Keeping It Alive

New Friends

I didn't miss him much today, except few dreams. I don't even remember the dreams. Anyways, I was going to visit my old college today, looking for a job. I had discussed with one of my friends and he referred me to teach Engineering Graphics. 'It's nice to teach your favorite subject, and it is nicer when you're fluent in it.' I packed my bag with essential docs and left.

It was a quite successful meeting with college Professor. They were happy to appoint me if I was ready to compromise my wages. It was great. So far, going great. Of course salary compromise was expected. Plus working hours were not that long either. I called Ma told her 'the' news. She expressed her happiness mildly. And I can't blame her. After all, I had left my nearly six figure job and didn't even explained what happened. Of course, my sister would've told them about my situation, but still they're too disappointed. 'They will understand' I told myself and kept walking.

There was a cafe near my college, where we used to hang out a lot. I thought of giving it a short visit. 'He would've loved the cafe', I thought to myself and successfully grasped one of the couple's table.
"Your order, Ma'am", a waiter reached me after 5 minutes of waiting and asked. I wasn't in a hurry either.
"One malai chai and toast sandwich"
"Sandwich isn't available. Do you want anything else?" He explained and pointed towards menu written on the wall.
"How about a butter toast?" I compromised with butter toast.
"Yes. I will bring it to you." He said as fast as he can and disappeared.
Arrived after 10 minutes with my malai chai and butter toast.
"Sorry Ma'am to make you wait. We're little short on staff", He apologized for being late.
"It's ok", I said. I was amazed that 'since when the waiters are so polite and handsome and well mannered!' He was quite handsome and groomed, didn't look like a waiter at all.

I started to enjoy my toast with chai meanwhile keeping an eye on the 'handsome' waiter. After few minutes, the cafe manager reached him, and politely asked him something. He refused but manager insisted so he went with him. While moving out, he removed his apron. And I saw his black T-shirt with big Nike logo. It was looking fabulous on him. This guy was definitely not a waiter. 'Interesting' I thought to myself.
"Stop staring at him so strangely. You may poke a hole in him" A quirky voiced taunted me from my back. I turned and tried to look at him. A small gestured cute asian looking guy. But according to his accent, he wasn't asian, but North-East Indian, I guessed.
"Why don't you stop staring at me?" I replied back with the same intensity. I wasn't going to let him win. After all it was my hometown, my college day's hanging spot.
"New teacher?" He gave me a warm smile and tried to enquire about me.
"Why don't you introduce yourself first?", I snapped.
"I am Chery and I work in a factory as a manager, near that big tree", he answered politely.
Hearing his soft answer, I thought of sharing mine too. He seemed like a nice guy. Just little freaky but nice.
"Ritu, just got appointment letter. Joining from Monday." "Do you always eat here?" I tried to make friendship.
"Yeah! Sometimes, whenever I feel like it".
"Isn't the food here is amazing? Simple but delicious. I always loved it here. The atmosphere, the energy, everything...." I expressed my feelings after finishing my buttery toast.
"Yeah! The food is nice and so are the people."
"It looks like you love the people here. They're really efficient. I mean, at this rush hour, I got my food on time." I was happy to share those moments with someone nice.
"Hmm. The sandwiches here, really delicious. And light." He added.
"Hmm. I love them. Anyway, I have to leave. See you."
I paid my bill and left with a smile on my face.

"Shining were those stars today, a little brighter,
Trying to tell me, I forgot to smile yesterday,
Today was the chance to smile as much as I want,
Nobody was there to limit me today"