21st Century Life

Chapter Twelve

It is Monday again. Normally this meant weekend hangover and struggling to wake up at seven in the morning. But today... well, it is kind of the same. For the past two months, my morning alarm has been set to eleven and today I am at a job interview at ten in the morning. Not much of a difference.

It is blistering hot outside. The cafe was a fifteen-minute walk from my place and throughout the journey, I felt like I would just flat on the ground from exhaustion. Such was the heat but I did manage to make to the place alive. As for Kaashi, she took a taxi; for the fifteen-minute walk. The cafe, however, was cool and calm. There was much of a crowd and most of the tables were empty, we took a table that was the closest to the exit but didn't bother ordering any food. The employees were already informed about us, so they didn't bother us much with any sort of question.

Speaking of preparation, I had absolutely no idea what to expect. I wasn't sure if Kaashi was hiding any details or if our dear friend, Radhika, was hiding them. Whatever was the case, I decided not to do any sort of preparation. I just put on whatever I could find in my closet and made my way here. A red T-shirt, a pair of brown trousers and shoes, I think I look pretty decent. As for Kaashi, she took things a little too formal. With a bright white full shirt, tucked in, and black formal pants and shoes, she looked like she walked out of office. At ten in the morning.

'Do you think I overdressed?' she asked, a little bit concerned.

'Nah...' I replied. I tried to sound as genuine as I could, even though I was lying.

She turned silent yet again, resting her on her palm with an annoyed look on her face.

'You sure you don't know any other details?' I asked her again.

'Yes! I told you all I know.'

I wasn't convinced. How could Radhika thrust us into such a situation? 'Alright.'

'I asked her again and again but all she said was - I know the manager! She is like a best friend! Trust me! Blah! Blah! Blah!' she mocked.

I sighed, 'oh well. I guess we will find out.'

'I really want to see this manager though. You know what? I bet she is like fifty years old.'

'Why do you think that?' I asked. She was clearly letting out her frustrations, but I am not going to let her mock someone we didn't even meet.

'Please! She owns a restaurant. You know how many years it takes to accomplish such a thing. Plus! Her name. Siri Vennila! Who the hell has a name like that?'

'And you think your name is fancy?'

'Well... it isn't Siri Vennila.'

I rolled my eyes.

'You know what? I will bet you how she looks. She is probably a foot short...'

'Wait, whose height are we comparing?' I interrupted.

'You are barely four feet off the ground. If she really is three feet tall, she would literally be a walking dwarf.'

I wasn't four feet tall. But I was short compared to her eyes. Even though I stood at five feet six inches, Kaashi is a light pole in front of me at five feet eleven inches. Many envied her height and looks but she was a devil, soaking up all that envy and making herself prettier as she grew. Or that is what she claims, meanwhile, I think I had spotted a gray hair or two.

'Anyways,' she continued, 'I will say she is five feet tall, probably stout. With short hair and a big bindi on her forehead...'

'Enough already!' I shut her up, 'what has gotten into you today?' This was nothing unusual. She had a tendency to mock anyone who annoyed her. But this was crossing the line.

She growled to herself and fell silent. I didn't bother starting a conversation.

'You just wait and see,' she whispered, lying flat on the table.

'Seriously!'

I heard the door, behind me, click open. Kaashi got up and looked past when she face turned to shock. 'Holy shit!' she exclaimed.

What the heck? I turned back to see a woman, probably younger than us walk in. She was surrounded by three members of the staff, one who was opening the door for her, while the others, carrying boxes behind her.

'Don't you dare tell me that is her!' Kaashi growled.

She probably had a reason to be annoyed now, for the woman was nothing as she described. She stood tall and slim while a light tan covered her skin. Her face was yet another story, bold and dare I say beautiful, it exuded confidence. This was definitely not someone you meet every day. I couldn't make much else of her, my eyes kept coming back to her face. She casually marched past us when one of the waitresses in front pointed to us. Stopping dead in her tracks, she quickly turned and walked to our table. The two of us immediately got up on our feet.

'Kaashi?' she said pointing to her.

'Yes,' Kaashi said, trying to be graceful.

She turned to me next, 'and you are Daya.'

I nodded.

'Alright. There is a lot to talk about. Why don't you just relax for a few minutes? I will get back to you soon.' she turned to the waitress and said, 'dear, get them some drinks.'

The waitress immediately scampered off. She turned back to us, 'please. Take a seat.' We did as she said. 'Just give me a few minutes,' she requested.

'Oh sure! No problem,' I replied heartily.

'Thank you,' she said smiling and marched away. Kaashi didn't take her eyes off her until she disappeared behind a door. She turned back to me and said, 'I got a better ass.'

What? I didn't want to know that!

****

'How long has it been?' Kaashi asked me nervously.

'It has only been fifteen minutes.'

'Dammit. What is taking her so long?'

'Relax, would you? Why are you so nervous?'

'No, I am not,' she said slurping on her drink. 'In any case, I think we should be prepared.'

'We have nothing to go on,' I said, being a little pessimistic.

She said nothing and continued to slurp on her drink. I meanwhile had long finished the drink. My eyes were fixed on the door on the other side, waiting for it open. Honestly, I think I was a lot more anxious than Kaashi, I just didn't show it. Soon after our short talk, the door finally open and Siri stood out, calling the waitress.

'I think she is calling us,' I told Kaashi.

She looked back before drowning the last of her drink. The waitress did eventually reach us, directing us to her manager's room.