Aathiya's POV
"Hi, are you up?" My ex's text lit up my phone in the dead of night. Why is he texting me now? My heart pounded. I hoped he was okay.
"Hey, how are you?" Despite our breakup, I couldn't help but respond. I missed him so much. It's hard to decide whether to even call him an ex since we only dated for a week, but the impact was profound. I didn't just lose a lover; I lost my first-ever friend in Canada.
"I'm not okay, Aathiya. I miss you... I miss us." His message came through. Did he really miss me? Did he realize his mistake?
"Me too," I replied truthfully while my heart was aching with our memories.
"Then let's meet tomorrow." After everything that happened, should I meet him? He texted me first, making it clear he also wanted me back.
"I agree we should meet." Maybe there's a chance to mend this relationship or at least get him back as a friend. If he apologizes for pushing the physical quotient between us and promises not to do it again, I'll forgive him.
"See you tomorrow then." I liked his message and went back to bed, knowing I had to see a new place later today and also find a new job.
I woke up around 11 in the morning, had a quick breakfast, and headed to meet the landlord. The place was a bit far from Aaru's, but the room was lovely. It was a shared accommodation, but that was okay with me. I paid the rent and told the landlord I'd be moving in soon. Then, I went to nearby restaurants, hoping to land a job, but everyone told me they had no vacancies. There was only one restaurant left in the plaza. I prayed they'd offer me a job.
"Hi, how are you?" I greeted the receptionist
"Hi, how can I help?"
"I'm looking for a job. Is there a vacancy?"
"Let me call the manager." Finally, someone who actually called the manager. After a while, he came out.
"Hi, so have you worked in a restaurant before?"
"I haven't, but I'm keen to learn everything," I told him confidently, masking my desperation.
"Okay, what's your availability and when can you start?"
"I can work full-time and I can start today."
"That's good. I can hire you, but first, I need to see your work. We do catering, and we need servers for a birthday party today. Would you be able to come?"
"What will be the pay rate?"
"Nine dollars cash, and you can get food as well."
Was he serious? The current wage is $16, and he's offering $9, but if I take it, I won't have to buy groceries or cook. With only two workdays per week during the semester, I had no savings to pay my college fees. I didn't see any other option. "Okay, please text me the location and I'll be there."
"Sure, be there at 4 pm."
"Okay, thanks." It was already 2 pm, so I left for the banquet hall where the party was supposed to be. I was wearing the all-black uniform given by the restaurant. The party was at 7, but we had to prepare the food and set everything up. I was asked to open cans and take out soybeans. I'd never done that before since I don't like canned food. I didn't know how I'd manage. My fingers got cut while opening the first can, and blood started oozing out. I informed the head chef, hoping for a bandage or something, but he told me to wash my hands, wear gloves, and get back to work. I couldn't waste time. I had to complete this shift. I went back after wearing gloves. Blood was still there, but it was okay.
I somehow finished the work in the back and was then asked to serve Pani Puri to guests. Thank God, at least this was easier. After the starters, it was time for cake cutting, and I was told to serve the cake. I just learned today that I am terrible at chopping. It was a three-tier cake. I tried to cut a piece to put on a guest's plate when the whole first tier fell to the ground.
"What the hell!" The lady yelled at me and called the manager. Babaji, please save me this one time. "What kind of servers do you have? She ruined the whole cake!"
"I'm sorry, ma'am. She is new," the manager apologized. My hands were shaking. What was wrong with me? Why couldn't I do one thing right? "Hey you, clean this up," the manager said to me, anger clear in his voice.
"I'm so sorry, ma'am," I apologized again and started picking up the cake. My eyes brimmed with tears, but I couldn't be a crybaby here. My hands were already in pain from the cuts, and now this. I couldn't do this job. It wasn't for me. I stood up and turned to go to the back when I bumped into someone, and some cake fell on his shoes. "I'm so sorry, sir."
"Aathiya?" I looked up and found Reyansh standing there.
"What are you doing here, Reyansh?" My voice cracked, embarrassment flooding me.
"I should ask you this question. What are you doing?"
"I'm a server here for tonight, but I made a mistake on my first day," I whispered, trying to hold back my tears.
"Things happen, Aathiya, that's okay. Every job is not for everyone, and certainly, this one is not for you." He tried to calm me down and took the plate of ruined cake, setting it aside.
"I know. I won't come to this job from tomorrow," I said, feeling defeated.
"You don't have to do this even now."
"They won't let me leave in the middle of the party, and plus, I won't get paid for half a shift," I expressed my fear, my voice quivering. He stood silent for a moment.
"I'm sorry to invade your personal space, but are you having any financial crisis?" he asked gently.
"Kind of. Actually, I have to pay my college fee. I'm saving for that," I admitted. I was feeling extremely vulnerable.
"Listen, Aathiya, if you leave this five-hour shift, it won't impact your fee much, but if you get sick here, it will definitely cost you more. Think wisely, which is more important?" His eyes were filled with concern.
"My health" I said looking into his eyes.
"There you go. Now, leave this and let's go."
"Where?"
"Somewhere or wherever you say."
His words instantly brought a smile to my face, but when he held my hand, I winced in pain.
"What happened?"
"I got cuts while working." He immediately removed the gloves and saw my hands. They had multiple cuts, and blood could be seen sticking to the wounds." He looked at me and his eyes became soft.
"Ohh Aathiya"
Aarohi's POV
If I had known Reyansh was having lunch with Mr. Ignorant, I would never have said yes. I was ready to leave when his "You can join us, Misshh Khurana. It's not a problem" made me stay. Yes, I mimicked him internally. Join us, my foot. I hope he didn't hear my ranting, or else I'll be in big trouble. I just wanted to know Reyansh better to see if he was the one for my Aathii, but Mr. Jindal's cold glares prevented me from doing anything. His icy eyes made it impossible for me to eat properly, so I barely ate anything and stood up to leave when he stopped me again. What does this man want?
Upon his nonsensical order, I went to his cabin to discuss God knows what. "Why did you tell him that we met before?" He asked me. He told me not to talk about personal things, so why is he asking personal questions now?
"I didn't..." I began, but before I could finish, he took big steps towards me and caged me between him and the door. I felt my pulse quicken. My breathe hitched due to our insane closeness.
"What are you doing? Let me go," my voice trembled. He leaned in even closer, and for some reason, I closed my eyes.
"Don't lie, Miss Khurana. Why did you tell him about us? Was being lifted in my arms so thrilling that you couldn't resist sharing it?" he murmured, his voice a dangerous whisper.
My eyes flew open at his not-so-sarcastic comment. My fingers turned into fists, and I pushed him away with all my strength.
"Get out of your delusional world, Mr. Jindal! First of all, I didn't know he was your friend. Secondly, I met him at Garba as well, so the topic came up, and I didn't mention you carrying me. So please, don't assume things," I retorted, turning around to grab the door knob when he seized my wrist.
"Did I say you could leave?" he growled, his grip tightening.
"I don't take orders from mannerless creatures, Mr. Jindal, and right now, you're proving to be one of them. Let go of my wrist," I spat, looking at him with pure rage and disgust.
"You..." he started, but before he could finish, someone knocked on the door.
"Who's there?" he almost yelled.
"Bhai, it's me, Kabir." Mr. Jindal cursed under his breath and released my wrist. I quickly opened the door to see Kabir standing there.
"What happened, Aarohi? Are you all right?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, Kabir."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I just have something important to attend to. I'll see you later."
"Sure." He said and walked inside.
I think he saw the marks on my wrist. Yes, this another brother of Khali has left marks on my wrist. How can someone be so senseless? How dare he interrogate me as if I've committed a crime? 911 Kahi ka (as if he is 911). Mannerless creature.
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