aurore - an unusual love story √

part eighty four

16/3 , Park Street, Kolkata

7:30 in the evening.

The neon to ' Sona's Kitchen ' glowed brightly outside the ancient, British era-built-four-storeyed establishment, along with many other signboards.

The kitchen was spread all over the first floor, and it served tiffin orders along with takeaways.
There was no plan for a restaurant any sooner, despite the immense appraisal of the quality of food they provided.

Around twenty female workers prepared food everyday with utmost efficacy.

And Sonara, the owner, the supervisor, the guide, and the cashier, sat at a desk a bit secluded from the kitchen.

She checked her watch.

" Ruma! " , she summoned one of them.

A middle aged smily faced woman ran out of the kitchen.

" I'm leaving for the day. Tomorrow, everyone gather and listen carefully to the orders you need to follow for a certain number of upcoming days.

None must be absent for the morning.

Mary aunty might join us as well."

Ruma nodded.

" Lock the doors properly once the last order is done. I've to leave early today, would have stayed otherwise. "

" I know Didi. Don't worry. " , Ruma escorted her to the door.

Thumping down the old stairs, Sonara waited for an autoricksaw to come this way. One did, sooner than expected.

" Shakespeare Sarani, Dada! " , she waved.

" Sit. " , the angry looking driver said.

Sonara smiled and got up.
She could speak and understand Bengali a bit too well, thanks to all these years.

Kolkata was a very beautiful city. And the place she dwelt in, with its mystique mood, old buildings, churches, smells of cakes, yellow streetlights, made her feel at peace most of the time.

The auto dropped her right below her apartment. She stayed at the second floor, in a two bedroom flat.

Her business was satisfactory, enough to afford a good living, over years. The kitchen was established almost seven years from now.

Standing before the door, Sonara looked for the key that was supposed to be below the doormat.
She was surprised when she didn't find any.

Squeezing her brows, she thrashed upon the calling bell.

Almost five minutes passed.
And then, to her slight surprise, the door opened.

She got in with a straight face.

The one who opened the door had already disappeared inside one of the bedrooms.

Sonara nodded hopelessly.
" So you did not go to Rupanjana's birthday party yet again. " , she raised her voice while getting rid of her shoes.
She drank the glass of water carefully placed on the table.

Then, went inside the bedroom.

He sat on the bed, plucking strings of a guitar. His specs almost falling off his nose.

Sonara walked upto him, pushing back the spectacle in position.

" I'm asking something. " , she said again.

" No. You're stating facts. Yes, I did not go to Rupanjana's party. That's obvious. " , he shrugged, putting aside the guitar.

" But why, Ayaan??? She's your best friend!! " , Sonara frowned.