Espresso Love (SanDhir)

Chapter 13 - The Bittersweet

"Hello Parth?"

"Yes... Who is...," his voice trailed off by the end; I knew he would figure it out, and so he did. "Is that you Sanyukta?" he finally spoke after a few moments of silence.

I smiled into the phone, "I need to talk to you Parth!"

If anyone understood me at all after Randhir, then it had to be him. He and I had been the best of friends ever since we first met at the Freshers Party. At first, Randhir had hated him for that very reason. But eventually, even they became good friends.

"Anytime Sanyukta," I heard him say, a sense of relief seeping through his voice.

"If you're not busy tonight, do you think we could meet up for dinner? Same place?" I asked.

He let out a little laugh, "Same place! See you tonight!"

"Thanks Parth!" I said relieved; I really needed my friend right now.

Before cutting the call, he added, "It's good to hear from you!"

I entered my home and made myself a cup of black coffee. I sat with the cup in my hands, and the envelope sitting in front of me. Taking the note out, I began to read it again. Over and over again. It wasn't until I saw little tear marks on the paper that I realized I was crying. I put my head down and cried out loud, wanting to empty out this void I felt in my life, in my heart, and in my soul. But I was foolish to think tears would do the job. I was foolish for the past four years, to think that anything, or even anyone else, could fill the void. It has always been that way, and it won't ever change.

—

—

I had stormed out of there, angry at myself for losing control. I know there is something about the situation that I'm not aware of otherwise she would not have kissed me back. But I was angry at her as well. Was she still Mrs. Mittal? Was she ever Mrs. Mittal?

These thoughts haunted me continuously, yet I couldn't shield myself from the one simple question amongst the other thoughts. Why is she back?

It felt nice to see her after so many years; almost surreal to be honest with myself. But it also brought back the memories I had chosen to live with. It made those memories a thing of the past, something that isn't the present; and that was what hurt so bad.

Did I do the right thing by hiring her? I thought to myself. It will kill me to see her in front of me every single day, knowing very well that she can't be mine. But I valued passion and ambition; I knew how deserving she is of the position. I had always known. No one else could do a better job than her. But can I live like that?

My head pounded with all these thoughts. I made myself my 6th cup of coffee for the day. One hand on my head, and the other holding the cup, I sat at the table. Breathing deeply, I called Vidushi. Only she could help me right now. But as my luck would have it, she didn't pick up. So I left a message.

*Hey Vidushi! I just met... her*

I left it at that, not knowing what else to write. But she was my best friend after all as she replied right away.

*Sry, in a meeting rn. But I'll come over asap!*

I smiled. My past may not have been the greatest story, but it did have the most amazing people and I will always be grateful for that.

Going into the kitchen, I decided to cook for our dinner to distract myself.

—

"Randhir but I have to go! Kaustuki and Vidushi will get worried if I don't reach soon! Let me go please?" she requested me sweetly, yet I couldn't let her go.

"Why don't you just tell them that you're here?"

"Are you crazy Randhir? No way!" she shrieked, sitting up on the bed now. "Plus I haven't even eaten yet. I have to go before the cafeteria closes!" She grabbed her bag and headed towards the door. But I ran to the door before she could leave and stood in front of it, blocking her from going out. I thought about it, contemplating my options to make her stay here. "What if... What if I cook for you?" I spoke slowly, each word at a time.

She looked at me, confusion spreading in her eyes until she finally realized what I meant. The confusion vanished quickly as she stood there, smirking as she walked towards me, "So are you really that desperate to stop me from going that you will cook for me?"

A sheepish smile came on my face before I could stop it. "Hey it's a one time offer. Take it or leave it!" I stepped away, showing her the door.

"So do I get to pick?" she asked before taking her phone out, "Hey Kaustu! Randhir and I are going to work on the project overnight, so don't wait up!"

It was my time to smirk. "Pasta for my lady?" I bowed in front of her with one hand extended towards her. She put out her hand into mine and curtsied, "Sounds good my lord," both of us fancying a poor British accent.

That night was the first time I had ever cooked anything apart from instant noodles.

"I cannot believe my MCP is actually cooking for me," she laughed as she sat on the counter, watching me cut the vegetables.

I stopped what I was doing and walked to her, leaning in dangerously close; "You know you can help me right?"

She leaned in even more, and right when I thought she was about to kiss me, she moved to my ear and whispered, "What would be the fun in that?"

Shoving me back, she winked at me.

I went back to the vegetables, "Yea well this is only because I'm feeling generous right now!" I tried to reason myself.

"Well maybe I will feel generous later on if you know what I mean," she said softly. I pretended not to hear her, but couldn't help grin at the thought of it. "Oh I am counting on that," I said to myself.

—

"Hey Randhir! Where are you?" I heard Vidushi enter my apartment. "Oh my god, that smells amazing!"

She entered the kitchen just as I was stirring the pasta.

Her voice softened, "This is the same pasta you cooked for her!"