Riya adjusted the strap in her pink top as she logged on to chat every other evening. The top was expensive but a good buy, she thought.
The messages started as soon as she logged in.
RaZor: u look good in pink
SweetRiya89: who r u?
RaZor: u alwayz bite your nails?
Riya looked down at her nails jagged at edges.
RaZor: I am waiting 4 an answer...
Riya racked her brains. But as always, she knew who it was.
SweetRiya89: you again in the blue shirt. ...your shoes are dirty as usual
RaZor: never mind the shoes, I hardly walk now
SweetRiya89: this was the same pair you wore that day
RaZor: the new blue shirt remained unstained...thank god for small mercies
SweetRiya89: but you were already late when you left
RaZor: exactly, that was the reason why I drove so fast
SweetRiya89: this is the same pink top I chose to wear for our rendezvous
RaZor: ha ha, me blue and you pink. Me sky and you a charming rose
SweetRiya89: grow up!
RaZor: yeah surely I would have....had not fate intervened
SweetRiya89: your humour sucks. And just imagine, I had bought this pink top to up the glam quotient in your eyes. Look at the state it is in right now
RaZor: you're jealous because my blue shirt looks brand new
SweetRiya89: I will give you new shoes if you give me a sexy pink top
RaZor: who's gonna see you anyway?
SweetRiya89: so what? I want to feel beautiful in your arms
RaZor: love is beyond body Riya. That is why we are inseparable now
SweetRiya89: guess what my dad would say if he saw us now? Do you remember that we met at this very cyber café?
RaZor: you were looking so lovely with your kohl-lined eyes. But let us not discuss the past
SweetRiya89: that is why I am here with you. You had planned to get your hair streaked and I had an appointment with the mehndi wala....
RaZor: please Riya, enough. Memories of events are past now. You are my present
SweetRiya89: I am your future too...
RaZor yawned and wiped away an imaginary speck from his shirt...Riya was lost her in thoughts
RaZor: let's leave. This café is totally burnt out
SweetRiya89: let me log out
RaZor: we have already logged out
SweetRiya89: I told you that your humour sucks
The fire had ravaged the entire café a few years ago. Still, the burnt computer gleamed in darkness. Nothing stirred as they left. A dog howled somewhere. They left as quietly as they had arrived.
By Manish Raj, Times of India, Kolkata