Lemongrass

The alarm went off. It was 7 O’ clock. Not exactly early morning but considering it was the lockdown and the whole country was taking it easy, it was a bit early. Ambar turned off the alarm on the analogue clock by his bedside table. After a couple of stretches, he made the bed, pulled back the curtains and wrote for 5 full minutes in his gratitude journal. The clock showed 7:10, he headed to the kitchen. This had become a routine from the past few days. Everyday he made sure that he woke up before Megha and served her breakfast in bed. Without wasting another moment, he began chopping onions, potatoes, mushrooms and Megha’s favourite ingredient: green chillies. Once satisfied with the chopping, he beat four eggs in a bowl and began whisking them patiently. It was time to put on some music. Both Megha and him loved Arijit Singh’s songs, so naturally, every morning began with his songs. He switched on the gas. On one stove, he put water to boil. On another he began sautéing the chopped potatoes. The third stove was reserved for Megha’s favourite part of the morning - chai. She couldn’t function without chai. Ambar knew this very well. He opened the refrigerator, to find the last strand of lemongrass. He added it to the saucepan along with three spoons of tea. Before the tea began boiling, he had kept two tall mugs ready. He added 3 Sugarfree tablets to Megha’s mug and three teaspoons of sugar to his mug. Megha always enjoyed chai made by him with a big grin. She once told him, “I don’t know how people can call it tea? For me it will always be chai and you know your chai should be served at a 5 star hotel. It lifts my spirit up.” After pouring the chai in their respective mugs, he poured hot water in the third mug to make lemon and honey water for Megha. He neatly cut the fluffy 4 egg omelette into two halves. Two plates were ready, he added 2 toasts to Megha’s plate and 4 to his. As final flourish, he added chopped coriander leaves on her plate. Afterall, she loved adding her breakfast picture to her Instagram story. As he was arranging a spoon and knife by the plate, there she was. She looked angelic. The morning light was accentuating her features. Her sharp nose, chocolate brown eyes, golden brown hair which looked beautiful even uncombed, her fuller lips which greeted him with a warm smile. He loved her gummy smile, if it was any other girl maybe she would have considered fixing it, but not Megha, Megha was perfect. Like he used to say, “You are 11 out of 10, it’s impossible to take eyes off you. I am not saying this as a photographer but as a man.” 

She began sipping the lemon and honey water while checking her Instagram feed. She took a momentary pause and caught him taking her candid pictures on his camera. “You know you are spoiling me. I have been living independently from past so many years and now as soon as I open my eyes, I am greeted with chai and breakfast. ???? ?? ???????” To which he replied, “??????? ???? ????????? ?? ???? ?????????? Don't worry even when you are 80, I will wake up before you and keep the breakfast and chai ready.” Blushing she replied, “???? ??? ?? ?????! ????? ???? ????? ????? ?? ???, ?????? ???????? ??? ?? ????” It was a match made in heaven he thought to himself often. She was a brilliant yet struggling actress, he was a talented photographer who couldn’t keep a job. They found each other and filled each other’s emptiness. She was the muse he was looking for all along. He was the push she needed to bring the best out of her. Together they just clicked. 

After the leisurely breakfast, Ambar left to buy the groceries. It had become a routine, at night, after dinner, both used to enjoy a chilled glass of Nimbooz while Ambar made a list of the daily essentials. Before the lockdown, it used to be G & T with Nimbooz. 

It’s been a year since the lockdown. Though Megha left the world, she has become an integral part of his existence. Like her, he always keeps his fridge stocked with lemongrass and begins his day with chai. Even today, he pours chai in two tall mugs. He adds 3 Sugarfree tablets in her mug and 3 teaspoons of sugar in his. 

As he was sipping chai he penned down a poem thinking about Megha that how she would have loved the poem. 

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