Song of the Firebird

Thirty Nine

'I'm taking a break. I have planned to finish my graduation by next year.'

...

'Don't look at me like that. I am in need of more money, right at this moment.'

'I'll loan you. I have saved enough. I know you will give it back, someday.'

'Tch. Why would you? You look like the one who would need more than I do'.

'I might. But, I'm willing to take the risk so that you don't have to take a break by working full time in my café. I have enough employees helping me on the second shift.'

'I insist. With me throughout the day under this very roof, I will get you more customers. Just think about how much extra bucks you could make.'

'Taking pride in your charming looks, eh? Promise me that you will complete your graduation next year, without flunking any subject!'

'I promise. Now, when shall I start my full-time shift?'

Natasha did not understand why Drew wanted to change his shift timings all of a sudden. No matter how many times she tried to change his decisions, he didn't seem to give up. That was not the Drew whom she hired a couple of years ago. His request, out of the blue, in the absence of the rest of his crew, did not seem to make any sense at all. She wondered if Zoya and Iqbal were aware of his decisions. She decided to ask Drew later for the reasons behind his request. He did have debts to pay but she began to ponder whether he had borrowed any from loan sharks.

Ever since her coming back home from Madurai, two weeks ago, her morning crew expressed a good but different behaviour. Zoya stopped glaring at her, Iqbal showered extra sympathy and Drew - he was acting all responsible and sincere, which was the complete opposite of his usual self. However, her regular customers were the ones that hadn't changed.

Detaching herself from her thoughts, she heard Drew speak. 'So, have you told the father yet?'

Natasha blinked. Stuttering, she asked, 'I-Is it obvious?'

Drew nodded. 'You should shop for the next size or even an extra large one, if you want to hide the bump away.' Natasha looked down her protruding tiny bump. Caressing it gently, she smirked, 'Well, I think I must go shopping next week. I should ask Kiara or Ivy. What do you think?'

'Up to you. You haven't answered me yet? Was it the Indian whom you used to date? Has he proposed yet?'

'Did you mistakenly enrol for Psychology rather than Mechatronics? And, yes. The Indian guy goes by Jay, dammit!'

Drew chuckled. He patted her head and said in a lilting tone, 'Tell me if he breaks your heart. I will gladly break him.'

In the middle of their banter, a third person cleared their throat.

'Like I would let you', murmured a scoffing Danny behind the counter. He looked at Natasha and said, 'I will have a Sriracha chicken sandwich and an apple juice.' Natasha nodded. 'Is it new on your lunch menu?'

'It had been there only since last week', she said, while slowly taking the sandwich with the silver tongs.

While she was heating it in the oven, she heard Danny exclaim, 'Oh! There's an empty seat!.' She saw Danny rush past the crowd moving before him and throw over the magazine on the table that he had brought. He did not miss to smirk victoriously at the scoffing crowd. 'This place is reserved, folks!'

Drew slapped his forehead and said, 'Are you not embarrassed being friends with this guy, boss? I have been trying hard to get you more customers and he is ruining it! And what does he mean, like he would let me?'. He glared at the now ignoring Natasha, who is making her way to Danny's table with his orders. 'Hey, I am talking to you!'