between the slurps and the sips

there were large slices of  emptiness

like solitude in a crowded room

when tea slipped

dropping down the edge of her mouth

staining her newly bought sari

white with red polka dots

he reached out to wipe it off

his hand materializing  a hanky from nowhere

an  hour later ,he stood up to go

clutching his suit case

peering at his smart phone

& she not that smart, turned to her medicine pouch.