Chapter 4: A Different Perspective
The sun was already high in the sky when Raitha arrived at the café the next morning. The familiar clang of the bell above the door announced her arrival, but this time, Shyam was nowhere to be seen.
"Mr. Patel?" she called out, peeking around the counter.
"In the back, Raitha!" Mr. Patel's cheerful voice echoed from the kitchen.
Raitha walked over, expecting to find Shyam, but instead, she saw Mr. Patel bent over a pot of bubbling soup. The smell of fresh herbs filled the air.
"Where's Shyam?" she asked, leaning against the doorframe.
Mr. Patel chuckled. "He's running a delivery to one of our regulars. Should be back soon."
"Oh," she said, glancing around. "Need help with anything?"
Mr. Patel gestured toward the tray of cookies cooling on the counter. "Those need to be arranged in the display case. Think you can handle that?"
"On it," Raitha replied with a mock salute.
---
The Morning Buzz
By the time Shyam returned, the café was alive with its usual hum of activity. Raitha was at the counter, taking orders with her usual bright smile, while Mr. Patel moved expertly between the kitchen and the floor.
"Delivery done?" Raitha asked as Shyam set down an empty bag.
"Yeah," he replied, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. "Mrs. Das said thanks for the pastries."
"Did she also give you an earful about her cat again?" Raitha teased, earning a faint smile from Shyam.
"She always does," he admitted, his tone light.
As the day progressed, Raitha couldn't help but notice something different about Shyam. He seemed more at ease, more willing to engage with customers and even crack the occasional joke. It was subtle, but it was there.
"Look at you," she said during a quiet moment. "You're turning into a social butterfly."
Shyam raised an eyebrow. "A butterfly?"
"Okay, maybe more like a caterpillar inching out of its cocoon," she teased, earning a quiet chuckle from him.
---
A Quiet Afternoon
The lunch rush came and went, leaving the café in a rare moment of calm. Shyam was wiping down tables when Raitha approached, a mischievous glint in her eye.
"Hey, I have an idea," she said.
"That sounds dangerous," he replied, but there was no edge to his words.
"Very funny," she said, rolling her eyes. "I was thinking… we should rearrange the seating a bit. Make it cozier, you know?"
Shyam frowned, glancing around the café. "The layout works fine as it is."
"Sure, but it could be better," she said, gesturing toward the corner by the window. "Like over there. That spot could be perfect for couples. A small table, some cushions…"
Shyam followed her gaze, considering her suggestion. "It's not a bad idea," he admitted after a moment.
Raitha grinned. "Great! Let's do it now."
"Now?"
"No time like the present," she said, already moving chairs aside.
---
Teamwork
Despite his initial reluctance, Shyam found himself swept up in Raitha's enthusiasm. Together, they rearranged the tables, adding small touches like a vase of flowers here and a stack of books there.
By the time they finished, the café had taken on a slightly different feel. The corner Raitha had pointed out now featured a round table with two chairs, a soft throw blanket draped over the back of one.
"See? Cozy," she said, stepping back to admire their work.
Shyam nodded. "Yeah, it looks nice."
Raitha turned to him, her expression softening. "You know, you're not bad at this whole teamwork thing."
He shrugged, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I just follow orders."
"Sure you do," she said, laughing.
---
A Quiet Reflection
As the day came to a close, Shyam found himself lingering near the newly arranged corner. There was something about it that felt different, like a small piece of Raitha's energy had been infused into the space.
"You're staring," Raitha said, startling him.
"I'm just… thinking," he said quickly.
"About what?" she asked, leaning against the counter.
He hesitated, then gestured toward the corner. "It's a good idea. People will like it."
Raitha smiled, her eyes warm. "Thanks, Shyam. That means a lot."
As she turned to leave, Shyam found himself wondering how someone like her could bring so much life into everything she touched.
For the first time, he began to see the café—and his own quiet world—through her eyes.