Vansh stood by the counter, arranging the tokens, when he heard a jingling. Turning around, he was surprised to see a girl he recognised: the one from the school roof. She had stepped inside, her gaze fixed on the other side of the room.
She was dressed in a relaxed, oversized plaid shirt layered over a simple white top, giving off a soft, casual vibe. Her outfit was completed with loose, high-waisted grey pants and minimal accessories, creating an effortless street-style aesthetic.
As she slowly turned towards Vansh, their gazes met, but neither of them spoke. The silence between them was becoming increasingly awkward. Why couldn't either of them say something?
She stepped in further, but it was late; the floor was wet. "Hell—" she started to say, but that simple greeting sounded beautiful. Just as she was about to fall, Vansh instinctively jumped forward, grabbing her hand and pulling her toward him. However, her awkward movement caused her to tumble against him.
Her hands instinctively grasped around his neck, and out of reflex, Vansh held her waist to steady her. They were so close now, eye to eye, her mouth slightly open in surprise.
"Be careful," he managed to say.
Oh my god, what a morning greeting!
"Can you?" Vansh asked her, but she remained still, lost in his gaze.
"Uh, hello?" She snapped back to reality. Vansh had released his hold from her waist; it was only her hands that were still gripping his neck. Instinctively, she let go of him.
As she adjusted her dress, Vansh felt uncertain. He slowly moved to the other side of the room near the door and picked up the bag that had fallen from her hands.
"There you go," Vansh said, handing the bag to her. She glanced down at her plaid shirt and accepted the bag from him.
"Sorry, but the floor was just mopped," he pointed out, explaining the situation.
She remained silent, not offering any response.
"Also, the café isn't open yet," he added, noting that the sign was still on the closed side.
She hadn't realised that. She had entered the café, thinking someone might be there, but how could she know that he would be the only one inside?
"I'm sorry," she apologised. "My friend came here and placed an early order for the morning, so I had to come collect it instead of her. I didn't see the sign. If you want, I can come back later." As she spoke, she turned towards the door, her body tense with anxiety.
"Wait, you don't have to leave," he stopped her. "Why don't you just wait here? Your order will be here in a few minutes, if you don't mind," Vansh suggested gently.
She clutched her small bag tightly. Turning back to him, she replied, "Okay."
Just then, Aarav appeared in his new uniform. He was wearing a jet-black chef's coat, tailored to fit closely while allowing ease of movement. The asymmetrical design fastened diagonally with matte buttons, looking subtle yet refined. A mandarin collar framed his neck, giving him a sharp and professional appearance—clean, precise, and unembellished. The full sleeves ended neatly at his wrists, and a black waist apron wrapped around him, slightly textured, simple, and functional.
"Great, that looks good on you," Vansh complimented him. Aarav felt uncertain about the situation and thought to himself, "How did this even come up?"
"Thanks, Vansh," Aarav replied.
"And yes, we have your first order of the day."
Vansh turned toward the girl. "Excuse me, but do you have any kind of receipt?"
She searched through her bag. "Yeah, she gave me one." Out of nervousness, she pulled it out and handed it to him. She fiddled with her hair and tugged at her earlobes, where some shiny earrings hung.
Vansh thanked her and took the receipt, reading it. It was the same order as last night. He handed it to Aarav, and they both knew whose order it was now. Aarav just had to repeat the same process, but this time he had the baking powder.
Aarav carefully entered the kitchen, and Vansh turned on the fans to speed up drying.
He looked at the girl and asked, "Why don't you take a seat?"
"No, I will wait here," she replied, clearly still nervous after their earlier hug.
"Are you going to stand for 20 minutes? Have a seat," he insisted, though his tone didn't quite convey his words.
Reluctantly, she took a seat on the nearest sofa. Vansh glanced at her again before heading back into the kitchen. Aarav was working effortlessly on the order. He saw Vansh but wasn't sure whether to say something or not, so he just continued working. "Does he know that girl?" he thought to himself.
After some time, Vansh emerged from the kitchen, carrying a tray with a cup of hot chocolate and a cookie. The girl was gazing around the cafe, captivated by the ambience. As soon as she saw Vansh, her attention turned to him.
He placed the cup and cookie in front of her.
"But I didn't order anything, and it wasn't on the receipt," she said, puzzled.
"This is on the house. Sorry for the earlier inconvenience, and since you have to wait for a while, why don't you enjoy this?" he suggested, trying to make up for the mistake. She felt it was her fault for entering a closed cafe so early in the morning without notice. Vansh slowly began to step back.
"And I'm sorry for holding you like that earlier," he added, then walked away.
She reminisced about the hug and felt embarrassed. The hot chocolate was steaming, with cream on top. She took the cup in her hands and took a sip. "It's good," she said to herself.
As she finished her drink and cookie, Vansh returned to his work casually. The door opened from the right, and Aunt entered. Upon seeing the girl, she walked over to Vansh.
"An early customer already? I didn't expect you to open the cafe so early."
"I didn't think she would come in early either. She had an order to collect," Vansh replied.
"That's it? Was there anything more? Never mind, just make a bill for her and finalise everything. You know it's Saturday," Aunt instructed.
Aunt went into the kitchen to attend to her work, and a few minutes later, Aarav came out with the order, packaged neatly. Vansh turned to the girl, who was watching him intently. She took her last sip, grabbed her bag, and approached the counter.
She stood there while he finished creating the bill. He handed the bill to her, and she paid for it. As she received her order, an awkward moment lingered. As she was leaving, her keen eyes watched him closely. The door closed behind her as she exited.
"Is everything alright?" Aunt asked from behind.
Vansh jumped a bit.
"Did I startle you?" she questioned. He denied it and went outside to check on the order. "What's going on with him?" she wondered, glancing at Aarav.
"I don't know, ma'am," he replied nervously, trying to conceal his thoughts.
In that cafe, everyone was just playing their roles—one acting as if they knew everything, while the others were shrouded in suspicion.
Vansh stepped outside and opened the door. The girl was still there, standing with the order in her hands. When he saw her, he paused and then closed the door behind him.
Both of them were unsure of what to do next. He turned the door sign to indicate he was open and glanced at her, asking, "Is everything alright?" He tried to convey some concern.
"Nothing, I was just about to leave." Although her nervousness had lessened, it was still present. He nodded and moved back inside. "Okay."
"The drink and cookie were good. Thank you for that," she added.
"No problem," he replied as she prepared to leave.
"Come visit again," he encouraged.
She turned back and smiled brightly. "Yeah, sure."
Just then, he turned to the door again, holding the sign. The door opened slightly as he pulled, revealing his aunt.
"What are you doing?" she asked, her tone suspicious.
"Everything's fine. Let's just finish up with work. I'll be inside," he said, stepping back in.
"Geez, this kid," his aunt muttered. She watched him go inside and then tried to spot the girl, but she had already left the colony. Moments later, some customers arrived at the door, and she welcomed them in. As she worked, she couldn't help but think, "Is that girl still around?"
Customers came and went, but the weekend was quite good. Three staff members were busy: Vansh was taking orders and handling billing, Aunt was making drinks, and Aarav was working in the bakery area. And, of course, there was Kiri, the café's adorable attraction.
Everything was set. At 11 o'clock, Vansh slowly turned towards the clock and noticed that there were no customers left, except for one. He called out to his aunt, "It's 11. I'm going." Without further ado, he went inside the house and up the stairs, with Kiri following him. He headed straight to the bathroom for a refreshing bath.
Kiri curled up in the corner of the bed while Vansh took a treat from his desk drawer and placed it on the table. With her keen ears, Kiri noticed and came over to enjoy the treat he placed in her small bowl.
Meanwhile, Vansh opened his wardrobe and selected some clothes to wear. He chose a simple grey jacket, its soft and plain texture giving him a relaxed look. The front pockets and neat buttons kept it practical, without being overly styled. Underneath, he wore a black fitted turtleneck that added a clean contrast, making his outfit feel more put-together without appearing too flashy. His black trousers were straight and well-fitted—simple but sharp. Overall, there was nothing extravagant about his outfit, but somehow, it suited him perfectly.
After finishing her treat, Kiri came over to him. He bent down and began to gently rub her fur and chin, which she seemed to enjoy. He grabbed a bag and started to fill it with some accessories. He noticed another bag on the table, picked it up, and stuffed it neatly inside. After tucking everything in place, he headed downstairs and opened the door to the café, only to find it empty. Aunt was sitting on a chair at the counter, writing something down. When she saw Vansh, she smiled and said, "Oh my, you're looking good, my handsome nephew."
Vansh walked over to her and stood in front of the counter. He grabbed some cookie packets and stuffed them into the first zip of his bag. "Just taking some," he said.
At that moment, Aarav emerged from the kitchen, slowly pushing the curtain aside. "Going somewhere?" he asked, curious.
"Yeah, it's my weekend," Vansh replied. He turned to say goodbye to both of them. Aunt got off her chair, walked over to Vansh, held his chin, and kissed him on the forehead. "Have a safe trip," she said.
"Yeah, I will, but the kiss was unnecessary, I think," Vansh teased.
"Now go, you idiot," Aunt playfully chased him away. He left through the door.
As he departed, Aarav looked at his aunt and asked, "You love your nephew so much?" She gazed at the door and replied, "Yeah. He is the best idiot."
Vansh set out for his own adventure, carrying his bag on his back. He took a bus from the main road to the central metro station. After arriving, he approached the ticket counter, purchased his ticket, and proceeded to the platform to wait for his train. Soon, it arrived, and passengers began boarding. Vansh found his seat and noticed that more people were still coming in.
His seat was by the window, the perfect spot for him. He took out his earphones just as a loud horn signalled the train's departure from the station. As he looked out, he saw the buildings and people bustling about their daily activities. Time passed, and the number of buildings began to dwindle. At one station, a passenger sat beside him, but Vansh was lost in his own world. Before long, the metro had left the city, leaving behind the structures to be surrounded by the greenery of trees and small hills.
Passengers came and went, but Vansh remained content in his seat. His music was his companion, and he occasionally sipped juice from his bag and snacked on some treats. After a long journey, he finally arrived at his destination. He stood up, grabbed his bag, and got off the train.
Once outside the station, he was greeted by muddy roads and the sight of trees and distant hills. He walked towards the bus stop, noticing that there weren't many people around—just a few in this quiet village, far removed from the city.
Vansh reached the hotel he had booked the day before. Upon entering for check-in, the receptionist handed him the key and informed him that his room was on the second floor.
Vansh nodded. "Alright. Thank you."
No unnecessary words, no curiosity—just a simple exchange.
His room was simple but clean. A faint scent of fresh linen lingered in the air. He dropped his bag near the bed and walked straight to the balcony.
The view stretched endlessly before him. Layers of dark hills faded into one another, their outlines softened by the dying light. The sky carried the last traces of orange, slowly surrendering to deep blue.
The wind felt different here—cooler, cleaner. It brushed past him like it didn't belong to the same world he had come from. For the first time that day, his shoulders eased slightly.
By night, the silence deepened. After dinner, he returned to his room; the quiet was now almost too noticeable—the kind that makes small sounds feel amplified: the click of the door, the rustle of fabric, the faint hum of electricity.
His phone rang.
"Aunt."
He picked it up.
"How's the place?" Her voice was warm and familiar.
"It's good," Vansh replied casually, leaning against the wall. "Quiet. Exactly what I wanted."
There was a small pause. Then he added, almost offhandedly, "Why the sudden call?"
He sensed a shift on the other end.
"…Do you remember the girl from this morning?" she asked.
Vansh's brows furrowed slightly. "The first customer, maybe. She came again in the evening with another small list."
He stayed silent.
"She was waiting," his aunt continued. "There were no customers, so I asked her to sit, but she refused. Just stood there… looking around, like she was searching for someone."
A faint hesitation followed.
"I asked Aarav if he knew her, but he had no idea. Do you know that girl? Is she from your school?"
For a moment, Vansh didn't respond. An image flickered in his mind—a figure, familiar yet blurred, like trying to remember a dream that slips away the harder you chase it.
"I don't know her," he said finally. "Maybe she just had another order and was looking for something."
His voice remained calm, almost too casual.
"Don't think too much about it. And yeah… take care, Aunt."
"…Alright," she replied softly.
The call lingered for a moment after her voice softened.
"Alright then… It's getting late. Sleep early. Goodnight, Vansh."
He was about to end the call when she said, "Wait."
There was a brief pause.
"…Did Kiri eat?"
Silence followed. Then,
"…You're not worried about me, but the cat?" his aunt asked, disbelief clear in her tone.
Vansh leaned against the balcony railing, his eyes drifting toward the dark outline of the hills.
A sigh came from the other end.
"Yes, she ate. I gave her food."
"Make sure to give her enough," Vansh added. "Not just a little, and don't skip—"
"Will you shut it?" she snapped, though there was no real anger in her voice. "I know how to take care of a cat."
The call ended with a click.
For a moment, Vansh stood still, the phone still in his hand.
Then he unlocked it again. His fingers moved without hesitation.
"Good night, Aunt. Take care."
He stared at the message for a second before sending it.
The night settled back into silence, but something about it felt… a little warmer now.
Vansh walked back to the balcony. The night had fully taken over. The hills were now shadows, barely visible against the darkened sky. A cold breeze moved steadily, slipping through his hair and brushing against his skin. It should have felt peaceful. It didn't.
His gaze drifted back into the room and stopped on the bed—the black bag sitting there exactly where he had left it. Unmoved, ordinary, yet for some reason, it felt like it was waiting.
Before he could think any further, he went to bed and switched off the lights.
In the middle of the night, a hotel guest passed by the vending machine for a drink. He noticed a silhouette behind the main door and rubbed his eyes, thinking he was seeing things due to sleep. Then, there was nothing. He simply bought his drink and returned to his room.
It was 4:45 when Vansh's alarm rang in the early morning. He opened his eyes to darkness; that was all he could see. To his right, he noticed the bright light from his phone. He turned it off and sat up for a moment, taking in his surroundings.
He quickly gathered everything and stuffed it into his bag before freshening up. Within ten minutes, he was outside, standing at the entrance, with dim lights glowing faintly in front of him.
Many people had gathered in groups, all sharing a common goal for the morning: to climb the hill and witness the awaited sunrise.
The guide stood before the group, offering tips and advice. People conversed with one another, sharing plans. It was a small trek—not too challenging—but based on reviews and articles online, it promised to be satisfying. The guide, of course, boasted about the experience.
As he surveyed the group, the guide noticed several attractive individuals and some new faces wearing enthusiastic smiles.
Oh, wait, there was a family with two girls and their parents. One of the girls looked very familiar. Who am I kidding? Was it Aanya? Yes, it was Aanya and her friend Mika.
Mika glanced at her father and said, "An early morning trek? How boring! Why don't we do this in the evening for the sunset?" She yawned, still struggling to adjust to the early wake-up call.
"Yeah, you're right. We could do this again for the sunset; that would be better," her father replied with a smile at the idea. Mika felt embarrassed for suggesting it.
"We can't do that; remember, we have to leave by evening." Her mother interrupted, reminding them that the kids have school tomorrow.
Her father seemed disappointed. "Don't worry, uncle. Maybe next time we can find a better place?" Aanya chimed in, trying to cheer up Mika's father.
The trek began with everyone holding their torchlights as they moved forward, the minutes passing by. Aanya's group was at the back, making slow progress. While Mika's father seemed enthusiastic about the hike, his companions did not share the same energy.
"Wait… just a second…" Aanya said, her voice softer than usual. She slowed her pace, her steps losing their rhythm.
Mika turned immediately. "What happened?"
"I'm fine… just feeling a little dizzy."
They halted. Aanya's mother quickly handed her a bottle of water, concern evident but controlled. Aanya sat down on a nearby rock, taking a few slow breaths as the cold air filled her lungs more harshly than she had expected.
"It's probably just the climb," her father suggested. "Take your time." No one rushed her.
As silence returned, it felt different; a faint tension hung in the air. The torchlights ahead began to fade, and the blue sky gradually emerged, casting dim light over the surrounding trees.
Eventually, Aanya stood up, insisting she was fine, and resumed her earlier rhythm. But something had shifted. The voices of the group ahead had vanished. There were no footsteps. No lights. Only the quiet path stretched out before them.
Then Mika spoke up, scanning their surroundings. "Are we on the right trail?"
There were no signs. No markers. Just trees and a path that suddenly felt unfamiliar.
Aanya's fingers tightened slightly. "I'm sorry… we stopped because of me…" she said, her voice laced with guilt.
Her mother immediately shook her head. "No, don't say that."
Her father exhaled slowly, now looking around more carefully. "We might've taken the wrong turn."
The realisation settled over them quietly.
Uncle and Mika spread out the map and aimed a light at it, trying to determine their route. Aanya sat on the last rock nearby, with Mika's mother beside her. She gazed up at the sky; the stars were dimly visible, but the moon still shone brightly.
"Maybe we should head back. I can't even call the guide because of this poor network," Uncle suggested, hoping to find the best solution. Aanya felt guilty for her mistake and apologised, but they told her to brush it off.
They all stood up when suddenly they heard a loud noise coming from the depths of the forest. The birds took flight, startling everyone. For a moment, everything fell silent as they exchanged glances, each straining to hear another sound. Footsteps echoed in the distance, slowly approaching them, one step at a time. They looked ahead but saw nothing. Then, they glanced back, and it was dark, but soon a light flickered from a corner, revealing someone in front of them.
The light shone directly in Aanya's face, and she instinctively turned away from its glare. As the light switched off, she found herself face to face with a figure.
Suddenly, everyone turned in unison.
It was Vansh.
He climbed up the slope with a familiar rhythm, his breath steady despite the incline. His focus was on the path—until it shifted. He lifted his eyes and locked onto hers.
Aanya.
He was staring into her eyes, and she was captivated by his gaze. Neither could move, lost in that moment.
For a brief instant—everything stilled. Not the wind, not the cold—just something profound between them. He didn't speak.
Aanya moved forward, and she was face-to-face with Vansh, their faces close to each other. The wind was blowing, and some of her hair brushed against his face. They were lost in the moment.