interesting" I said, one more NRI in the making

"Believe me" take out the ring and have a look

I did, but couldn’t find anything.

Anil took the ring and showed me some inscribed words."see that" he said.

"Its ok,you can keep it" I said as I stood to leave.

"Thank you ,But how much do I pay"

"Nothing"

Just few hours of wearing the ring…

"Life would change. time would change, what crap" I muttered. I just lost a few grands on that ring .

30th Oct

My desk piled up with work. Even ‘Sanjiv Sir’s"smile couldn’t make me work.
"concentrate" I said to myself.

I had just finished a few files later, mail dropped on to my desk.

"What could it be?"

I opened it, A cheque of One lakh in my name. I kept wondering.

I thought we get them only on "who wants to be a millionaire shows".

"Who could it be"

A letter fell down

Dear Rina

Don’t really know how to thank you. Life can really change in a day. My problems got their solution over the coffee with you. I have managed to get the password right. And the money is now with the Blind School Charity. Thanks to you for helping me and being a part of this.

Am leaving tonight for the states. Just thought of sending you a token of thanks

Regards
Anil

I was blank for the next few minutes.

Everything flashed back in mind

"Only you can change time"Anil did by helping the blind, changing their lives.

"Life would change, Time would change, Sudden money"

Well surely time did change over a cup of coffee for Anil, For the Blind school children and for me.
I got myself another ruby ring and have started believing in Astrology now. My Unpredictable self.