The Tea Bag

Picking up my coffee mug, I said, "Hey, come, let us have a cup of coffee, I am a bit stressed". Soon, Eli 'n' Pranav picked up their coffee cup, and along with Shweta, we all four went to the pantry room beside our ODC for some refreshment. Since Shweta didn't need coffee, she took my cup n started playing with the coffee machine, which was malfunctioning, since last few days. Pranav took coffee from the old coffee machine while Eli, with her cup of hot boiling water, was sipping the what so called 'Tetley tea bag' into the cup. I picked the Tetley box, and asked rest about its price. Eli replied that they are too costly and wondered how TCS affords it. Out of such curiosity, I picked one tea bag in my hand. Shweta came with tasteless coffee and handed over the cup to me ang said "Suyog, its already 5.55, and we are leaving after 5 mins". Hurriedly, drinking our coffee, we headed towards ODC, and finishing coffee with wafers, which were bought for Eli's birthday, packed our bags.

(Few moments later, at Security Check)

"Suyog, hurry up, or else we'll miss the train", Shweta said as she swiped her ID at the office door. For completing the formality of "Security", I took off my bag and put it on the tray residing on security guard's desk. Two guys were entering from the other side on their w

Advertisement

ay to the office after snacks. I had to wait as the 'Security Door' allows one person to pass through it. Shweta, who was standing behind me, was still thinking if she could catch the 6.15 train. As the guys passed through the door, I realized that I forgot to keep my mobile on the tray. I put my hand in pocket, took out my mobile and kept it on the tray. Something struck me that some items fell from my pocket while taking out my mobile. As I saw what it was, Shweta screamed and laughed as if she saw Rs. 2000 note. No friends, it was not a note or my TCS identity card like last time. To my surprise, it was none other than the tea bag, which unknowingly, I put into my pocket while hurrying out of the Pantry room. The guys also started laughing as if I stole it from the Pantry room. Feeling more embarrassed than ever, I picked that tea bag, put in my pocket, passed the security door, took my bag, and forwarded my steps towards the lift. Following me, Shweta handed me my mobile that I left on the tray. More embarrassed I felt when I realized that I was not able to explain the whole thing at that moment to her about how it all happened and I was not the culprit.

As I am writing this short story sitting at the window sit of the local train, the so-called 'Tetley tea bag' in my pocket is still laughing at me with an evil smile.