This dates back to the time when Mr Balanced was the man in making and the Mrs Chitterchatter was Ms Chitterchatter, a fine young woman … Circa 1990’s.

The campus placement week had just begun.That day, both had received the final offer letter from the corporate houses of their choice, assuring the bright future ahead.  Its been a year as well, that they were dating each other. The post graduate course at the university had charted a new course of life for them.

“Lets celebrate”, she said animatedly.
“Why not”, he said with equal measure of calmness.
“Wish to throw the caution to air this time”, she asserted.
Growing little suspicious, he demanded to know, “Mean you wish to spike up your spirit?”
She replied with a dimpled smile.

They decided to have candle light dinner at Ambrosia. Located around the corner of the hill, overlooking the cityscape, Ambrosia was a fine dine restaurant and bar. The light and live music performances added to its rustic charm. Once settled both were busy browsing through the menu. As she could not find what she was looking for, she called for the waiter.

“The mocktails and drinks menu card please”, she requested.

The waiter, an old man in his 50’s was slightly surprised. Checking his puzzled looks, she greeted him with her raised shoulders and a broad smile. Mr Balanced witnessed the spoken and unspoken dialogue between Ms Chitterchatter and the waiter. Quickly glancing through the freshly fetched menu card, she placed the order.

“Glenlivet Single malt. On the rocks”, said she.

“Sweet lime soda without ice”, he added.

The old man jotting down the order was bewildered again.

The tall glass of sweet lime soda with a lime wedge stuck on its brim was served to Ms Chitterchatter. The silky golden whisky was poured into the tumbler that was half full with ice, right in front of Mr Balanced. Mr Balanced signaled at Ms Chitterchatter with a wink. She waited till the waiter turned around and walked away. Mr Balanced pushed the tumbler towards Ms Chitterchatter. She in turn picked up the mocktail glass and placed it in-front of him.

“Cheers”, he said, raising the toast. “Cheers”, she joined in!

They were seen sipping their drink and discussing sweet little nothing, in no time. Their bliss did not last long. Every now and then a new waiter would turn up and seek to know politely if they would like to order something. She got irritated as every time it was she who was being requested. Mr Balanced picked up the threads and bust out loud when he saw another waiter approaching Ms Chitterchatter.

Back in 90’s, in a mini metro town, it was a rare sight to watch a young lady enjoying her ‘spirits’ while her teetotaler partner with a glass of ‘mocktail’. Explaining the concern of the staffers at the restaurant to Ms Chitterchatter, Mr Balanced could not resist laughing. They placed the order for dinner which was served in no time.

Post dinner, when it was time to say adieu, Ms Chitterchatter got up and walked without fumbling…much to the astonishment of the waiters around.

Checking the surprised looks on the old waiter’s face, she said “All is Well!


Picture courtesy Pixabay
This post is part of #A2ZChallenge


Top post on IndiBlogger, the biggest community of Indian Bloggers


68 Comments

Ramya Abhinand · April 1, 2018 at 11:33 am

Oh my god… but totally get it. way back in the nineties the whole social set up was so different. Women would rarely be at a restaurant, with a many who isnt really a relative, plus having a drink or two was a total no no- Anyways All is well now 🙂

    Anagha Yatin · April 1, 2018 at 8:00 pm

    Reflecting back gives opportunity to appreciate the progress. Thanks for visiting and sharing your views Ramya.

Varad · April 1, 2018 at 1:23 pm

Very good start, Anagha. Love the way you’ve written this one with a lot of tongue-in-cheek. I’m very interested in reading the adventures of Ms. Chitterchatter and Mr. Balanced.

    Anagha Yatin · April 1, 2018 at 8:02 pm

    Thanks Varad for uplifting remarks. Mrs Chitterchatter and Mr Balanced will soon be joined by their brood. Glad that you paid visit to my blog.

Akshata Ram · April 1, 2018 at 1:41 pm

Not just in those times, I am sure people would be bewildered seeing a woman drink and a tetotaller guy even today. Try walking into a wine shop

    Anagha Yatin · April 1, 2018 at 8:06 pm

    True that Akshata. However such moments give us enough fodder to enjoy the life. Thanks for visiting and sharing your views.

Varsh · April 1, 2018 at 2:21 pm

This happened with me when I was in a typical bandhani salwar suit and ordered Vodka from the Cocktail menu card while the husband scanned the food menu.
You are one wild lady, Anagha. Hope the poor 50 yo waiter didn’t faint after you left. 😀

    Anagha Yatin · April 1, 2018 at 8:08 pm

    What a mocktail… bandhani suit and vodaka! Desi belle having fun. More power to you!
    Thanks Varsh for visiting and sharing this memory.

Mayuri Nidigallu · April 1, 2018 at 2:26 pm

The Adventures of Ms Chitterchatter and family!
Your fun 1st post has whetted my appetite for more, Anagha!
Brilliant start to the AtoZChallenge!

    Anagha Yatin · April 1, 2018 at 8:10 pm

    Your uplifting remarks always give me the necessary morale boost, Mayuri. Thanks for visiting and showing keen interest in Sun kissed and minty fresh life of nutty family.

knightofsteel · April 1, 2018 at 2:39 pm

You have gotten so good at this Anagha! I have been following you for a long time and am so happy to see your development. Looking forward to the whole month of posting 🙂

    Anagha Yatin · April 1, 2018 at 8:11 pm

    Thank you so much Arjun for kind words and for encouraging my spirits. With you in the troupe, A to Z is going to be great outing.

syncwithdeep · April 1, 2018 at 4:41 pm

Lovely read. This is reminding me that happened something yesterday. While walking along the boat quay, we saw an Indian lady in a fine anarkali with long hair reaching her legs, with a decent bindi sitting on a high chair and ordering her favourite shot, not bothered about her husband who was sitting beside her very calm 🙂

    Anagha Yatin · April 1, 2018 at 8:15 pm

    It appears to me that its a universal phenomenon now!
    Thanks for visiting and sharing this lovely piece of experience.

Sonia Chatterjee Banerjee · April 1, 2018 at 4:55 pm

You have written it so well. The reaction doesn’t differ much today. Certain habits are still much stereotyped – a man can drink while a lady should sip the lemon juice. Waiting for tomorrow’s post.

    Anagha Yatin · April 1, 2018 at 8:17 pm

    Thank you Sonia for visiting and appreciating!
    Choice of drink even today raises the eyebrow of many. And that gives us opportunity to weave a story around it!

Neha · April 1, 2018 at 5:12 pm

Haha! This was fun. I can imagine the scene and can’t stop laughing. Poor waiter 😛

    Anagha Yatin · April 1, 2018 at 8:18 pm

    Neha, I wonder how the waiter might have narrated the incident to his family…hahaha! Thanks for visiting.

Iain Kelly · April 1, 2018 at 5:15 pm

Enjoyed this – loved the names of the characters 🙂

    Anagha Yatin · April 1, 2018 at 8:24 pm

    Thanks Ian. Glad you liked it.

sukrisblog · April 1, 2018 at 5:38 pm

Haha! this was one hilarious post. I could just visualise the waiter and his expressions!!

    Anagha Yatin · April 1, 2018 at 8:31 pm

    Thanks Sudha.

Surbhi Prapanna · April 1, 2018 at 6:28 pm

Such a great theme Anagha, and I am sure you had much more great stories to share with us. enjoyed reading this one. and best of luck for challenge. here is my first entry for #BlogchatterA2zhttps://surbhiprapannablogs.blogspot.com/2018/03/blogchatteratozchallenge-introduction.html

    Anagha Yatin · April 1, 2018 at 8:36 pm

    Thanks Surabhi.
    Believe every one has story to tell, every day!

Deepa · April 1, 2018 at 6:36 pm

Haha..enjoyed reading this. It was a fun read. Cant wait to read next one. Happy A to Z!

    Anagha Yatin · April 1, 2018 at 9:21 pm

    Thanks Deepa.

Gleefulblogger · April 1, 2018 at 6:45 pm

Oh my gosh…. I am smiling ear to ear reading this post. I am in love with Ms. Chitterchatter she is as bubbly today as was that time.

    Anagha Yatin · April 1, 2018 at 9:22 pm

    Hahaha…the nuts dont change! Thanks Dipika.

Varsha Kalelkar · April 1, 2018 at 7:52 pm

Wow your writing made me a bit awkward, I felt like watching you over and eavesdropping on your private conversation.

I would love to do this in some smaller town even today, my cheap thrills.

    Anagha Yatin · April 1, 2018 at 9:24 pm

    I was waiting for you Varsha! Thanks dear!!!!
    And for the adventure you mentioned, I will join u. Lets have double fun, what say?

Nupur Maskara (@nuttynupur) · April 1, 2018 at 9:26 pm

Nice reversing of stereotypes!

    Anagha Yatin · April 2, 2018 at 9:02 pm

    Thanks Nupur.

CRD · April 1, 2018 at 9:52 pm

Nice reflection of the social mindset, probably even from the early 2000s. I must admit I had the same mindset only a decade ago. Of course, with more exposure, things have changed over the years.

Nice post.

    Anagha Yatin · April 2, 2018 at 9:04 pm

    Thanks for visiting and sharing your honest thoughts! Glad you liked it.

Jean · April 1, 2018 at 10:07 pm

Popping in to visit for the A-Z Challenge from Oil4Tinman (https://oil4tinman.com/learn-about-oils-here/). Have a great month.

    Anagha Yatin · April 2, 2018 at 9:04 pm

    Thanks for dropping by. Visited and commented on your post as well!

Vinayak · April 1, 2018 at 10:10 pm

Very well written Anagha. Description was so engrossing, that I felt it ended abruptly. All the best forthe contest.

    Anagha Yatin · April 2, 2018 at 9:05 pm

    Thank you so much Vinu Dada!

Kshama · April 1, 2018 at 10:29 pm

Nicely narrated. Just imagining the difference in the scene between today and ninety’s.
With lots of wishes awaiting more challenging A2Z.

    Anagha Yatin · April 2, 2018 at 9:05 pm

    Thanks Kshama.

Neha · April 1, 2018 at 10:55 pm

Nicely written and a great way to start a series. Looking forward to reading more!

    Anagha Yatin · April 2, 2018 at 9:06 pm

    Thanks Neha!

Vidhi Jadeja · April 1, 2018 at 11:48 pm

Wow you described each and every details amazingly… looking forward too other short stories!!! Really love the names ?

    Anagha Yatin · April 2, 2018 at 9:13 pm

    Thanks Vidhi.

Shalini? (@kohleyedme) · April 2, 2018 at 12:52 am

Haha! I can only imagine! Btw true story? 😛

    Anagha Yatin · April 2, 2018 at 9:14 pm

    Isnt life itself a fiction? Hahaha!
    Thanks Shalini for visiting.

Saksham Vipanan · April 2, 2018 at 1:45 am

अनघा, तुझे इंग्रजी मधील स्फुट लेख व कथा अप्रतिम असतात. मला सुद्धा सहज वाचता येतात आणि बराचसा आशय पण कळतो. खरच तुझ आङ्ग्ल भाषेवरिल प्रभुत्व हेवा वाटणार आहे. तुझ्या लेखन कार्यात तू उत्तरोत्तर यशाची उच्चतम शिखरे पादाक्रांत करशील यात कोणालाही संदेह नसावा !
तुझ्या लेखनातील वसंत एप्रिल महिन्यात अधिकच बहारदार होवो. ??

? All The Best.

-सदानंद रानडे
(सक्षम विपणन)

    Anagha Yatin · April 2, 2018 at 9:15 pm

    Thank you so much Nandu for your lovely wishes and uplifting remarks.

Lavanya · April 2, 2018 at 2:14 am

That’s hilarious! Chitterchatter and Balanced. That said, your observation of the 90’s is spot on. Amazing to look back and see the progress we have all made.

    Anagha Yatin · April 2, 2018 at 9:16 pm

    Thanks Lavanya for visiting. Dying to read your tales…

Stepheny Forgue Houghtlin · April 2, 2018 at 6:02 am

Stopping by on the first dday of the Challenge as we all begin with the letter A. I love this about the month of April. The opportunity to make new friends. If you have time, come and join me as I post about my theme this year….Bookshops. If you are a reader and love bookshops as I do, you will enjoy this tour. Have fun. Stephenyhoughtlin.com

    Anagha Yatin · April 2, 2018 at 9:20 pm

    Thanks for visting.

moondustwriter · April 2, 2018 at 6:27 am

Delightful short story. It’s so true that things have changed a great deal. Cheers to the 90s.
Happy A to Zing!!!

    Anagha Yatin · April 2, 2018 at 9:21 pm

    Thanks and wish you the same!

#Queen · April 2, 2018 at 9:11 am

Such a cute story.
So nostalgic.
I think this year again i am going to love all your posts

Mrs Dash’s Toungue Twister for A

    Anagha Yatin · April 2, 2018 at 9:24 pm

    So glad to see you visiting me! Hopping over to your post…

Ruchie · April 2, 2018 at 1:21 pm

I am back to so many memories… perfect start

Disha · April 2, 2018 at 8:40 pm

I like your word play, describing each emotion & the surrounding ambiance in detail. 90’s was a tough time for a women to be an independent spirit. Looking forward to more of their adventures.

numerounity · April 2, 2018 at 10:07 pm

That was a nice read!

http://www.hautekutir.com

    Anagha Yatin · April 2, 2018 at 10:15 pm

    Thank you Ekta for visiting. Glad you liked it.

jrvincente · April 2, 2018 at 11:14 pm

Nice! I love the way you bring us back to that time period, socially.

Jayden R. Vincente
Erotic Fiction Writer

    Anagha Yatin · April 3, 2018 at 6:20 am

    Thank you Jayden for visiting.

Ravish Mani · April 2, 2018 at 11:21 pm

Wonderful read, Anagha. Quite liked Ms Chitterchatter. I’m wondering is she still the same after being Mrs. Chitterchatter?

I don’t think much has changed. Remember the movie cocktail, Deepika as a girlfriend was perfect but not as a wife. The mentality is still the same, which is reflected in the movie Pink.

Anyway, enjoyed reading a lot. It reminded me of my college days. 🙂

    Anagha Yatin · April 3, 2018 at 6:20 am

    In days to come, we will discover how Mrs Chitterchatter fairs as a wife? Believe Mr Balanced will have a part to play.
    Thanks for visiting and showing keen interest in the nutty family.

mahekg · April 3, 2018 at 11:57 am

Way back then I am sure it was an unusual sight but an experience to cherish for life I am sure

Aesha · April 4, 2018 at 1:05 pm

women drinking and smoking will be judged always. Such an incident happened with me just recently. My hubby wasnt drinking as he had to drive us back home so he asked for Fresh lime Soda and my other friend placed the order a bottle of wine for us. He was served the wine, and this happened just last month in one of the best restaurants of Mumbai – not a small town.

An@m! · April 5, 2018 at 11:50 pm

Hahaha… That was fun to read. Interesting names. I started reading late but will surely read all your posts.

Medha Nagur · April 13, 2018 at 12:24 pm

Ah! Drink on the rocks in 90’s for women was like a too brave. But I would like to know the real names for sure. Heading to the next chapter…

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