Details that matter

A few random sea shells that she collected from Pondicherry beach
”You could use them for your next art project”

And I couldn’t help but smile.

“Tell me you love me, without you telling me that”
she riddled him last night and he pretended not to understand
The next evening he brought her a packet of Little Hearts biscuits

And she couldn’t help but smile.

Lost in discussions ranging from movies and world politics
To last night’s dosa gone wrong
Listening intently she took the paper straw from his ice tea,
Placed it balancing on the glass rim
”You don’t want a soggy straw”

And he couldn’t help but smile.

Pouring over pages on a busy Monday morning
The bus jumped a bump or two
And each time her head hit the back of his palm
Instead of the metal handlebar.

And she couldn’t help but smile.

“I’m having a hard day”, I texted on a grueling Wednesday
Few hours later he was there at the door.
A bottle of wine and some takeout
”Let’s compensate and have a great night!”

And I couldn’t help but smile.

Those, “drive safe” and “did you reach home?” texts
The way we hold hands crossing busy roads
And those spontaneous kisses on the forehead

It’s those little details really,
Is all that matters truly.