forever loved [ a short love story ]

Chapter 5: A New Routine

The café opened its doors to another bustling morning. The rearranged seating area Raitha had suggested immediately caught customers' attention. Some regulars paused to admire the changes, while others headed straight to the cozy corner, drawn by its inviting warmth.

"See? Told you it was a good idea," Raitha said, nudging Shyam as they worked behind the counter.

He nodded, handing her a tray of pastries to deliver to a table. "You were right."

She grinned, her energy contagious. "You should say that more often. Feels good to hear."

Shyam rolled his eyes but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips.

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Raitha's Energy

Raitha had a knack for keeping the day lively. Whether it was cracking jokes with customers, humming along to the soft music playing in the background, or playfully teasing Shyam when he got too absorbed in his work, she brought a spark to the café that even Mr. Patel couldn't deny.

"Your friend has quite the personality," Mr. Patel remarked as he watched Raitha chat with a group of college students who had become regulars.

"She's not my—" Shyam started but stopped when Mr. Patel raised an eyebrow.

"Not your what?" his father asked with a knowing smile.

Shyam busied himself with cleaning the espresso machine. "Never mind."

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An Unexpected Delivery

Mid-morning brought a surprise when the doorbell jingled and a deliveryman walked in, carrying a large bouquet of flowers.

"Delivery for… Raitha?" he announced, glancing around.

Raitha, who had been serving coffee to a couple, froze mid-step. "For me?"

The deliveryman nodded, handing her the bouquet. A soft blush crept across her cheeks as she accepted it, the vibrant mix of roses and lilies contrasting beautifully with her black T-shirt.

"Who's it from?" one of the customers asked, voicing the question everyone was wondering.

Raitha searched for a card, finally finding a small envelope tucked between the stems. She opened it and read silently, her expression a mix of surprise and amusement.

"Well?" Shyam asked, his voice carefully neutral.

"It's from my brother," she said with a laugh, holding up the card. "'Congrats on your new job. Don't mess it up.'"

The café erupted in laughter, and the moment passed as quickly as it had come. But Shyam couldn't help noticing the way Raitha had smiled, her happiness lighting up the room.

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A Shared Moment

As the day wound down, the café grew quieter. Most of the customers had left, leaving only a few lingering regulars. Raitha was wiping down the tables while Shyam restocked the shelves behind the counter.

"Hey, Shyam," Raitha called out, breaking the comfortable silence.

"Yeah?"

"Do you ever wonder what life would be like if you weren't working here?" she asked, her tone uncharacteristically thoughtful.

He paused, considering her question. "Not really. This place has always been a part of my life. I can't imagine not being here."

Raitha nodded, setting her cloth down and sitting at one of the empty tables. "I get that. But don't you ever feel like… there's more out there? Like there's something waiting for you beyond these walls?"

Shyam leaned against the counter, studying her. "Do you?"

She smiled faintly. "Sometimes. But then I think about how much I've grown to love this place, and I wonder if maybe this is exactly where I'm supposed to be."

Shyam didn't respond right away. Instead, he walked over and sat across from her. "What made you take this job in the first place?"

Raitha looked down at her hands, tracing patterns on the table with her finger. "I guess I needed a fresh start. After graduation, I didn't really know what I wanted to do. But when I saw the 'Help Wanted' sign in your window… it just felt right."

He nodded slowly. "It's good that you're here."

She looked up, her eyes meeting his. "Thanks, Shyam. That means a lot."

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Closing Time

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow through the café's windows. Raitha locked the front door while Shyam finished wiping down the counter.

"Another day, another dollar," she said with a yawn.

"Something like that," he replied, flipping the lights off one by one.

As they stepped outside, the cool evening air wrapped around them. Raitha paused, glancing up at the stars beginning to dot the sky.

"You know," she said softly, "I think I like this routine. It feels… steady. Safe."

Shyam glanced at her, surprised by the vulnerability in her voice. "Yeah. Me too."

For a moment, they stood there in silence, the sounds of the city fading into the background. Then Raitha turned to him with a playful grin.

"Race you to the bus stop?"

Before he could respond, she took off down the sidewalk, her laughter ringing out behind her. Shyam shook his head but found himself running after her, a rare smile breaking across his face.