Radha was organising the counter when the first customer arrived.
She didn't even look up.
Mr. Sahni was always the first customer of the day and she chirped with fake happiness, as always...
Morning ji, five minutes to your usual. The pot is simmering.... I am almost done...
So, how is Kush do---
And she stopped.
The sandalwood aroma from the new arrival filled her senses.
CAN NOT BE SAHNI.
Ahem....
The customer cleared his throat right then to interrupt her.
And she looked up.
DEFINITELY NOT SAHNI.
Radha blushed in embarrassment.
Stupid Radha, she cursed mentally. When will you grow up!!!
Focus. Look. Greet.
She scolded herself.
She flashed her famous smile...
I am so Sorry Sir, I took you for someone else. Welcome to THE CAFE . What can I get for you?
Coffee. Infusion.Medium.
The man punched his card, turned back and walked to the furthest corner to disappear behind the morning paper.
What a.....
She checked her temper and muttered, Rude ... Very rude.
As she frowned and concentrated on coffee making, Radha pondered over her own reaction unmindfully.
There was nothing wrong with the behavior of this customer, but, there was something about the man that instantaneously made her crave for a pleasant conversation or at least a smile. She was indeed perplexed by her sudden infatuation before the morning rush replaced her emotions with motion.
***********
Not until three hours later she realized that the morning visitor was still sitting at the corner of the cafe and talking to a man who radiated an aura of power and money.
The Cafe ran on prepaid mode and Radha had been busy supervising the kitchen as well as the counter. She must have missed them reorder since the table was loaded with food and fresh coffee.
The post brunch hours were always her favorite. She could relax a bit, check her cell phone or log into her Facebook or Instagram.
But today, she just wanted to steal glances and look at the stranger.
She opened the ledger on her laptop pretending to tally it, while in reality her eyes darted off to the man from the morning.
He was a tall dark devilishly handsome man sitting in an authoritative yet casual posture.
His shampooed hair was unruly and it waved down to his neck. Such an attractive face, yet, so naive. His eyes twinkled as he spoke and the peek-a-boo smile across his lips made her wish for an eternity of free time to look at him and forget the world.
As his right hand glided in the air while he talked to the man he was facing, Radha saw the ring. It was the most beautiful solitaire she had ever seen. Radha could barely move her eyes from the moving hands. It could be the man, it could be the elegance, it could be the jewel, it could be the faint aroma tickling her senses... But whatever it was, suddenly an overwhelming sense of happiness filled her senses and Radha floated to a happy state of trance which was broken only when the second in charge snapped her fingers to drag her out from the dreamless state of nothingness.
It's past your break time Ra, you Ok?
Her eyes flickered to the spot where the mystery man was sitting.
EMPTY.
No left overs. No cups. Spotless clean.
Radha looked at the clock.
Only a couple of minutes since she lost count.
Survi, those customers left? I was staring right across them and kinda dozed off with eyes open!!!
How could people just leave and I miss?
Survi was officially her Deputy, but in reality she was a friend and guide to her.
What!!! Ra. What customers? The cafe is totally empty since 11:30 or so, just as usual. I am not expecting much people to walk in before 1. You know the rush hours Ra... For God sake. You need to eat. You are hallucinating!!!
NO. SURVI THIS MORNING'S 1ST CUSTOMER. HE WAS.... STOP MEDDLING. WAIT.
Radha remembered seeing Croissant and Frappucciono on the table.
She hit the keyboard to find the orders with the same combination....
" NIL MATCH FOUND "
Radha sighed.
The guy must have left long before.
The job, the responsibility, the lack of anything to look forward to, the monetary issues for her sister Shova's marriage, everything was robbing her sanity.
May be I need food Survi. Let's eat.
Her head dropped in defeat.
Even though a hallucination, being happy feels good, she realized.
She sighed again and headed for the lunch dabba she usually carried from home.
She washed her hands and picked up her lunch box when she saw the half filled cup of Frappucciono resting peacefully beside her dabba.
The non existent canteen definitely smelled of sandalwood.
She simply fainted.
The last thing she heard before losing sense was Survi's voice....
BLOOOOOOOOD!!!!!
Tanya.... Saurav.... Ankit.... Shresthaaaaaaaaaaa...