THE TUNNEL 2

THE TUNNEL

Monday:

Madhavi

It’s not easy to handle a coffee shop with two kids and a still husband. On one hand kids are growing up and on the other hand, my husband is motionless on wheelchair The only reason that attracted more crowds to my place was the famous tunnel next to it. My grandmother opened this café right next to it. Our café is as old and authentic as the tunnel.

Today, the tunnel which gave us bread and butter became our only nemesis. Some billionaire philanthropist bought the place for lease from the government and decided to change it as a hotel. Guess I should start counting my days in my café.

Tuesday:

Riya

Mom was not herself from yesterday. Her special sandwiches started tasting bitter and the waffle creams started tasting sour. Few customers started complaining and others ignored it because of our authenticity and heritage. I believe it has to do something with the tunnel. My usual blog posts won’t work this time. I have to do something else.

Wednesday:

Ravi

My wife is paranoid, elder daughter is stuck with her computer and the younger one has gone for shopping. Something is off. I believe the tunnel won’t make much of a difference. Though I am motionless, I have something stylish in motion for them and the café. My will and vigor from army days haven't faded.

Thursday:

Priya

Oh God! We just have two more days. I have more shopping to do.

Costume – Check, Insta stories – Check, flares check..etc..

Oh God! I forgot a whole bunch of things…

Friday:

Madhavi

This morning before dawn, a huge number of workers were decorating the tunnel and setting up sound systems. Customers have already reduced to half. Both the daughters are lost and poor Ravi is on phone calls. I believe I should not bother them. All I can do is cook good food and serve them with a smile.

Saturday:

Mike crackles and a slow-paced music raised and filled the area with decibels. A group of macho men started marching towards their lane. Martha thought they all came for The Tunnel, but to her surprise, they landed on her café and started showcasing their skills. Madhavi was speechless and confused.

Followed by it another group of school girls started cheering and dancing for the café with pompoms and ribbons.

At the end, a Press van stopped next to her and started covering the entire event.

Madhvi’s daughters and husband surprised her from behind and started speaking over the mike.

Ravi: These are my military friends. They are here for us.

(Riya snatches the mike from father)

Riya: I wrote a story of our heritage and special sandwiches. The press liked our story and they are here to cover it.

(Priya starts jumping and yelling at the top of her voice)

Priya: We are here to dance MOM…

Madhavi was still dumbstruck.

Ravi:

All these lights and decorations music were arranged for our café, not for The Tunnel.

The tunnel did not make your café famous. It was the café that made the tunnel famous.

Madhavi:

But, from where did you guys manage to do these things within a short span of time?

The crowd from the back shouted: For free sandwiches and waffle cream.

Everyone started laughing. 


                                                                                                                          - Ashwin Muralidharan