It had happened to me. I never thought it would but it did. I, who could conjure up a story from thin air and weave words around it in no time had hit writer’s block. How embarrassing! With ten titles to my credit, seven bestsellers amongst them, within a span of five years, I was the most sought-after writer in the country. People lapped up my novels ravenously and God knows I gave them plenty to sink their teeth into. My editor suggested that a solo trip to a remote location could set the ball rolling. So here I was, sitting in a coffee shop in a quaint town in Uttaranchal helping myself to endless cups of coffee and drowning in my huge stack of unread books. After all, reading is a writer’s food for thought, research, and homework, isn’t it?

This coffee shop quickly became a part of my routine ever since I got here a week ago. Located at the far end of the main road, it is easy to miss with all the foliage around it. That makes it all the more alluring though since few people drop in to disturb the tranquility on this small island of peace. It is owned by a cheerful elderly childless couple who love to proudly chat about the freedom fighters in their family, their beautiful culture, and cricket. Destiny got me here and that wrong turn to my hotel on these unknown roads turned out to be a pleasant mistake. Surprisingly, they recognised me the moment I walked in the door on my first day. The young-at-heart lady sure is current on more than films, fashion, and gossip.

Lined with faded pink wallpaper in abstract design, the coffee shop has a simple but tastefully done décor. Sparkling white comfortable chairs with faded pink cushions and low tables with a lamp for the centerpiece instantly give it a classy, welcoming look. Two of them face the road while remaining eight are strewn across the carpeted floor giving the patrons space and privacy. One such table for two on the inner side has been my sanctum every day for the last seven days. Thankfully, they haven’t objected to me littering it with a stack of books, my laptop, camera and empty cups and plates. It’s an added bonus that the coffee, pastries, cookies, and snacks are as good as the décor, if not better.

Foreigners, tourists, Yoga instructors, students, lovestruck couples, trekkers, marathoners, and more, I’ve glimpsed a bit of each from over my book. My dark spectacles allow me to spy observe effortlessly while keeping others at bay. I would be lying if I didn’t confess that my creative juices should’ve flown by now. Love, history, natural beauty, food, sports, and conversations with strangers, if all this isn’t inspiring then what is? Why is my mind not tossing them all together in the grinder and whipping up a tale like it normally does? Which magical moment is it waiting for?

Then one day it happened. As I was bracing myself for another fruitless writing day, in walked a girl in her twenties, a 50-something woman, and their gorgeous cream Labrador. One look at them and I knew I had found my story. Seemingly traditional mother and modern daughter, their displeasure for each other was in stark contrast to their love for the dog. Both of them exaggeratedly fussed over him and neither registered nor heeded the ‘No pets allowed’ sign on the front door. Who brings a dog to a coffee shop anyway, I silently wondered.

Excited in anticipation, I couldn’t contain the butterflies in my tummy as a story swiftly started writing itself in the back of my mind. “A girl, a woman, and a dog walk into a coffee shop and…”

This post is a part of Blogchatter Blog Hop

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla and sponsored by BakezbyDaizy.

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