Nikki tied the knot of her apron tightly and took a deep breath. Just wanted the first day to go well. The dim lights of the cafe, the smell of coffee and the soft music were making the atmosphere relaxing.
Bikki was leaning on the counter making some notes. He raised his head and smiled. "How are you feeling working in a cafe for the first time?"
"So far everything is fine," Nikki shrugged. "I'm just scared of the coffee machine, I might break it."
"Oh, you'll learn that." Bikki laughed. "Anyway, the owner here won't be affected much, he never comes himself."
Nikki looked surprised. "The owner?"
Bikki nodded. "Yes, Aditya. He just takes care of the business, he doesn't get involved in the day to day work of the cafe."
Nikki didn't pay much attention and started serving the customers. Everything was going well when the doorbell rang.
Heena came in.
"Nikki!" she chirped and walked towards her.
"Hey, Heena!" Nicky smiled. "You here?"
"Yeah, I just thought I'd have a drink," Heena said and turned back. "By the way, I wanted to introduce you to you..."
Nikki's face suddenly hardened.
Aarav was standing with Heena.
Aarav's eyes also stopped on Nicky. He smiled lightly, but something inside Nicky shuddered.
"Hey, you guys know each other?" Heena asked, startled.
"Yeah," Aarav replied, looking into Nicky's eyes. "For a long time."
Before Nicky could say anything, the kitchen door opened and a loud, serious voice came—
"Bikki, is the order ready?"
Nikki raised her head and looked towards the door.
Aditya was standing there.
His eyes were straight on Nikki, and Nikki felt as if the whole cafe had suddenly gone silent.
"What is he... doing in the kitchen?" Why does he always come here? Nikki asked in a low voice.
Bikki looked at him in shock. "I told you just a while ago. He is the owner of this cafe."
Heena and Aarav's conversation,....
Heena took a sip from her cup and said with a slight smile, "The coffee here is really good."
Aarav, who had been silent till now, suddenly spoke, "How do you know this girl?"
Heena frowned. "Which girl?"
"Nikki," Aarav answered simply, his eyes fixed on the counter, where Nikki was handling the tray of orders.
Heena laughed lightly. "She was my classmate. She used to be very bubbly and cheerful in school. But she doesn't seem the same anymore."
Aarav tilted his head, as if thinking about something. "I don't remember her being in our class.There has been a lot of change in her looks. She was very fat and now she looks very beautiful".
Heena rolled her eyes. "You never paid attention to anything other than basketball."
Aarav smiled, but his smile soon faded. "But I feel like I've seen it somewhere... I just can't remember it properly."
Heena asked as she put down the cup, "Do you remember the annual function?"
Aarav's face hardened a little. He put down the cup and looked at Heena. "Yes, I remember that."
Heena nodded slightly. "Something happened that day that changed Nikki's entire life. And maybe that's why she's not the same anymore."
Aarav's eyes were slightly surprised. "What are you talking about?"
Heena was about to say something, but the waiter came to take the order. Aarav took a deep breath and looked out the window.
He suddenly felt like he was trying to catch hold of a forgotten memory.
---
Conversation between Nikki and Bikki
On the other side, near the counter, Nikki folded her hands across her chest and looked angrily at Bikki. "Why didn't you tell me?"
Bikki bowed her head. "What?"
"That this cafe belongs to Aditya!" There was surprise and anger in Nikki's voice.
Bikki took a deep breath. "You came to this place to learn the work, what difference does it make who the owner is?"
"It does matter!" Nikki said almost in a whisper. "You knew why I am working here, right? And now I know that this is his cafe..."
Bikki looked at her. "So what? Will you not work here anymore?"
Nikki remained silent. She wanted to say something, but couldn't find the words.
Bikki said in a soft voice, "No matter how Aditya is, he did not stop you from working. Maybe it doesn't matter to him whether you are here or not."
Niki clenched her fists. "Maybe it doesn't matter... or maybe he just hasn't shown it yet."