DESIGN

My favorite old cafe was shut down from some time for renovation. All covered up with construction sheets till roof. Like a bride getting ready for the event. Everyone living around is eagerly waiting for its re-opening in next week. I always used to watch it while commuting to office, imagining how elegant it is going to be with its new architecture and design. I used to wonder why they thought of renovating it, as it is already so beautiful and well laid out. Everything was so much in harmony & flow smoothly.  Four pillars equally dissecting the floor, four rows of tables and four rectangle windows on each of the wall, four paintings of similar size hanging in between the windows. It was so charming so much in symmetry, so perfect.

A new girl is scheduled to join our department next week. After a long time, a new manpower is coming and that too a girl. So much excitement in the air, without saying everyone is tidying up their work station. Bachelors are poked to get ready and put their best foot forward. Some are day dreaming and imagining a beautiful girl, ideal personality, awesome life partner, so perfect.
  

Renovations are complete, café opened today. I am standing in front of it, dumbstruck & thoughtless. Its no where like my old charming café. Building has 2 elevations now instead of old one, both the elevations are different in size, shape & colors. There are odd numbered windows in oval shaped. Inside the pillars have been reduced and relocated, they are not parallel anymore and are full of advertisement. Tables are weird and all over the floor instead of in clean 4 rows earlier. My favorite corner is lost. Lights are sharp and spotty. People are going all crazy about the new look and appreciating its so much. But I am disappointed, not able to make sense of anything, I make way through the crowd to reach the counter and get my coffee. Found an empty table near the counter and settle down. Still not getting over the feeling of lack of symmetry and flow. Took my first sip of coffee and its same old divine taste, same aroma. I started to saw some familiar faces too. I guess things are same inside but from outside design has changed. Shapes are no longer symmetrical, seems like each thing has its own character and personality and it does not want to be necessary like others.  Some are saying design is in line with the new times and as per modern liking of the people. Wonder if design is adapting to people or people are adapting to design.  
  

New girl joined today. Purple hair with a baseball cap. All of us are standing in a circle around her, she is giving her introduction.

“……………this is all about my professional life. On the personal front, I am 32-year-old with 2 kids. Youngest one is eight months old and my eldest boy who is 14-year-old from my ex husband is babysitting for him today.  I am scheduled to marry in coming summer with the father of my youngest child. He proposed me last week for the marriage and I am so happy to accept that. We are going steady from last 2 years. I am so happy I found love of my life now.” Her eyes get wet while finishing her last sentence.
  

I will visit my café in the evening too, I need to adapt to changing design. Designs reflects where we are moving, how we are changing. Though coffee tastes the same but setting has changed.