On Tea, Trolleys and Marriage Proposals

Thumbnail image rights reserved to Jiah’s Photography.

If there is anything that I hate about marriage proposals and prospective relations, it’s the ‘trolley’ culture. And even though I got engaged without having to serve tea, it would be great if our society could do away with this humiliating practice. Here is what came to me while I sat imagining what would have happened if I had been subjected to it.

He left with a crisp collar,

Soggy shirt front.

The clatter and jingle resounding

In his ears;

The cup and saucer

against the tray

Her bangles, lilting, golden.

He had smiled as she poured

Him a cup

“Chai?” A whisper, downcast eyes.

She was nervous

The blush, oh the blush

That rose.

The shaking hands that would be his

to hold, forever.

He smiled at her,

Her mouth formed an O

The cup came clattering

Down on him.

It was her turn to smile.

“I’m sorry, would you like coffee instead?”