Cafe Tranquil

Today I wore a simple oversized grey T-shirt and blue jeans. With a messy bun and my glasses, I looked a complete nerd but I preferred this look as it was very comfortable. It's on the 26th of July now. Almost a month went away. I remember I have to call my mother. I do so as I have some time left.

"Hello, Mumma. How are you?"

"I'm doing fine, you tell me how is it going and why didn't you call yesterday and your voice is throaty, are you sick?" She bombarded me with worrisome questions.

"Yes, I'm fine now, caught a cold yesterday that's why I didn't call you.". I replied a little guilty.

"Take care okay, drink warm water. Don't you have a class? Let me tell you Bhavika hasn't done well in her exams. I am tired of this girl, she doesn't listen to me. Talk to her once you get time. We will talk later I know your classes will start soon and I have some work." She said complaining about my sister, Bhavika. All the time I had a silly smile on my face. My mother is a very strong person she doesn't show her emotions that openly. I feel happy when I hear her words. She is my best friend.

"Okay I'll talk to you later and before you ask, yeah I'm eating food properly, studying well and am happy Mumma," I said.

"Just take care of yourself, okay. Don't just study, enjoy your life too." She said. And I laughed hard.

That's my mom, playful as ever and tells me to enjoy too. She often calls me an old lady.

Avika has left already so I had my breakfast with Trisha. Riya was a resident here so she dropped by in Trisha's room sometimes. It was only Trisha and me so we continued to walk for classes. I had some signs of cold today too. But I didn't have those allopathy medicines. Heh! Anyway, it will go away soon. As my classes ended at 3 I was very tired and hungry but didn't want to have cafeteria's lunch. Just as I was going to call Avika for going out to eat something I got a call from Mr.President. I have saved his name as Mr.President.

"Hello?"

"Yeah, Manya classes are over, right? When would you like to head over to auditions?" He asked.

"Um, anytime. Where are you now?" I asked.

"Behind you." He said and hung up.

I saw him approaching me.

"Don't you go to your classes ever?" As I saw him coming from the library building.

"That's how you think of me." He overreacted. And I rolled my eyes. "I'm in the last year and don't forget our exams ended last month, it's pretty free now." He said.

I rolled my eyes again at that. We don't get free time and are exhausted to the core.

"How are you today? Did you take your medications and had lunch?" He asked.

"I'm alright today. No, I didn't take the medicines as allopathy doesn't suit me and I try to avoid it most of the time. And I was going to call my roommate about lunch. Speak of the devil... Ah, it's her call, wait a moment please." I said and took her call.

"Where are you?" She asked.

"I'm...in front of the library building. Did you have lunch yet?" I said.

"Actually I called about that. Today our Club is treated us as we performed well. Trisha has gone back to the room because her family is here to visit. I am worried about you." she said slowly.

"No worries I'll eat something. What are you worrying about? Okay now go. Bye" I said, laughed and hung up.

"I haven't had lunch today too." He said. I almost forgot he is there.

"I won't eat in the cafeteria. I'm sick and I don't want to eat that food, I'll lose my appetite completely. You should go." I said. Although our cafeteria was good but still today I didn't want to go.

"Let's go outside. I told you earlier that next time it wouldn't be the cafeteria." He smiled.

"Okay. Will you pay?" I was happy to have good and free food.

"No. Last time you urged to pay, so your treat." He said flashing his that smile when he is amused as if saw through my intention.

I reluctantly followed him. But I do owe him. He helped me many times. I could at least treat him. I followed him as I glanced at his clothing. Navy blue full-sleeved T-shirt which was folded to the elbows and dark jeans. He looked good in everything. And here I have to think so much while wearing something. We walked while discussing some normal topics to a nearby cafe. It was a quiet one, the one I had never visited. It was aptly named as 'Cafe Tranquil'.

"You could order whatever you want," I said remembering his words from earlier.

"A pizza would be good right? And I would like to have my daily dose of caffeine. What would you like?" He said and we settled on a medium-sized cheese and corn pizza.

"Add a chocolate milkshake for me while ordering," I said and he nodded and went to the counter.

When he returned we continued to talk about various things. He told me that he studied in an all-boys boarding school. His experience in school and college. He instructed me how to pass exams with flying colours. I told him about my childhood days. About the places, I visited with my family. He heard everything with keen interest. Our order arrived and I took a slice. I haven't had pizza for so long. It was very delicious. The chocolate shake was marvellous too. The whipped cream sprinkled with chocolate chips and two chocolate wafers Each sip was bliss.

"This is a good place. I love it here, the ambience is beautiful and the food is tasty. Thanks for bringing me here." I said genuinely happy.

"It's good that you like it here." He smiled.

After eating we went back to the campus. Yes, I did pay. Arriving in the large classroom where drama club met we saw auditions taking place. There were girls taking part and I must say my senior from Literary Club Susan did a great job in the portrayal of Elizabeth. I wanted her to be the female lead. Rest of the girls could fill in other positions. I was thinking hard when he whispered in my ear.

"Who do you think suits best?" He whispered in my ear. We weren't touching or anything but was very close. Why did he have to whisper in my ear? I didn't even reply as I was trying to calm down. He said again

"Manya?" And I turned abruptly and my head knocked on his.

"Oww" he hissed and I cried simultaneously.

"What were you doing?" I said while I rubbed my head.

"Come we have to knock once more." He said.

"You seriously believe in that?" I said while laughing but still complied. It was said if you bump your head on somebody's you have to bump in again so that a horn would not rise up. I don't know why it is said, it's really ridiculous.

We bumped again this time softly.

"To answer your question Susan Di is doing a great job," I said after we held each other's eyes for a few seconds.

"?...Yeah!" I could see his evident confusion but he regained everything quickly. Only heavenly God knew how I came up something sensible to break that spell around us. So it wasn't only me! I sat down on the chairs and he sat beside me.

Then came the chance of boys for Mr.Darcy.

Several boys auditioned. I didn't pay attention but kept staring ahead. But now, all of a sudden, I started coughing. Why did I drink that cold milkshake? I didn't recover. Obviously, he saw me.

"I didn't know you could be so careless. Even I'm careless. I knew you weren't well, your voice isn't back yet but you had to order that milkshake! I forgot too. How could you? Don't you care for yourself? Are you trying to back out of work? If you hate it so much to assist me, tell me directly, will I pressure you? I didn't expect this from you." He said angrily.

How could he? How can he jump to conclusions? He started from my illness and ended at the script! How did he even connect dots? Is his mind working properly?

"Mr Kashyap I don't understand how could you think that my falling ill was a scheme to get away from work. I love books, and did you forget I wanted to complete so I stayed up late not the other way round. That's the most ridiculous thing I have heard." I was fuming.

He was quiet. I got up as I knew my angry tears are going to betray me any moment and I don't want him to see that his one sentence can make me cry. When I proceeded and picked my bag, the chain was unzipped and few books fell off.

Why was it unzipped? Oh yeah, I took out my purse to pay and kept it here. So annoying. I hurriedly picked them up. I was on the verge of crying. His hand extended some of the books to me. I wished to leave them with him but I didn't want him to get another excuse to talk to me. I took them and shoved in my bag. He called my name very softly. But I got up and ran out. For the first time, I got the advantage of my speed. He kept calling for me and ran quickly to catch up but was called over by someone. Good at least he will busy and I rushed to my room. I don't know why his simple statement broke me down.

'I didn't expect this from you' swarmed my head. When I processed my behaviour I realised I shouldn't have run away rather argued with him and made him apologize to me. I used to be like that. Now I was annoyed at my behaviour.

He called me once, twice, seven times. I got irritated and picked up the 8th.

"What?" I barked.

"I'm really sorry Manya." His voice is soft and guilty.

My voice was caught in my throat.

"I don't know why I said that seeing you coughing like that I was both sad and angry and I thought unrelated things. I'm really sorry." He said almost pleading.

"Okay, I overreacted too," I said trying not to cry and I sniffed.

"Oh God! You are crying now? Please don't cry."

"I wasn't crying now but you made me cry," I said.

"Where are you now, when I came out I didn't see you anywhere." He said

"I'm in my room," I said wiping my tears.

"Wow, you have a good speed!" He said and I laughed.

****

Vihaan's POV (Point of View)

A few minutes ago...

I kept looking into those dark eyes. They have depth filled with both innocence and maturity.

"To answer your question I think Susan Di is doing well." Her melodious voice said. I was still in a trance.

"?...Yeah." it took me a time to comprehend.

We sat down. I looked at her but she concentrated on the boys ahead auditioning Mr.Darcy. Every girl loves Darcy. But she said I looked more like Bingley. His best friend. Now she keeps staring unblinkingly at potential Darcys'. I glanced at them to see who in particular she is interested. She started coughing. It hit me then she had ordered a milkshake which contained chilled milk. Even I forgot to remind her of seeing her happy face. I lost my temper.

"I didn't know you could be so careless. Even I'm careless. I knew you weren't well, your voice isn't back yet but you had to order that milkshake! I forgot too. How could you? Don't you care for yourself? Are you trying to back out of work? If you hate it so much to assist me, tell me directly, will I pressure you? I didn't expect this from you." I said angrily.

I was blaming myself and then I uttered those words which I was thinking of before.

"Mr Kashyap I don't understand how could you think that my falling ill was a scheme to get away from work. I love books, and did you forget I wanted to complete so I stayed up late not the other way round. That's the most ridiculous thing I have heard." She was like a raging storm. For the first time, she has called me something other than Mr.President but her voice was so chilly. Her face looked awfully angry and sad mixed together and yes she made a point. I was...I don't know what took over me. I knew I messed up.