CH 2 || Tickets To Give Away Freedom

Nikhil

*******

I was standing on the stage like a dummy waiting for my bride. I was getting married and was made aware of this fact just a few minutes ago.

Isn't it quite astonishing?

I guess the decision of attending my friend's wedding was the worst I have made till now.

I didn't come back to India for this. If I would have known I would be tangled in someone's mess without any fault of mine I would have never come back. I had no idea my decision of coming back will cost me my life, my freedom.

I wish I would have not picked up that call that day.

****

FLASHBACK

******

Such lovely weather it is I thought. Wearing my leather jacket I drove towards my cafe. I am Nikhil Arora owner of the chain of Keepers Cafe in London.

Life has been very grateful to me but not always. There was a time when everyone thought I was useless and can never stand on my own feet. Everyone thought I will always let down my parents, my family.

The societal taunts started taking a toll on me. I had completed my graduation and was still confused about what to do. My parents had to bear a lot because of me. They were being shamed by society because of me being an incompetent son yet they didn't show it to me but I knew what was going on.

I didn't know what to do. Every career opportunity seemed intriguing to me at first but later I lost my interest in them and the only thing I loved was making coffee.

And that's when one of my friends suggested me to open a cafe. My family was quite supportive and I am very grateful to them. Unlike other's parents, they stood with me on every step and here I am now, one of the famous businessmen of London.

Coffee used to keep me sane and now it's maintaining thousands of people's sanity.

Stopping the car in front of the cafe I got out. I have always loved winter and now when it's raining too I know the cafe is going to be crowded, another reason for my happiness.

Interacting with different faces daily is quite effortless for me.

Twirling the keys of my BMW I went inside and greeted my staff. I wore the apron and started helping them.

It was quite weird as well as awkward for them to work along with me as I am their employer and the owner but with time all of them got comfortable.

"One cappuccino for the table no 12." my staff Linda said.

"sure Linda," I said and kept the order on the tray.

"Nikhil." aunt Naila my other staff gestured me towards table no 5 and I knew what she meant.

My friend Dhruv Kapoor was sitting there enjoying his coffee and I was sure he was gonna pull that stunt he always does. I don't allow my friends to pay but this friend of mine is so stubborn that always tries to leave money saying he came as a customer.

Even when I go bankrupt I can't take his money. I owe him my lavish lifestyle, my life of living just like I dreamt of. He is the one who had advised me to open my cafe. I don't know where I would have been today if I hadn't taken his advice seriously.

My chain of thoughts broke when aunt Naila nudged me. She told me Dhruv again kept the money on the table and was sneakily trying to leave the cafe.

Picking up the money from the table I went outside. Before he could flee I asked,

"You again did it, didn't you?"

Acting all innocent he counter-questioned," What did I do?"

If I would have not known him since school I would have surely fallen for his innocence.

"This," I replied showing him the money he had left.

"It wasn't for you. It was for your staff." and as always he defended his actions.

"I pay them every month and that too on time."

"How did you notice every damn time, Nikhil?" Knowing him well I always keep an eye on him whenever he comes to the cafe and had asked my staff to do the same.

"That's none of your concern. Take back your money, if you consider me as your friend."

Dhruv is very stubborn so I had to play that 'if you consider me as your friend card' which I was sure will make me win. Being left with no choice Dhruv had to reluctantly take back the money.

He left bidding me goodbye and I resumed my work.

I was keeping the order of table no 5 when she entered, the mysterious girl. I don't know why but I always find her intriguing. You will always find a mystery novel in her hand and a blue scarf wrapped around her neck.

Some girl was already waiting for her and she made her way towards her.

I don't know why I find even her aura so mysterious. She seems like a book who is scared to allow anyone to read her and I guess the glasses she uses are her facade.

"Ahem, ahem. So, again gawking at the mystery girl?" I heard my best friend Jai's voice.

Jai is my childhood friend. We have been together for around 26 years now. He is the one apart from my family who knows me inside out.

"I am not gawking at her."

"Oh yeah, you were just STARING." he said stressing on the last word.

"What are you doing here? Has London become a crime-free state that you are here wasting your time.?"

Jai is a cop. It was his dream to become one and finally, he succeeded.

"I can't start my work before having my friend's coffee, you know."

Rolling my eyes at him I gave the one I had already prepared because I knew he will come.

"Thank you." Both of us sat down on the chair beside the window.

Keeping back the coffee mug on the table he asked,

"So what's with you and this mystery girl?"

"Nothing."

"Really? Then why do you always stare at her?"

"Because she seems mysterious and I don't want my cafe to become an undercover mafia's meeting spot."

"Her and related to the mafia, no way. She is just a plain, simple girl. You can trust me because that's what my cop instincts say."

I diverted Jai from this mystery girl's topic and soon we started talking about Niharika our grind and his girlfriend. When Jai was narrating some incident my phone rang. My lips curved up into a smile looking at the collar id.

"Hey, I hope I didn't disturb you.", I heard her voice on the other side.

"Hi. No, you didn't disturb me at all."

"I called you to ask are you free tonight?"

"Yes?"

"Cool. So can we meet?"

"Yeah, sure."

"7 o'clock. Sylvester Restaurant. Come there directly."

"Sure, bye."

"Bye."

Looking at the constant smile that didn't leave my face ever since the call started Jai asked,

"It was Dia, isn't it?"

"yeah."

"Dude, you like her."

"I know."

"Wait! Then why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I realized it last night. I went to drop her home after the movie last night but didn't want her to go. I just wanted the time to stop and that's when I realized my feelings for her."

"So, are you gonna tell her tonight?"

"Maybe."

"Don't postpone it you idiot just tell her."

"I don't want to rush things. After so long I have met someone with whom I have felt this connection, and I don't want to mess things up."

"Okay, okay, as you say."

"I have to leave now. Niharika is angry with me and I have to apologize."

"Bye."

I know Jai would have surely left an important meeting for Niharika and that's why she would have gotten angry. He is so much into her that he doesn't have time to even think of himself.

I don't know how? I mean, how can someone forget to even think of himself/herself? I don't think it will ever happen to me.

I went home in the evening and got ready for my date with Dia.

I met Dia one month ago at a friend's party and we instantly clicked. We became friends, started to hang out quite often and then one day we both decided to date. It was actually a dare but then we liked being together so we thought why not we give us a chance.

She had already confessed her feelings that she likes me. Although I like her too, still I decided to wait for a little longer before taking a step further.

As planned by her, I went to the location and she was already waiting for me.

She was looking gorgeous in a coral blue knee-length dress.

"Someone is very punctual," I said taking my seat in front of her.

"Not punctual but eager to meet certain someone," she replied smiling.

"I hope that certain someone didn't make you wait for long."

"Not even a single second but I wouldn't have minded even if that certain someone would have made me wait for him."

Smiling I held her hand kept on the table and she intertwined our fingers."

"So, let's order," she said blushing. We had our food while she was telling me about this new job she has been offered and after we had eaten both of us decided to have a quick tour of the nearby park where an event was going on.

I held her hand tightly and had intertwined our fingers while we were strolling around in the park. Dia is such a free-spirited girl but damn possessive, not that I complain. Her birthday is in 17 days and I have already prepared something special for her. I have decided that I will confess to her that day only.

I drove her to her house while she had asked her driver to get her car she had used to go to the restaurant.

I got down and held her hand as I didn't want her to leave me yet.

"Good Night," she said.

"Yeah, good night," I replied and she crashed her lips to mine. I was stunned by this sudden reaction but then composing myself pulled her more to me and kissed her back with the same passion.

Pulling back she smiled shyly while I kissed her forehead.

"Bye. Take care"

"Take care," she replied blushing and I left when she went inside her home. This was the best date until now.

I drove back to my house thinking about Dia.

As I went inside my house I freshened up, changed my clothes, and laid on the bed thinking about her, her beautiful smile, the way she flirts, her possessiveness, and damn the juicy lips of hers.

I guess I am going crazy.

I was in her thoughts when my phone rang. My smile widened looking at the caller id. Picking up I said,

"Hi, Mom."

"Hi, my dear. It seems you have forgotten me, didn't you?"

"No, Mom. Sorry, I was not able to call, was a little busy."

"You are always busy." and I could picture her making faces.

"Not for you Mom. You know that. Ok, now tell me how are you?"

"I was not fine but now when I have heard my son's voice I am perfectly fine."

"You only care about Bhaiya, what about me?" I heard my younger brother Nirvan.

"And me?" I heard dad and was sure they must be fighting for mom's attention.

"Shut up you both." mom silenced them and I was smiling thinking of their sulking figures.

"Nikhil, I want you to come to India this week."

"But Mom I have an interview scheduled by Business World Magazine."

"I don't wanna hear anything. Your friend who is also your cousin-brother is getting married and yet you are still there." Yes, my cousin brother, mom's cousin's son is getting married. I was actually planning to go to his wedding before the big day as I have a very busy schedule for the upcoming few weeks.

"I know Mom but...." I tried to reason with Mom but she cut me off in mid and said,

"If you will not come then I am not going to talk to you."

Shit! She is the woman of her words. If she said she will not talk to me then she will surely do that and I can't live without talking to mom.

"Okay, okay. I am coming. I am booking my tickets right away."

"That's like my boy."

Our conversation went on and after hanging up the call I booked the tickets, tickets to give away my freedom.