Prologue – A Piece of Advice
"Aghhhh… I swear, I really hate your grandfather. Seriously—ugh."
She rolled the cold beer can between her palms, then dropped her forehead onto the table, sneaking a side-eye at him, if he was paying attention.
"Hey. Are you even listening to me?"
She slammed the can onto the counter and pushed herself off the stool. Across the counter, Rushi didn't flinch. He remained completely absorbed in adjusting the coffee machine—posture calm, expression unreadable.
Ignored. Again.
"Yaa! At least answer me!"
She marched in front of him, arms crossed, eyes blazing.
Finally, he looked up, one eyebrow rising slightly—a silent What now?
"How can he insult you like that? And you—you didn't even defend yourself! He even talked badly about your father. Your father, Rushi! How can you just stand there and—"
"You have something stuck between your teeth."
Flat. Calm. Delivered without even blinking. Then he looked away.
She froze. Blink twice
"...…"
"Yaaaaa!!"
Heat surged from her feet to her scalp. If stress could kill, this man would be the cause of her premature demise.
"I'm not done talking! Rushi—listen to me!"
She followed him behind the counter, voice rising. He ignored her completely, untying the strings of his brown apron with slow, deliberate movements.
"Register me."
She stopped mid-step.
"…What?"
"Register me for the dating show you mentioned."
He handed her the apron. She stared at the folded fabric as if it were a ticking bomb.
"Wait… are you serious?"
"Mm." He gave a small nod. "You said it would promote the café, right?"
She blinked, forgetting her anger for a moment. He was looking at her with unnerving calmness.
"It's a gay dating show," she stressed, emphasizing the word as though he might have missed it.
"So?" he asked casually.
"You're straight," she tried again, slower this time, giving him a chance to process. "Right?"
His eyebrow lifted.
"Is that supposed to be a problem?"
Her mouth opened. Nothing came out.
"Are you kidding me? Is this some kind of joke? You do realize what this means, right? You have to act gay, interact with men, express feelings… like you actually like them! You barely interact with anyone! Your introvert ass doesn't even let you make friends And now you're talking about dating… men, of all people! Have you lost your mind?"
His expression was unreadable. He looked at the clock and then her.
" Hey i know you want to make your grandfather angry but I don't think you have to put yourself in uncomfortable situation just to have your ways.... I mean I know what he said was not even right but your father is still their son so he can say ....
"Okay."
He said it as casually as if he had just agreed to buy milk.
Then he turned and walked toward the hallway leading to his small room behind the counter.
She stood frozen, clutching his apron like it was evidence of a crime.
By the time her brain caught up, he was already halfway down the hall.
"Okay—wait! Let me think!"
She sprinted after him, panic, disbelief, and pure frustration twisting inside her.
When she make him friends his best friend give her a piece of advice and she still remember his golden words but didn't act upon it. And now her hand was itching to act on that piece of advice..