A little over 11 PM was what the time was when Samar finally decided to retire to his bedroom. He was watching TV after having his dinner. It was a Friday night. Unlike most of his friends who would be out in a bar and return to their homes late at night or early next morning depending on circumstances, Samar preferred staying at home and cooking himself a dinner and reading a book. Samar was a six-feet tall Hindu man from India who had moved to the US after completing his masters degree in engineering in software development. Owing to his great grades, he had received an offer from a huge MNC to work in the US. And so it was that 3-years back, he packed his bags and moved to LA.
He had just finished reading and switched off his light to go to sleep and that was exactly when he heard a knock on his door. He got up and moved towards his door wearing his loose shirt and pyjamas. He knew who it would be and when he opened the door, he found out he was correct, only surprised that the person would knock at this hour. It was Rebecca.
Rebecca was a 27-year old chef who worked in a nearby Italian restaurant. She cooked great Italian food, Samar knew and had tasted her food. Rebecca was originally from Tennessee and had lived and grown up there before moving to LA over 4 years ago. A year later, Samar moved in, in the apartment right in front of hers. Over the years, they had become great friends. Samar was happy being her friend but surely wanted more. When he first saw her, on the first day he moved into his new apartment, he surely was charmed by her beauty. Rebecca was 5'10". She had deep blue eyes and beautiful chestnut hair. Her hair were long enough to reach her waist. He tanned white skin made her look ravishing. Not to mention, her southern accent that he found sweet and sexy at the same time and her lean physique. She embodied the perfect American woman in his mind. Rebecca on the other hand, found Samar cute. He had sharp facial features and beautiful jet-black hair. He wore glasses on his dark brown eyes. The bespectacled look kind of made him look nerdy but cuter too.
That night, when Rebecca was standing at his door, he saw tears in her eyes. He knew she was sad.
"Becky, what happened?" he asked her softly with his north Indian accent and deep voice.
Rebecca looked at him for a couple of seconds. She was leaning on the door frame and was wearing a knee-length skirt.
"Eric and I broke up." Replied Rebecca.
"Oh!" said Samar, not knowing what to say to her.
"Come in... Sit down." He told her.
Rebecca entered his house and sat on the couch.
"Are you okay?" he asked her.
She nodded before asking, "Could I get some Chai tea?"
"Oh, yeah... sure" replied Samar and moved towards the kitchen.
Normally, he would always correct her by telling, "It's not Chai tea... it's just chai. Coz Chai means tea in Hindi". But this time, he didn't.
Rebecca loved chai that Samar made. She had had chai in Starbucks quite a few times, but only when Samar made the authentic masala chai in his kitchen that she knew what the real thing was and had loved it ever since. Every weekend, he would prepare chai for both of them in the morning and invite her over after which she would cook breakfast for both of them. Needless to say, that being a chef she cooked excellent food. Her speciality was Italian food which is why she opted to work in an Italian restaurant. Samar loved her cooking too.
"Here you go!" said Samar as he handed her a cup of Chai.
"Thanks!" said Rebecca.
Rebecca took the cup and sipped the heavenly chai that Samar made. It felt warm and comforting. Samar was sipping his chai too.
"Becky, you okay?" asked Samar.
Rebecca just nodded. The sadness, he could see, was there in her eyes.
"You know, I thought Eric was gonna be it." said Rebecca after some time.
"I felt so connected to him. It was the best relationship I'd ever been in. I really wanted to be with him." said Rebecca while Samar just nodded along.
"Don't worry... you'll find someone else." said Samar.
"No, it's not just that, Samar. I am 27 right now. I had made a plan for my life but that just seems to be falling apart." said Rebecca.
"What plan?" asked Samar.
"I don't wanna tell much. But by 27, I should have been married. I am not. I should have been a head chef at a restaurant or started my own cafΓ©. I am nowhere close to either. I should have had a child and be a mommy... and I had made up my mind that Eric would be the one I would marry and have children with. But now..." Rebecca wasn't able to complete the sentence.
Samar placed a hand on her shoulder and gently rubbed her upper arm.
"It's gonna be okay, Becky." assured Samar.
Rebecca just looked at him and smiled faintly. Samar smiled back.
Both of them kept sipping their chai before Rebecca asked, "Can I sleep here tonight? I don't wanna be alone right now."
"Sure... do you wanna take my room?... I'll sleep here on the couch. You can have the bed." said Samar.
"Thanks... that's really sweet but I'll sleep on the couch" said Rebecca.
"Okay... well... good night!" said Samar.
"Night!" said Rebecca.
She lay on the couch and covered herself with a sheet that Samar gave her while Samar slept off in his bed.
Rebecca woke up to the smell of chai that Samar was making.
"Morning." said Samar.
"Morning!" said Rebecca while yawning at the same time.
Samar handed her the chai mug before asking her, "Did you sleep well?"
"It was good." Said Rebecca while sipping the chai.
They both sat at the couch as they had their morning coffee.
"Hey.. I'm making egg sandwiches for breakfast!" said Rebecca.
"Great. What do you want for dinner?" asked Samar
"Umm... I'd love palak paneer!" said Rebecca.
"Sure!" said Samar.