It was a Sunday and a special day for me in my otherwise mundane life as a retired person. I was expecting some important guests that day in the forenoon hours in connection with a marriage proposal in the family.
Pandemic restrictions due to Covid-19 though relaxed a little in the weekdays was, however, in full force in the weekends with imposition of shutdowns.
It was, thus, a misfortune of sorts that the day fell on a weekend only when all shops in the nearby markets were closed except the essential ones which included the eateries.
At about 8.00 am, I ventured out to fetch some snacks for the guests. To my bad luck, however, the most popular sweetmeat shop in the locality was closed.
I was, therefore, forced to look for some other shops and was happy to find one not very far away. But here again, I was unlucky since the shop didn't prepare the common items of snacks, like, vadas, samosas, cutlets, etc.
I could get one sweet item only, that is, chenapoda which is made of cheese extracted directly from cow's milk and baked under controlled conditions.
This item is a speciality in the state of Odisha and is liked by one and all. Luckily, the stuff available in the shop was fresh from the oven and seemed to be of good quality too. I felt satisfied with the purchase but as the occasion called for some elaborate arrangements, I had to get some other items as well.
After deliberating a while I thought of visiting a Cake shop a little far off to get some cakes and pastries.
Upon reaching the spot, I discovered a very prominent notice on the entrance of the shop to the effect that only online orders were allowed, meaning no off-the-shop sale was permitted.
For a moment, I felt a bit heartbroken. Nevertheless, mustering all courage at my command, I approached the shop. To my sweet surprise, I found some customers doing purchases inside.
It was, thus, obvious that the notice was an eyewash and intended to hoodwink the governmental regulations. I now made my entry to the shop with confidence.
After observing the available stuff, I decided to order a big cheese pizza and pastries. The salesman went about his job promptly.
While waiting for my orders to be delivered, it struck me that I could get some creme cakes also in place of a few pastries. It would cater for more varieties, I hoped.
But before I could finally decide upon the change, my packet was ready at the counter and bills were drawn up.
Since I was also getting late to receive the guests who were already on their way to my home, so I didn't find it feasible any more to re-order my requirements.
My packet, thus, delivered and the payments made, I left the shop hurriedly.
A nagging discomfort raged inside me nonetheless that I should have brought the cake which would have been a big hit for the occasion. But there was no way it could be helped now. Thus reconciled, I returned home not before picking up my guests on my way back as per intimation over cell phone. On reaching home, I delivered the snacks packets to my wife and sat down with the guests for a chat.
After the customary welcome drinks, plates of snacks were brought in. Lo n' behold !!! what did I see? The creme cakes, I so strongly desired to bring, were also there on the plates !!!
Next moment, however, I figured that, may be, my wife had bought them from the shop inside our apartment complex although the same was closed for last few days. I somehow felt it might have been reopened. So, I didn’t think much of it then even if some doubt lingered on in my mind.
After the guests had left and we were discussing about all that we observed about our guests and the prospects of the marriage proposal, etc. I inquired about the cakes of my wife as to who brought them.
She was rather surprised at the question and answered that who else would bring but me. Now, it was a real shock for me.
I described her the whole episode as happened in the shop. Frankly, I had no any possible explanations as to how the cakes which I neither ordered nor paid for were included in my orders.
Surely, it was a mistake on the part of the salesman but then why would he commit the same? There was not much rush in the shop, so chances of oversight was less.
Even so, if it is admitted that he included the item by mistake then why didn't he bill for the same?
And most importantly, why would he include the very item that I thought of in my mind but not any other one?
One may say it was just a coincidence and a very sweet coincidence for me for that matter.
But couldn't it be the result of telepathic communication as well prompting the salesman to include those cakes? What would you say?
.....The End.....
