Romance – October 3

“All things on earth point home in old October; sailors to sea, travellers to walls and fences, hunters to field and hollow and the long voice of the hounds, the lover to the love he has forsaken.”

–Thomas Wolfe, born this date in 1900.

Writing prompt: Write a scene in which your protagonist goes back to an important location from earlier in her/his life and is cruelly disappointed when s/he can’t replicate the experience.

One Response to “Romance – October 3”

1. Kanwar P. S. Plaha says:

   3 October 2024 at 10:35 am

   It was unlike him to refuse food on the plane. Despite the general consensus against flying, he looked forward to me-time, watching movies, eating, and sleeping while being served.

   Not today. He was looking forward to meeting his childhood mates, after almost for decades. He asked for an orange juice, adjusted the headphones, and pulled the blanket up to his neck.

   Spinning the clock back in his mind, he smiled. It had been a daily ritual of meeting at the local chai-wallah, the owner known simply as ‘Uncle’. They would leave the place either when Uncle closed for the day, or when their banter was exhausted. Almost always, it was the former.

   After landing, and navigating the usual drills at the airport, he hailed a cab, and settled back to enjoy the nostalgia rushing past as the driver made his way to the destination, replete with honking, cursing, and breaking traffic rules.

   When he alighted at the rendezvous spot, he stretched. The ride had taken its toll on his back and it was something he didn’t miss from the old days.

   His friends, now balding and graying, just like him, were as welcoming as he could remember. They hugged him and complimented him on his physique. Quite the contrast fun their sagging chests and growing bellies.

   “Foreign countries keep you fit, yaar. Isn’t it? Everyone is into exercise and fitness!”

   “Arrey, I ask you what is the need to struggle with exercise at this age? Who’s going to a Mr. India contest, huh?”

   He just laughed along because he was happy to be back in their company, and at Uncle’s.

   “Hey buggers,” he finally asked, “Where’s the chai?”

   “You still remember, no? Bugger, not changed a bit!”

   “Of course I remember. Let’s order a round or five.” He laughed.

   “No now Uncle’s chai, man. He was bought over by that big American cafe chain!”

   “What?”

   “Ya, but they make good coffee, okay?”

   Reply

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