Unexpected Encounters

From Campus to Forever ~ 6

Nandini fidgets as she sits at a cosy table tucked into a corner of the cafe. She observes her reflection in the window beside her, her wide eyes staring back at her. She lets out a few breaths to dispel the panic she followed in her own eyes before she sighs at the cloudy weather outside. It was on the verge of raining and she thought what beautiful weather to embarrass myself.

Nandini pulls herself to sit up straight when she finally spots Raghav enter the cafe.

"Sorry nga, have you been waiting for a long time?", Raghav asks taking his seat opposite her.

Nandini feels her lips lift into a smile before she shakes her head, "No no, if anything I was a little early."

Raghav grins a teasing glint in his eyes before asking, "Avlo miss panningala?"

[Did you miss me that much?]

Nandini fights the flush rising on her face before narrowing her eyes at him, "Romba expect panathinga. My work finished early."

[Don't expect too much. My work finished early.]

Raghav shrugged and continued grinning, "Neenga sonna okay."

[If you say so.]

"Do you want to order? Coffee?", Nandini swiftly changes the topic making Raghav chuckle at her.

"Cappuccino? Anna rendu cappuccino.", Raghav orders for both of them.

[Cappuccino? Bro, can you get me two cappuccinos?]

Nandini blinks at him her mind replaying memories she did not want to remember yet again.

*6 Years ago, A few months into college*

Nandini and Mahi are sitting at a cafe, outside their college. Mahi was busy texting someone (no guesses for who it was) and Nandini was lost in thought staring at the people passing the cafe outside. Nandini immediately ducks her head when she notices Raghav and Pooja walk past. Nandini realised a second later that their hand were unmistakably joined together. Trying to breathe over her thundering heart she prayed that they didn't notice her.

The hope that ballooned in her chest shattered when she heard their voices right behind her. They had seated themselves on the table right behind her. She kept her head straight not wanting to make conversation with them. She looked up to see Mahi still absorbed in her phone.

"Hey yenna di kudikara? Cappuccino? Anna rendu cappuccino.", Nandini overhears Raghav's voice. Her breath hitches at the warm, affectionate way he addresses Pooja.

[What do you want to drink? Is cappuccino fine? Bro, get me two cappuccinos.]

"Hmm", Pooja replies.

"Sollu di, okay la?", Raghav asks.

[Hey, I'm asking a question here.]

"Kudikiren da loosu", Pooja giggles, making Raghav huff playfully.

[I'll drink it, you idiot. Don't keep asking.]

"Hey, adhu Mahi dhana?", Pooja asks noticing the people before her, making Nandini's heart sink.

[Hey, that's Mahi right?]

Mahi looks up at her name before she notices the 2 new people.

"Hi Akka. Hi Raghav.", Mahi greets them shooting Nandini a worried glance.

[Akka=a way to address an elder sister/an older woman]

Nandini turns back, knowing she cannot avoid them forever and greets them meekly.

"Do you want to join us?", Raghav asks Nandini, frowning slightly at her tired eyes that refused to make eye contact.

Mahi, being the amazing friend that she was picked up on her friend's behaviour and politely refused.