Aadhya's POV
Here we are… standing in front of Krish's restaurant— "The Hungry Warrior."Wow.What a classy name.
I don't know why… but the moment I read it—I felt hungry.
Honestly… I'm pretty sure that's why half of them came.For food.
I came with Nikansh in his car.
Avi came with Bhavik.
Dj came in his own car—same with Vivaan.Others… I have no idea.
I looked at the restaurant.
And wow.It was beautiful.
Modern… but with a traditional touch.Paintings of real warriors on the walls.Wooden furniture.
Warm lights.
It felt… alive.
"Is it open?" I asked, peeking through the glass.
Nikansh didn't answer—just walked ahead and opened the door.
Oh.It was.We all walked in.
There were only a few staff members… maybe three.
They approached us immediately.
"Table for how many?"
"Are you guys not open yet?" Dheeraj asked.They nodded.
Meanwhile—
Avi and Bhavik started counting people like idiots.
We didn't come here to eat.
"Um… is Krish here?" I asked, a little nervous, already looking around.
"Tell him his classmates are here. Make it quick. We don't wait," Vivaan ordered coldly.
"Please," I added quickly, glaring at him.The staff panicked and rushed insideWhile waiting… I kept looking around.The details… the effort… the atmosphere…
This place meant something.You could feel it.
Then—Krish walked out.Followed by the staff.He looked at all of us.
"Do you guys need something?"
"Food! Food!" Avi said instantly.
Krish frowned. "Is that why you came here?"
"No—" I stepped forward. "I wanted to ask… if we could borrow your cooking stuff for class."
He didn't even hesitate.
"You can use them. I won't be coming back anyway. It's all yours."
I froze.
"What… you won't be coming back?"
He looked tired.
"My restaurant needs me. Only three crew members are left."
I looked around again.
This whole place…
Running with just four people.
"What happened?" Vivaan asked.
"My father had an accident. He's still recovering. My mother spent the savings on her jewelry. I had to cut salaries… couldn't afford to pay them."
His voice was calm—
But heavy.
"You're managing everything alone?" I asked.
He nodded.
"My father taught me before. My mother doesn't know anything."
"Isn't your dad the chef?" Samar asked.
"Mr. Yadu used to help… but he left for another job. So now… it's just me."
Silence.
I looked at Vivaan.
He was thinking.
Deep.
Then—
Customers walked in.
More than a few.
The staff rushed.
"I have to go," Krish said and turned—
But suddenly—
Vivaan grabbed his collar and pulled him back.
"Hey! I'm not done talking to you yet."
"Vivaan—!" I called.
Ignored.
"Let me go. I have work," Krish said, clearly irritated.
"So what's your plan?" Vivaan asked.
"I don't have one right now."
More customers started coming in.
The staff panicked.
Who to attend first—
What to do—
Everything falling apart.
And this idiot—
still holding him.
I clenched my fists.
Ughh.
I shouldn't interfere—
But…
I handed my bag to Avi—
And walked straight to the counter.
Picked up the menu.
And stepped forward.
"Here's your menu," I said, smiling, handing it to a table.
"Miss—what are you doing?" a staff member asked, shocked.
"Helping," I replied simply.
"But… sir Krish might get mad—"
"He won't. I'll handle it."
I placed the remaining menus on the counter—
Then walked to Krish.
"We're going to help here," I announced.
"What?"
Everyone said it together.
Seriously… did they rehearse that?
"We're helping until you recover and manage to hire more staff," I said clearly.
"And who is 'we'?" Vivaan asked.
"Me and Samar," Jiya raised her hand excitedly.
Samar sighed.
Of course. No escape.
"I'll help too," Dj said and walked straight into the kitchen.
Krish tried to stop him—failed.
"We too!" Avi and Bhavik followed.
"Just pay us with food," Devit said and joined.
Others followed too.
Just like that.
One by one.
Everyone moved.
Until—
Only me… Nikansh… Krish… and Vivaan remained.
Krish looked around.
Then sighed.
"It's obvious I can't stop you people."
And walked into the kitchen.
"Uncle, just guide them so they don't mess up," he told one of the staff.
Then Nikansh looked at me.
"You can't help it, right? Helping others."
I froze.
I wasn't like this before.
So why now?
Why can't I just ignore things?
…I don't know.
I didn't answer.
Just walked inside.
We were given black aprons.
Like real staff.
Nice.
Some started handing menus.
Some served water.
Two helped Krish in the kitchen.
Damn, the customers just wouldn't stop today. It was like the entire city suddenly decided this was the place to be. The door kept opening, the bell kept ringing, and new faces kept pouring in. I didn't even get a second to breathe.
One thing I noticed though… most of us weren't smiling like actual staff. Everyone looked either confused, tired, or just straight-up lost. Except one idiot.
Avi.
Of course he had to turn this into his personal charm show. He was standing there, smiling like he was born for this job, talking to customers like they were his long-lost relatives. I walked past him casually and leaned a little closer.
"I'll report you to Saanvi," I whispered right into his ear.
And just like that—boom—his smile vanished.
I had to bite my lip to stop myself from laughing. The expression on his face was priceless. I shook my head and moved ahead to another table, handing them the menu with a polite smile.
That's when my eyes landed on Nikansh.
He was standing there… stiff. Too stiff. No smile. No expression. Just serious like he was attending some board meeting instead of working in a restaurant.
I walked up to him.
"Hey… smile a little," I said.
"Huh?" He looked at me like I just asked him to solve a math problem.
"Smile… smile," I repeated, gesturing with my hands.
He tried.
And oh god.
It didn't look like a smile at all. More like he was in pain and trying to hide it. I stared at him for a second… then burst into a small laugh.
"Okay… maybe don't," I muttered and walked away.
As I turned, my eyes fell on the last table.
One customer.
No menu.
No water.
I walked toward him with my usual smile, already preparing my "welcome speech"… but the moment I got closer—
My smile dropped.
"What are you doing here?" I asked flatly.
Vivaan.
Of course.
"Nothing," he replied, like he didn't just plant himself there for no reason.
"I thought you were going to help," I said, crossing my arms slightly.
"I didn't say I would," he answered, completely unbothered.
Hmm.
Before I could say anything else, I heard a burst of giggles from behind. I turned my head and saw a group of girls practically melting.
And in the middle of it?
Nikansh.
"See? Even Nikansh is beating you," I teased, glancing back at Vivaan.
Something changed.
I didn't notice it fully, but it was like a switch flipped inside him.
He stood up instantly.
Took off his shirt—just like that.
Put on an apron.
And walked straight toward a table full of women.
Next second—
Chaos.
Screams. Giggles. Whispering. Someone almost dropped their phone.
I blinked.
What just happened?
I walked over to Nikansh, slightly confused.
"What happened?" I asked.
"He winked… and bit his lip," Nikansh said, completely calm.
I stared at him.
Then at Vivaan.
Then back at him.
And I couldn't help it—I laughed.
"So appearance is the investment," I muttered, shaking my head.
Boys are weird.
I turned and walked into the kitchen, deciding it's safer there. At least utensils don't suddenly start flirting with customers.
"Table number 14, order ready!" Neel called out, placing the dish on the counter.
I was free, so I stepped forward to pick it up. Just as my fingers touched the plate—
Mahi grabbed it.
"I'll take it."
His voice was serious. Too serious.
I looked at him, confused.
There was something off. The way he avoided looking at me… the way his jaw tightened.
He was irritated.
With me.
I didn't say anything. Just let go of the plate slowly.
But as he walked away, one thought stayed stuck in my head—
*I really need to talk to him