Maanya's POV

Paakhi is super happy about our meeting with Singhs.
I mean, why wouldn't she be? She was so nervous this morning after Pallavi's call, she thought that she had messed up everything. But when we reached there and attended the luncheon meeting with them, it was like having our dream come true. This event is very important for our company.

Singh's are well known in Delhi and organizing their event means recognition in our line of business. And most importantly we can pay off our loans.

And after everything that happened because of me in the past...
I took away the most important thing in her life and still she never blamed me and therefore I feel like I must give her all the happiness in this world.

Paakhi is the most beautiful soul in this world. She has a heart as big as the ocean and a smile, as wide as the sky. I don't know what would have happened to me if we haven't met that day.

The day that I met Paakhi and Aditi for the first time, was the happiest day of my life, the day I discovered the feeling of acceptance and belonging.

I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I didn't even realize that we have reached Zayka.
We both exit the cab together but Paakhi is too excited that she sprints off inside the café, probably in search of Abby or Nona.

I pay our cab fare and follow her inside. When I enter the café I hear her shouting, "Abby!! Uncle Abby, you won't believe what happened! " with so much joy that you can feel her happiness at the entrance.

"Yes, dear? What has gotten you so excited and happy, love? " uncle Abby ask her happily.

"You won't believe what happened today! We went to this high-class restaurant 'Bismillah ', Did you know that restaurant is owned by Singh enterprise ?" she began with so much excitement but her rhythm change to marvel when she stated the owner of the restaurant.
Her expressions are hilarious.

"Really?! I didn't know anything about that restaurant, so what happened there? "he asks tossing his towel aside and paying attention to her.

"Oh yes! As I was saying, there we met Mrs. Shekhawat and she offered us to plan an engagement party for 'The Riya Singh'." she said with the same excitement as earlier and air quoted 'The Riya Singh'.

"What?! This is the best news I have heard my darling. This is the moment you guys have been looking for. I'm so proud of you guys! " he announces with pride in his eyes. The pride a father would feel for his children.

"Come here," he asserts with open arms. We both dash behind the counter and hug him. This is the most delightful moment for both of us.

After a while, we separate from each other and decide to help in the cafe for a while. Sometimes we help in the cafe because this place feels like home. Everything good in our life started from this place...

_____________(PAST)____________

It was about a year and a half ago when we three stumbled upon this restaurant with nothing to do and only a small amount in our pocket.

This place seemed like a reasonable diner, so we decided to grab a bite here.

When we entered this cafe there was hardly anyone around and the place was so dusty and unkept that we were just about to turn and leave.
Just as we pushed the door open to exit, a very friendly and humble-looking old lady came towards us with a welcoming smile -there was something about her smile and voice that we couldn't leave, and then she asked us to sit.

We decided to sit and order 3 cheeseburgers. When that old lady returned with our food. She decided to hold a conversation with us when she saw bags all around us.

I don't know what was about her that we decided to share our story with her. Maybe her aura full of love and tenderness or her words of kindness?

But we shared everything with her.

After telling her everything, she shortly stood up and hugged each one of us with tears running down her eyes.

When she learned about our struggle and fight against all the odds she offered us a place to stay and in return, we asked her to help in this cafe.

Days went on and this place returned to its beautiful glory and we started having more patrons and when a local couple asked us to cater to their child's birthday party, that day we decided to open our own business.

And from that day we have planned a few events.

And that old lady was none other than our sweet Nona also known as Mrs. Sharma.

So this is why this place is close to our hearts.

This is where we decided to start fresh...

..............................................................

(At home)

I and Paakhi returned to our apartment around 6 in the evening and decided to prepare dinner for us to celebrate this opportunity.

We both are good cooks but Aditi can't even boil water without hurting herself or making a mess.

But still once a week she decides to surprise us with her cooking and by cooking I mean PBJ sandwiches or Maggi.
But we love her the way she is.

We decide to first freshen up and then start preparing food before Adi returns from her work.

We decide to make pasta and pizza and have a movie night.

After changing into a loose t-shirt and shorts I exit my room and into the kitchen. Paakhi joined me after a few minutes wearing her loose pajama and tunic.

Paakhi is preparing pizza while I put together red sauce pasta.

"Maanu? Don't you think that Singhs are humble and honest people? I mean today they treated us so nicely. "she confides while chopping some capsicum.

I thought about Singhs and Pari's bday party last week, where I met that man with beautiful blue eyes.
I don't know what is it about him that he just pops into my mind every time I think about Pari's party.

"Helloooo... Helloooo!!! " I'm brought back into reality when paakhi jump forward, waving her hand in front of my face. When I look at her I see her stirring the sauce in the pan which would have burned if she wouldn't have appeared and stirred it.

"Maanu, What are you even thinking about? That you forgot all about the sauce?" She gently scolds.

"You were just standing there with a smile and glazed eyes." She mumbles, curiously looking at me.

"Hmmm? Were you thinking about somebody?" she asks with a frown.

"Wha... What... Are you even saying? Who would I be thinking about?" I retort with a shrug so that she could just leave it. But who am I kidding with, this is Paakhi we are talking about, "Yea Totally.... " she announces with a smile that says 'you just wait and watch I will find it out. '
Oh god! This blue-eyed man is going to kill me.
Why am I even thinking about him..??

As I'm contemplating on my thoughts the doorbell ring, Paakhi rushes to open the door and come back with Adi behind her. When she notices our cooking, she starts questioning us around, and after we informed her everything she starts jumping around shouting excitingly.

She Pulls us for a hug while jumping and shouting, "We did it bitches, we are now in the business. Watch out people, three of us are coming to ruleeeeee.....!!!!! Woooooooooo oooooh!" we laugh together and start jumping around the kitchen.

"Okay, okay! Adi, you go and change then we are having a movie marathon." Paakhi says and returns to the kitchen to check on the food. I decide to go into the living room and make the arrangements for us to sit on the floor with pillows around us and a bowl of chips, popcorns, and drinks. I switch off all the lights and only fairy lights are turned on.

(not perfect but a little glimpse into my imagination)

After everything is arranged, I help Paakhi in bringing out all the food.

We get adjusted on the floor and Wait for Adi to join us.

After everyone is adjusted, we play, The Harry Potter and sorcerer stone and begun our night full of magic, mystery, and thrill.

________________________________________
Photo of Nona or Mrs. Sharma above--->

Ty for reading!!!

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