Before getting into the chapter, do read the prologue again. Have made a few changes in it.
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The day passed in a jiff. It was a busy day today in café. I was continuously running here and there to receive the orders and also serving them. As lexi left the café early today to go on a date with her new found boyfriend, I was doing an extra time to fill her place because of her continuous pleading. It was nearly nine thirty in night, when I got a call from fariha. Answering the call and balancing the phone in between my ear and shoulder I said my salam, while cleaning the table. Replying to my salam, she said,
"You'll never change. Am I right?" She spoke annoyed from the other end.
I smiled listening to her and said,
"Hey, it's not a crime to help others, okay. She was literally begging me to help her and looking at her pleads, I felt bad. So that's why I agreed to her" I said defending myself.
"She always does this adiva. And you being a naive soul doesn't understand her tricks. Such a fool you are" she shouted this time.
"That's okay, let it be. It's just a matter of few hours. So no problem" I said calmly.
"What? What do you mean by no problem? Do you even remember, that you have a witch step mother of yours in your home, who think of all possible ways to make your life hell. Do you even think of yourself?" She yelled.
"Fariha, please. Please don't call her by names. I seriously don't like it. I know, she isn't treating me well. But that doesn't mean, we should disrespect our elders. I'm happy that, at least she let me to live in that house with her, rather than leaving me on streets. I'm grateful to her for letting me to live with my baba. So please" I ended the argument right over there.
She sighed from the other end and said,
"Being kind is good adiva. But being a fool is not. People are using your kindness against you, but you won't see that and you will never understand that. Let it be, I won't argue anymore" she said with a low tone. Before I could say anything, she continued,
"Text me when you get home. I'll see you tomorrow" saying she ended the call.
Shaking my head at her silly behaviour, I turned back to go, when I heard the bell from the door indicating me that a new customer has arrived and that's when I noticed,that I forgot to turn the board "CLOSED". Biting my lips, I went towards the door and changed the board from OPEN to CLOSED, in order to avoid further customers. Alex was on the billing counter and was going through today's expenses and I was the only one left alone in the café along with the newly arrived couple. I moved towards the old couple with a bright smile on my face, shooing away my tiredness and said,
"Good evening sir and mam. Your order please?" I asked them still with a smile.
Hearing my voice, both of them turned towards me and gave me a shocked look. Looking at their weird gaze, I felt a bit uncomfortable and looked down immediately. And sensing my discomfort, the old man cleared his throat and squeezing his wife's hand, he looked at me and gave me warm smile and the old lady too smiled at me. I gave them a nervous smile and stood there with my note and pen waiting for their orders.
"Two cappuccino double espresso with steamed milk along with two cafe mocha mini muffins" said the old man with a broad smile. I nodded my head and left inside to get them their required orders.
Ten minutes later, I came out holding a tray with their orders and moved towards them. Placing it on their table, I was about to move, when I felt a hold on my wrist. Turning around I looked at the old lady, who now gestured me to have a seat next to hers. I looked at Alex who was now looking at me with a confused face, and then looked at the lady who showed him her hands and asking his permission for me to get settled with them. He smiled brightly and looking at me he shook his head giving me his permission to sit along with them. I sat next to the lady and nervously started to fidget the end of my top. She gently placed her wrinkled skin hands on the top of my head and caressed me above my head scarf. My eyes pooled immediately by her gesture. It felt like my mother's warmth. The same gentleness, same love and everything which I have missed all these years. Tears trickled down my cheeks, which was immediately rubbed by the old man who sat right in front of us. I looked at him, to which he rewarded me with a smile. I gave him a genuine smile, when the lady asked,
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Spiritual"Salam Adiva" i heard his deep voice from the other side of the line. "Walaikum salam" i said still looking at his side of the bed with a sad look on my face. "What's wrong? You sound upset" his voice had the same concern which made me to miss him m...
