Chapter 9. Jean and Stars!
2211 Words
You know the moment you think that this is it. You are not going to survive after this. Well I had the same feeling.
You always have the same feeling.
No I don't.
Umm... Hello what about the time you tripped on a brick and thought that this was it? Or about the time when you hit your head? Or the time you fell off your bed?
Why does it always happen to me? The moment I want to relish into something my subconscious lists down all the embarrassing things I've done. Not like I'm enjoying this but still.
I shrieked loudly. The hands soon vanished by my sides and before I could run away for my life I was abruptly turned around.
"You?" I yelled loudly.
Shock would be an understatement. I was furious. Why would he scare me like that? I literally thought I was going to die.
"Are you mad? Why would you do that? I was so scared that I was going to be kidnapped!" I yelled slapping his chest. I don't know why I did that. So let's not dwell on that.
"Still dramatic I see" Randhir drawled looking at me with a boring expression.
How dare he?
"Not funny Randhir. Anyways what the f**k are you doing here?" I asked angry at his comment.
"How did you find me?" I asked confused.
"I asked around." He answered with a duh tone. I mentally counted to ten as to not say anything stupid. I was really not in the mood to talk with him.
"You need to go back. I'm seriously not in mood Randhir" I said and walked away from him. Rude I know but who cares? Besides I was seriously distressed by all this events and I'll need some time to process this.
"Sanyukta!" He yelled after me.
"Go away" I mumbled not looking at him.
"Let me walk with you"
"No" I flatly said
"Please. I promise I won't talk." He tried walking beside me. I looked at him and for the first time since he got here his eyes showed emotions. He looked genuine.
"I don't know. Seriously what are you doing here?" I sighed. It felt all the energy in me was drained.
How did he even come here? Walking, duh! I mean how did he escape from there? It must have been so weird there. With Rihanna and Sam and Randhir in the same room. Were they wondering about me? And Dad? What was his reaction? Was he sad? Angry for spoiling his so called dinner with guest. I can't believe him. Just when I began thinking he was not so bad he does this.
Randhir intently stared at me as if he was figuring me out. Try harder!
"I came to see you"
"Do you want to see me go aww? Cause it's not happening" I snapped.
"Your spunk is endearing"
"Thanks. I take pride in it." I replied giving him a fake smile.
"Don't worry I told them I'll check up on you." Randhir said filling the awkward silence.
"Fine you can walk with me but please refrain from saying anything stupid" I requested and started walking ahead with him beside me.
He looked offended.
"Wow. Way to appreciate a person when he's saving your ass." He rolled his eyes.
"No one asked you to." I snapped and that shut him up. He stayed silent.
A gust of wind hit us and a shiver ran down my spine. It seemed like it was going to snow and I had worn a summer dress. Way to die!
Randhir as if sensing my distress squirmed out of his suede jacket.
"It's so hot today. This jacket is making me sweat. Jesus" He took off the jacket and turned towards me. I glared at him trying to hide my smile.
"I'm not holding it."
"You can wear it. Help me out you know." He asked handing out the jacket to me. It was so difficult to not roll my eyes. Really.
"Okay. I guess I can do that." I accept grudgingly. As soon as I slid the jacket on I sighed. The soft velvet material inside the jacket warmed me. The strong vanilla scent did affect me a bit. I was soon wrapped around his smell.
"So that was weird huh?!" Randhir mumbled as we were walking.
"Seriously you think?" I questioned.
"So what are you going to do?" He asked softly ignoring my sarcastic tone. He looked so breathtaking with light rays illuminating on his side profile.
"I need to drink something." I whispered. I rubbed my palms together to warm myself.
"I guess there's a cafe two blocks away. We could go there."
"Well don't you have this place memorised?!" I asked.
"Sure I do. My apartment's Secretary told me." Randhir shrugged.
I decided that it won't be that bad going around two more blocks. Also I was hungry.
"Okay we can go there I guess" I whispered.
As we walked along I sighed looking at all the couples along the sidewalk. Why were they here? I cannot blame but it's like they are in face you know. I just wish that I had that. I want that.
This was so not I had in mind. I thought the guest was someone dad's age. We would have a silent dinner, drink some wine, discuss politics and go back to sleep.
After a few more steps we stopped at the dingy looking cafe. The whole cafe had a hipster vibe to it. The streets were illuminated by the golden light and the cafe looked like it was soaking all of it. It was right in the centre of two streets. With the first street leading to the apartments while the other street leading to the dingy small roads. Wow I had never been to this side of Brooklyn.
"This is it" Randhir shrugged. I looked around noticing that the street was empty except for few couples.
We both entered the cafe and the strong smell of coffee greeted me. I couldn't help but sigh. The smell of coffee always makes me happy.
The cafe was very small from inside. It may be due to the fact that the half side of the cage was divided and made into a counter while other half consisted of chairs and tables.
I turned around to find Randhir already walking towards the counter. What a gentleman! I rolled my eyes and followed him.
As I walked I observed the walls of the cafe. They were covered with all the posters about coffee and s**t like that.
It was a bit homely to say. Even tho it had a hipster vibe with all those people but it was good.
"Hello and so glad that you are not a hipster" The girl sighed. She reminded so much of Max from 2 broke girls. Her uniform consisted of red colour blouse and skirt with yellow linings.
Only difference was her hair was tied in a bun. She gave Randhir a once over and grinned at me.
"Noice catch sister!" She wolf whistled and winked. Oh no. Did she? Not again.
"I'll just ignore the sister part because you just made brooklyn nine nine reference."
"Wow I'll serve you only because you got that reference." She smiled.
"Anyways we are not... We are not..." She eyed the jacket that was too loose for me around my shoulders and grinned. I sighed.
Seriously what can you say for this? This is so complicated and unexplainable.
"You know what let's forget it."
"Hey handsome what can I get for you both?" She asked already typing something on the screen.
"What's the best thing you serve here?" He asked scanning the menu.
"Uh...me" She crackled loudly. I smiled at her. She had an amazing personality.
"As amazing as it sounds I'm not into cannibalism. So how about food?" He winked.
He f*****g winked at her. Ugh why does he have to do that? Can't believe him. Anyways what's up with that? Why do I care? He can do whatever he wants.
"Wow can I keep him?" She asked laughing.
"Sure go ahead. Heads up he whines a lot and needs a leash." I smirked.
"Hey" Randhir exclaimed.
"I agree to all that condition." The server grinned.
"Jean stop chatting and take their bloody order." Someone yelled from the kitchen.
"On it boss" She rolled her eyes.
"Hi I am Jean with no surname. What will you have?!" She faked a smile.
"Ermm...Can I get a cup of... "
"Sorry I don't allow that on work." Jean interrupted. See this is what I'm talking about. She's max.
"A cup of Irish coffee to go." Randhir said while still looking at the menu.
"And she'll have a hazelnut latte."
What just happened? Did he order for me? Though it was my favourite this doesn't concern him.
"Excuse me I can place my own order" I snatched the menu from him and huffed. Glancing at the menu I suddenly regretted snapping at him.
There were so boring items on the menu. I don't drink any of that. Hell they didn't have frappe that I could order.
"Um... I'll take a hot chocolate to go."
"Sanyukta... You hate hot chocolate." Randhir sighed.
"Trust me you'll hate it more once you drink this one."Jean mumbled lowly. I think because of her boss lurking in the kitchen.
"Okay. Fine. I'll have a hazelnut latte to go." A grin appeared on Randhir's face. I pursed my lips.
"Anything else? A muffin to help me pay my rent perhaps?" She offered.
"No thanks we are good." Randhir grinned.
"You know what I take it back. You can keep him." She replied.
I shake my head. This was really fun and distracting from all the stress I had today.
"That'll be 7 dollars 20 cents. Including the tax." She ripped the bill off and shoved it at us. Randhir, amused took the bill.
"I'll pay you back" I whispered suddenly embarrassed that I did not have a penny on me. Stupid day!
"Nah I got you."
Randhir took a fifty bill and gave it to her. She accepted while mumbling something under her breath. I'm sure it was something sarcastic.
"Here's your change." She placed some cents and dollars on the table.
"Keep the change" Randhir winked at her. Her smile widened and she mock saluted him.
"It'll take two minutes." She urged and went inside.
"She seems... nice" I replied while Randhir nodded his head.
"Sure."
"Anyways you don't want anything to eat?!" He asked. I looked at him. The cafe was dimly light but it was as if he was the brightest. He had a glow on his face that was radiant and it just warmed my heart. Also saddened me that he was going to be someone else's soon.
"I'm good. Besides I don't trust this cafe that much." I replied looking at the corner of cafe where the couples were making out while swapping coffees. He followed my line of vision and looked like he could puke. I myself wanted to gag at the public display of affection but refrained from doing it.
He laughed.
We sat down at the nearest table because it was closer to the counter. Also away from those couples.
"Pick-up. Here's your order" Jean yelled emerging out of the kitchen while kicking the door.
"Woah easy there mate don't want to get fired now. Do we?!" Randhir asked while standing up.
"Fired? I don't care with your generous tip I'm rich." She smiled and handed us the coffee cups.
"Thanks" I raised my cup at her and she smiled.
"Have a good night" Randhir smiled at her and turned around to walk. Before I could follow him she pulled my by my arm.
I looked at her confused.
"He's a keeper. Don't let him go."
Only if you know the half of it Jean. I nodded dumbly.
"Have you seen the famous Brooklyn bridge skyline?" He asked me as we were walking outside the cafe with coffee in our hands.
I shook my head. Okay now many of you might judge me. Living in a New York and not seeing this splendid creation of universe is foolishness. But it is what it is. I never really invested myself for the actual city tour so I don't know much about it.
"I'll show you. I'm sure you'll love it." He said walking in a different direction. I picked my speed and followed him.
The view was really breathtaking. I really feel sad for not coming here earlier and enjoying this view. Randhir was standing beside me watching me. I could feel his eyes bore into me and it was difficult to pretend that it didn't affect me.
"It's beautiful" I whispered to fill the awkward silence.
"Yeah. It is so much beautiful than I have seen before. Really breathtaking. Takes effort to keep my eyes off." Though his reply was genuine it was not for the skyline. I know that cause instead of staring at the stars he was looking at me.
I don't know whether to blush at his comment or simply roll my eyes. Why he is so difficult?
***
- Writer
