Play, cafe and some grace

Finally, both my stories got published today. You can see them here (the one on the top) and here.

I was happy since it has been quite a few months since my last story and that was before I joined my present job.

This morning, I went to watch a play with a friend. She'd heard it was good and since I'd not seen a play in years, I tagged along even though it wasn't a comedy. The play was good with some excellent acting by Debshankar Halder and the other guy (whose name, sadly, I've forgotten). But I particularly remember this scene in the play where this chick is trying to seduce the dude (whose name I've forgotten). She wore a tank top and slacks and damn she looked fat and odd! The director should've figured there are other ways to dress someone sexy.

In the middle of the play, I received several text messages from people who've read my stories. One of them went: "Muchas gracias por la columna en el periodico de hoy gracias a su disposition un abrazo muy feurta Raj."

I know just two Spanish words. They are si (yes) and gracias (thank you). Since I saw two "gracias" in there, I figured Raj, the owner of the cafe, which was the topic of one of my stories today, was thanking me. I replied: "I'll visit your cafe today to have this translated."

I was meeting another friend for lunch after the play. So I told her: "Let me take you to this really cool cafe" and we went.

Raj gave me a warm smile and proceeded to explain the sms. There were quite a few copies of today's newspaper lying around but the Sunday Metro supplements (where the story was published), were nowhere to be found. Everyone wanted to take a copy, especially those whose photographs had been published. Raj introduced me to one of them as the writer. Boy it was cool!

Then we proceeded to the food. It was good as always. My friend was rather impressed with both the food and the ambiance and promised to return with her friends.

Finally, when it was time for us to leave and I asked for the check, Raj gave me a smile and a hug and said: "Not today. Next time."

I protested, but he resolutely refused.

As I walked out, I couldn't help smiling to myself. What just happened was not one of the perks of being a reporter. It's his grace that touched me.