Shades of Life

Coffee Bloom

Hey guys: 

I came across some quotes that symbolizes what I want to depict in this story at some point so I thought of adding few quotes and my thoughts describing them in my point of view. You guys can read it or skip it totally up to you. Don't forget to comment and let me know what you think.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 “When I dare to be powerful – to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.”

-Audre Lorde

Audre’s wise words are so encouraging and filled with positivity. When are passionate enough to achieve a goal that you have set for yourself, the about of efforts or the distractions to achieve it becomes more and more negligible. Audre Lorde was an American writer, feminist, womanist, librarian, and civil rights activist. When we get out of our comfort zone and take risk in life, there is fear embedded in us. By making all you past experience into your strength and pouring it in the right place makes you more successful yet less afraid. There is a saying called ‘ When life gives you lemon, make a lemonade’ which says that whatever life throws at you in your process of achieving something, convert it into something you can work with.  

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Enjoy the chapter:

I sat on my chair panting still not reeling from what just happened in the elevator. What the hell was that? What made him so mad that he got so violent?

I took my water bottle out of my purse and drank the whole damn thing. I have heard about some sick violent events but this is my first to see someone act like this. Nevertheless, the CEO of such big company acting so brazen in the company was so unprofessional.

Really Akshu! That’s what you are worried about.

No, I’m also worried about what made him so mad but it’s not like I can go and ask him about it. I know what his answer will be ‘It’s none of your business’ and I had that sentence.

Mainly because it must be true, if it was something related to the company by now everyone would have known as news travel faster and there would have been a huge commotion here.

I looked around the area and saw everyone working, lunch was over. I sat there between during lunch silently as my mind was somewhere else. I couldn’t get out of the shock of what happened. None of the team interrupted me as they saw I was not in a mood to talk.

I know Varun is always grumpy and moody but this angry, wow.

Should I talk to him?

Do you want to get fired?

Asked my inner self.

It does have a point. Maybe it was something personal or he might just be having a bad day.

After the day over I went home and changed my clothes into more casual one’s. Since I have started working I’ve been to the company and come back home and watch TV, that’s all I’ve been doing. So, I decided that today I’ll do something different.

I wore a beautiful white sun dress and packed my purse with water bottle and a nice book. It’s a casual love story without any extravaganza like mafia or werewolf or other supernatural stuff, just normal simple day-to-day struggle. Stories like this gives me more confidence that someday I might find someone who could love me like a normal human being. I don’t usually believe that I could get to experience the kind of love shown in these books and to be frank I don’t want to either. They are overrated and the life I want is simple and drama-free.

I locked my apartment and walked out of the apartment. I don’t want to take my car, there is a beautiful café right opposite to the main road which had great ambience from what I’ve seen but still have to experience it.

I walked to the café looking around the area familiarizing myself with it. There is a parlor too, I should check it out this weekend and also get my nails done. I’m so over this yellow color. I want to paint them nude color, it’s been a while since I did.

I walked inside the café and the smell that greeted me was so addictive. It made me feel so fancy. I ordered my coffee and turned around to inspect the place, I almost squealed when I saw a library in the café. I always read about these kind of café were present in America but never thought I would find one near my apartment that too in India.

I paid for my coffee and smiled at the waiter there. Grabbing my coffee, I went inside the café as I saw there was more to it. There was this inner room to the right of the café where there were so many tables and sofa’s and the room was packed with plants and sunshine from the roof. It was a perfect place to ignore the reality and deep dive into fantasy land.

I thought of finishing my coffee first and then go check out library. I took a seat at the end of the café which was perfect for me. I made myself comfortable in the booth and started reading my book while drinking my coffee in peace.

I got so involved in the book that I forgot about the surrounding altogether. I got out of my story land when I felt someone’s presence at my table. I turned my attention to them to see a girl looking at me with a smile.

“Hi, I’m Sarah. Welcome to Coffee Bloom. Can I get you anything? We have wide range of food” She said with a kind smile.

“Hi, I’m Akshara. I love the ambience of this café, it’s perfect for readers” I complimented the café and I meant it.

“Thank you, this café is my mother’s dream” She said with a wide smile.

“Oh, is it yours?” I asked in surprise.

“Yes, my mom turned this place into a café” She said looking around.

“Wow, she had a great vision. Can I get a menu? It looks I’ll be here for a while” I said with a guilty smile. She nodded and walked off to get me a menu.

I sighed and continued reading my book.

“Here, everything is good I guarantee you. Take a look and let me know. I’ll be back in a while” She said and walked off after I nodded taking the menu.

I looked at it and decided to get a sandwich and a samosa. I’m sure I’ll be full just by that. When Sarah came back I gave her my order.

I got back to my book but before I could start reading I heard an angry voice. I closed my eyes in irritation. Who is spoiling this place’s ambience by creating a chaos. I sighed and looked at the direction of the voice.

To my left sat two guys in suit, I tilted my head back to see who that guy was and he looked familiar. Where have I seen him?

Oh, he is Aakash. The guy who in Varun’s cabin. Does that mean the guy sitting with his back to me is Varun?

Is he still mad?

I could hear his angry and irritated voice from my table. I wonder what happened that he is this distraught?

I heard someone clear their voice and turned straight to see Sarah standing there.

“Here, your order” She said smiling.

“Thank you” I said returning her smile.

“Are you okay?” She asked looking at me and Varun’s table.

“Yeah, I’m fine” I said smiling.

“If you are getting disturbed than I can tell them move” She said nodding towards their table.

I looked at her wide eyed.

Oh, this girl will get me fired for sure.

“Oh, no no. Don’t ever do that. That’s my boss” I said shaking my head and hands.

“You work in Mehta’s?” She asked in confusion.

“Yeah, how did you guess?” I asked in same confusion.

“That’s Varun and Aakash. Either you should be working for Varun or Aakash. I guessed it might be Varun, since Aakash’s employees are not scared of him” She said shrugging.

I sat there staring at her with my jaw slacking.

“You know them?” I asked in shock.

“Oh yeah, my mom works for Varun” She said with a smile.

“Your mom.. wait is it Rose?” I exclaimed as I remembered her.

“Yes, how do you know her?” She asked looking at me wide eyed. She sat opposite to me.

“I met her once, she was sweet and helped me carry my groceries more so she ordered Varun to carry my groceries” I said with a slight chuckle.

She laughed as well.

“Oh, only she can handle him” She said waving her hand dismissively.

“Oh” I said at the new information.

“Do you live nearby?” She asked me.

“Yeah, I live in his apartment building” I said pointing towards Varun.

“Wow, such small world” She said smiling.

“Yeah, what about you? Do you work here or look after it?” I asked her.

“Yeah, I look after this place. I take care of it for mom while she takes care of Varun. I love to bake so this place works out for me” She said looking around the place fondly.

“Oh, hey” she waved to someone to her right, I turned to see who it was and there sat Aakash and Varun, both looking at us more so staring at me.

Shit!