Him

Avantika's POV

We were on a quiet road surrounded only by trees. I looked out of the window, but since it was night, everything was just dark.

“So, when did you start your café?”

“About a year ago. Just for, you know, university fees and personal use.”

“Oh, I could’ve given you a job in my company if you wanted.”

“You own a company?”

“Yes, I do. I started a business a few years ago, and it’s going well,” he said proudly.

Business...When I had a crush on him, he wanted to become a chef. But obviously, we were just kids, so I guess his dream took a turn.

“I appreciate you thinking of giving me a job, but I’m happy with my café.”

“I figured that.”

For the rest of the ride, we didn’t talk. It was calm, and it didn’t feel awkward.

“Thank you for today. Let me know how I can return the favour.”

“Sure, I will. Have a good night.”

I told him good night and went inside. He drove off once he saw I was safely in.

Everyone had already gone to sleep, and luckily, I had a spare key, so I let myself in. As I entered my room, I just sat on my bed and replayed every event that happened today. And in the end, there was only him on my mind.

The next day, I opened the café in the evening since I had lectures at university throughout the day. Then I heard the café doorbell ring.

“You opened late today,” Nisarg commented, disappointed.

“Missed me?” I replied sarcastically.

“Oh, I definitely did.”

“Oh, you did? Why?” I asked.

“I just did.”

He’s so confusing... Is he joking or being serious? Hard to tell. I asked if he wanted to order something, but he said he just wanted to sit in the café and work on his laptop. I agreed—why not?

After a few hours, I closed the front door so no more customers would come in, dimmed the lights so only the yellow light above his head was shining, and sat beside him.

“So, what’s up? What have you been so focused on for hours?” I was curious.

“On you.”

“What?”

“I was focused on you.”

“Very funny. Now tell me the truth.” He was obviously joking, his face had been too serious for hours. Yes, I admit I had been staring at him during my free time.

“Well, I was just working on some new ideas for a project.”

“Ohhh, I see. Good luck with that.”

“Thanks,” he said with a smile.

He suddenly closed his laptop and turned to me.

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

That was such a random question out of nowhere, and he was staring at me like I was being interrogated in a police station.

“If I had a boyfriend, I wouldn’t be sitting here with some other guy alone in my café with barely any light,” I replied with a smile.

“Oh, using my line on me, huh?”

“Obviously,” I laughed a little.

Then I made us some coffee, and we talked about school a bit, unlocking old memories. After a while, we went our separate ways and headed home.

At midnight, my best friend texted me that we’re going on a trip the day after tomorrow—and she’s already booked a villa.

And he's coming too.