HER PAST & HIS FUTURE

CHAPTER - 21 AN OLD YEAR NEW LIFE

Alara hears someone calling her name from the busy crowd. She turns around to check who it is, but all she could see was herself in the mirror that’s being carried somewhere. So, when she sees no one but her reflection and couldn’t hear anyone again. She left the market. “I should give Ashish and Vicky a treat” she thinks on her way home.

“Oh! Where did she go?” Vimala says when she sees Alara is not anywhere. “She said she got a call from work,
must’ve left" Ashish says. “I see! Bring her home once, if  possible” Vimala says smiling. “Mam, it’s not like that. She’s a new friend” Ashish says. “Sure, let’s go now”Vimala says walking away. Ashish follows her outside.

3rd March 2020:
10:00 AM:

Alara reaches her work place just in time like she was told to. The manager introduces her to the rest of the people
that works there. He asks her coworker to train her for a week. “Tell her everything about tourism in Tamil Nadu and our working conditions” he says to that person. “I assume you should know everything about the city first before working here. I’ll let you guide the tourists next week. Good luck” the manager says to Alara. “Damn! There are so many temples here, this is still
interesting. The architecture is actually so amazing considering how long they were constructed” Alara thinks in the middle of completing the task she was given.

A few hours after coming back from lunch with her coworkers, Alara goes to make a coffee since she feels like the colleagues are friendly enough. Alara decides to say what’s on her mind.“Umm! Isn’t all this too extravagant for a private tourism company?” she asks taking a sip of the water instead of coffee since she remembers her plan with Ashish. Her coworker chuckles.“Come on Mira What’s funny? I just genuinely think so”Alara says. “Well, because you got the same doubt as us on our first day. It’s because our founder is hella rich and has nothing to do and loves travelling,there’s the answer”Mira shrugs. “He only wants people who love travelling to work here. Work comfortably to be precise. So yeah,it’s kinda luxurious for the job we  do” she says again.“Oh” Alara nods. She gets back to work again feeling happy for knowing some more people in the year that’s so strange to her.

5:00 PM:

Alara walks out of the office and sends Ashish a text.

- “Just started what about you?”
- “On my way too, will be there in 30 mins” he texts back.
- “Oh! Maybe we will reach there around the same time then” she replies.
- “😊” he texts back.

Half an hour later, they both stand together at the entrance of the coffee shop. “This was the only coffee shop you can find?” Ashish asks Alara turning to look at her looking away from the board of the café. “Why? It looks creative. The reviews are nice too” Alara says pouting. Ashish nods “Yeah! AVENGERS ASSEMBLE – let’s get coffee.

It’s definitely very creative” he says sounding sarcastic enough for Alara to notice. “What? You don’t line avengers? It’s a famous show” Alara asks. “No! of course I love it too” he says. “My favourite one is Thor. What about you?” she asks him to go in and open the café door for Ashish. “Mine’s Hulk!” he says. “I see. When’s Vicky coming though?” she asks. “Just a minute. I’ll call him and you ask him yourself” he says. They sit at the table beside the window and Ashish hands the phone to Alara. “Hey dude! I know you don’t like me but you should’ve come here” she says. “Nah! Sorry crazy. Sorry  mama I’m stuck here at the theatre club at the university can’t come right now” he says. “Sure! It’s okay” she replies. “Well, take care and enjoy the treat without me mama, bye crazy!” he yells. “Sure, bye” Ashish says. As soon as Ashish cuts the call, the waiter walks up and asks the order. “Coffee” they say in sync. “Sir, there’s almost 100 types of coffees. Which one do you want?” the waiter asks. “Filter coffee. The best one of course” Ashish says. Alara smiles. “An iced americano for me please” she says.
The waiter nods and leaves. “What ma? What iced americano? That’s just sewage water” he says. “Well, let me just settle with sewage water today then” she smiles. “Sure, I mean maybe people just liked iced americano more in 2052” he says. “Oh! Stop reminding me of that prank already. It was a dare” she says.

“Sure! Nice acting”
“Huh?”
“While completing the dare, I mean”
“Oh! Thanks!”
Their order arrives. Ashish takes his cup and smells the coffee. Face muscles completely relaxing, he takes the first sip of the warm filter coffee and of course he feels same again. All the thoughtless worries effortlessly disappearing. “Back to heaven again” he says. Alara smiles looking at him throughout the process of him tasting the coffee. “I guess this is just a sewage water for real” she says. He shrugs. The sound of water drops
hitting the glass window catches their attention and in a minute it starts raining.“It’s just got perfect, the coffee” he says smiling.“Because it's raining?
Should I get a filter coffee too?”
“Why? Just drink from mine”
“Huh? You sure?”
“Why not?”
“Okay then”
Alara takes the cup from his hand and tastes the coffee just like Ashish did.
“You’re right dude! It does feel like heaven” she says.
“I told you” He shrugs.
“So, what else? How’s college?” she asks
“Nice………………….
………………………”
They talk for about an hour about each other’s college majors, interests, family etc. When the rain finally stops, they get out of the café.
“Well then! Bye” she says.
“Come on, I’ll drop you home” he says.
“You sure?” she asks.
“Yeah! It’s on the way anyways.
“Okay!” Alara says and gets on his bike.
“Phew! The bike ride was nice. Thanks!” she says hugging Ashish when she gets off. Ashish freezes. He reacts after a second after his mind registering what
happened. “Aah! Born and brought up in the USA right, makes sense” Ashish thinks in his mind and pats her back trying not to seem rude. “Don’t mention it. C’mon it’s not any help” he says. “Sure then, Bye!” she says and goes inside. Ashish turns around and heads back reminding himself that a hug is just a greeting for Alara. “Reached home” he
sends a text to Alara entering his house.