THE BOY WITH THE DREAM

2

The traffic was moving at a free pace when I made it to the café de parade. It was a small café in a tiny corner of the otherwise buzzing square. From the place I was standing, I could smell the mouth-watering aroma of coffee and doughnuts. The café was small and circular, painted in dusk white with a mixture of golden and silver lights; it was standing like a cute, tiny igloo amidst the scary tall premises.   

Ayaan had dropped us by the entrance and went in search of a parking spot while we waited for him once we had settled on the first empty table we could spot. 

It was a routine to discover new hangout spots, not that we had left any popular place in the town, but we were always after something new rather than settling on a routine. 

Regular is boring. Ayaan used to say, it was he who had concluded to not visit the same spot more than twice in a month, and so far, we were sticking to it. 

The boys continued chatting about some random stuff when Ayaan arrived. He was smiling at something or someone, but the boys were too occupied to notice it. I too shrugged it off and soon, we placed the orders and enjoyed the evening, talking about everything to nothing. 

“Did you check out this movie trailer? I think I am going to watch it.” Yohaan urged scrolling through his i********: feed when a picture halted his fingers. He smirked eyeing Samuel with a glint of mischief in his eyes and chirped. 

“Hey Pea! Did you check out Kara’s fresh uploads? She looks stunning in this yellow bikini. I bet you will wank the whole night after looking at it.” Yohaan winked at Pea, scratching his weak point who turned a shade of crimson, nevertheless, did not comment and pretend to enjoy his smoothie, but could not hold his tongue for long given to the penetrating teasing gaze. 

“Oh, f**k off, you dickhead before I kick you in the ass.” He groaned making us chuckle. 

Kara was a rugby player and a story from the sophomore year. It all started at a party or should I say, Samuel’s memorable party that was organized by some seniors on the occasion of Halloween. A handful of sophomores were invited including the baseball and rugby team. We were enjoying the night drinking and dancing when Samuel saw Kara approaching the bar adjacent to our booth alone, recognizing it as an opportunity, he decided to take a chance and ‘tried’ to flirt his way with the girl. Things slipped out his hand and the girl being a tomboy kicked his family jewel―ever since then we have never left a single chance to remind him of his absurdities, earning a kick in the ass at times or two.

We ordered another round of cold coffees and were enjoying it when my phone rang, cutting off the bickering. I took it out of my pocket and glanced at the screen. It was my dad. I picked up the call, indicating the boys to stay silent.

“Hey, son!” Dad greeted me, his voice full of enthusiasm as if he had just won a lottery. 

“Hello, dad! Do you-”

“My baby mushroom, where are you? What are you doing?” Dad asked in a baby voice, making my toe curl in embarrassment. Fortunately, his voice was audible to no one but me. It was his personality―weird yet sweet. I loved him, nevertheless, for whatever he was. 

“Dad, I am with my friends in this new café. Why are you asking? Everything okay?” 

“Aahan, Okay!” 

“What’s wrong, Dad? Why are you asking? Mom is fine, right? You guys did not fight over Guliby again?” I enquired. There was nothing wrong with my mother except for her hatred for cats, contrary to my father’s unconditional love for the same species. Gilby was our neighbour’s cat and Dad used to love playing with it, for my mother’s dismay of course. Its fur was the actual subject matter for all the altercations. Mom hated to clean dad’s cloth with all those fur over it. 

“Nope, Naah, Nada! I was just wondering if you can go visit the site four today? The client just called to get the outlay.” Dad said and I nodded like an obedient kid. “It’s urgent, Son. I am sorry to disturb you.” 

“It’s nothing, Dad.” I replied “At what time? I have to finish a couple of assignments so I’ll better be home before…eight?”  

“Of course son, the study is the priority. The owner wants to take a glimpse of architecture and also wants to transfer the power of attorney to his wife. So I am sending Matthew with documents take that with you,” Dad explained. “and the car. Drive safe and be back before dinner. No cash is involved.” He finished. 

“Okay! Is that it?”

“Yup. It is for now. Bye.” 

“Bye.”

“Everything okay, Dude?” asked Ayaan once I put my phone down.

“Huh! Yes, Dad is asking me to visit one of our sites also to bring some important papers with him. His secretary is coming to hand it over to me.” I replied. The boys nodded in understanding and went back to our conversation. 

After twenty minutes, Mathew joined us. He was a man in his mid-thirties, an honest man and a hard-working employee; he had proven himself to be a gem for my father’s enterprise and I respected him for his service. He handed me a black file and took his seat next to Samuel. We ordered a cold coffee for Matthew as I discussed a few significant things about our new site. 

The clock had struck a quarter to six when I departed from the café. I started my journey to our new site. The clouds were roaring while the weather turned exquisite. The site was about half an hour's drive away, plenty of time to cherish nature. 

I had covered half the destination when I remembered forgetting the file in the café. I checked my backpack just to make sure and indeed, I had forgotten it. The thought of losing it somewhere made my heart race. The file was important I could not be careless to lose it. My brain hammered with all sorts of negative thoughts. 

“Oh, f**k me!” I groaned. “i***t, you are an i***t! You proved it today.” I scolded myself as I took a u-turn. It took me another fifteen minutes to make it to the café. 

I hurriedly ran inside and questioned the waitress about a black sealed file that was mistakenly left behind and if she had found one.

“Umm yeah, I took it from there and submitted to on the counter,” she replied. “But I don’t think it would be there anymore.”

“What? Are you f*****g kidding me? What do you mean about that? The file costs a million bucks. I will sue you and this good for nothing café if I don’t find it.” I yelled irritated.

What have they done with the power of attorney? I will make them pay. I thought as I clenched my jaw. I was going to lose my temper. It was one hell for a day.

“No, No! Sir, you forgot you file on the table-”

“And that I know, you genies now tell me where it is?” I cut her off which was rude, but my temper was getting the best out of me. I am a genuinely polite person until you push my buttons―the girl was doing the same. 

“It is with Sonia.” The server replied, looking somewhat scared, annoying me even more.

“Who the hell are Sonia and what is she doing with my file?” I yelled again, earning a few glances from people. From my peripheral vision, I saw the manager walking in our direction. 

Ah, it is getting dirty!

“Sonia Nagar is a cashier.” The manager spoke. “I am guessing you are looking for the black file. Well, she is the staff and told us about going to the same school as you. Not having your contact details or any other way to reach you, we thought it is a good alternative if she returns it to you in the school tomorrow.” The manager told me as I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. “Now if you excuse my staff and not bother my guests with your loud voice, it’s working hour and she has got to serve.” 

Sonia works here. How did I not notice it earlier? Sonia wasn’t someone I could avoid knowingly. Then, how did I miss this chance, and why in the hell I am thinking about her when I should be sweating bullets over the power of attorney?

“But I need that file for urgent business. How will I reach her?” 

“Her shift has ended. She might be on her way back home. Wait for a minute, I will call her and ask her.” Said the manager and turned towards a counter where I supposed was lying her phone. I listened to her talking to Sonia, questioning her of her location and the file before she turned to me and said. 

“Yeah, she is in the subway. I told her to wait for you on her next stop. You need to go there if you need your file so urgently.” The manager informed me with a scowl pestered on her face. “Besides,” She added. “We are not accountable for our guest’s carelessness.” 

“Ah! I am sorry for all the yelling.” I apologized scratching my neck. “Can you give me her digits? I will call her.” The manager nodded and scribbled something on the back of her card. 

“Make sure, you don’t make her wait. She is a staff!” The woman said, handing me the card. 

What did she mean about that?

I shrugged it off, hurried out of the café. It took me another ten minutes to reach the station. However, the file was not the sole consideration anymore it was the holder. I knew it was safe with her than why my heart was thumping so loudly.