Chapter 2: Enter Reyansh Lamba

The following days in Delhi felt like a whirlwind to Aradhana. Between meetings with her clients, discussions with her parents, and reacquainting herself with the city, she found herself caught in a routine. But despite the busyness, her mind kept drifting back to Reyansh Lamba.

She hadn't expected to see him again so soon, but fate had a way of bringing people back together. The next time she visited the café, she was determined to get to know him better. Her curiosity about Reyansh had grown with each fleeting encounter. What was it about him that drew her in? Was it his calm demeanor? The mystery behind his quiet nature? Or was it simply the strange sense of familiarity she felt whenever he was around?

As she walked through the café's doors, the familiar scent of freshly ground coffee filled her senses. Her eyes scanned the space, searching for him, and sure enough, he was there—behind the counter, just as before.

“Good morning,” Aradhana greeted, her voice tinged with a mix of excitement and nerves.

Reyansh looked up from his task, his eyes locking with hers. This time, there was a moment of recognition. A small smile played at the corners of his lips. “Good morning. You’re back.”

“I am,” she replied, feeling an odd sense of relief wash over her. “I’ve been thinking about your espresso... I think I’ll have it again today.”

He chuckled softly, his smile widening. “Coming right up.”

As he expertly prepared her drink, Aradhana watched him, captivated by his effortless grace. She had always admired people who moved with purpose, who exuded calm confidence without trying too hard. Reyansh was one of those people.

“So,” she began, trying to sound casual but failing miserably, “how long have you been working here?”

Reyansh paused, glancing at her with a look that was both thoughtful and guarded. “A while,” he said, his voice calm but laced with something deeper—something she couldn’t quite place. “I’ve been around for longer than most people think.”

Aradhana nodded, intrigued by his cryptic answer. She felt an undeniable pull towards him, but it was clear that he wasn’t one to easily open up. There was a distance in his eyes, a wall that he kept carefully intact. It was like trying to unravel a puzzle, each piece just out of reach.

“I’m Aradhana, by the way,” she said, offering him a friendly smile.

“I know,” he replied, surprising her. “Your parents still live in the house near the park, don’t they? Your father’s a well-known architect.”

Aradhana blinked in surprise. “You’ve heard of my father?”

Reyansh nodded, his eyes focused on the task at hand as he poured the espresso into her cup. “He’s made quite a name for himself in the industry. It’s hard not to know about him.”

The mention of her father stirred something in Aradhana—something she hadn’t anticipated. She had always been proud of her father’s accomplishments, but it was also a reminder of the weight of her own family legacy. Was that why Reyansh knew so much about her? Did he know her simply because of her father?

Before she could process her thoughts further, Reyansh placed the espresso in front of her. “Here you go,” he said with a smile.

“Thank you,” she replied, taking the cup into her hands, feeling the warmth seep through her fingers. But as she raised the cup to her lips, she noticed something. The slight tension in Reyansh’s posture—the way his eyes flickered to the door as if waiting for something. Someone.

Aradhana followed his gaze, but the door was empty. No one had entered.

Reyansh’s eyes returned to hers, but this time, there was something different about the way he looked at her. Almost like he was measuring her. Or perhaps, testing her.

“Is everything okay?” Aradhana asked, unable to hide the concern in her voice.

Reyansh hesitated for a moment, then smiled, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Everything’s fine. I’m just... used to things moving fast around here.” He motioned around the café, his tone light but there was a flicker of something deeper that Aradhana couldn’t quite place.

“Things?” she repeated, intrigued by his response. “What things?”

Before he could answer, the bell above the café door chimed as it opened. Aradhana turned just in time to see a tall, well-dressed man enter. He was striking—sharp jawline, intense eyes, and a presence that filled the room the moment he walked in.

Reyansh’s expression faltered for a brief second before he quickly masked it with a neutral smile. “Excuse me for a moment,” he said, turning away from Aradhana to greet the newcomer.

As the man approached the counter, Aradhana couldn’t help but wonder: Who was this new figure? And why had Reyansh reacted the way he had?

Her curiosity gnawed at her, and a strange feeling of unease settled in her chest. Something was happening—something she didn’t fully understand. But she was determined to find out.

She sipped her espresso, watching the interaction from the corner of her eye. She couldn’t shake the feeling that today was the beginning of something much bigger than she had anticipated.

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