Coffee @ Ayodhya

Ep: 2 A Heartfelt Glimpse: Ananya and Destiny

It was a crisp February afternoon last year, a time when Ananya's routine revolved around her quiet life working from home. The days often blurred together, punctuated only by a ritual coffee break-her one brief escape from the walls of her apartment. Every day, like clockwork, she and her roommate Priya would step out for a quick walk to the local coffee shop. It wasn't much-just thirty minutes to an hour-but it was a slice of normalcy, a breath of fresh air, a chance to unwind with Priya as they chatted about everything and nothing.

That day was supposed to be like any other. The air was cool, with the sunset casting a warm, golden hue over everything. The coffee shop was warm and familiar, but there was something different that evening. For the first time, Ananya noticed him. He sat at a table, his back facing her, casually dressed in a purple hoodie, his wavy hair falling just past his ears. Small-built and unassuming, there was something about him that caught her attention. It wasn't love at first sight, nothing so dramatic-but there was a spark, something she couldn't quite place. She found herself watching him, feeling an unexpected connection.

Ananya nudged Priya playfully. "If I see that guy again," she joked, "it must be destiny." They both laughed, brushing it off as a passing moment. The next time Ananya saw him, she and Priya began referring to him as "Destiny Baabu" whenever they talked about him, since they didn't know his real name.

In the present, Ananya reflects on moments that revealed not just his outer charm, but his kindness. One day, like any other, she and Priya were at the coffee shop, and, as usual, Destiny Baabu appeared. She found herself stealing glances from a distance, watching as he moved about. He was getting ready to leave when something unusual happened.

Just outside the coffee shop, there was a small seating area often used by customers. That day, a drunk man was sitting there, mumbling as Destiny Baabu passed by. Ananya couldn't hear what was said, but her curiosity was piqued. Without hesitation, Destiny Baabu turned back, went inside, and got a token, heading straight for the parcel counter.

From where she was seated, Ananya couldn't see what happened next, but within minutes, he came out with a parcel, walking directly toward the drunk man. With a quiet smile, he handed over the food. The man accepted it gratefully, and then something unexpected unfolded-Destiny Baabu gave him his number, along with a side hug.

Ananya watched, captivated, not entirely understanding what she was feeling, but she liked him even more now. There was something undeniably warm about him. Without thinking, she whispered, "Aww, I also need a hug..." Her words tumbled out before she could catch them, and she glanced at Priya, who looked at her, surprised.

They both laughed awkwardly, but in that moment, Ananya knew-Destiny Baabu wasn't just a passing stranger. He was different, unlike anyone she had ever met before, and she could already sense that he would leave an indelible mark on her life.

Now, as she revisits those memories, Ananya checks his Introgram account, feeling as if she's stepping into another world. She becomes engrossed, scrolling through his posts, highlights, and comments, eager to understand every facet of him. The difference between his online persona and the guy she saw at the coffee shop is striking. On Introgram, he is a gym enthusiast, impeccably dressed, far from the laid-back, hoodie-wearing guy she had come to know.

As she scrolled, something new caught her attention-there were more highlight stories than before. That's when she realized: he had added her to his "Close Friends" list. Her heart raced. Could this be real? He wasn't just tolerating her presence; maybe this wasn't one-sided. She knew she liked him, but his thoughts had always been a mystery. Until now.

Yet, the Close Friends stories weren't what she had imagined. She had hoped he was a simple guy, someone whose world might overlap with hers. She wasn't looking for a relationship, just a small connection. But what she saw made him feel distant, his life more complex than hers. It scared her, this sudden shift in perception.

You, just steps away, yet worlds apart,
Your calmness, a shield that guards your heart.
Approachable to all, yet distant as a star,
Your kindness heals others, but deepens my own scar.

Still, she couldn't stop looking, even though part of her felt she shouldn't. She knew better than to expect anything from Vikram.

Or maybe she believed she didn't deserve to. Her past experiences began to creep in—the memories of every man she had ever loved or trusted, including those in her own family. All they had ever done was betray her, leaving her hurt and broken. That pain had shaped her, made her feel unworthy of expecting more. And now, with Vikram, those old wounds resurfaced. She couldn't help but wonder if this was just another setup for heartbreak, if he, too, would eventually be part of that pattern.