After some days, the roommates are talking about random things when,

Mishti: Raina, when is your birthday?

Raina: It's next week on 10.

Mishti: Why didn't you tell us?

Raina: There is nothing special about it.

She said with a duh expression.

Mishti: Yeah right, pagal ladki. Look, our neighbors are here.

Vicky: Hi, talking about whose birthday? Are we invited? Is there cake too?

All laughed at his eagerness.

Mishti: Oh, it's Raina's birthday next week.

Both boys: Next week!!!! That's too soon. She didn't tell us.

Udayan: Treat ke paise bachana chahti thi????

He frowned with a cute expression on his face. This made Raina pull his cheek.

After this, the topic was changed but Udayan was still thinking about what to gift her on her birthday. He decided to take Samar's help. After all Samar was a pro in dealing with girls.

His phone rang and it was his boss. He wanted to see him.

At the office,

Boss: Uday, I wanted to talk to you about Samar.

Udayan <in his mind>: Kya kaand kar dia Samar ne? Kahin sir ko pata to nhi chal gya ki usne hi unki Porsche ke sheeshe tod die the, jab sir ne use Goa nhi jaane dia tha.

Boss: Uday???? What are you thinking about? Are you fine?

Udayan: Oh yes sir. Sorry. Just drifted off.

Boss: Ok, so Samar wants a photo shoot for his modelling purpose. For that we need a girl too. That too a fresh face. Is that girl..... Raina... Yes Raina. Will she be available? Samar really liked her pictures the other day. He is quite adamant for her.

Udayan: Sir, she is not a professional. I will ask her though.

Boss: Try to convince her. You know one can never refuse Samar's demands.

Udayan knew that Samar can be really difficult at times. He was quite stubborn. In the college, he was biggest flirt and used to hit on every girl.

Udayan <in his mind>: Why am I still friends with him?

He went back to his place, nodding his head in disapproval.

After his shift, he picked Raina and head home.

Udayan: Raina, we need to talk.

Raina: What is it Udayan? Something to worry about?

Udayan: Oh no, no, no. You remember the day I told you that boss liked your pics and may want to photograph you again.

Raina: Yeah.

Udayan: So my boss wants to cast you against Samar in his launch.

Raina: But this should be done by someone who is experienced. Right? I have no clue about this. And this is a huge project.

Udayan: Please agree. It's just a one day shoot. If you are not comfortable then I won't force you. There are no intimate scenes too.

Raina: I need to think about it...... Will you be there?

Udayan: Yeah, of course.

Raina: If you will be there, no problem.

Udayan: You trust me?

Raina: I trust my instincts and they force me to trust you.

Udayan smiled.

The shoot was to take place after two days but she had to go there for prior preparation.

On the red letter day, Raina was very nervous.

Raina: Udayan, how will it go? How will I do it? With Samar? It's a big deal to him.

Udayan: Raina, calm down. Go your shot is ready. Break a leg.

Raina was all nervous at start but later got normal as the shots started going good.

Photographer: The way ma'am is confident, it seems as if it's her shoot and Samar sir is the co-model.

Everybody took this to good humor, even Samar.

After the shoot, Raina was packing her stuff when Samar came and asked her if she would go for a coffee with him today.

Raina: Umm... Actually, it's quite late now and I am very tired. Maybe some other time.

Samar: Ok, as you wish.

Udayan came to take Raina.

At home,

Raina: Udayan, Samar was asking me to go for coffee with him. Should I go?

Udayan: Oh, you can. No worries. He is just a flirt. Nothing serious with him.

Raina: It's weird. Going out like this after SUCH a long time.

She stressed on SUCH.

Raina: Anyway, I will confirm it for tomorrow. Is it okay with you?

Udayan: Of course.

But he felt a little off.

Next day, the plan was set and Samar decided to pick Raina directly.

At 5 p.m. out of habit Udayan picked up his car keys to go to Raina but remembered the plan and sat down. Raina also felt awkward waiting for Samar instead of Udayan. Moreover they didn't have the same taste in music while Udayan and Raina listened to same band and same music. They were quite used to each other.

At coffee place, both were sipping coffee and talking.

Samar: Raina, what are your hobbies?

Raina: I love reading books, playing guitar and travelling. And yours?

Samar: Why do you girls have so many hobbies? It gives me complex. I just like photography.

Raina: Well that's great.

Samar: I heard that you are aspiring for Harvard.....

Raina: Yes, I am just waiting for the list to come out.

Samar: What do you think of Udayan?

Raina: He is a great friend. Very helpful and very supportive.

This conversation went on and Udayan was dying to know about the outcome. The Starbucks tagline, ' A Lot Can Happen Over A Coffee. ' was ringing in his head. He was eagerly waiting for Raina.

After their coffees Samar dropped her.

At home,

Udayan: So how did it go?

Raina: Yeah, alright. He is not my type.

Udayan: So what's your type?

Raina: I like people like you. Those who balance everything. Caring and sweet.

The last thing Udayan remembered before going to sleep was this statement by Raina. Something was different when he was with her.  But why did he feel so happy when he was with her? He felt as if he could be him with her. The real Udayan. Why?

He didn't had an answer to this though.

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                   AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hi people,
             How was this? What do you think, can seriously a lot can happen over a coffee? Whenever I am stressed out I just grab a cup of coffee and a book. It calms me down instantly but I never saw it in a romantic way. 

Any experience, please share. 

Also my summer vacations have started so the updates will be sooner.

Until then,
                    Love Love ♥️
A.S.