6. The cafe

Naman's POV

When she left me 5 years ago, I didn't even know what to do without her by my side. We did have friends, but none of them made me comfortable the way she did.

When I met her on the first day, I couldn't believe my eyes. I thought it was one of the many dreams I had after she left.

I didn't think much about us when we were best friends back then, but after she left, I realized, she meant more to me than I had thought.

But I thought it was too late, I thought of forgetting her, maybe there was nothing meant to be between us. She might have even forgotten me.

But all my thoughts were proved wrong, when she hugged me. The hug spoke volumes. It was not only a hug, it was a reassurance, that nothing has changed.

I won't say that the feelings I have for her is love, but whatever it is, it is really really beautiful. She is my comfort, something that is difficult to find.

After she left, I completed my 10th standard in Delhi and for my higher studies, I came to Mumbai.

I met Sid and Rishi in class 11. They welcomed me with open arms. After Aditi, they are the best thing happened to me. I am really grateful for their friendship.

Right now, I am standing near a jhumka stall. I overheard Aditi's conversation and couldn't help but think of buying her - not the whole stall, obviously - atleast a few pairs of jhumkas.

I stood there, contemplating whether to buy it or not, I bit my lip, thinking what to do, when Rishi came by my side.

"Kaha kho gaya hai?", he asked.

[Where are you lost?]

"Should I buy it for her? ", I asked, more to myself.

He looked at the jhumkas and smiled, "I really wish I had someone I could gift these jhumkas to, you have one, so you should definitely buy it."

I took a deep breath, "Okay, I will buy them."

I bought a few pairs, that I knew she would love and gift wrapped them.

I looked at Rishi, who was lost in thought. He wants someone he can cherish too, someone he can count on. People think that he is just a flirt, who doesn't care about feelings.

But we know, how desperately he wants a loyal partner, someone who won't leave his side, like others did.

I placed my hand on his shoulded, bringing him back to reality, and said, "Someone might be out there waiting for you too, you just have to be patient."

He gave me a bittersweet smile and said, "Not everyone is as lucky as you, bro, so please, don't let her go."

I nodded and said, "Chal ab, Radhika bol rhi thi ki usse tujhse kuch kaam hai. "

[Come on, Radhika was saying that she had some work with you. ]

His brows furrowed his confusion and he murmured, "Mujh se?"

[With me? ]

I nodded my head and we walked out, only to find Radhika waiting for Rishi, standing near the stall.

A small smile crept on my face as I thought, 'Someone is waiting for you too, Rishi'

He made his way towards Radhika and I started searching for Aditi.

There she was, looking around the stalls, all by herself.

I first thought, I would just give these jhumkas to her. But I don't have that much confidence. What will I say if she asks me why I am gifting them?

I got an idea, I immediately took a paper from my bag and wrote something on it and prepared a note. I kept the note with the jhumkas and made my way towards her.

Before she could realize I was there, I opened her bag and said, "Are Adi , what is this? Why is your bag's zip open?"

Startled, she was about to turn around, but I didn't let her saying, "Wa-wait Adi, I'll close it for you"

And while closing the bag, I cleverly put the jhumkas inside it.

I sighed in relief and smiled to myself.

I followed her as she walked from one stall to another, not buying anything. I asked, "Won't you buy anything?"

She just shrugged and said, "No, I got my things already, I am just window shopping."

I just blinked at her and didn't say anything. Seriously? She is roaming here and there, for the last 15 minutes, doing what? Window shopping?

But this is us. We don't need to talk to each other to pass our time, just being with each other is enough.

We continued strolling around the market, when I saw Siddharth, but what is he doing near a dupatta stall? Then I saw Ruhi there too.

And Siddharth is - Wait! Siddharth is helping RUHI finding a matching dupatta. He never even helped me buy a T-shirt.

After sometime, we met Rishi and Radhika, Radhika looked a bit flustered, but I ignored it. I told everyone about what Siddharth was doing, they were equally shocked.

Rishi said, "He never helped me buy a bloody shirt in all these years and now!"

I said, "Aurat ka chakkar, babu bhaiya, aurat ka chakkar." To which, Radhika and Rishi chuckled, but Aditi gave me a side eye. Oops!

Just then, Ruhi and Siddharth came and we obviously teased them, after that we decided to go home.

I can't wait to see her reaction!

Radhika's POV

After buying my things, I was really getting bored. Aditi wasn't done with her shopping, Ruhi and Siddharth were busy in themselves and Naman is standing there in front of the jhumka stall for the last 5 minutes.

I told him to ask Rishi to meet me. I don't even know why I asked for Rishi. I mean, no one else is free for me and, maybe...just maybe, I like spending time with him.

Rishi came to me after another 5 minutes and asked with a smirk,

"I heard you were looking for me, missing me already?"

I replied, "I wasn't missing you, okay? It's just, no one else was there for me, you know... So, I - I just thought I could call you."

Why the hell am I nervous.

He said, "You shouldn't lie honey, just say that you were missing me."

Why does he have to call me honey?!

I could feel my ears burning. I have never blushed so easily in my whole life, but him, just calling me honey, makes me flushed.

I immediately composed myself and said, "Sto-stop calling me honey!" My voice betraying me.

His smirk widened, "Why don't you just admit that you are into me."

I said, "What? Definitely not!"

That wasn't a lie, right? I mean, I might be attracted to him, just a little, but nothing more, right?

RIGHT?

He just shrugged and said, "Whatever lets you sleep tonight."

I just rolled my eyes and asked teasingly, "How many girls have you called honey before?"

He thought about it for a second and said, "I know you won't believe me, but surprisingly, you are the first person I've given a nickname to!"

I rolled my eyes and said sarcastically, "Yeah sure!"

He said, "Aree, I am serious, I have genuinely never given a nickname to a girl before!", and came in front of me and continued, "Look in my eyes, you will see truth, see!"

I looked into his eyes, and that was the biggest mistake I did. As soon as I made eye contact, I got lost in his eyes. I think I might need a map.

As if reading my thoughts, he said, "I think I need a map.", I replied, still too lost to find words, "Huh?"

He said with a cheeky smile, "I think I need a map, because I just got lost in your eyes!"

I rolled my eyes and said, "So cliche!", completely ignoring the fact that I just thought the same thing and also, my increasing heartbeat. But why does he always have to say what is on my mind? Am I thinking too loud again?

Whatever.

As we were walking, I was looking here and there, when I saw a very beautiful ring on a stall. I immediately made my way towards the stall and Rishi followed suit.

The ring was really pretty, a simple one, with a single diamond in the center. I showed it to him, and he smiled and said, "You have a beautiful choice, Honey!" I rolled my eyes at his nickname but couldn't hold back my smile.

He insisted on paying but I politely refused. Just as I was about to wear it, the ring slipped from my hand and fell down. I was about to pick it, but Rishi was faster, so he did it for me. I forwarded my hand to take the ring from him, but instead of giving it to me, he put it in my finger himself. My eyes widened slightly.

I was about to say something, but he interrupted me casually saying, "Come on.", as if he didn't just do something so unexpected. I was just reeling on what just happened, when Aditi and Naman came towards us.

After some time, we decided to go home. As I was walking home, I couldn't keep this to myself, so I immediately called the girls. As soon as they picked the call, I said dramatically, "Guys I think I am engaged!"

They didn't even react anything and together said in a bored tone, "What is it, Radhika?"

I said in mock anger, "I told you guys such a big thing, and you guys aren't even interested?"

Ruhi said, "I am cutting the call-", I interrupted her immediately and then told them the whole story. After listening to me, they laughed and Aditi said, "You really want to get engaged to him, don't you?"

I replied, "Shut up!", I continued, "By the way Aditi, did Naman finally gift you the jhumka?"

Confused, she asked, "What jhumka?"

I was about to say something, when Ruhi interrupted me, "Jhumka gira reee Bareli ke bazaar me! Jhumka gira jhum-", we stopped her saying, "Shut up Ruhi!"

I said, "Anyways, Aditi, I saw Naman standing by the jhumka stall, so I just thought...."

Aditi said, "No, he didn't give me anything, and... I am going now, so bye!", and hurriedly cut the call. Ruhi said, "Oops! Anyways, I'll leave too. I am already getting late, bye."

After some time, I reached home and freshened up. I was sitting calmly, when my eyes drifted towards the ring. A smile instantly crept on my face and now I was grinning like a maniac.

What the hell is happening to me?

Aditi's POV

After coming back from the market, I thought of what Radhika said.

Why was Naman standing by that stall? He didn't give me anything, is there someone else?

My heart dropped in my stomach just by the thought of it.

I tried calming myself down. It's his life Aditi, so maybe, just maybe, he has someone in his life. Don't think too much, okay?

To brush these thoughts out of my mind, I decided to paint. It calms my mind completely. It's like my therapy.

I took my bag, as a few materials were kept in it.

I opened the bag and found a gift, with a note.

Confused, I took it out and opened the note. It read,

' If not boyfriend, then best friend! '

My heart skipped a beat. 

Naman.

I opened the box and found a set of jhumkas. My face broke into a big grin.

So he did buy the jhumkas, but not for isn't anyone else, for me!

I immediately took my phone, for calling him, but just then, my mom came into my room, saying, "Aditi, it's time to sleep. Keep your phone down."

I sighed and said, "Yes mom. "

Great. I won't be able to call him now, so I just texted him a thank you with a heart emoji and slept with a grin.

Ruhi's POV

Today, I am in a really good mood. I don't even know the reason. Some days are like, when you wake up, you feel unusually fresh and it's today for me.

So I quickly got ready and grabbed my scooter keys.

The whole ride was pleasant, good weather, less traffic. What else do we need?

I reached the college and went straight to the canteen. Aditi and Radhika will be here in a few minutes.

I sat there, waiting for them, looking at the door, but to my misfortune, it was Mr. Selfish.

Why, God why? I was in such a good mood.

He spotted me and walked towards my table, "Where are the others?"

No manners? No greetings, nothing?

I gasped dramatically, "Oh my God! They were in my pocket a few minutes ago! I think they fell."

He rolled his eyes and settled on the seat in front of me.

We sat there quietly, waiting for the others, when a guy came to me and said, "Hii!"

I raised an eyebrow and replied, "Hii?"

He gave me a wide grin and said, "I am Rohan, nice to meet you." And forwarded his hand.

I gave him an unsure smile and said, "Ruhi." And shook his hand.

He said, "I know! I saw you in the lecture yesterday and I was in awe! You said so well!"

Ohh! That's the case. I have a fan.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Mr. Selfish rolling his eyes.

I smirked and said, "Oh, yes Rohan, thank you. Atleast someone realizes what is correct!"

Rohan beamed at me and said, "I should be the one to thank you, I got to know so much yesterday."

I smiled at him and said, "That's so sweet of you!"

He asked me, "Friends?"

I blinked at him, "Umm.. sure."

Just then, the others came, Aditi asked, "What is going on here?"

Rohan said, "Hey guys, well, I was just admiring Ruhi-", we all looked at him with wide eyes and Mr. Selfish coughed. He continued, "Ru-Ruhi's efforts towards studies!"

I suppressed my laugh at that. He said, "Okay, Ruhi, I'll go... Byee."

I just smiled at him, and he went away.

Rishi asked, "What was that even?"

I just shrugged and said, "Oh, he was just a fan of mine, you know."

I heard Mr. Selfish snort but decided to ignore him.

After the college was over, we went home.

I freshened up and left for the cafe. I like being self-dependent. I don't like to go to my parents every other day asking for money, and having an expensive hobby like reading, wasn't doing any good.

I greeted the other staff members and started doing my work. Being a waitress was a simple and easy going task. Sometimes, it becomes difficult, if there are some weird customer, but most of the time, it's just a piece of cake. The point that my boss makes it difficult is a whole different thing.

Anyway.

I was doing my work when the door opened and entered someone I least expected right now.

Mr. Selfish!

He entered, in all his glory, hands in his pocket, hair perfectly set, his eyes, beautiful as always.

For a second, I was just lost in him, the way he walked, casually, but still, gracefully.

I got out of my trance when two more people entered behind him, Naman and Rishi.

They hadn't seen me yet. They sat down at a nearby table and started looking around. That's when their eyes landed on me.

Rishi and Naman's eyes instantly lit up, though a bit surprised, Mr. Selfish, however, didn't react, as if finding me in a waitress' uniform was nothing new.

I made my way towards them and Rishi said, "Who do we have here!"

I smiled at them and said in a formal tone, "What would you like to have?"

Naman said, "Drop that tone already, Ruhi! Why didn't you tell us you work here?"

I just shrugged and said, "You never asked."

Rishi said, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, "Okay, whatever, but it's so cool, isn't it? I mean you working here and us getting a discount!"

I rolled my eyes at him and said, "Don't even think of that, okay? I don't own this cafe; I just work here."

Mr. Selfish said, "Yeah, we don't need anyone's favor anyway. "

I narrowed my eyes at him, "Can't you just shut up?"

He gave me a smile - fake, yet beautiful - and said, "No."

I made a face at him. "Anyway guys, what would you like to have?" I asked.

Rishi leaned forward, resting an elbow on the table, and his head on his palm, and said, "Whatever this charming waitress would get us!".

I rolled my eyes at his words and out of the corner of my eyes, I could see my boss looking at me with narrowed eyes.

I said in a serious yet low voice, "Guys please, order something or else my boss will kill me!"

Rishi again said, "No one's gonna touch you until we are here so don't you worry! "

I smiled at him in gratitude and said, "Thanks Rishi, but you need not worry, I can handle myself."

Siddharth said, in a frustrated tone, "Can we just get done with the orders?"

I rolled my eyes and started taking their orders, Siddharth said, "I would like to have Mushroom pizza."

I answered, in a formal tone, "Unfortunately, mushrooms are out of stock."

Finding a reason to annoy me, he pressed on, "But I want it, why do you have it in the menu, if you don't have them!"

I took a deep breath and said, "Can't you just order something else?"

He calmly answered, "No."

I sighed in frustration and practically whined, "Why?"

He said, "Because I thought that this charming waitress, would get anything for us."

Frustrated, I said, "Listen, don't mess with me right now, this isn't the place!"

He said firmly, "I. Want. It."

I sighed again, "Why don't you understand! I am at work, and my boss is going to kill me!"

He just shrugged and said, "I don't care."

I snorted and said, my voice increasing with every word, "Yeah, why would you? You are just selfish and arrogant and- Ugh!"

I suddenly realized where I was and what my tone was, and saw people looking in our direction.

We heard from the table nearby, "Can't this guy just understand, he is so heartless! "

Siddharth clenched his teeth and fists at those words. Sensing the tension, Naman immediately spoke, "He'll get the veg pizza!"

And mouthed me, 'Leave'

I immediately left from there.

When I got back to the kitchen, the boss gave me a cold look. He doesn't like when I talk much with the customers.

I ignored him and continued my work. After finishing their meal, I went towards them with the bill. They paid the bill, and Siddharth came to me.

I looked up at him with my eyebrows raised. He smirked at me, "Hii!"

I frowned, "What do you want?"

He said, "I just want to talk to you."

What the hell is he up to?

I looked around, where did Rishi and Naman go?

I looked up at him and said, "I don't want to talk to you."

He took a step closer and said, "Okay then, let's fight."

Frustrated, I asked, my voice slightly raised, "What the hell is wrong with you?"

Siddharth said, "Hmm... Let me think, what is wrong with me? I know! I am selfish, arrogant and heartless, right?"

I gave him an amused look and said, "Yes! You are right for the first time! You are selfish, arrogant and heart-, wait, I never said you're heartless!"

His expressions changed slightly, he asked, his voice low, "So, you think I have a heart?"

I blinked, not expecting that question, I replied, "I obviously think you have a heart! No man would help a small child, if he didn't have a heart."

His face softened ever so lightly. Just when he was about to say something, I heard my boss call me, "Ruhi Mehta!"

Oh shit!

I closed my eyes tightly, cursing under my breath, and when I opened them, I saw Siddharth smirking.

Wait! It was his plan, to divert my mind from work. I gave him a glare and turned around to face the storm coming towards me.

But I felt a grip on my wrist, I looked back to see Mr. Selfish holding it. Before I could say anything, he jerked me towards himself and I collided with his chest. Our faces inches apart.

He spoke in a dangerously low voice, "You don't mess with me, Ruhi Mehta, it won't be good for you!" And abruptly left me and walked out.

I stood there, frozen, processing what just happened. My heart was rapidly beating in my chest, as if it would fall out anytime. My breathing, uneven.

I came out of my thoughts when I again heard my boss calling me. I quickly made my way towards him.

There he stood, fuming. I gulped, hard.

He finally spoke, gritting his teeth, "Ruhi Mehta, how careless can you be? Can't you see the customers waiting? Obviously not! How will you? When you are busy talking with your boyfriend? Go get a room if you want to do all these things! Don't you dare do all such vulgar acts in my cafe again!"

My eyes widened, I opened my mouth to speak, when he again said, "Not a word! As a penalty, your month's salary will be deducted. And yes, this is your last warning! No more words, out!"

I quietly left the kitchen and glanced at my watch; it was already time for me to leave. I was on the verge of crying, but I couldn't show my vulnerability to anyone.

I left the cafe, sat on the scooter, started it, and drove in full speed.

I went home and showered, thinking of what happened today, it wasn't about the money, it was about the insult. The way my boss judged me, the trick Siddharth played with me. Why? Because I called him selfish and arrogant? Where was the lie?

When I said that he has a heart, I meant it, but I think I was wrong, he is heartless.

I changed into my pajamas and went to bed. I immediately dozed off, tired from the day's events.

But before sleeping, there was only one thing on my mind. Siddharth Thakkar, be ready!