Thanks to Ma's timely wake up call, at a little past eight the next morning, I walked into "Smile" Café, equal parts nervous and excited. Yes, these were Papa's friends; but they were also my potential employers for this project. Walking into the Café, I noticed that despite being early in the morning, there were at least twenty customers inside already, most of them dressed in formal clothes. At the counter was an elderly woman with curly salt and pepper hair.
"Good morning, Ma'am. My name is Deeksha Bhalla. I'm here to meet Mr Nair, please?" Smiling at me, the old lady said, "Of course", with a thick South Indian accent and led me into a room behind the counter. On the way, she called out to a young boy, "Sunile.. Take care of the counter for 5 minutes. I will come back just now."
Gesturing towards one of the two chairs facing the table, she said, "My name is Smitha Nair. I am Mr Nair's wife." Getting up to shake her hand, she indicated that I sit back down, saying, "No! No! Please sit! Your Daddy has helped Mr Nair and myself a lot – especially when we had just started this shop. Actually, we have come to your house also, when you were living in Vasant Vihar. But, you were very young then. You won't remember."
I could feel my cheeks flush as she spoke. "I'm sorry Ma'am. I don't," I confessed. "Haha – No problem, no problem! Mr Nair will be here soon – in the meantime, why don't you tell me about your course and everything? That way, we will also get to know about you, no?" she smiled. I liked this woman already. She had a very kind aura about her and seemed upfront in her mannerisms. Better yet, her name was well-suited to her persona.*(Refer below)
"Certainly... I have just finished my Bachelor degree in Design, Art and Management. After finishing college, I went abroad for an exchange program by a club, for about 1 year where I travelled through Europe and learnt more about all kinds of designs and styling there. I was a rank holder in college in my Design class and while I don't want to become a designer alone, I want to eventually start a company which deals with multiple facets of aesthetics," I explained. Realising that I may have sounded like I was on a rant, I sheepishly smiled at Mrs. Nair, but she seemed to have paid attention to everything I said.
"That is very good!!" she exclaimed before looking behind me and addressing someone with, "Let her join tomorrow, no?"
Getting up from my seat and turning to face the door, I saw an elderly gentleman wearing a traditional kasavu dhoti and a cream coloured shirt. Recognising him as Mr Nair, I smiled, bowed in acknowledgement and said, "Hello Sir. I am Mr Bhalla's daughter, Deeksha."
Letting out a throaty laugh, Mr Nair walked into the room to shake my hand and said, "Young lady, you have no need to introduce yourself to anyone in this town. You have Rohini's eyes and Ganesh's smile. We can recognize you anywhere."
"Thank you, Sir", I said, amazed at how well this elderly couple seemed to know my parents.
"So, as she said – You can start tomorrow; and otherwise also, you are Always welcome," he said and his wife smile.
"Thank you so much Sir!" I said, trying and failing to hide my elation. "Dear, don't call us Maam and Sir. Call us Uncle and Aunty. You have no need to be formal at all!" added Mrs. Nair. "Thank you Aunty – Thank you Uncle," I repeated and proceeded to ask if they wanted to see my portfolio or past-projects.
"Che! Che! No need! You will be working with us – and you are a smart girl. That we know by talking to you. Tomorrow if you come, we will introduce the rest of the team to you," Nair Uncle said. When I nodded, he continued, "The architect working on this is also a son of our friend. He is a very helpful boy – just like a son to us. I'm sure that all of us, will be able to make this café look beautiful!" said Nair Uncle. A look of longing had flashed through his eyes, but it had gone as quickly as it came.
"Sure Uncle – no problem at all. I am grateful for the chance, really!" I cheered. However, before I could say anything, a smooth, clear voice called you, "Nair Auuunnnttyyyy!! I want filter coffee!"
"Haha! Speak of the devil. That must be our architect." said Aunty as she walked out of the doors. All I could think of on the other hand was: OH NO! NOT HIM!!!
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AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING!!!!
But in other news, Nair Uncle and Aunty seem so nice :) Warm, Gooey, Hot chocolate on a cold day feels right there!
*Smitha is an Indian name which literally translated means "Smile". Hence the reference up there!
But for Dee and Dev, what lies ahead?
Only time will tell.
Buh-byyyeee!