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° Chapter-2 °
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I looked up at the clock. It's six thirty in the evening. My shift usually ends at seven thirty and at weekends it would be at eight thirty. Because the rush would be too much!

I sighed as I sent the last order to the delivery counter. I sat on the small chairs. Deepthi, my co-worker glanced at me.

“Do you know what happened?” she never talks to me. It's odd to see her look at me let alone talk.

“What?” I asked.

“I think our boss is going to collaborate on our restaurant with an event management company.”

I looked at her in utter silence. We don't do that. We never do that. We aren't supposed to do that.

“ I heard that the man who owns that company is a close friend of our boss. He asked for the best chefs. Our team, you, me and Vikrant are selected.”

“So he actually wanted to take two chefs for his events upcoming. He is in search for some and asked a favour from our boss ”

“Oh. Okay...” I said still not understanding anything.

“Is there going to be any extra money involved?”

“ I heard there is going to be ” Instead of Deepthi. I heard Vikrant answer as he made his way towards us. He sat in the opposite stool.

“Am I the only one who is ignorant to this news ”

“Apparently.” Deepthi said with a sigh.

“I heard one among three of us is only going to stay here and the other two are going to be working with them. not just as chefs but maybe some other work in the mean time too.”

“Should'nt this be in our hands to decide whether we work here or not?” I said a little irritated for some reason.

“Are you sure we are in that position?”

Hearing Deepthi fire back that question made me sigh again.

Vikrant glanced at both of us. This is the first time he talked to me. We usually smile at eachother and that's it. Nothing more than that. But now. God. This is the first exchange.

I nodded my head. Not wanting to make a conversation. I want to cut this as short it can be. It's really awkward.

I took a breath, still pondering over the offer I got. I bit my lower lip as my anxiety kicked in again.

From the corner of my eyes I can see Vikrant wants to talk to me. But I ignored what his wishes are. What's done was done. I barely want to do anything with this man.

“I badly want to go too. I just need more money right now and I hope I get selected.” Deepthi said with a sigh.

“Are you okay?” Vikrant asked.

“You know my husband.” Deepthi said with a small smile. A sad one at that.

I looked at her and I swear I heard Vikrant take an angry breath. This guy sitting over here is a major feminist I have ever seen. I threw him a look at the same time he looked at me. I motioned with my eyes to stay quiet and he raised his eyebrows as if asking me why!

Ughhh can't he get it? Can't he put his mouth to rest?

I shook my head and turned my face away from his. I heard him sigh. I looked at my front to Deepthi again who is having a sullen face. I shook my head and got up as the break time is already over and got back to work with the other chefs in the room.

After two hours of work I came out of the restaurant as my shift is done. While I was leaving I was called to the office room.

Time for the talk maybe?

Rohit, the owner of the restaurant is a 32 year old guy. He is handsome, well groomed and always is charming with everyone. He is one of those employers who made sure his employees are good and safe.

I greeted him and he gave me his usual charming smile. I expected to see Deepthi but took a little back to see Vikrant. I looked at him and he looked back at me before we shifted our attention back to Rohit sir.

“So, I heard the staff room was buzzing with the news so I am sure you already know what I am going to say! Right guys?”

“Yeah.” Vikranth mumbled.

“Out of five, you and Vikrant are selected Keerthi. I want you both to work for the event managing come a new restaurant owned by my best friend. I am also a partner by the way you so you guys don't have to worry.  What say?”

“Okay.” Vikrant shrugged. Just like that.

I looked at Rohit. I imagined Deepthi. I sighed. I know this is kind off like a promotion involving more money. I don't know what I have to do.

“If you are thinking about Deepthi then don't it's alright i am going to pay her more. Please say yes Keerthi you are my best and I want you to go to the best!” I sighed.

“Can I tell you tomorrow?” I said. He nodded and we were dismissed.

While I was standing at the door to take my leave I heard Rohit call me.

“I hope you take the right path Kirti.” he said and I nodded.

I came out of the restaurant and closed my eyes at the chilly weather hugging me. I shivered at the coldness.

I heard a squeal and looked to my side. Vikrant and his wife are hugging. She looked at me and smiled. A bright one. I felt my insides clench. I smiled back. They released each other from hug and immediately Vikranth looked at me. He held my gaze for a few seconds before he smiled at me. I smiled back at him. Just then my Rapido arrived and I got on it.

Without even turning to look at them, I left from there. The pounding in my heart is so loud and clear. I instructed the driver the route when he asked me and plugged my earphones.

The Telugu music playing on the background soothed my soul a little as  I watched the clouds. It takes around thirty to forty minutes for me to reach my place. And let's just not talk about traffic here in this time.

My place is in KPHB, phase-1. I stay in a hostel there. In phase-1. It was a hostel recently built in. Infront of the hostel we have a park where we can jog and walk and yeah, do everything one can do in a park?

I was not ready to move into that hostel when I found it first, because the place literally gave me chills when I entered to see men raoming on streets everywhere, the area is filled with teenagers and reckless guys in their early twenties and also the fact that the area consists of many coaching centres there.

I was really apprehensive but that was the only hostel which is nearby my sister's place and to my work place too so maa insisted to move there.

Mine is a small town near the border of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. So my parents hardly came to the city.

The first time I started staying here was right after my 12th and it felt like a fresh breath of air to be finally come here all long away from the prying eyes and knowing people. It feels good to be alone, to be unnoticed. For me atleast. I don't need to put up a face when no body who knows me are present. Like now.

Back home, i am the most cheerful person around those who know me but they dont even know what I truly am or what I actually enjoy.

Paying for the ride, I entered the room to see my roommate doing some work in her laptop. I greeted her and went to washroom for a fresh bath.

After being done with the bath I looked closely in the washroom mirror to see I got myself new friends on my face. Pimples. I sighed and applied the serum given to me by the doctor. The PCOD is sucking my nerves.

I laid on the bed for the night as I called it off without having my meal. Lately eating meals is like a task for me.

Sometimes I can't eat and sometimes I eat alot, somedays I can't sleep and some? I sleep alot. I work hard for one day and then the next I procrastinate. I sighed and rolled to the other side hiding from the light in the room as my roomate is still working. I hugged my duvvet close to me and closed my eyes. All I can think about is the offer we got.

For some odd reason I want to take that offer and try to have a different experience. I want to see what I can do.

With a fixed thought of accepting that I closed my eyes and welcomed the darkness.

If only I knew, thats going to be the best and worst decision of my life...

Hello everyone! Hope you all are okay.

Here is the chapter-2

Take care <3

Love-Anya ❤️