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The shopping spree had come to an end & the time to shift from the Airbnb accommodation to the new house had arrived. On a Saturday, the couple packed up their belongings. Before leaving, they looked around the place that was their first home for a month. The couple thanked their providers, settled the bill & hailed a taxi. As the cab drove through the traffic, she reached for his hand. He turned his attention from the streets towards her. She warmly smiled & he put his arm around her shoulders. She placed her head over his shoulder & apologised, "I know I have been a little temperamental." He raised his eyebrows, tried to make eye contact & interrupted, "A little?" She looked up at his face & smirked, "I'm trying to apologise. I want to have a fresh start at the new place. So, please..." He giggled & placed a finger on his lips. She added, "I've been living alone for a long time, the work & travel stress bottled up. I had no one around to express myself. Now that I have you, there are outbursts. I do not intend to yell or show my anger. I promise I'll get better." He felt a pang of guilt that she endured such hardships. Then another thought crossed his mind, 'Some day, she is going to kill me with guilt'. He chose not to speak and let her pour her heart out. She added, "Surprisingly, you have changed a lot." He raised his left eyebrow, 'How did an apology turn towards him?' She casually mentioned, "During college days, you were dominating & angry person in our relationship. Now, you are so patient & calm. How tables have turned?" He kissed her forehead & grinned, "In your words, life happens."
After a short commute, the couple reached the new house, which they had to turn into a home. They entered the living room filled with boxes. She articulated, "Despite renting a fully furnished house, how did we buy so many things?" He raised his hands, "Well, this is everything you approved! I haven't picked up anything extra." She looked towards the vases & flower pots & smirked, "Yeah, right." He defended, "Hey! We have to add something for a personal touch." She giggled, "Alright, where do we start?" He suggested starting from the kitchen, as the rest of the house did not need much attention. It wasn't a surprise that they both had the opposite opinion of where to place each item.
She announced, "Go ahead & organise your way. I'll go through each cupboard & memorise. Just stay away from my wardrobe." He laughed, "Unbelievable!" She innocently called, "Hey, you have the experience setting up the house. I only know to pack & unpack with minimal items." He responded, "Someday, you will run out of that living out-of-a-suitcase excuse. That day..." She chuckled, "Until then... I will use it at every opportunity." She helped unpack boxes & he organised it all. Around evening, all the articles had found their place & they had officially moved in.
The couple stood in the living room, looked at their new home & felt warmth in their hearts. She snuggled in his arms, and with teary eyes, she lovingly smiled at him. She only uttered, "Our home." Her eyes wandered around the place & soaked in every single detail. Finally, a place that she could call home, a feeling she had never felt in all her adult life. He admired her & felt overwhelmed by bringing happiness to her after all this time. When he moved to kiss her, she unknowing of his intentions pulled back & asked, "I'm hungry. Shall we cook & eat something?" She had killed the moment & he wondered, 'What is the matter with her?' She stood in his arms & waited for him to respond. He sighed, "Let's start with boiling the milk." She exclaimed, "What?" He raised his shoulders, "Moving to a new house starts with a pooja or boiling milk." She enquired with knotted eyebrows, "You never cared if Sun rose in the east or west. Now you are into vastu & rituals. When did you get so religious & culture driven?" He sneered at her & went to fetch milk from the fridge.
She continued, "I must say your wife trained you well, whether setting up the house or the rituals & customs." He chuckled, "Oh, come on. Give me some credit." She replied, "Well, only time can tell." As the milk boiled, he shared stories about how the penthouse decor had led to heated arguments & the time it took to reach any decision. They both realised that this was the first time he spoke about his wife with happiness & no more tears. He thought, 'Damn, she was right about grieving!' As the milk boiled & spilt over a little, he asked, "I'll clear the boxes & dump the garbage. Can you make chai?" She nodded & navigated through the kitchen cupboard to find the ingredients. He went about clearing the boxes, covers & other packaging items.
As she poured chai into cups, he entered the kitchen. He questioned, "How did you make chai in a single vessel?" She continued to pour chai & answered, "What do you mean how?" He asked, "I meant the tea decoction?" She responded, "What decoction? I poured water, added tea leaves, sugar & chai masala into the same vessel & boiled it." He explained the process of making chai decoction separately & then adding milk. As he continued to talk, she handed him a cup of chai, hoping he would stop. Instead, he held the cup & continued to rant. She leaned to the kitchen counter, sipped chai & patiently listened. It felt like the repeat telecast of her mother yelling about making chai.
Suddenly he realised she hadn't said a word & he stopped abruptly. She quietly walked out of the kitchen & he was dumbstruck. He stood confused & as a reflex he sipped some chai. Immediately, he looked at the cup & went in search of her. She was seated at the dining table & continued to sip chai. He sat across her & swallowed hard. She broke the silence, "Is the chai okay? How about sugar?" He nodded in agreement & sipped some chai. She continued, "Does it taste any different than the method you make?" He shook his head & quietly sipped chai. She asked, "Now, the most important question. Do you want our first fight in the new home to be about chai?"
Take away: Pick & choose your battles wisely.
P.S.: The story is a sequel to "New Beginning."
