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Over Tea

"Here's the ring
and the ear-rings
you gave last Diwali."
"You can keep them."
"No."
"Tea?"
"Yes."
"The usual?
No sugar,
no milk?"
"The usual."
" "
"Yes?"
"Nothing."

"Your letters."
"Thanks."
"Your phone."
"That was a,
a gift."
"Give it,
to her. Not me."


" "
"Anything?"
"Nothing."
"Here's my share -
twenty-two rupees."
"Yes."



"Yes?"
"Uh!"
"Yes?"
"Oh, no.
Nothing."
"Bye, then."

(Reworked from Shadows)
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