Nikki pushed open the cafe door, the night air cool against her skin. The streets were quiet, the soft hum of distant traffic the only sound as she pulled her jacket tighter around her. Her mind raced with everything that had happened. Talking to Aditya after all these years had left her uneasy — memories she'd tried so hard to bury were now stirring inside her like a storm.
She fished her phone out of her bag, the screen faintly illuminating her face as she dialed home. The call connected after a few rings.
"Hello?" Her mother's voice was soft, probably half-asleep.
"Maa, I'm not coming home tonight. I'm heading to Ravi's place." Nikki's voice was quiet but steady.
A pause. "This late? Everything okay?"
"Yeah," Nikki lied. "I just... need some time."
Her mother sighed. "Okay, beta. Be careful. Call me when you get there."
"Promise." Nikki ended the call and immediately dialed Ravi.
"Hello?" Ravi's voice was clearer, a hint of surprise in her tone.
"Ravi... can I come over?" Nikki asked softly, her voice almost breaking.
"Of course! Are you okay?"
"I'll tell you when I get there," Nikki replied. "I'm close."
By the time she knocked on the door, she felt like she'd been holding her breath for miles.
Ravi opened the door, her eyes wide with concern. "Nikki... what happened?"
Nikki and Ravi sat on a worn-out bench in the small garden behind Ravi's apartment building. The night was still, the air carrying a slight chill. The dim streetlights painted soft shadows on the grass. Nikki hugged her knees to her chest, staring blankly ahead while Ravi watched her with quiet concern.
"Aditya… he's the owner of the cafe where I work," Nikki finally broke the silence. Her voice was low, almost like she was admitting a secret to herself.
Ravi's eyebrows shot up. "What? Seriously?"
Nikki slowly nodded. "I didn't know at first. When I saw him there for the first time, I realized… Now what should I do? He'll be there every time I go."
Ravi leaned back, looking up at the sky. "Then quit the job."
"I can't," Nikki said, frustration in her voice. "He made me sign a contract. And honestly… I don't want to leave. This place is giving me a chance to learn."
Ravi thought for a moment. "Then treat it like an internship. You said you wanted experience, right? To understand how restaurants and cafes operate. Here, you're getting to learn and earning a salary too."
"The salary is pretty good," Nikki admitted quietly.
"Then there's no point in leaving because of Aditya," Ravi said firmly. "From what you told me, he rarely comes there and doesn't even stay long. The past is over — focus on the present. Don't let him affect you."
Nikki looked down at her hands. "But what if he says something? Or acts the way he used to back in school?"
Ravi shrugged. "Well, you're a pro at ignoring people — do that. And if he does say something, laugh it off. Show him you're not the same girl anymore. That he doesn't matter."
Nikki sighed, a small smile tugging at her lips. "How do you always say the right things?"
Ravi grinned. "Because I'm your best friend."
They both laughed softly, the heaviness in Nikki's chest easing a little. As they sat under the quiet sky, Nikki felt a flicker of courage spark within her. Ravi was right — the past was over. She just needed to focus on what lay ahead.
And maybe, just maybe… she was ready to face it.
-
As the cool night settled over the garden, Nikki and Ravi's conversation slowly drifted into silence. The weight on Nikki's heart felt a little lighter, thanks to Ravi's words. They sat quietly for a moment, listening to the distant hum of the city.
Just then, a voice broke the silence.
"Oh, Nikki? What are you doing here?"
Nikki turned to see Ravi's brother, Prem, walking towards them. His hands were shoved into his jacket pockets, and his usual carefree smirk played on his lips.
"Prem?" Nikki raised an eyebrow. "Shouldn't you be with Yanka right now? What are you doing here?"
Prem chuckled. "Just came to check in on you two." His eyes flicked towards Ravi. "All good?"
Before Nikki could reply, Ravi stood up. "You two chat. I'll be right back." She squeezed Nikki's shoulder gently before disappearing into the building.
Prem watched his sister leave, then sighed and pulled a cigarette from his pocket. He flicked his lighter, the small flame casting shadows on his face as he lit up. Taking a long drag, he leaned against a nearby tree.
Nikki wrinkled her nose. "When are you going to quit that?"
Prem smirked. "Someday." He handed her the cigarette. "Hold this. I'll be right back." Before Nikki could protest, he disappeared towards the building, leaving the cigarette dangling awkwardly between her fingers.
A minute later, Prem returned, holding a glass filled with some dark amber liquid. Nikki watched him with disapproval. "You know, every time I come here, you're always doing this."
Prem laughed. "Relax, it's just a little drink." He looked down at his glass, then slapped his forehead dramatically. "Ah! I forgot to get water. Here, hold this." He thrust the glass into Nikki's free hand and hurried back inside.
Now Nikki stood alone in the garden, one hand holding a burning cigarette, the other clutching a glass of alcohol. She sighed, shaking her head at the ridiculousness of the situation.
That's when she heard footsteps.
She turned her head slightly and noticed a figure standing near the gate, talking on the phone. The dim light made it hard to see his face at first, but as he moved closer, recognition struck her like a lightning bolt.
Aarav.
He was pacing slowly, phone pressed to his ear, his brows furrowed in concentration. Nikki froze, hoping he wouldn't notice her. But just as she shifted slightly, his eyes met hers.
Aarav stopped mid-step, his conversation faltering. His gaze dropped to the cigarette in her hand, then to the glass in the other. Nikki saw his eyes widen slightly in surprise.
For a moment, they just stared at each other. Nikki opened her mouth to explain, but no words came out. Aarav gave her one last unreadable look before turning away, his phone conversation resuming as he walked off into the night.
Nikki stood frozen, heart pounding, her mind racing with questions. Why did he look so shocked? And why did it bother her so much?
She sighed and sat back down on the bench, staring at the cigarette and the drink in her hands. "Great," she muttered to herself. "Now he probably thinks I'm some kind of delinquent."
Somewhere in the distance, Prem's laughter echoed through the night.
---