Aryan: I don't want to talk about it.
(In reality, after completing his martial arts training, Aryan had never experienced a feeling as intense as the one he felt when Smita took his hand in hers and held it tightly.)
Kiara: Fine.
The group then exited the cinema hall and headed towards the parking lot to pick up their vehicles.
In the Parking Area,
Aryan: Abhi, where are we headed now?
Abhi: Let's go to a restaurant. I'm starving.
Swaroop: Yes. And Aryan, you owe us a treat because you didn't come with us today.
Aryan: Alright, let's go to KFC.
Biraj: No, let's go to Sagarika Resort. Their mocktail is very famous.
Abhi: Fine, let's go.
Priyanka: Abhi, what are you guys saying?
Abhi: What's the matter, Priyanka?
Priyanka: It's almost five o'clock, and my brother will be here soon to pick up the scooter.
Pushpita: Yes, I also need to give the scooter to my dad; he has to go somewhere.
Aryan: Don't worry, you guys only have a problem with the scooters, right?
Pushpita: Yes.
Aryan: Then, both of you, give your scooters to whoever you need to, and come in my car.
Abhi: That's a good idea.
Aryan: So, Abhi and Priyanka, you both go ahead and drop Priyanka's scooter, then meet Swaroop at his scooter.
Swaroop: Yes, that's fine. The rest of us will bring Pushpita's scooter.
Aryan: Abhi, you take Priyanka directly to Sagarika Resort.
Abhi: Okay.
They all went on their separate ways.
After a while, everyone arrived at Sagarika Resort, returning the scooters. Then they all walked towards the dining area of the resort.
Just then, a waiter approached their table and asked for their order.
Waiter: Sir, madam, here's our menu. What would you like to order?
Pushpita: Bring mocktails for everyone.
Waiter: Which flavor, madam?
Pushpita: Virgin Mojito for me.
Smita: Yes, I'll have the same.
(Virgin Mojito is the world's most famous and delicious mocktail.)
Biraj: For me, Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri.
Swaroop: Bring me the same as my friend Biraj.
They continued discussing their orders, choosing various mocktails and snacks. Meanwhile, Aryan and the waiter quietly listened to their conversations, with the waiter jotting down everything in his notepad. After everyone had placed their orders, Swaroop turned to Aryan and asked:
Swaroop: Aryan, aren't you going to order anything? Don't you want food?
Aryan: You guys have ordered enough. I'll just have a little bit of whatever you're having.
(Actually, Aryan's friends always ordered way too much food, and even the waiter was sure half of it would end up in the trash.)
Biraj: Alright, fine. You can have some of our food. But do order a mocktail too.
Waiter: Yes, sir. What kind of mocktail would you like?
Aryan: None of the ones on your menu.
Waiter: But, sir, we have every kind of mocktail.
Aryan: Really?
The waiter, looking at the menu card, nodded.
Waiter: Yes, we have all kinds of mocktails.
Aryan: Fine. Then, I'm going to create a special mocktail that isn't on the menu.
Waiter: What, sir?
Aryan: Don't be confused. Please show me the bar counter.
Waiter: I'm sorry, sir, but I cannot allow any guest to make their own mocktail.
Seeing the interaction between the waiter and Aryan, the resort manager, who had been watching from a distance, approached the table. Upon hearing the waiter deny Aryan's request, the manager raised his voice slightly.
Manager: Waiter, what happened?
Upon hearing the manager, the waiter felt relieved and quickly explained.
Waiter: Sir, actually, this guest wants to use our bar counter to make a mocktail for himself.
Hearing this, the manager immediately recognized Aryan and smiled.
Manager: Aryan, I'm so happy you're here.
The waiter was taken aback by the manager's recognition.
(In fact, the owner of Sagarika Resort is Aryan's elder brother, Rohit. However, since Rohit had bought the resort, Aryan had never visited. Still, the manager had heard about Aryan from Rohit and had even seen a photo of Aryan with Rohit and Anuja, which is why he recognized him.)
Aryan: Hmm.
Waiter: Manager, do you know him?
Manager: Yes, waiter, this is Rohit's younger brother, Aryan.
The waiter was stunned. Aryan then spoke again.
Aryan: What, can you take me to the bar counter?
The waiter was now confused. Aryan, being the younger brother of the resort's owner, wanted to make his own mocktail.
Manager: Aryan, why do you want to go to the bar counter? If you want something, I'll take your order myself.
Waiter: Manager, Aryan wants to make his own mocktail.
Manager: Aryan, you don't have to make the mocktail yourself. Our bartender's mocktails are very famous. Just tell us the flavor.
Aryan: Manager, actually, I want to make the mocktail myself and serve it to my friends. So, please wait for me.
The manager understood Aryan's intention and immediately took him to the bar counter, while the waiter went off to manage the rest of the orders. Meanwhile, Aryan's friends began taking photos, as they had grown accustomed to his unpredictable behavior.
Some time later, Aryan returned with several glasses of mocktails and stood in front of his friends. The manager, too, had followed Aryan and stood behind him. The waiter soon arrived with the food and served it. Aryan then said:
Aryan: This mocktail, I made it myself. You all should try it and tell me how it is.
Friends: Alright.
Aryan: Manager, you should try it too. And let your waiter try it as well.
The manager gave the waiter a look, signaling him to take a glass, and also grabbed one for himself. After everyone took a sip of Aryan's mocktail, their eyes widened in astonishment.
What was the taste of Aryan's homemade mocktail?
What kind of mocktail had Aryan made?
And what will everyone's reaction be?