Riya slammed the tiny metal bell on the café counter so hard that even the chai cups shook.
"Table 5, one iced mocha!"
"Table 9, two cold coffees!"
Her head spun, her legs hurt in the ugly flat shoes she wore for work, and all she wanted was a quiet shift.
JUST.
ONE.
NORMAL.
SHIFT.
She tied her apron tighter, groaned at the long line of customers—
—and then froze.
Because sitting at the window seat, wearing sunglasses indoors like a complete idiot…
was Arav.
With a full crowd around him.
Girls giggling.
Boys taking selfies.
Someone literally whispering, "He looks like a K-drama hero OMG."
The other waiter rushed to her.
"Riya! Who is that? He's too handsome! Our café is FULL today—since when do good-looking people come here?"
Riya shut her eyes.
Of course.
Of course this disaster would happen.
She marched toward Arav like she was going to strangle him.
He smiled the moment he saw her.
"Hey, girlfriend."
He leaned back, folding his arms.
"Missed me?"
She hissed through clenched teeth.
"What. Are. You. Doing. Here?"
He removed his sunglasses dramatically.
"Supporting your career."
"I DON'T need your support! I need peace!"
"Peace is overrated," he shrugged.
"Arav, customers are crowding here because of YOU! I can't even walk!"
He looked around proudly.
"Haan… I noticed. My charm is universal."
She glared so hard she could melt the ice in his drink.
"Oh God," she muttered, "I can't even get a break from you. At home, at school, at hospitals, at parties—"
He interrupted, "At parties you fell into my arms—"
"Shut up!"
Arav chuckled.
She grabbed his empty cup.
"What do you even want?"
"You," he said casually.
Her heart did something violent.
She shoved the menu at him.
"I meant from the MENU!"
"Oh. One cappuccino. Extra sugar. Like you."
He winked.
"I am going to throw this tray on you."
"You won't," he said confidently.
"Why not?"
"Because you think I'm cute."
She nearly died.
Another group of customers approached.
"Bhaiya, who is he?"
"Is he a celebrity?"
"Is he your boyfriend?"
"Can we click picture with him?"
Riya groaned.
"No, you can't click—"
Arav stood up.
"Of course you can!"
He flashed a movie-star smile.
And the café ERUPTED.
Selfies.
Photos.
Girls blushing.
Someone literally gave him a cupcake for free.
Riya grabbed his arm and dragged him to the counter.
"You're ruining my job!"
"You should thank me," he replied calmly.
"Your tip jar is overflowing because of me."
She looked.
It was overflowing.
"I DID NOT ASK FOR THIS!"
He leaned in.
"You also didn't ask for me to pick you up from road, buy you clothes, carry you when you twisted your ankle, stop media, stop those boys from touching you…"
Her breath caught.
He wasn't teasing.
He was reminding.
Of the hundred small ways he protected her.
Riya looked away quickly.
"Stop making everything complicated," she muttered.
"I'm not," he said softly.
"You are."
She snuck out for a five-minute break to breathe.
And guess who followed?
Arav.
He appeared behind her like a shadow with attitude.
"Break time?"
She jumped.
"Can you STOP stalking me?!"
"I don't stalk," he corrected.
"I accompany."
"No, you stalk. If I go to Mars, you'll show up with cappuccino."
"Would you like me to?"
"ARRRRAV!"
He laughed"You okay?" he asked quietly.
She nodded.
He raised an eyebrow.
"You're lying again."
Riya sighed.
"School… people calling me gold digger… Vihan looking at me like I betrayed him…"
Her voice cracked.
"I'm tired, Arav."
For a moment—
just a moment—
his expression softened completely.
He touched her wrist gently.
"Riya," he said, softer than she'd ever heard him.
"You're not a gold digger. You're someone who's trying to survive."
Her eyes burned.
"And if anyone in school bothers you," he added, "tell me. I'll handle it."
"How?" she scoffed.
"I'll buy the school."
"Arav! Good joke,i don't know i matter for you alot"
"What? It's small. I can afford the building."
She burst out laughing despite herself.
A tiny sprinkle of flour from the café machine dropped on her forehead.
Arav reached out automatically—
brushed it away—
and froze.
So did she.
Their breaths tangled.
His fingers lingered near her temple.
Her lips parted slightly.
Time slowed.
He stepped closer.
Her heart pounded.
He whispered—
"Riya…"
"WHAT IS THISSSS?? OMG!"
A group of girls barged out, squealing.
Arav stepped back instantly.
Riya wanted to jump into the dustbin.
The girls swarmed him.
"Arav sir, selfie! Please!"
"Autograph!"
"Smile!"
Riya hid behind the wall.
Arav spotted her, caught her wrist—
and pulled her back beside him.
"Don't hide," he said quietly.
The girls screamed louder.
Riya sighed.
"My life is ruined."
"Your life is interesting," Arav corrected.
"Because I'm in it."
Riya wiped the counter of the café for the third time, pretending to stay busy, but her eyes kept drifting to the entrance,he is still standing
and her heart dropped.,she moved inside after happily annoyed with him.
They both love to bully and roast each other
She is blushing..mm
Arav walked in...again
She likes his presence
White shirt folded at the sleeves, hair messy like he'd rushed here, sunglasses tucked into his collar—
every girl in the café literally stared.
Within minutes, three extra tables filled.
Two girls giggled while clicking his photo.
And Riya gritted her teeth.
She stormed toward him.
"Why are you here again i told you to go?" she hissed under her breath...she didn't even complete her sentence she found two people standing behind him
Ananya
Vihan
It seems like arav also dont their presence too...he looks upset suddenly
Butt...what happen at this moment ,why theg are?
Both seems happy ,they ordered coffee and then ananya yelled i am gettting engaged
Fake bhabhi
What is she already know i am hired
Ohh stop it ananya you should not hurry -arav interupted then she cuts in again oh please let me,isn't it a good new you don't need to pretend more but i really want you last at my engagement
"Last"Is n't the world moving very fast,.but i was waiting for this but why i am not liking this.
Vihan took a sip of the cold coffee he is feeling relaxed
But now he didn't matter to me
Arav only arav matter to me
And i guess the same from arav
But he remain quiet, eyes softening,putting his head down.
"Riya… my sister is getting engaged. You need to come. And… this is the last day of our deal."
Her hands froze.
Last day.
The words hit harder than she expected.
"Oh…" she whispered, trying to sound unaffected. "Fine. I'll come."
After returning to home
The street outside the hospital was dim and nearly empty.,earth feels like it will swallow her but she can also sense somethingbwrong right now
She walked fast.
The echo of footsteps behind her matched hers.
Khat… khat… khat…
She turned.
No one.
Her heartbeat raced; she clutched her backpack tighter and hurried.
Again—footsteps.
But before she could look… a biker sped past, splashing muddy water on her.
She gasped and shut her eyes.
Maybe it was nothing.
Maybe.
But the sinking feeling wouldn't leave.