I smiled seeing her "Grumpy" texted before she went offline.

After setting my phone on the bedside table,I saw the light of the kitchen was still on. My door was a little open so I pushed it open and saw dad whipping plates before setting them in their places.

"Dad? You're still up?" I sighed as I went to him and helped him to whip the plates. "I'll sleep after this." He smiled while doing his work. "By the way. Did Chaya reach home?" He asked. "Yes. She did. Just messaged me." I said as I leaned against the counter, while whipping the plates lazily.

"So? What did you guys do today?" Dad asked. "Nothing much. We went to watch Badass Ravikumar." I chuckled as the memories of her happy face swirled in my mind. "Did you enjoy?" Dad chuckled. "Yeah. She and her obsession with brain rot movies." I chuckled again. "Seems like you know too well about her preferences." My father said, which felt like teasing. But I ignored it as I said, " I mean, why not? We're friends for 10 years now." "Just because you're friends?" Dad raised eyebrows as he looked at me. "Dad. You can't be serious. I don't see her like that." I scoffed. "What about her?" Dad asked, leaning against the counter, facing me. "Probably the same. She was never into love, men." I said. "Babu. You're my son. And I know that how difficult it always been for you to make friends. Yet look at you. You're with her? For 10 years now. You guys don't even have anything in common." My father tried to justify his thinking but I just scoffed and said, "It's nothing dad. We're just comfortable. Don't know how. But luckily we are."

"Then why are you constantly rejecting girls on blind dates?" My father asked which I frowned. "Dad. It has nothing to do with Chaya."

"Okay. Okay. But at least give me a good reason. You never give one." Dad asked in a calmer tone.

I took a deep breath as I said, "You know well dad. After whatever happened at school. I don't feel okay sharing my feelings with anyone. It's hard. I'm scared that I'll be humiliated and left alone again."

"Beta." My father's eyes filled with concern as he took a step forward and touched my shoulder. "You're big now. You shouldn't be keeping up with this fear. You, yourself know well that you have the ability to differ between people. Yet your holding onto those memories."

"And how did you know if I'm ready?" I asked in a hint of sarcasm. "If you weren't ready. You won't be able to handle the company. For leading the company, you meet people, you always make deals with right one. This means you have the ability to recognize people's intentions. You just need to apply the same in your private life too. Now you can say Private life and Professional life are different. Still. It's not bad to use your ability in both lives." Dad finally finished his words as my eyes softened.

"Still. I need time." I said after a moment of silence as I knew he wasn't wrong.

"Of course take time. But don't be too late. You need to cherish the right people around you. Don't let the past affect you. Remember, if that incident never happened, you had never meet Chaya.", dad said as I looked up at him in confusion and curiousity.

Dad understood my confusion as he said," Because of that incident,that day, Chaya came to defend you. Because of that incident, you got a friend who is still there for you. 10 years Babu. She is here,she knows every bad and good about you, just like you do about her. And the thing is You guys never judged each other. How many people get this chance to meet good friends? " Dad smiled brightly with each words he spoke.

I couldn't speak more as my mind was a hassal. The ideas I kept inside my mind, believing them as true were now shaken by my fathers simple words. How easily he pointed out my problem and also suggested me the cure at the same time.

A few days later.....

I was waiting for Chaya at a cafe. The evening was setting down. For the past few days, my mind was kept swirling with my dad's words.

"Face your fear. You need to trust people. Not all people are same."

But my thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Juice pila do. Musambi ka. Juice pila do. Mood off hai mera."

"Chaya." I smiled firmly as I looked behind. There was she was. Tired, yet a gorgeous smile was always plastered on her lips. The job of her was tough. Standing all day, doing overtime, no weekends and what not. Yet she managed it so well. The movie was also possible that day cause it was the foundation day of the hotel. So it was closed, giving her the opportunity to enjoy. Or else we can't even sit properly for more than 30 mins. Each day, the 30 mins were enough to talk even if we talked the same old shit.

"How is work?" She asked, walking up her seat. "Same. You?" I asked, my eyes on her figure. She wore a deep blue, knee length one piece today. Her hair tied as a low bun. Face was tired and dull due to over time. "Same." She sighed.

Chaya sat in front of me. But today she looked a little distressed. I frowned and asked, "And why is your mood off?" Chaya looked up at me, she was kinda taken aback, maybe she underestimated me that I couldn't make out people's thoughts by looking at them. "What will happen? Everything is fne." She chuckled as she opened the menu.

"Chaya." I pressured her a little as my eyes were fixed on her. Chaya sighed and closed her menu, setting it aside. "Fine. I need a suggestion." She said. "Finally something new rather than old talks." I smirked as she roller her eyes. "The hotel wants to promote me as executive chef." She said with a serious face. "That's good." I nodded.

"Divansh. I.... I don't know what to say but I..." She struggled. First time in her life she struggled to make a decision, not a impulsive, good girl's quality.

"What is it?" I asked. Chaya finally looked at me properly as she said, "From the past few months. I'm thinking something. Dadu and I fought about it. He isn't talking much to me now."

She got silent for a moment as she spoke again, "Divansh I want to open my own restaurant." "What?" I asked in disbelief with big eyes.

"I know you may think it as one of my impulsive thinking. But I really want to do this. But everyone,around me, is telling me that I can't. I shouldn't. I shouldn't leave the promotion and the hotel. I don't know what to do." Chaya said in frustration as she ran her fingers through her hair.

I continued give her an intend gaze before I said, "That's it?"

"Huh?" She looked at me in confusion. "What do you mean by that's it?" She asked in irritation. She was probably thinking that I was also taunting her so I said, " Wow. Wow. Relax. I meant. I thought it'll be much bigger problem than this."

"I don't think it's a bad idea." I added. "Really?" She asked with raised eyebrows. "Yeah. I mean. Why not? Restaurant doesn't sound bad. If you want it that bad. Then you may go for it." I said.

"But what about investment? Budget? Place? What if I Can't?" She sighed.

"Chaya. Since when you start thinking about consequences? You always said that after exam it's either we pass or fail. It's like this. You are great chef. I think it'll be hit and even if it doesn't, you still have a good working experience. You will be able to get into another hotel again." I smiled at her.

Now she also smiled, hearing my words. "You're right." She muttered.

"Either I'll pass or fail." She said as I nodded, "Exactly." Her smile more widened as she said, "Divansh! Thank you! You're the best! God knows what would I have done if you weren't there! Thank you for your positive words. I'll try now! And if I succeed! Your food will be free at my restaurant!" Chaya said, her usual self is back.

"Okay. That's a big thing to say. What if I empty all your food?" I smirked. "I don't care! I'll still try to fulfill your needs!" Chaya smiled. "After all you showed me the path! You're the best Divansh! Only God and I know how lucky I'm to get best friend like you!"

Her last words caught me off guard. "You really think me as your best friend?" I asked in disbelief.

Even if we never called ourselves bestfriend in public and private but I knew we have something similar to it. It was the first time Chaya said it loud about me.

"Then? You aren't? Come on! Don't flatter yourself and act like you unheard it! I'll pay today! You just order! Waiter!" Chaya waved at waiter with her brightest smile.

For the first time in my life, I felt something in my heart, seeing her smile. I never felt it before. Something which I can't name. So foreign. So raw. I continued to give her confused eyes. How easily she said that she was so lucky to have me only over such a small suggestion. But I should be the one who should be thankful to God for having her as a friend, who was there for me at my lowest. Who never judged me. She was so innocent,that,only a slight act of kindness was enough to win her heart? Why did I never notice that? Why did I never notice how she talks? And smiled?

I continued to take her smile as I clenched my jaw. That smile. That damn smile which stirred something in my heart. Something. Unnamed.