LOVE ME IF YOU DARE

26 - New trouble

⚠️It's not Dev and Lekshmi chapter⚠️

Writer's pov

" Jasmine....... "

" Jasmine...... "

" Jasmine is dead...... Damn.....Jasmine, Jasmine, Jasmine from morning till evening he doesn't have any other names to call ? " Jasmine was grunting annoyingly against Mohit who was calling her into his cabin for a long time.

He asked her to take some printouts of a document five minutes ago. While Jasmine was taking it Mohit started calling her non stop. Jasmine quickly collected all papers and a file without arranging it and kept in front of Mohit. He clenched his jaw and looked at Jasmine then at the papers for few seconds.

" What is this ? " He asked very gently

" Printouts you asked me to take " Jasmine replied

" oh I see. .... I thought you brought them to pack peanuts for staffs " Mohit spatted back at Jasmine and rolled his eyes.

" You still haven't learnt to do documentation ? If not now then when you are going to learn it ? Look....... Is this how you should submit something in front of me ? " Mohit threw the file and papers towards Jasmine and shouted louder.

" You only gave me five minutes so I didn't get time to do documentation ? " Jasmine pouted her lips and yelled back to Mohit .

" But you don't worry sir, all papers are here and the file is also here. You can put those papers inside the file by your own. " Jasmine added.

" Is it ? Then do one thing. You keep everything on your table like you want. I will come and do rest of the work as I like. I will do all your works and you just sit there and enjoy. What about that ? Or you come and sit on my chair I will go and sit on your chair. What about that ?  " Mohit asked to her very gently and happily.

" That's a very good idea sir. Actually I was going to suggest this idea for you.... "

" Get out........ Get out from my cabin " Mohit shouted at Jasmine making her jump from floor and she ran from his cabin.

" Stop there " he then again called her back and Jasmine stood there at that instant.

" Did you take the Xerox copies of files which I gave you ? " He asked

" No... " Jasmine put her head down and mumbled

" Then who will come and do it ? "

" Papers are finished. I ordered for a box so........... " Jasmine shrugged her shoulders and said

" You have reasons for everything right ? " Mohit looked at her with a sarcastic face.

" Jasmine .... " Meanwhile Jasmine heard someone calling her from outside Mohit's cabin. She quickly went to check who is asking for her and saw Zahir there with a box of papers.

" Zahir..... " Jasmine quickly went to his side and helped him to keep the box down.

" Why you brought this ? There were staffs in store to bring such stuffs. Anyways thank you so much. " Jasmine gave a warm smile and then thanked him.

" I was free and till noon I am free. If you need any help you can just say. " Zahir says.

" You came on right time then. Actually I had to take some..... "

" Zahir....... " Mohit was watching them both having a very happy and lite conversation. He narrowed his eyes and called Zahir interrupting them.

" Dev is asking for you " Mohit says.

"DD is in R&D department. He said no one to disturb him till noon " Zahir replied and again concentrated back to Jasmine.

" Jasmine ...... " Next Mohit yelled at Jasmine who went with Zahir.

" Now what you want ? You are the one who don't let me work peacefully. " Jasmine whined and stomped her foot.

" Did you shred the papers which I gave you ? " Jasmine clenched her jaw and stared at Mohit with an unamused face.

" Shredder is not working " Jasmine replied quickly.

Mohit quickly grabbed the shredder machine and hand it over to Zahir.

" You are good with electronic items right ? Please go and fix it for her. Go go go go ..... " Mohit pushed Zahir from there with the shredder and didn't even give a chance for him to talk. Once he went Mohit glared at Jasmine like a warning and walked inside to his office cabin but turned back to say something.

" Take that papers need to be shredded and bring it to my cabin. " He ordered to Jasmine. She didn't understand why he said that still doubtfully though she went inside with a huge cardboard box of papers.

Jasmine looked at Mohit with a dropped jaw because he passed her a small scissors and asked her to shred those papers with it.

" Sir...... Why you..... " Jasmine felt like crying and had lots of questions inside her mind but she couldn't ask anything to Mohit. She silently turned to leave from there to start the job.

" Do it inside my cabin. Those are the copies confidential files " Mohit says and grabbed the office chair to continue his work. Jasmine fell back to  couch and started cutting papers one by one with her hands.

.....................

Hours passed, Jasmine was still inside Mohit's cabin cutting the papers. He went out to meet Dev and she was alone. Jasmine stood from couch and straighten her back cursing Mohit.

" When I am going to finish all these ? Is he taking some kind of revenge on me ? I didn't snatched anything from him then why ? " Jasmine whined looking at his chair and fell back on couch again.

" I need some coffee to revive my brain. Café mystére.... I am coming.  Even though they only make black coffee their coffee is good " saying this Jasmine collected the rest of papers and went to café mystére putting the messege that she is taking break.

Café mystére

" So what I was asking..... How long you know Varun ? Was he like this from starting itself ? Or tell me the truth you both dated before right ? " Lechu was clinging to Nina trying to extract all details about Varun from her. Nina looked at her emotionless when Lechu asked her whether they both dated before.

" Let me ask you one thing ? Why you are so much interested in Varun ? You forgot about Dev ? " Raising an eyebrow Nina questioned her.

" These are for fun Nina,  also Dev and I ..... "

" One black coffee please ..... " Jasmine crawled into the café and sat on a chair banging her face on table.

" Stay away from you..... " She kicked on the cardboard box with her heels and shouted when it touched her heels.

" Oh oh.oh..... what happened ? Why you are kicking that " Lechu took the box and sat opposite to Jasmine enquiring about her new problem.

" Why it's so silent today ? " Jasmine looked around and asked to Lechu.

" It's not like other days are crowded " Lechu mumbled sarcastically.

" That's also true but I asked where is that nuisance ? Your worker Ishaan the freak " Jasmine asked

" They are inside..... Taking nap  " Lechu replied. Jasmine sighed heavily and holds Lechu's both hands.

" Will you please give me a job here. I will do nothing. " Jasmine asked. Nina frowned her face and looked at them.

" Do you have a any degree or diploma in food making.  Like a barista, Baker, bakery etc etc etc " Lechu asked in a very serious tone.

" No...., But you also don't have any.... So we are equal. I will invest on this café. So we both will become partners. How about that ? " Jasmine asked very excitedly

" You have a good job now then why you want to do this girl ? Are you mad ? " Lechu asked

" Job ? That's not a job its called slavery. Mohit that jerk he doesn't even know that slavery is abolished from our country in 1843. He is still living there. I can't work under him anymore. My uncle that cruel man....I trusted him and he did this to me. Let me see him once I will show who is this Jas... " Jasmine grunted annoyingly and again banged her head on table.

" My situation is also same in that house. How many times I told you. If and only if I wouldn't have dropped my dance practice  now  I would have been a celebrity...... You heard girl ?  A celebrity......  I will be flying all over this world " Lechu also reminisce her colourful past which got spoiled.

" That's not your fault. I mean not completely......... You couldn't continue practice..... that's why" Jasmine says by consoling her.

"It looked like I cheated Parvathi Mam few days before her grand stage show.  She trusted me and made me second lead and at end moment I ran from there without saying anything. No one understood my mental state that time. I was feeling worthless and getting demotivated for not able to dance. She helped me a lot, supported me still I ditched her. Parvathi mam still holds that grudge against me Jas I can feel that whenever she talks to me.  In that house only she is the one I can relay on but this is the issue. " Lechu sighed and laid her head on table with a sad face.

" Agrhh. ... If and only if I get that man in my hands I will break his back into pieces " Lechu smacked her hand on table out of frustration.

" Why you are blaming him ? Who told you to jump on him ? Who are you ? Wonder woman ? To save others life ? " Jasmine yelled at Lechu.

" I didn't yaar. How many times I told you. It was an accident. When fire started you ran first, Zara and I ran together but inbetween we got separated. People started to push me and I fell on someone. I didn't saved anyone ..... I am not that much saint.... " Lechu said dramatically and flipped her hair.

" This all happened because of you.... " She then blamed Jasmine.

" Me ? Laks.... Don't say that. I was searching for you both but from nowhere someone held on my hand and dragged me with him. He was scared more than me. Even fell from stairs while running. Only because of some humanity I helped him. Such  times we humans help eachother right ? Unknowingly though you and I helped others. We will be blessed for that some day... I am sure about that " Jasmine said

" Do you remember that person who you helped ? " Lechu asked to Jas.

" What a question ? How can I ? In that marathon race I wasn't looking at others face. Soon after I brought him down Zara found me. Then she is the one who sent rescue team to find you . Actually what she did is bad because she gave them money to save you first. But friendship is like that right ? " Jasmine says. Lechu smiled thinking about it and sat there silently for sometime.

" She doesn't have anything else to do other than staring into that system. You should keep your employees in your control Laks. They will cheat you .... " Jasmine noticed Nina was always on system browsing through random sites and killing her time by using shop's internet connection.

" She is not like that " Lechu supported Nina.

" You will always say that and at end they will cheat you. Then only you will learn. Did you forget about that Samay's incident. You trusted an unknown person and what happened to your life ? If you have mentioned about Samay to Yuvi at least for once or kept a distance with that stranger nothing would have happened. Can you actually blame Yuvi for his reaction ? You don't even have a reply for the questions he is asking. You don't know anything about that guy still you went to meet him, let him stay in your house ...... What all stupid things you did girl ? Even I won't do this much stupidity." Jasmine says

" Don't make me remember those days girl. I am repaying for those stupidity till now. " Lechu said by making a  crying face.

" What stupidity ? " Nina took her eyes from system screen and asked.

" Nothing. Are you eavesdropping our conversation ? It's a bad manners girl..... Employees shouldn't do that. Also where is my black coffee ? " Jasmine stood from her place and yelled at Nina.

" I don't make coffee.... I am here only as cashier " Nina spatted back.

" See... See.. this is her attitude towards customers then how you will get business ? " Jasmine said to Lechu after pointing at Nina.

" Leave it Jas. From starting itself she told me she won't do kitchen works. " Lechu sided with Nina which made Jasmine wondered.

" Laks...... What the hell are you doing with this cafe ? Why a cafe need this much employees at first place ? Two for cleaning, one cashier, one barista and you an extra. Barista won't be here all time. He is busy than your husband Dev. One is into all dating sites and other girl is dreaming all time. That freak lad is either into games or always on leave or sleeping. If it's a crowded cafe then I can understand you need helping hands but this is.... What is this girl ?" Jasmine spread her hands and questioned Lechu. Nina crossed her arms and glared at Jasmine ready to fight for complaining against her to Lechu.

Lechu quickly took Jasmine towards a side and talked to her secretly.

" They are poor people...."

" Yes.. and you are very rich to feed them." Jasmine said in a sarcastic tone.

" No not like that. Let them be here until they find some other place. They don't have fixed salary Jas. I am giving them a part of daily income. From where I can find such employees in Mumbai. That's why I am enduring them. " Lechu made Jasmine understand her situation.

" You leave about my café tell me about Dev's schedule. What is happening with him ? " Lechu quickly changes the topic to Dev since that is important for her now.

" Before that did you tried what I asked you to try ? Did he showed some progress ? " Jasmine asked to Lechu

" Progress ? I was lucky that he didn't kill me today morning. I acted as much I can to become a good wife but he has problems with that too. Humiliated me in front of Zahir. I was burning in front of him. If Parvathi mam wouldn't have came on time I would have dig a pit and buried myself there. These cheap tricks are not going to work on him Jas. His hatred for me is like that......... " Lechu says sadly.

"You didn't tell me why hates you this much. What's the reason ? Did you take something from him ? Or is it because of Yuvi ? Did he get to know what happened with you  and Yuvi? " Jasmine asked.

" All these are included in that. My family took something precious from him that's the main reason. He knows why Yuvi broke up with me and I am a characterless girl infront of Dev who sleeps around with men" Lechu sighed and stood against wall silently.

" Who is calling you a characterless ? Then what is he ? "Jasmine asked with a scoff.

" He admits that he is like that and does't care about what I think about him. But my case is different. Whatever I say, how much I say he thinks that I am lying. That's why he is hating me more. Just to reduce his hatred for me I can't admit that I slept with men. That's not true though..... " Lechu replied. Jasmine sighed heavily and understood her friend's situation.

" Dev is right now busy with a new business deal. All these time he thought he will get that deal but now he got a competitor with whom he has some past issues. So now office has declared on emergency. He is running inside there like his tail caught fire and bashing everyone for not coming up to his mark. " Jasmine says

" Which company ? " Lechu asked doubtfully.

" It's  ....... Oh my god....... Gaurav sir....... " Jasmine saw Gaurav coming to their café with a girl. Jas started running panicked to find a place to hide. She ran towards the backdoor in that hurry.

" Not there.... Not there ..... Come here" Lechu pulled her back and went to hide under kitchen counter.

" Baby....... You listen to me. Upon you I promise I wasn't with her last night. Why would I lie to my sweet heart ? " Gaurav talked to the girl whom he brought. They both were standing at the middle of café and Nina was watching them with a weird face. She then shook her head uninterested and then went back to continue her job.

" Two Irish coffee,one with extra cream for my beauty " Gaurav pecked on that girl's cheeks and orders to Nina.

" We only have black coffee here " Nina replied in a monotone without even looking at Gaurav.

" Then what's with this menu board ? " Gaurav asked pointing at menu board kept above where Nina stood.

" We don't serve them now. Only at peak times " Nina replied

" Then two black coffee " Gaurav ordered two coffees then and get ready to sit but before that Nina's reply came.

" Our barista is not here " Nina replied very quickly. Gaurav take a look at the cafe and then scoffed.

" Then what you have in this cafe ? " He asked

" Bottled water '' she replied again in monotone.

" Fine.... two glass of chilled water " he ordered. Nina took a deep breath and finally took her eyes from computer screen. She leaned back and looked at the cooler to check whether there is mineral water bottle left.

" No chilled water... Only plane water in room temperature " Nina replied. Lechu was smacking on her feet while hiding under kitchen counter to stop talking to Gaurav like that but Nina stood there without any expression.

" How rude....... Baby we should go. What kind of café is this ? " That girl clings in Gaurav and said dramatically.

" One second baby.... Let me talk.... What kind of attitude she has towards a customer while working in such a filthy café ? What's your name ? Where is the owner of this cafe ? I need to complaint " Gaurav stood across Nina and talked to her very rudely.

Nina took a paper and pen from her desk. She forwarded it towards Gaurav and asked him to write the complaint and put it in suggestion Box without any expression on her face.

" This girl is really........ A mere cashier and attitude is like collector of this city. Do you know to whom you are behaving like this ? If I snap my fingers I can shut down this damn café forever " Gaurhouted at Nina.

Lechu was hearing everything from down and she was worried thinking that Gaurav will provoke Dev with this matter.

" Then do that first. Barking dogs never bites " she mumbled and continued her job.

"What ? What did you Just say ? " Gaurav again moved forward and came so close to the counter.

" She called you a dog baby" that girl said to Gaurav and Nina chuckled mocking him which Gaurav saw. He clenched his jaw and then smirked looking at Nina.

"You have issues with couples who romances right ? " Gaurav commented looking at Nina. Lechu covered her mouth in shock hearing his question to Nina. Jasmine asked her about the situation and Lechu shook her head as nothing. Nina went mute and didn't react for Gaurav.

" So I guessed right. A nerdy girl and dumb cashier of a mere cafe showing this much of attitude.... What a Joke. Taking out frustration of your lonely life on other happy couples. Grow up girl..... Go outside and look for someone for you instead of sitting infront of all dating sites and drool over them. " Gaurav smacked on the table after letting out his anger on Nina.

Lechu quickly held on Nina's leg from down begging not to say anything or react, but Lechu was too late. Nina looked at the girl clinging to Gaurav and spatted at her.

" He is bringing girls like you to this cafe all time and threw up same dialogues in front of them. Stupid girls like you will believe on such sugar coated words. Then at end when he leaves you for another girl go and cry sitting at some corner " Gaurav's jaw dropped hearing what Nina said.

"You lair..... " He shouted at Nina

" Gaurav is it true ? What she said ? " That girl face became pale like she can cry at any point and yelled at Gaurav

" No baby why you trust her .... trust me..... She is mad... She is totally mad." Gaurav tried to make his girlfriend calm down and asked to believe him. Nina scoffed at them which Gaurav saw accidentally. Nina was not ready to stop there but she continued.

" Why you think that he brought you into this cafe when his office already has a big cafeteria space ? Because this is his friend Mr Rathore's wife's cafe. Whatever happens here he is sure that nothing will goes out. But sorry girl....I am saying this out of concern for you. Go and date someone worth of your love and care not such jerks " said Nina staring at Gaurav.

" Gaurav what she said is true ? " His girlfriend asked

"No..... No baby.... "

" Do you know this cafe owner ? Is she DD's wife ? " She asked again and Gaurav went silent.

" Say yes or no.... '' she screamed

" Yes... " Gaurav replied. Soon after he said that yes that girl's hand fell on his left cheek.

" Go to hell you hypocrite... " She lashed at Gaurav and walked out from cafe.

" Nice shot " Nina commented sarcastically and concentrated back to computer screen. Gaurav seemed really angry and he gritted his teeth glaring at Nina.

" I will show you who is this Gaurav Verma....." He left from café with a warning for Nina.

Once he left Lechu and Jasmine stood from floor and looked at Nina pathetically.

" I need some fresh air " Nina quickly left from her counter and went to storeroom.

" God knows with what Gaurav is going to fill Dev's ears. . now.  Now he will let that anger on me ..... I am fed up with everything already..... '" Lechu cried and hugged Jasmine tightly. Her fear was about what Dev gonna do with her and her family.

" Don't worry.....I will inform you about his moves. Before meeting Dev Gaurav will definitely come to see Mohit. Let me see what I can do ... you stop crying . " Jasmine consoled Lechu and went back to her office quickly.