chapter 42

The next morning, Riya sent Aditya a message, agreeing to meet him on Sunday. When he responded with a quick confirmation, she felt a nervous flutter in her chest. She wasn’t sure if it was excitement or apprehension, but the week passed in a blur of preparations, as she tried to quiet the voices of doubt that kept creeping into her thoughts.Sunday arrived, and Riya stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her sari with shaky hands. The café had opened earlier than usual that day, and she’d left Milli with Nirmala, who insisted she take some time for herself. It was a rare moment of respite—time for Riya to explore something beyond the confines of her daily routine.When she arrived at the café, Aditya was already waiting at the table by the window. His presence was calm, his posture relaxed, but his eyes held a sharpness that made Riya both uneasy and intrigued.“Hello, Riya,” he greeted her with a warm smile. “I’m glad you decided to meet.”Riya sat down across from him, her hands resting on her lap as she met his gaze. “Thank you for taking the time to meet. I’ve been thinking about what you said, and I want to hear your ideas. But before we get into all of that, I need to be honest with you. I’m not sure if I’m ready for something like this.”Aditya leaned forward slightly, his tone serious but understanding. “I get it. Change is hard. But sometimes it’s the only way to move forward. Let’s talk about your café first—what it means to you and where you want to take it. We can go slow. No pressure.”They spent the next hour discussing strategies and ideas, with Aditya offering practical advice on marketing, reaching a larger audience, and even ways to modernize the café without losing its heart. He listened carefully to Riya’s concerns, nodding thoughtfully after each of her hesitations.“It’s not just about making money,” Riya said quietly, her voice tinged with the weight of her emotions. “This café is a part of me. It’s all I have left of Niraj.”Aditya’s gaze softened. “I understand that. And I’m not here to change that. I just want to help you give it a chance to grow—to give you a chance to dream again.”"Aditya," she started, her voice a bit hesitant but filled with resolve, "I’ve been thinking a lot about everything you’ve suggested, and I have to ask you something."Aditya looked up from his notebook, sensing where this conversation was heading. He set down his pen and gave her his full attention, his expression calm and open."Go ahead," he said, his voice steady.Riya took a deep breath, her fingers nervously tracing the rim of her coffee cup. "I appreciate everything you’re doing for me and my café, but I need to know why you're helping me. I mean... what’s in it for you? What do you stand to gain?"There was a brief moment of silence. Aditya studied her face, the question clearly not unexpected. He leaned back in his chair, his gaze thoughtful.“Fair question,” he said finally, his voice low but honest. “I’ll be straightforward with you, Riya.”Riya’s gaze locked on his, waiting for the truth.