Simple yet elusive..

It was a hectic Friday evening when I came down to the cafeteria to get a cup of coffee to make me march forward towards the weekly goal that seemed like miles too far. The lady who makes the coffee smiled warmly and said, "Your usual Sumi?" and it looked like I could have some extra caffeine to see the end of the day. I replied to her, "How about a double shot medium latte, instead of single shot small?". She said, "Of course. Looks like you are very tired". I managed to shed a sub-standard smile and simply nodded. She made the coffee to my request and wished back, "It is a Friday Sumi, things will get better! You have a wonderful weekend and get some rest". More than the coffee, it was the conversation that pepped me. I feel I get down to the cafeteria to have a small chat more than to have coffee. I sometimes return with just milk. (Well, it is a big thing for a coffee freak like me.)

On a Monday morning and everybody scrambles to get into the building and race up the stairs to be on time for the meetings. I join this crowd practically racing from the parking lot. A gentleman held the door for almost five of us ahead of him. I waved to him and getting the door. He responded, "Let me get the door for you ma'am" with a warm smile.

"Dumbo, you ok?", a friend of mine asked when I got into the car to do our usual carpool. I managed to nod a yes, but I could use a lot of sleep after the hectic travel with not-so-normal health condition. Though, I don't like to be pampered and pestered with questions, this one really warmed me up. No further questions asked beyond that but it was a great gesture.

Yahoo! messenger popped up a new mail notice. It was from a school time friend, from India. After the usual formalities and the engrossing description of her tour, were two statements that seemed very out of place and caught me by surprise. "Do you like what you are doing of late? Don't try to be what you are not. It does not scale well." It was like an omen out of no where, especially when we haven't met each other for two years now. A command that is too hard to ignore and the underlying care that is warms up anyone..

"Hi, how are you?", a stranger greeted me in a grocery store with a broad smile. I was forced to smile back and I am glad that I did smile back. Fake it or not, it stuck to me throughout the day.

"Why are you not speaking everyday?", many family members keep throwing up this question. I think I am not of talkative nature - especially I cant bend down to normal formalities when there is no substance. I don't think it is a proud statement. It is rather an incapability to speak mundane things. A casual conversation may be a connecting bridge in many relationships. My nature is more of a liability than an incentive. But does it really prevent me from connecting with people? It takes a long while to understand that expressions of affection or care does not have to do with how much I speak but it has much to do with what I do. It just takes more time for others to look beyond the surface to find what really matters. People who care to do that stick around.

Significant something at the hour of need or insignificant nothings every day - whatever be the case, it is human nature to connect with others. Even a loner has something to connect to. I think it is really far fetched to complain that we are making thin relations since we are always running in the fast paced world. It is us who are blind to small things that people do. We are just too busy to notice the sweet nothings or somethings.