He stood in front of the cafe enjoying the crisp winter morning. The air felt cool on his hot face.
As a young couple walked in, the glass doors swung open and he caught sight of his reflection. He couldn’t help giving a self-satisfied smile. I look good, thought he, glancing appreciatively at his golden mop, its bright yellow contrasting spectacularly with his tanned chocolate body. He puffed out his chest a trifle more, settled the pleats of his paper cup just so and put on his best ever look. He was, after all, the life and soul of the cafe.
He sniffed the air – it smelt good too – fresh and lemony with a dash of cinnamon. Life’s good, thought he. It was going to be a good day.
Not everyone, however, was having a good day. He glanced back at the young couple as they spoke in angry whispers barely managing to keep their voices down; not that there was anyone else in the tiny restaurant, apart from the plump affable Mrs Brown who had discreetly retreated to the back of the bakery.
Mrs Brown glanced at the couple, then looked back at him. And then before he knew it, he was at the table and Mrs Brown was saying, “This is for both of you, with best compliments from Lemon Pie Cafe.”
The couple looked from him to Mrs Brown their frowns slowly melting.
‘You remember,’ whispered the girl, ‘the time you’d stuck a candle in one of these for my birthday,’
‘and,’ he added softly, ‘we’d argued over who should get the larger piece’,
‘and then,’ she went on, her eyes tearing up, ‘I’d almost eaten up the ring you’d put in there.’
‘And I was grateful you found it in time because it had cost my whole damn salary,’ he completed with a laugh in his voice his hand closing on hers.
At this point Mrs Brown thought it best to return to her station at the back of the bakery while he just gave a proprietary smile. That’s another sweet ending to a love-story.
This, this is what makes the life of a pie worthwhile, thought he.
************
Written for the prompt ‘Life of Pie’ for the second edition of the fortnight-long Bar-a-thon.
This was a sweet story. Thanks to the unsuspecting Mrs Brown who took the right step. I am sure plump people are the best hehehe 😀 Have you read Marley and me? The dog ate the ring in that 🙂
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Oh yes – like my dad says – plumper people make space for larger hearts :-D. I’ve read it and watched the film too. Whatadog!
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Aww! This is such a sweet story, literally and figuratively!! 🙂
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Thanks Shilpa. I like sweets, that’s why :-).
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I feel like having a pie now. 😀 Cute story. Bet every cafe witnesses a bunch of such stories, everyday.
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I know. My dream is to have a book-cafe. Wouldn’t it be just perfect. Pies and pastries and books?
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It is perfect, indeed! Please share the address secretly, whenever it happens. Would love to enjoy the place before people discover and start crowding it. 😊
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Heh heh… sure, will keep you updated.
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Loved this sweet tale… When F&B outlets give complimentary stuff, we feel so special but never think about what went behind the scene to do this.
Cheers
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Oh yes I never forget when a restaurant offers complimentary stuff. It is such a feel-good moment.
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Aah cute.. Nice life of a pie indeed.. all happy wishes always.
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Thanks Lata.
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That’s a cute story. Nicely done! I love how you made the pie the protagonist 🙂
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Thanks Sanch. That was the idea :-).
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I love such cute stories. So nicely, done, Tulika. Well-etched out descriptions and set the backdrop well.
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I do too Uma :-). Thanks for dropping by.
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Aww…I love happy endings and ones that end with such lovely pies, even more! Beautiful take on the prompt Tulika!
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Thank you Kala. This Bar-a-thon I’m playing it by the ear.
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Aww what a sweet tale. Lovely weave of words and emotions. 🙂
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Thanks Natasha.
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A well made Lemon Pie is one of my favorites! Your story tugged at my heart, Tulika. So beautiful!:)
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Thank you Mayuri.
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A sweet tale, of happy beginnings and beautiful memories. I have seen this in movies. Thankfully, we don’t have this tradition or it would lead to some hilarious experiences for sure. 🙂
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Oh yes, thank goodness :-).
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Such a lovely one which warms the heart. An evocative style of writing you have Tulika!
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Thank you Akshata, glad you liked it.
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Awwwthat is sooo sweet… Loved the story the from perspective of a pie 😊
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