Siddhant softened. "Come on, man. I'm not saying anything more. People will forget in a few days anyway."
Just then, a teacher walked into the classroom. She looked to be about twenty-eight, strikingly attractive, admired by more than a few boys. But she kept her distance—professional, reserved. Her name was Trishika. She scanned the room and asked everyone to take out their books, then began the lesson. The hours slipped by.
Around three in the afternoon, Ayaan turned to Siddhant. "I've got to go now, or I'll be late for work. If I'm late, the boss will dock my pay. You know how he is—always hunting for an excuse to cut wages."
"Why don't you find some other job?" Siddhant said. "Quit that place."
Ayaan didn't answer. In his mind he muttered, I want to quit. But what choice do I have? Where else will I get work?
Siddhant watched the silence settle over his friend and understood. He nudged Ayaan to get going. Ayaan slipped his bag over his shoulder and left, and soon after, Siddhant too headed home.
Ayaan pedaled hard, cutting through the evening air as he raced to his workplace—a small, bustling restaurant. The moment he arrived, he slipped into his work clothes and headed straight to the counter, where he found Rahul.
Rahul, by nature, was a stern man, yet he always spoke to Ayaan with an easy kindness. He handled the morning shift, and by the time Ayaan came in, Rahul's day was done and Ayaan's was just beginning. Today was no different. Ayaan took the handover from Rahul, nodded through the brief list of responsibilities, and got to work.
The hours blurred into one another—orders taken, plates cleared, tables reset, the quiet rhythm of service pulsing on. By the time the clock neared ten at night, Ayaan was still moving, steady and tireless. When the last customer left, he put everything back in its place, stacked the dishes, checked the cash, shut the register, and drew the shutters down.
He locked up carefully, then placed the restaurant keys into his employer's hand. With that, he stepped out into the night and began the long ride home