An Encounter On The Metro - Chapter 8
The Reveal
“Gossiping behind your employer’s back?” Maya teased.
Ravi smiled nervously, his face paling to a shade lighter than his usual complexion. Ari and Tina suppressed their smiles, their heads bowed. They knew it wasn’t serious enough to cost anyone their job. Rams was a great boss—stern, yes—but he usually overlooked the chatter among his employees as long as it didn’t go too far. His version of PDA was to turn a blind eye whenever the gossip was about how his amazing wife had him wrapped around her finger.
Catching uneasy glimpses of Rams and trying to gauge his mood, Ravi replied in a higher pitch, “No, no! It’s not gossip, but propagandising your love to the world. I was just narrating your college love story to Ari—how the boss joined the Music Club for you, confessed at the campfire while playing your favourite song… how you two were voted Best Campus Couple… and—”
Their love story was well known to Ravi, who had been their junior in college.
Rams spoke, rescuing him from his predicament. “You can stop now. Don’t worry—your salary will be credited as usual. Not like you have a date to enjoy it with anyway—”
Maya smiled and turned toward Rams. “Mr. Cat~ Don’t poke at the poor guy’s heart.”
The kitchen filled with laughter. Moments later, the door chimed, announcing new customers, and everyone returned to their duties.
___
“Yay! Successfully survived another day in this mundane world,” Ravi declared dramatically after the shift ended.
“Oh, why—congratulations on the milestone, Ravi,” Ari replied, sarcastic with an eye roll.
On the way out, Maya stopped Ari at the reception counter and asked mirthfully, “Putti, was it? And you’re a singer?”
Ari was startled, but sensing no malice in her tone, she nodded with a shy smile.
“How did you know, Maya? I never told anyone yet.”
“Well, Mira’s your friend, right? We connected on Instagram through 'mutual friends' a few months back,” Maya said with a smile. “She posted about her best friend’s YouTube channel, Putti Sings. The way she described her friend sounded so much like you that I DMed her—and she confirmed it was you.”
“So, when are you posting your songs?” she added playfully. “As an early subscriber, I’m already waiting!”
Ari couldn’t help but smile at that, eyes crinkling.
Before she could reply, Ravi’s voice broke in. “Why are you guys looking so happy? Maya, do you have any good news to share with us?” he inquired, a suggestive drag at the end.
A firm hand pressed down on his shoulder. The owner of the hand spoke in a menacingly calm tone, “You never learn, do you?”
Ravi wilted immediately. ‘Perhaps I should start working out’, he thought gloomily. ‘Then I could at least face off with Rams someday’. He silently made a mental note to hit the gym tomorrow morning.
Maya and Ari exchanged amused smiles.
“It’s good news- indeed,” Maya said, “but not what you’re thinking. Our Ari here has started her own YouTube channel - “Putti Sings” - last week, to chase her dream of making music. I was merely congratulating her!”
“What!!?” Ravi shrieked, his voice a pitch higher than usual. “Ari! How could you do this to me? Why did you not tell me? I thought I was your besttttt friend!” He playfully wiped a fake tear from the corner of his eye and clutched his shirt at the chest dramatically.
“Drama queen,” Rams tsked.
Ari smiled. “Don’t exaggerate. We only created the channel—we haven’t posted anything yet.”
“Share the link, ba… we’ll be one of your first subscribers,” Ravi said with a grin.
Rams turned to look at Ari and acquiesced with a nod.
Ari beamed, her eyes crinkling. She felt warm, lucky, and deeply moved to have the support of her friends.
“Sure thing! Thanks guys!!”
-TBC-
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