Six months had passed since he asked me that question. By then, I had joined another hospital in Mumbai. I heard he had completely recovered. I had finished all the cases for the day and was about to leave when the nurse informed me of a new patient. I decided to attend to the patient before heading out.

I was walking to my desk when I heard a familiar voice say, “How are you doing, doctor?”

That simple question brought a long-forgotten smile to my face.

“I’m fine, Mr. Arjun. How are you doing?” I asked, genuinely pleased to see him.

Her smile made his heart do a somersault.

“It depends on your answer. Can you join me for a cup of coffee, only if you’re free?”

“Sure, why not?”

We reached a small coffee hut nestled in the middle of a field. We both ordered strong coffee. Suddenly, he placed a letter on the table.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Open it and see, Doctor Madam.”

“Oh my god! You got placed in TCS with a 24 LPA package. Congratulations! So, how does this new life feel?”

“Not much has changed.”

“Don’t worry, it will, slowly.”

“But I don’t think I have that much patience.”

“What happened, Mr. Arjun?”

“I didn’t cooperate with treatment just to get placed in TCS. I did it to feel that peaceful moment of sleeping on my wife’s lap. Could you grant me permission for that?”

“It’s not that easy, Mr. Arjun. I’m still not impressed. I’m not planning to get married so soon. What made you think I’d say yes to your proposal after a single coffee date?”

Suddenly, an A.R. Rahman song started playing. He stood up and began dancing to the rhythm. Only then did I notice that we were the only people in the coffee hut.

“Something mysterious dragged me here.

Your innocent smile is not enough.

If you stand somewhere, the place becomes priceless, my dear.

Come with me to my home—

You’ll definitely like me once you see it.”

As he danced to the song, a waiter arrived with our coffee. He took it, knelt down in front of me, and said, “I know a morning coffee can make your day. Could you grant me the job of preparing it for you every day and waking you up?”

I laughed wholeheartedly at his proposal. I knelt down and took the coffee from him.

“Yes, I have a vacancy for that job, but I can’t offer the salary you’re expecting... I want to date you.”

His face fell at my reply.

“I want to marry you,” he said sincerely.

“I don’t have a problem with that, but not so soon,” I replied hesitantly.

“Let’s get married next month on the 3rd,” he said and suddenly kissed me. I gently pushed him away.

“Till then, let’s date.”

I kissed his forehead, and he leaned his forehead against mine. We stayed in that comforting silence for a long while.