Riya

I flipped through the new book that I had gotten. It was a romance book Sia had suggested.

I was at the cafe. My time was mostly spent in the cafe. But it worked out fine because I had no social life outside of it. Working here was a gift. The only problem was changing outfits and wearing this hideous brown T-shirt.

My schedule was according to my classes. I had a big break of two hours between my classes, and after the last class, I stayed here till 7. Clubs were supposed to close by then, but they still loitered around till god knows how long.

I looked at the clock, which read 6. I willed it to move so I could go home. I was hungry. Some couples were occupying the tables, and they didn't look like they were going to order something else. I was free, so I decided to read.

It had almost been a week since our outing, and the blind date was decided on this Saturday. I was calling it a blind date because neither the guy had texted me nor had I texted him. I wasn't sure if he would show up. I was hoping he wouldn't.

The bell chimed, and I looked up from my seat. It was Abhay.

I blinked again while my eyes took in the condition he was in. His cheeks were turning purple, and his lip had a cut. He had the aura that screamed 'Leave me alone or I'll kill you.' Which was not new, to be honest.

Such a weird combination this man was. A mix of calm and rage.

When I was a kid, I wanted to be this mysterious. The one where people turn to look at you and think about you long after you disappeared from their sight. People like Ruhi. But I shared too much with people I barely knew to hold any kind of mysteriousness.

He walked to his usual place by the window, which was occupied by a couple engrossed in each other's eyes. To my surprise, he left them alone.

What was I expecting? Probably that he would throw a fit or something. The more I paid attention to him, the more puzzling he became.

The only other empty place beside the window was near the counter. Near me. He started walking towards the place with his hands in his pockets. Sam, the guy who ran the cafe, kept a Coke in front of him as he sat down. They talked for a while and Sam didn't ask about his face.

But I wanted to ask him. What happened? Did he fight again? Was Dhruv there? I kept my mouth shut, though. 

As Sia said, not my monkey, not my circus.

But it was easier said than done.

I knew the cafe was frequented by football players, but I didn't know Abhay was a regular here.

So much for staying away from trouble.

I looked at Abhay again. It had been an hour, and he was still looking outside the window. His swelling had somehow gotten bigger. He needed some first aid. I wasn't sure if it was healthy to leave it alone.

I contemplated talking to him. But I wasn't sure if he would've appreciated that.

It was time for closing.

A few minutes later, I looked at him again. His eyes were glued to his phone now. Suppressing my urge to ask him to get some first-aid, I walked towards the back room, hoping Sam or Angie stayed back for a few minutes so they could tell him to go or probably get some meds. It was my turn to clean up and close the cafe.

No one was there as expected. I closed my eyes in frustration and returned to the counter. I did not want to disturb him. I decided to talk to the two couples sitting in the shop.

"Hey guys, hope you guys liked the coffee. would you like to order something else?" I smiled at them.

"Yeah, it was good. Is it closing time?" The guy asked.

"Yes. it's seven now. My apologies."

"No, no. it's okay." the girl said as they got up.

The other couple also got up, "Thanks for the coffee, Riya." I smiled at Neha who was in the same class.

"See you tomorrow, Neha." I waved her back.

I stood facing the door as they got out of the door. Abhay was still sitting. Couldn't he take a hint?

The silence in the shop was too much. I could hear the clock's hands moving. I sighed and turned around. He was still scrolling on the phone.

Where was Dhruv when I needed him?

I pulled my phone out of my pocket to call him and walked to the counter. It rang for a while, but he didn't pick up. I kept my phone on the counter.

I tapped my fingers on the counter, deciding on my next steps. An angry Abhay was very scary.

"We're closed," I said, looking at him. He ignored me. Then I realized he had his EarPods in.

"Abhay," I shouted. 

It felt weird to say his name out loud. 

He looked up from his phone. "We're closed."

"Okay." he went back to his phone. What was everyone's obsession with phones?

My hands itched to grab the phone.

"You need to get out." I gritted out.

"I'll talk to Sam," he said. Not even looking up.

Fine, if he wanted to show off his connection, he was welcome to do so. 

The thought of locking him here crossed my mind, and I rejoiced in the satisfaction of it for one second before opening Spotify on the laptop on the counter. It was connected to the speaker.

I looked for my playlist. People loved my playlist here.

As the loud music played, I picked up the mop.

Ae hairathe played in the background as I mopped the floor. I stopped thinking about him and tried to pretend he didn't exist. And it wasn't an easy task.

I tried focusing on the wet tiles on the floor. Cleaning was a chore too tedious, but this ritual of playing songs made it somehow better. Songs made everything better.

Life was made to be romanticized, or else it would become too bleak. The songs and the dim yellow light transported me to another world.

I stopped and looked at the yellow lights hanging above. The dim yellow light gave a sense of warmth to the room, and the song bounced off the walls, creating goosebumps with each high and low note. I closed my eyes to soak it all up. A sigh escaped my lips.

But today, the peace was invaded by a stubborn person who was hell-bent on not moving.

Didn't he have a home?

Tu Chhaon Hai So Jaaun Main

Tu Dhundh Hai Kho Jaaun Main

The first few lines of fitoor echoed, and my eyes widened. I looked at him, and he had EarPods in.

My mind contemplated if I should stop the song or not. If I didn't, it would've been awkward. But he probably wasn't even listening.

I sighed and continued my work. What a day it was!

I loved this song. I started humming with the tune as I finished the work. The song was perfect for the couples who would come here and sit silently, looking into each other's eyes. It was so beautiful. 

Songs had magic. Too bad I was the worst singer that could ever exist.

Tera ye ishq mera fitoor

Tu jo bhi kahe ban jaaun main

I kept the mop down and glanced at him.

Chhaya hai yun tera suroor

Jis rang kahe rang jaaun main

His eyes met mine, and I stopped in my tracks for a second.

Tera ye ishq mera fitoor

Tu jo bhi kahe ban jaaun main

I walked to the counter and tapped pause. An amused smile formed on his face, and he continued to look at my face. Was he listening?

"Nice song," he said, and I wanted the earth to open and swallow me whole.

I glared at him. "The shop is closed," I said, hoping this weird atmosphere would go away. My voice felt too loud to my ears as if waking me up from a dream.

He looked at the clock behind me on the wall. "Told you I'll talk to Sam."

"I can not close it with you being here." I could feel my cheeks tingling.

"Then ask your useless brother to give me my key." His voice still had an edge, but it felt his anger was gone. The tightness of his jaw was gone.

His eyes were back to looking into mine.

"Your keys?"

"I lost mine, and he keeps a copy of mine just in case. But he isn't picking up," he said. His eyes still did not leave mine.

"I...." I cleared my throat and looked at the door. He talked about keys, right? "I'll try calling him again."

I picked up my phone and took a deep breath in. Why was it so hot in here?

My fingers slid over his name, and he didn't pick up. Again.

"Where is he?" I asked no one in particular to fill in the awkward silence. I was sure, it was only me who felt that.

"Ask him." his phone was on the table. He was gazing at the ceiling with his arms draped over the backrest.

My eyes went to his face. His cheekbone had become purple.

I couldn't help myself. "What happened to your face?"

I expected him to taunt me, but he didn't. He turned his face and waited for a beat before answering.

"Fought."

"With whom?"

"You have ice?" and he was done answering.

"Hmmm." I turned and walked to the back room.

I opened the fridge and picked up a packet of frozen corn.

"Here." I handed him the packet of corn. He took it and kept it over his cheekbone. The smell of his cologne engulfed me. It held a softer note than the last one.

I stepped back and walked back to the counter. I needed Dhruv to pick up his call and get this human away.

He didn't pick up. Again. What was he even doing?

I looked at him again, who got up. "I'm taking this." he shook the packet and kept it back on his face.

Then he walked out of the door.

The shop suddenly felt too big and quiet.

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