Vansh parked his bicycle and entered the house. He noticed customers arriving and leaving the café, but he felt too tired to help them.
He stepped inside and took off his shoes, placing them on the shoe shelf as he walked down the hallway. Just then, the door on the right opened, and his aunt greeted him.
"Hey, you're back!" she said, despite the café being busy. "Kiri jumped up suddenly from the counter, scratching at the door, so I figured it must be you."
She was wearing her café uniform and her gloves on, and the coffee stains on her wrist were mixed with flour and some cream.
Kiri bounded toward Vansh, her small paws pattering on the floor. She approached him and began to rub her fur against his legs.
"That's why I suggested installing a pet door down there. It's large enough for her to pass through, saving both time and hassle," Vansh explained, glancing at his aunt.
She nodded. "Yeah, I know, but I always forget about it." Then she examined him closely. "Do you want to come help out, or would you prefer to rest for a bit?"
Vansh looked at Kiri as she meowed at him, extending her paw. Without hesitation, she jumped onto his shoulder, and he bent his neck slightly to support her.
"I guess I might join you after a little while. Just give me some time," he replied before heading to his room.
His aunt smiled as she watched him tuck one hand into his pocket while petting Kiri with the other. She closed the door behind her and returned to her work.
Vansh slowly ascended the stairs and opened the door to his room. He walked over to his study table, pulled out a drawer, and took out a pack of cat treats. He fed Kiri as she jumped down from his shoulder. After placing the treat bag on the chair, he sat down on the bed.
"You know, Kiri, my once-silent life is starting to feel loud now. New people are trying to enter it, and I'm not sure about them. Some say they are friends, but not everyone feels that way," he said, watching her eat happily until the packet was empty. Kiri licked her lips and began to groom her fur.
"Never mind, let's see how things go," he said with a small smile.
After taking a quick bath, he changed into his café uniform.
He headed back to the café, where he found customers still present. Since the entrance was behind a wall, many didn't notice him right away. Vansh approached the counter, and his aunt gave him the day's orders. Aarav welcomed him, and they both quickly fell into the rhythm of their work.
As the evening progressed, they wrapped up for the day when the last customer exited. Vansh settled onto one of the sofas, holding Kiri in his arms. He watched as his aunt calculated the day's receipts and analysed the orders.
Aarav had finished his work in the kitchen and stepped out to find a clean environment. He noticed both of them and took a seat in front of Vansh.
The café featured a long counter that stretched across the front. Half of it had a glass display case showcasing doughnuts, cookies, and other pastries, all neatly arranged for customers to choose from. Above the display case was the billing counter, where his aunt attended to customers, processed payments, and kept track of the day's sales while occasionally checking stock.
The other half of the counter held shelves stocked with utensils, ingredients, and other necessary accessories, although that space remained mostly unused.
Vansh glanced at that side of the counter. Compared to the colourful display beside it, the area looked quite plain and empty. He felt it needed something more—something that would make it as appealing as the rest of the café.
"Aunt, can I have a word with you?" Vansh called out from his seat.
"Yeah?" his aunt replied, looking away from the screen and turning to him.
"How many coffee machines do we have?" His question made her think; she glanced at the kitchen, counted silently, and then turned back to him.
"If we include the one from our home kitchen, I guess we have three," she said, holding up three fingers.
"Well, I would say four," he replied, holding up four fingers, as he had an idea in mind.
She repeated her counting and insisted it was three, but Vansh argued for four. Curious, she asked how he came to that conclusion. He reminded her about one in the storage room—an old model kept tucked away at the back.
"So? Why are you counting it now?" she questioned.
Vansh stood up, holding a kiri in his hand, and walked over to the counter. Aarav noticed his movements; his expression suggested he had an idea or was simply curious.
"I think we need to bring one of the coffee machines to the front," he said, pointing to the location. He also suggested moving the cup-holding stand to the middle.
"But we don't have enough space to bring it up here. Why the sudden change?" Aunt replied.
Vansh explained, "We checked with Aarav about his joining, and I mentioned that there would be many customers." Aunt nodded as he continued. "So we need to create some open space here."
He walked to the counter and indicated an area where he could place the stands, which wouldn't take up much space, for cups and other accessories like napkins, straws, and ingredients on the top shelf.
"We have the counter for that, but the width can't accommodate the space the old coffee machine takes up; it's a bit wider," Aunt pointed out.
"I didn't say we would use that machine. We'll keep it in the kitchen, where there's proper space. Instead, we can bring one from the kitchen that fits perfectly. This way, we can also save time by having it up front for easier takeaway service," Vansh replied.
"Yeah, that would save a lot of time and be helpful," Aunt agreed.
"Not only that, but some coffee enthusiasts would prefer to see us making coffee, which would create a good impression. Your posters are still around, and new employees may join us. So this would be beneficial in that aspect," Vansh added during the discussion.
Aarav watched as Vansh tried to persuade his aunt with careful reasoning and consideration. It wasn't just about employee access; it was also about profitability. With all of Vansh's points, his aunt agreed, and the three of them got to work.
Aarav and Vansh went back to retrieve the coffee machine and noticed some stock in the area. Before moving anything, they cleaned up and put it in the kitchen. They followed all the necessary instructions, and the previously empty half-counter now appeared much livelier. They also brought out the cups, including reusable and ceramic ones, as well as other accessories, leaving space at the edge for trays for customers to take to their seats.
The waste bins were tucked beside the shelves, hidden behind a small door to prevent unpleasant smells from spreading.
Vansh went into the kitchen to check if there was anything else that needed to be stored. He grabbed a stool and approached the upper shelves. Opening the shelf doors, he began to examine the contents. At one section, he paused, stretched his hand deep inside, and reached for something.
He pulled it out and stared at it. He climbed down from the stool and walked over to his aunt, who was finishing her own tasks of setting and arranging things. He called out to her, and she turned.
"Aunt, is this in use?" Vansh asked, holding up the item.
His aunt looked at the lunchbox in his hands and thought he might want to throw it away if it wasn't in use. Despite that thought, she replied, "Why, don't you remember it?"
"Yeah, I do. I wanted to ask if I can use it starting tomorrow." He glanced at her.
"You want to take lunch in this starting tomorrow?" Her face showed surprise. Even Aarav looked astonished by his request.
"Yeah, I do. If it's being used, then I'll put it back," Vansh said, turning back toward the kitchen.
His aunt reached out and gently held his wrist. "No, it's not in use. You can have it," she said, looking at him. He nodded in agreement. But she still asked, "Are you really going to use it?"
Vansh confirmed again that he would and placed the lunchbox on the counter before heading back into the kitchen to see what else he needed.
Aunt turned to Aarav, her hands clenched in happiness. Aarav gave her a thumbs up and smiled at her.
Vansh returned and asked, "What are you guys doing instead of finishing up?"
They got back to work and finished in no time. Aarav stretched his hips and arms, looking exhausted yet satisfied after a long day. Vansh approached him. "I'm sorry for making you work past your hours," he said.
Aarav crossed his arms. "It's fine; after all, you've been considerate about the café. So, any time works for me, but I have to leave in a minute."
Vansh agreed and took out some cake, offering it to Aarav as a reward. Aarav tried to decline it, but Vansh insisted, and eventually, he accepted it. Vansh then turned back to the counter, went upstairs, and brought down his small camera.
He took some shots and reviewed how they looked. After making some minor adjustments, he took more pictures. This time, it felt right. Kiri brushed against his legs, prompting him to bend down, pet her head, and run his hand along her tail. He picked her up, settled her on the counter, and took multiple pictures.
Aunt watched his enthusiasm for capturing images of Kiri. She tried to join in and take some photos herself, but Vansh quickly found an excuse, claiming the battery was dead. Aunt knew he was lying, but he just smirked and asked her to stand beside Kiri for a photo.
After a short photography session, they began to wrap things up. Just then, the doorbell jingled. Vansh and Aunt turned to see Aanya entering.
She was still in her uniform, her hair a little messy but smiling. Her eyes were calm and narrowed, with the left strands of hair tucked behind her ears, while the right side flowed freely, skimming her cheek and covering her ear.
Aunt attended to her and said, "Sorry, the café is closed, and the kitchen is also closed for today."
Vansh joined her and looked confused when he saw her in uniform at this hour. She waved at him.
"It's been half an hour since the café closed, and the sign was flipped," Vansh told her. She looked at the board and realised she had ignored the sign.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know the closing time," she replied, trying to leave. Before she could walk away, Vansh approached her and asked, "Can I ask what your order was?"
"I was thinking of having some pastries, so I came by. But that's alright; I'll come and get them tomorrow," she said, smiling.
Vansh asked her to wait as he turned back to the counter. There was a small white box with two pastries left. He took the box and handed it to her, and she watched him.
She pulled out her money to pay, but he tried to refuse, offering it as a treat.
"You're closed, and you're giving me some extra pastries? If I don't pay, I'll feel guilty," she insisted, and Vansh couldn't deny her request.
Aunt billed the pastries, took her money, and thanked her for the purchase. Vansh walked her to the door; she thanked him again. Just as she was about to leave, he called out to her.
"Can you do me a favour?" Vansh stood in front of her.
"Yeah?" she replied.
"Can you message me once you get home?"
At this, she paused for a moment. "Vansh being Vansh, always so serious. At least smile while saying it," she thought, feeling a rush of happiness.
"Why, do you want me to message you tonight?" she asked, leaning to the side and smiling.
"If you don't want to, then don't," he said, turning sideways.
"Oh, don't be disappointed," she thought. "I will, don't worry." She extended her hand for a handshake, but he stood still, so she took his wrist and shook his hand herself.
"Thank you for today, Vansh," she said, smiling.
With that, she left, disappearing down an inner street. He looked at his hand, recalling the soft touch of hers.
He went back inside, where his aunt was waiting for him. She had a teasing smile on her face as she slid to his side and poked his shoulder.
"Oh my, I didn't know my nephew was so nice and courteous! I've never seen you act like that for anyone before. Do you like her?"
"Like? What do you mean? I don't have those kinds of feelings to show. It just happened. I won't do it again," Vansh replied, moving to the other side.
His aunt stood still, one hand on her hip and the other holding his hand. "I'm not saying it's bad, but kindness that comes with personal sacrifice has its price. So think carefully."
She yawned, "I'm tired. Dinner is ready; let's eat. But first, let me take a fresh bath."
Her teasing continued even as they wrapped up everything.
Afterwards, Vansh held Kiri in his arms as he opened the door to his room. He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket and pulled it out.
Turning on his phone, he saw a notification from Aanya: "I reached," and attached was a photo of her eating the very same cake.
Vansh gazed at the picture, looked up at the moon, and a small smile spread across his face.