COFF(R)EE Part One — Accio Coffee.
Exiting our Computer Lab after the practical sessions, I saw a commotion outside. Without paying much attention to the hullabaloo, I proceeded to tie my shoes. That’s when I saw something in hands of those who were gathered there. A plastic cup.
My gaze was fixated on the cup of coffee and lost touch with whatever was happening outside and my friends’ conversation. *cue THE dialogue from Thattathin Marayathu.*
Vaayil kapal mathram alla, oru port-ille ella kapalum odikkan ulla vellam undaarunnu. I really wanted my hands on it. I WANT IT!
But, the crowd consisted of people not wearing uniform who were considerably older than me — which indicates that I was not a welcome audience there. I took a couple of stairs down, sad. But, suddenly I stopped and, mustering courage I never really use, went up the stairs.
I thought everyone was paying attention at me and making judgements; while in reality, no one even noticed I was there. (Spotlight effect?) My friends stood behind me to “give support” (never really understood their point) and to warn in case of any emergency. I walked slowly and slowly towards it — as if I was going to steal the Koh-i-noor diamond and make it my own. (The Pink Panther tune plays in the background.) Distance between each step felt like kilometers (Who am I? Hanuman?) and felt like people were staring at me expectantly — nope, they were not.
To make some sense of why coffee was served in a corridor, that too during class hours, I asked one chetan what was happening here. “We have a meeting going on in the hall and now got a break.” The presence of crumbs in a plate near the canister proved the veracity of his comment. I could hear people chattering inside the hall.
When he turned other side, I took a paper cup, filled it with hot tea and RAAAAN — worried that an (non-existent) alarm would be set off. I removed my masks and drank it whole running down the stairs. BOTTOMS UP! My friends walked in ~friend~ front of me to check whether any teachers were in our path… just in case they ask how and why am I drinking coffee in the corridor.
There was indeed a huge risk of wandering around sans a mask — which I seldom do — but it was all right and worth it in the face of a good kappi. (smacks lips)
