𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂

𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗋𝗍𝗒

•Maya's POV•

Cafe

Shreya had dropped me off at the cafe after classes ended. Today was my first day at my new job. It felt like the other time I had gotten a job when I went to college, three years back. But this time it was to pay my husband's favor back.

I walked inside to see a smiling pops. The cafe was small but cozy and warm. "Hey pops." I said. "Ah Maya! I'm so happy that you're going to work here." he said excitedly. "I'm more happier then you can be pops. So tell me what I need to do first." "Well, working here is simple. You need to take orders of each costumer that come and give it to the chef barista in the back. And afterwards, serve it to them and collect the money." This is easier then I expected it to be. "Seems easy. I just hope it is easy." "It is, trust me. Ok now there is a uniform over there and you can change into it, and start your work." I nodded and changed into the outfit pops showed me.

This uniform wasn't the prettiest thing but it works. "I know I know! The uniform is a bit ugly. Actually fully ugly. But what can I do when my grandson, the owner picked those out. He has bad taste as you can see." pops said, making me laugh. "Pops, you're grandson is the owner?" I asked. "Yup. He has cafes throughout India and lives in Pune. And me being retired and having nothing to do, I volunteered to keep an eye on the cafe here." pops explained.

I heard a bell ding which meant a customer has arrived. "Maya there's-" "I'v got it!" I said. Pops gave me a thumbs up and handed me a notepad and pen. It was my first customer at my new job! I hope I don't mess up. "Thank you for choosing our cafe. How may we help you today?" I wrote their order and gave it to the chef barista. Yay! First customer down without any mistakes. Good job Maya! I patted my back mentally.

• • • • •

The whole day passed in a blink and it was already 6:30 p.m. and the cafe closes at 7:00 p.m. I need to reach home by 7 so I have to leave right now. "Pops." I said. "Yes Maya?" "Can I leave now. It's that I need to reach home before 7 or else my family will get worried." "Of course. And the last half an hour usually has no one coming." I said a quick 'thank you' and changed out of my uniform. "Bye pops!" I said by the door, waving. "Bye Maya. See you tomorrow."

I had gotten hold of an auto rickshaw. It drove me one block away from the penthouse, as I had told the driver to do so. I knew Mary aunty wouldn't be worried because I had told her that me and Shreya would be studying together after classes end, everyday. And I had told the same to driver kaka. I know Adi doesn't reach home before I go to sleep so there weren't any chances of him knowing I have a job or I'm coming home late.

• • • • •

Penthouse

The whole week passed and it was now the weekend. I don't have to work on the weekends because pops has a separate worker on those days, and says I need rest as well. Pops was super nice and had became a father figure for me in this short span of time. Throughout this week I had finished my college classes, then went to the cafe and came back home at 7. I had gotten my first paycheck as well. I decided to save it and then pay Adi with it at the end of the month. I didn't see Adi's face throughout this whole week. I was glad I didn't and at the same time sad.

I was shuffling through my bag and saw the credit card Adi had given me. I should give him his card back. Even though I don't use it, I don't want him to call me a gold digger for having it. I had used it only once and that to after Adi told me to use it. After that I had never touched it. But I'll still give him his card back.