Author's POV
The scent of freshly ground beans wafted through the air as Shree pushed the door to the bustling cafe. The gentle hum of the conversations and the occasional clinking of the cups created a lively yet relaxed atmosphere. Warm light filtered through the large windows casting a golden glow over the rustic wooden tables and the mismatched chairs that filled the space.
Shree scanned the cafe. A familiar barista with a vibrant green apron and welcoming smile caught her attention as she approached the counter.
“Hello there! What can I get for you, my dear ex-colleague?” The barista, Sneha , one of her friends in the cafe asked her playfully.
“No need to bother your muscles, just tell me where Aakash Bhaiya is?” Shree said, with a playful smile.
“Sure ma'am. He is over there waiting for your presence only.” Sneha said, pointing towards Aakash whose back was towards them.
Shree nodded her head at her and moved towards where Aakash was standing talking over the phone.
“Aakash bhaiya.” Shree called, catching his attention.
“Oh you are on time.” Aakash said, hanging up the call and turning towards her.
“Of course you know that quote — You should never be late for free treats.” Shree said, grinning.
“Yeah, I know that quote you made it right.” Aakash replied with a grin.
“𝑻𝒂𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒇 𝒌𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒚𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒌𝒓𝒊𝒚𝒂.” Shree replied.
[Thank you for the compliment.]
“If both of you are done then can we start our treat.” Divya, Aakash’s wife said.
“Yep! Let's go.” Both of them said in unison.
“Oh my! Are you both planning to make me diabetic patient.” Shree said, eyeing the table which was filled with different pastries, milkshakes, pies, and a cake.
“Why do you think so?” Aakash asked.
“Maybe because you are losing a beautiful, smart, talented, sweet, cute, and many more qualities filled employee that is me, so you thought why not make her a diabetic patient which will make her regret leaving our cafe. HaHaHa.” Shree said with a fake deep voice and Ravan laugh.
“How did you get to know this secret plan?” Aakash said with a fake shocked expression.
“I was right. You are such a backstabber.” Shree said with a fake hurt tone and expression.
“I am now rethinking the idea of giving you a farewell treat.” Aakash said, shaking his head at her drama.
“Fine. Fine. Let's start our treat. My mouth is watering.” Shree said, taking a seat.
So yes you heard—I mean read it correctly, her farewell treat means she is no longer a part time worker of this cafe as tomorrow she is getting an internship.
It's been five days since the sorry card incident in Rathore Mansion and also five days since she visited there. After that day in college she got to know about the upcoming internship interview for which she had to prepare and that's the reason she asked Laksh to put the project on hold for a few days.
Yesterday was her last day at the cafe as a part time worker. Hearing about her internship Aakash and Divya were very happy so they planned a farewell treat for her.
Even though she doesn't have any idea about the company, she is going to interview for an internship as it would be decided by the university. She is happy for tomorrow’s new beginning.
“Woah!.” Shree said, finishing the last piece of her cake. “Thank you for the treat Divya di.” She added.
“Oh hello, where is my thank?” Aakash said, crossing his arms over his chest.
“𝑴𝒖𝒋𝒆 𝒌𝒚𝒂 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒂. 𝑨𝒑𝒏𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒋𝒐 𝒌𝒂 𝒅𝒚𝒂𝒂𝒏 𝒌𝒉𝒖𝒅 𝒓𝒂𝒌𝒉𝒐. WhEre iS my ThAnKs?” Shree said, mimicking his voice, making him look at her with an open mouth.
[How do I know, take care of your own things.]
“It was my treat. Say thank you Aakash Bhaiya sweetly or else I will…I will make you wash all these dishes.” Aakash said, playfully mentally patting himself.
“Okay. I accept.” Shree replied, making Aakash smirk , his plan worked but it fell upon hearing her next words.
“Divya di wait for some minutes, I will be back quickly after washing these dishes.” Shree said, making Divya laugh at Aaksh’s expression.
“You!” Aakash hissed but then signed. “I will really miss you and your savage replies.”
“Of course. 𝑴𝒂𝒊 𝒉𝒖 𝒉𝒊 𝒊𝒕𝒏𝒊 𝒌𝒉𝒂𝒂𝒔.” Shree said with a playful wink making them smile.
[I am so special.]
“Okay leave this, Shree here I bought a gift for you.” Divya said, taking a gift bag from her side.
“Divya di, you didn't need to. You already did enough by giving me this treat.” Shree said, trying to deny.
“Why? You are my baby sis. And tomorrow my baby sister is taking a step towards her career so it's my responsibility to give her something which always motivates her.” Divya said, passing her the gift.
“Open it and see your dear motivators.” Aakash said.
Shree nodded and opened the gift excitedly, and just as she saw what was inside…
“OM MY KANHA JI! THE ALBUM OF THE BTS AND SEVENTEEN…
AHHHHHHH!!! MY MY POOR ARMYCARAT HEARTU.” She yelled excitedly, making everyone in the cafe flinch and turn their heads towards the trio.
“Ya, Don't yell, everyone is passing us weird looks.” Aakash hissed, putting his palm over her mouth to stop her.
“Oh my. Thank you so much Divya di.” Shree said, hugging Divya tightly.
“Okay now it's my turn.” Aakash said, taking out his present and passing it to her.
She opened the gift, and …
This time before she could say— shout in excitement, Aakash shushed her by putting his palm over her mouth.
He removed his hand after seeing her pleading puppy eyes.
“Thank you so much Aakash Bhaiya . I never knew you would give me my favourite BL books that too in hardcover version. Awww” She said, trying her best to control her excitement, while pulling his cheeks.
“I am gonna miss you so sooo much.” She said, tears gathering in the corner of her eyes. She spent more than a year in this cafe and they became a family to her. They always treated her like their own sister. “ I love you both. You guys are the best Bhaiya and Bhabi.” She said, hugging both of them.
“We are gonna miss you too, kiddo.” Both of them said in unison, hugging her back.
“I just wish my new boss in the office would have at least a few percent of you guys sweetness. Otherwise, you might hear the news— New inten tried to kill her boss by mixing phenyl in his/her coffee.” She said, changing the emotional atmosphere and making both of them chuckle at her words.
“You and your obsession with mixing phenyl in coffee.” Aakash said, chuckling at her.
“I pray for your new Boss’s good will. As the devil will take entry in his life tomorrow.” Aakash added, making her pout.
The day went by like this. After spending some time at the cafe and bidding byes, she went to her apartment.
The trio had a light dinner with lots of gossip and talked about tomorrow's internship interview. They went to their rooms to sleep early so they can avoid getting late for tomorrow's important day.
“𝑲𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒂𝒃 𝒔𝒂𝒎𝒃𝒉𝒂𝒍 𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒂 𝑲𝒂𝒏𝒉𝒂 𝒋𝒊.” That was Shree's last thoughts before she drifted to her Dreamland.
[Take care of everything tomorrow, Kanha ji.]
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Sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a warm, golden glow across the room. The gentle hum of the city outside was a comforting backdrop as birds chirped their morning greetings. The room was a blend of cosy and functional, with a mix of posters and photos decorating the walls, adding a personal touch to the small space.
The bed, unmade and inviting, was piled with fluffy pillows and a quilt that looked like it had seen many a late-night study session. Between the pillows, a soft, cute pink stuff toy- Shree’s Mr. Bunbun rests peacefully, while his matashree is busy singing in the shower with no worries of the interview she had to give today.
Shree comes out of the bathroom with a fluffy bathrobe wrapped around her body. She moves towards the wardrobe and takes out her today's formal outfit to slay the interview. She gets ready in her outfit with music playing in the background.
She looks in the mirror after applying minimal makeup.
“𝑻𝒖𝒎𝒉𝒆 𝒌𝒐𝒊 𝒉𝒂𝒌 𝒏𝒂𝒉𝒊 𝒃𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒂- 𝒏𝒂𝒉𝒉 𝒕𝒖𝒎𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒖𝒓𝒂 𝒉𝒂𝒌 𝒃𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒂 𝒕𝒂 𝒊𝒕𝒏𝒊 𝒔𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓 𝒅𝒊𝒌𝒉𝒏𝒆 𝒌𝒂. 𝑴𝒖𝒂𝒉𝒉” She said looking at her reflection in the mirror.
[You have no right - no, you have every right to look so beautiful.Muah]
She walks out of her room with her bag to the living room to meet her two besties who were also sitting on the couch ready in their formal attire.
“𝑲𝒆𝒔𝒊 𝒍𝒂𝒈 𝒓𝒂𝒉𝒊 𝒉𝒖?” She asked, grabbing the attention of the duo.
[How am I looking?]
“Nice. But not more than me.” Kartik replied, with a smirk.
“𝑨𝒓𝒆𝒆, 𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇- 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒇𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒌 𝒉𝒂𝒊 𝒍𝒆𝒌𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒊𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓 𝒅𝒆𝒌𝒉𝒏𝒂 𝒂𝒖𝒓 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒐𝒏 𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒉 𝒕𝒖 𝒂𝒑𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒉𝒊 𝒃𝒉𝒖𝒍 𝒈𝒂𝒚𝒂.” Shree replied, making her smirk disappear in a second.
[Self confidence is fine but you forgot to look in the mirror and use common sense.]
“Both of you stop and let's have breakfast or we would be late for university.” Rashi said signing, she was really nervous for her interview unlike her two besties.
“Tripathi, don't worry you will do the interview.” Kartik said, trying to motivate her.
“Yes Tripathi you will rock babes!” Shree added, motivating her.
“Thanks, I will try to do my best.” Rashi replied.
“You already are the best.” Both of them said in unison, hugging her.
They had their breakfast while motivating each other and a little bickering between Kittu and Chiku.
After having their breakfast, they left the apartment to first visit the temple to start their day with blessings of God. After spending some time in the temple they left for the university where their professor will tell them which companies they are going to interview.
“Tripathi wouldn't be having internships in companies so I just wish we both get the same company at least.” Kartik said, making the girl humm and nod their head in positive.
“Let's get it guys.” The trio said together and moved towards their departments.
After two hours of speech from different professors, the students were now asked to look for names in a list on the notice board to be informed about their respective internship companies.
Shree along with many other students moved towards the notice board.
‘SHREE— THE RATHORE ENTERPRISES.’
She found her name and to say she was on cloud nine it wouldn't be a lie. Getting an internship in your dream company is just….
“Chiku!” Kartik called, grabbing her attention.
“Which?” Both of them asked.
“Rathore Enterprises.” They replied together.
“Aahhh!! Thank you Kanha ji.” They hugged each other with a huge smile.
“Hey! Vicks ki goli.” She called Vikram making him glare at her.
“Don't call me that.” Vikram said.
“Ok. Now tell me which company? She asked.
“Rathore Enterprises.” Vikram replied, happily.
“Woah! Really, we do too.” Shree and Kartik said in unison.
“𝑴𝒂𝒕𝒍𝒂𝒃 𝒘𝒂𝒉𝒂 𝒑𝒂𝒓 𝒃𝒉𝒊 𝒕𝒖𝒋𝒆 𝒋𝒉𝒆𝒍𝒏𝒂 𝒑𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒈𝒂.” Vikram said, making her glare at him.
[That means I will have to bear with you even there.]
“𝑬𝒌 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒎𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝒌𝒊 𝒋𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒉 𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒍 𝒌𝒂 𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒕 𝒃𝒂𝒏𝒂 𝒅𝒖𝒏𝒈𝒊.” She hissed at him.
[I'll make a hospital ticket instead of an internship with a slap for you.]
“Students!” A professor called grabbing their attention, asking them to move towards the allotted buses for the companies after showing their Id cards.
“LET’S GO ” Three of them shouted excitedly, making the professor glare at them.
They passed a nervous smile to the professor and ran towards their allotted bus with a huge smile on their face.
“𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒐 𝒚𝒂𝒂𝒓𝒐 𝑨𝒑𝒏𝒂 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒂 𝒈𝒂𝒚𝒂.” Vikram said, making the other two smile at his words and nod their head.
[Come on guys, our time has come.]
“𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒐 𝒂𝒂𝒈 𝒍𝒂𝒈𝒂 𝒅𝒆𝒕𝒆 𝒉𝒂𝒊.” Shree said.
[Let's set it on fire.]
“𝑲𝒚𝒂 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝑬
𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒆𝒔?” Both the boys asked, making her pass them a side-eye.
[What Rathore Enterprises?]
“Thank you Kanha ji.” She mentally said, looking at the view outside the window of the bus.
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