𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐅𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐫 - Chapter 18: Chapter 18

Akshara POV:
The soft rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains as I stirred awake. With a yawn, I stretched my arms and rolled out of bed, my bare feet touching the cool floor. Like every day, I started my morning routine—freshening up, tying my long hair into a loose braid, and slipping into a comfortable cotton kurta.
Descending the stairs, the familiar buzz of the household greeted me. I noticed dad and Bhai engaged in a serious discussion in the living hall, their voices low yet intense. Curiosity flickered in my mind, but I chose not to intrude.
Instead, I headed to the kitchen where the scent of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling parathas enveloped my senses. Bhabhi, was expertly flipping parathas while maa diced vegetables for the curry.
"Good morning," I greeted cheerfully, stepping inside.
"Good morning, Akshu," maa replied with a warm smile before walking out with a tray.
Bhabhi turned around and handed me a steaming mug of coffee. "Here you go, your daily dose of energy."
"Thanks, bhabhi," I said, hopping onto the kitchen counter. I took a sip, letting the rich aroma of coffee awaken me fully.
The moment maa was out of sight, Bhabhi leaned against the counter and smirked. "So, how’s everything between you and Shubman?"
I nearly choked on my coffee, my eyes widening. "What? There’s nothing to talk about, bhabhi!"
Bhabhi raised an eyebrow, not buying it for a second. "Really? Then why did he visit your café day before yesterday?"
I sighed, shaking my head. "He wasn’t there to see me. He just dropped by with a friend. They were passing through and decided to grab some coffee."
Bhabhi smirk deepened, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Why do I feel like there’s more to this than just coffee?"
I groaned, setting my mug down. "Bhabhi, you’re imagining things. Trust me, it was just a casual visit. Nothing else."
Bhabhi leaned closer, her tone teasing. "You know, Akshu, I have this feeling… the kind you get when two people are destined to be something more."
I rolled her eyes, hopping off the counter. "And I have a feeling you should focus on the parathas before they burn!"
Bhabhi laughed, turning back to the stove. "Fine, but remember, Akshu, love has a way of sneaking up on you when you least expect it."
I shook my head, a faint smile tugging at my lips. I picked up my coffee and walked out of the kitchen, my thoughts lingering on bhabhi's words longer than I cared to admit.
I wandered into the living hall, my coffee mug still in hand. Papa and bhai were seated on the couch, their expressions serious as they examined some documents spread across the table.
Bhai noticed me and waved at me. "Akshu, come here for a second."
Curious, I walked over and leaned against the back of the couch. "What’s going on?"
Papa adjusted his glasses and gave me a reassuring smile. "Just some property matters. Nothing for you to worry about."
Bhai chuckled. "Unless you’re secretly a lawyer now?"
I rolled my eyes. "Hardly. Just make sure you don’t miss anything important."
"Noted, Madam Akshara," Bhai teased, earning a chuckle from papa.
Satisfied that there wasn’t anything to fret over, I decided to leave them to their discussion. I returned to the kitchen, now filled with the aroma of warm parathas and butter. Maa had joined bhabhi, and the two were arranging breakfast on the dining table.
"Akshu, call papa and Rohan," maa instructed.
I nodded, stepping back into the living hall. "Breakfast’s ready!" I called out.
We gathered at the dining table, the morning air filled with the clatter of dishes and cheerful conversation. Bhabhi's earlier teasing lingered in my mind, though I did my best to brush it off.
As the meal progressed, maa glanced at me and asked casually, "Akshu, are you free this afternoon? We’re going to the temple for a special puja."
Akshara hesitated. She had promised Aditi that she’d help reorganize the café inventory. "I might be late, Maa. I have some work at the café."
Bhabhi, never one to miss an opportunity, chimed in with a sly grin. "Work or hoping to run into a certain someone again?"
I narrowed my eyes at bhabhi but kept my tone calm. "Work, bhabhi. Unlike some people, I don’t have time to play matchmaker."
The table erupted in laughter, though I couldn’t help but smile.
After breakfast, I got ready and left for the café. The familiar buzz of customers and the hum of coffee machines greeted me as I walked in. Aditi was already at the counter, her hair pulled back in a messy bun.
"You’re late," Aditi said without looking up.
"Blame my bhabhi," I replied, dropping my bag behind the counter. "She’s convinced Shubman’s visit the other day meant something more."
Aditi finally looked up, her brows raised in surprise. "Shubman? Mr. Stone Cold?"
"Yes, and before you start, it was just coffee," I said firmly.
Aditi smirked. "Sure, Akshu. Whatever you say."
I groaned, tying an apron around my waist. "Why does everyone assume there’s more to it? He’s just… crashed randomly"
Aditi laughed, handing her a clipboard. "Because, I know better. What it actually was."
I shook my head, focusing on the tasks at hand. But as the day wore on, I found myself distracted. Images of Shubman sitting at the café, his calmness, composed yet carefree self. The way he didn't hesitated to make eye contact with me was something I can't ignore.
Maybe bhabhi and Aditi were wrong. Maybe it really was just coffee.
Or maybe, just maybe, it wasn’t.
🍂
The golden hues of the setting sun cast long shadows inside Sweet Bite, painting the cozy café in warm tones. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and lingering vanilla filled the air as I wiped down the stainless steel counters in the kitchen, ensuring everything was spotless before closing for the night.
In the front, Nikhil moved about efficiently, stacking chairs, removing the "Open" board from the entrance, and pulling down the blinds. The rhythmic clatter of receipts and the quiet tapping of a calculator came from Aditi, who sat at the counter, reconciling the day’s earnings.
With Nitya out of town, the café felt quieter than usual, but the three of us worked in comfortable silence, each focused on their task.
Just as I stepped out of the kitchen, stretching my arms after the last round of cleaning, my phone vibrated on the counter. I picked it up and saw a message flash across the screen.
Prarthana: Just got free from work. Crashing at the café. See you in a bit!
A smile tugged at my lips. I was always wanted Aditi to meet her, and now it was finally happening.
"Nikhil, you’re done for the day. You can head home," I called out as he stacked the last chair.
"Great. See you both tomorrow!" Nikhil waved before grabbing his backpack and exiting the café.
Turning to Aditi, who was still busy balancing the accounts, I leaned against the counter. “Guess what? Prarthana is on her way. You’re finally going to meet her.”
Aditi looked up, raising an eyebrow. “Oh? The Prarthana, Devdutt's fiancee. The one you talked about after returning from Colombo.”
I chuckled. “The very same. I told you, she’s amazing.”
Aditi smirked. “Well, let’s see if she lives up to the hype.”
Just then, the bell above the door jingled, signaling someone’s arrival. The two of us turned toward the entrance, anticipation in our eyes. Prarthana had arrived. Prarthana stepped inside, her eyes scanning the cozy interior before landing on me.
A bright smile spread across her face as she walked over and pulled me into a warm hug.
"Akshara!"
"Prarthana! Finally!" I laughed, hugging her back tightly.
As we pulled away, I turned toward Aditi, who had been watching with a curious smile.
"Aditi, yeh Prarthana hai," I introduced.
Prarthana extended her hand with a warm smile. "Aditi, finally milna ho raha hai aapse. Akshara ne aapke baare mein bohot bataya hai."
Aditi shook her hand and smirked. "Aur mujhe aapke baare mein. Mujhe dekhna tha ki jo hype Akshara ne create kiya hai, uske layak ho bhi ya nahi."
Prarthana chuckled. "Umeed karti hoon ki disappoint na karoon."
The three of us settled into our usual seats near the counter. The café was officially closed, and the only sound was the soft hum of the air conditioner and the faint clinking of cups as I poured us some coffee.
"Toh batao, Colombo kya kya hua iske cricket ke alawa?" Aditi asked, stirring her coffee.
Prarthana grinned. "Bohot mazedaar! Cricket matches ke alawa, humne local markets ghoome, beaches explore ki aur sabse important—humne Sri Lankan food ka maza liya!"
I laughed. "Aur yaad hai Prarthana, jab hum sab shopping mall ke terrace pe sunset in sea shore bhi enjoy Kiya tha? Devdutt aur Prarthana toh ek dusre se dur hii nhi Jaa rahe the, he is wipped for her"
Prarthana rolled her eyes. "Haan haan, bas uthao meri mazaak! Upar se woh rumours ka alag tension tha, isliye mein Dev se comfort le rhi thi."
Aditi smirked. "Aur koi interesting cheez jo mujhe nahi pata?"
I and Prarthana exchanged a mischievous glance.
"Ek raat humne hotel ke garden mein beth kar kitni der tak baatein ki thi," I reminisced.
Prarthana nodded. "Haan, final ke raat."
Prarthana took a sip of her coffee before leaning forward slightly. "Vaise, ab yeh batao… tumhare aur Shubman kuch progress hua ki still silent war chal rhi hai?"
I caught off guard, nearly choked on my coffee. "K-kya?"
Prarthana smirked. "Matlab… ab toh Colombo se bhi wapas aa chuki ho. Kuch progress hua?"
Aditi raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Haan Akshara, batao batao!"
I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. "Dekho, sach bataun toh… kuch bhi change nahi hua. Ab bhi wahi distance hai. Matlab, mujhe lagta hai woh ki koshish kar raha."
Prarthana frowned. "Tumne baat karne ki koshish ki?"
I looked away for brief seconds and shoke my head. "Actually nhi, woh maybe busy hoga practice mein, mein awkward conversation kar nhi paaungi "
Aditi sighed. "Atleast try toh karo."
Prarthana shook her head. "Pehle toh mujhe laga tha ki sirf arranged marriage ki wajah se tum dono distant ho, par lagta hai kuch aur bhi hai jo Shubman chupaa raha hai maybe."
I looked down at my cup. "Mujhe bhi yahi lagta hai… but main force nahi kar sakti."
Wanting to shift the topic, I looked at Prarthana. "Yeh sab chhodo, tum yeh batao, tumhara aur Devdutt ka kya chal raha hai?"
Prarthana’s face immediately softened, and a blush crept up her cheeks. "Haan… humari shaadi next month hai."
Aditi’s eyes widened. "What?! Itni jaldi?"
Prarthana laughed. "Haan, hum dono ne socha ki aur wait karke kya faida? Engagement toh already Hui hai, waise bhi, hum dono sure hain."
My face lit up with happiness. "Oh my god, Prarthana! Main bohot khush hoon tumhare liye!"
Prarthana smiled warmly. "Mujhe pata tha tum khush hogi."
Aditi grinned. "Matlab ab ek dhamakedaar shaadi hone wali hai!"
Prarthana nodded excitedly. "Nhi hum shaadi simply karne ki soch rahe hain. But reception grand hogi. Tum dono jarur aao, mujhe kushi hogi"
I and Aditi exchanged a look before speaking in unison. "Of course!"
As the three of us laughed and continued our conversation, the café felt warmer, filled with the comfort of friendship, memories, and new beginnings.
While Aditi and I were engrossed in our discussion, Prarthana texted someone.
Author POV:
Text~
Prarthana: Sweet Bite café aa jao, par Ishan ko mat laana. Just tum dono—tum aur Shubman.
Devdutt: Sure baby❤️
She hit send and slipped her phone back into her bag, a small smirk playing on her lips. She knew Akshara wouldn’t have invited Shubman herself, but if he arrived unexpectedly, there was no way she could avoid a conversation with him.
"Bas ek chhoti si surprise hai," Prarthana muttered under her breath, glancing at the door.
The three of them continued talking, their conversation shifting from old memories to random gossip.
"Waise, Aditi," Prarthana said mischievously, "tumhe nahi lagta ki Akshara ko thoda push chahiye?"
Aditi chuckled. "Bilkul! Yeh bas apni life ka ek part ignore karne mein expert hai."
Akshara rolled her eyes. "Tum dono mujhe baksh bhi sakti ho."
Before they could continue, the café doorbell chimed.
Akshara sighed, standing up. "Main bata rahi hoon, koi late customer hoga. Abhi band karne ke board bhi nahi lagaya."
She turned toward the entrance, fully prepared to decline the entry, but the moment she saw the familiar figure standing in the doorway, her expression changed.
"Devdutt!" Akshara’s face lit up in a warm smile. "Good evening!"
Devdutt grinned, stepping inside. "Good evening, Akshara!"
Before she could ask him what he was doing here, another figure stepped in behind him.
Shubman.
Akshara’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second, her fingers tightening slightly around the edge of the counter. She hadn't expected to see him here tonight.
Shubman gave a small smile with nod. "Hi, Akshara."
Akshara took a breath before composing herself. "Hi."
Prarthana and Aditi exchanged glances, both trying to suppress their knowing smiles.
"Toh?" Akshara asked, looking at Devdutt. "Yahan kaise?"
Devdutt smirked, stealing a glance at Prarthana. "Bas, socha tumse mil lun… aur ek chhoti si meeting ho jaye."
Akshara narrowed her eyes slightly, sensing something was up. Meanwhile, Prarthana sat back, enjoying the moment.
This was going to be interesting.