Cosy vibes. Artisanal coffee. Dreamy decor. Friendly baristas. A cafe is the sum of all these parts, and then some. It’s also a place that’s better than your own house at times. At all times. If home is where the heart is, then a cafe is where the beating pulse of that heart is. A strange space, where strangers are in so close a proximity, that the strange feeling disappears, even if for a few moments. Sitting mere inches away, so that every word they utter is like your own, but coming from a different body, overhearing these ‘cafe conversations’ is a hobby for some.

I count myself a part of this esteemed tribe, who, abandoning their own pursuits, ambitions, and deadlines, strain all their nerves to help their prying ears catch every floating word. A delicate art at that, it takes years of practice to get the nuances right. How much of a head tilt will not make the couple sitting next to you suspicious? What must be the exact angle of your head tilt, so it doesn’t look like you’re having a stroke? And how to “appear” engaged with your own self while you’re at it?

The woman here has been at it so long, it hardly feels like an effort anymore. It’s part of her body language, with these nuances becoming a part of her own. So that when she’s sipping on her iced latte, and nibbling on her croissant, a steady stream of stimulating, and intriguing conversations run through her brain like a high speed train.

As overheard at Lavonne the other day:

W1: Tomorrow is my first Cult session.
W2: Oh, that’s great. Tell me how it goes. I don’t think i have the bandwidth to accomodate another activity in my jam packed schedule.
W1: Really? Why?
W2: I’m already doing gym regulary, which I go on my way back from work. Then I do some dance sessions, and I also tried yoga, but it didn’t last beyond three weeks.
W1: Yup, yoga is too intense an activity.
W2: Exactly, so I try to go to the gym after work, around 7:30, then I get back home. The traffic can be so insane, I hardly have any energy left. But, I try to eat healthy most days. I have this food service at work which I’ve signed up for, and they give millets and quinoa and stuff like that. Good start up, 2-3 years old. You can try it too.
W1: Oh that’s great. Btw, have you seen Sneha lately? Are you guys in touch?
W2: Not really. But we met on certain social occassions. Life’s so busy, I’m glad we’re catching up.
W1: I agree! And let’s make a plan to catch up again soon.

And, scene!