The Betel Leaf

Anil stood at the tea shop aimlessly. His blue shirt and ironed brown trousers were a mismatch. Anil, 29 is a junior engineer at the Pwd office.  Anil turned around sat on the wooden bench and placed his chai on the dusty bench. He looked across the road.

A young girl walked from the lane across the road and sat beside Anil. Her sandal was dusty. She was wearing a green saree. A black umbrella with light green stripes hung from her hand. Her ear rings were triangular in shape. She glanced at Anil. Anil smiled at her. She placed the umbrella between them. Anil ordered a chai for her too. She did not refuse. She called out for a set of banana fritters. The hot banana fritters came. She indicated that he could have it too. He took a small piece and pressed it to show her the oil in it. She took the piece from his hands and ate it. Both of them sipped their tea. As he emptied the glass he could see her through the bottom of the glass.  She was young and glowing in the hot sun. As he asked her if she works in the office near by a state bus passed by. The dust spiralled around them. He abused the bus. 

She smiled, stood up. Anil too got up and paid the tea shop guy before she could. Anil gave her the  umbrella. She touched his hand while receiving it. Anil became consious. He put his hands in the pocket and looked at her. She put her hand in her bag and took out a packet. She took a betel leaf from the packet and offered him a betel leaf. He held it. He stared at her in confusion. She indicated to eat the leaf. He ate the leaf and smiled. She opened her umbrella and walked away. A gust of wind blew across the tea shop.