Aadhya's POV
Next day—Sunday.
No school.
So obviously… we were all back at The Hungry Warrior.
The day started slow. Just a few customers. Manageable. Easy.
But then—
It exploded.
Customers kept coming. One after another. Tables filled. Voices overlapping. Orders piling up.
No time to sit. No time to think. Not even time to breathe.
Krish was in the kitchen, cooking nonstop.
Devit and Neel helping him—cutting, chopping, running around.
Outside—
some handling menus,
some serving water,
two at the counter.
And me—
moving between both.
Right now, I was in the kitchen, waiting for Table No. 13's order. A special dish.
"Coming… just a minute," Krish muttered, focused.
I leaned slightly, watching him work. Fast. Precise. Like he's done this a thousand times.
Then suddenly—
ssshhh—
He flinched.
His hand jerked back.
"Ah—"
The pan tilted. Oil splashed.
"Krish!"
Devit and Neel rushed to him.
I froze for a second—then snapped out of it.
"First aid box—where is it?" I asked the crew quickly.
They pointed.
I grabbed it instantly and went to him.
"Show me your hand," I said.
He hesitated—but I didn't wait. I took his hand and applied ointment carefully.
The burn was red.
Bad.
Behind me, everyone had gathered.Silence.Tension.
Then—
"What about the orders?" someone said.
"Only one chef—"
"Customers are waiting—"
"One table already left—"
" Whose gonna cook now__"
Panic spread like fire.
Krish stood up slightly.
"I'll call someone… any chef I know," he said.
He tried.No one available.
Of course.
Perfect timing.
Everyone started throwing random ideas—
"Let's close—"
"Tell them to wait—"
"Reduce orders—"
Useless. It can't help the present situation. Aghhhh what now.
Vivaan seemed deep in thought.
I stood there.
Thinking.
Fast. Something. Anything but nothing comes to my mind.
My heart was beating loud.
I know how to cook…
But not like this.
Not for so many people.
Not like him.
Still—
If no one does it…
Everything collapses.Someone will never to do it anyway. We can't stop here.
I stood up straight.
"I'll do it."Silence.
Everyone turned.At me.
Like I just said something illegal.
"You?"
Disbelief everywhere.
Vivaan snapped immediately, "This isn't the time to joke." Taking out his phone.
I glared at him.
"I'm not joking"
Jerk only if you knew the food you feed on is made by me.
"I know how to cook. Not professional level… but good enough,if you instruct me I'll do it" I said, firm.
They all looked unsure. Oh comeon.There was hesitation.
Then—
"She does cook well," Avi said Instantly smiling at me.
"Yeah, really good," Dj added staring at me straight. I nodded.
Krish looked at me.
Still unsure.
"But… do you know recipes?" someone asked. Oh no. I don't know it exactly. When I cook I just put everything without an actual receipe according to my taste.
Right.
But i had an idea.
"Recipe book?" I asked Krish.
He thought for a second.
"There is one… old… somewhere up on the rack."
We searched.Found it.
Dusty. Worn out.
Perfect.
I tied my hair up.
Rolled my sleeves.
Took a deep breath.
"Okay."
I stepped to the counter.
Everything in front of me.
Utensils. Ingredients. Heat. Pressure.
I closed my eyes for a second.
Calm.
Like home.
Like I always do.Then I started.
Slow at first.Careful.
Reading. Understanding. Adjusting.
Behind me—
no one trusted it fully.
But they had no choice.
Everyone returned to their places.
Handling customers.
Buying time.
Inside—
it was just me.
And the kitchen.
After some time—
Devit and Neel joined me.
Helping.
Cutting. Passing ingredients.
"Don't burn it," Neel muttered.
"Shut up and chopp the onions," I shot back.
They laughed.
"Chef madam," Devit teased.
"Say that again and I'll make you taste raw chilli," I replied. They burst out laughing. Seriously these jerks wouldn't change even in this situation they are teasing me.
Krish sat nearby, watching.
Guiding.
"Less flame."
"Add salt now."
"Turn it—slowly."
I followed. I kept asking him in between.
He kept answering.
" Is everything ok ?" samar asked when he came in to take table no. 11 order. " Samar here's the order " i called him pointing to the plate. He nodded and took and went out.
And like that—
Time passed.
Fifteen minutes—four dishes done.
Then more.
Then more.
Five hours.
Customers kept coming.
Orders kept piling.
But we didn't stop.
My arms were starting to hurt.
Hair falling over my face again and again. Back hurting. Legs giving up.
But I didn't care. We need to handle
Adi focus you took the responsibility.
Focused.
Then—
Vivaan walked into the kitchen.
" Table No. 12 order" he said.
And stopped.
Oh yeah I was half way preparing it. He just stood there and waited.
I didn't notice at first.
I was too busy stirring, adjusting, plating. And when I was done I handed it to him after plating. He grabbed it and left.
~~~•~~~
Evening.
Almost closing time.
Finally.
My arms were literally screaming at this point.
But… somehow… everything was done.
Customers gone.
Tables empty.
Kitchen calm.
For the first time today—
Silence.
I made food for all of us. Whatever was left, whatever I could manage. And now we were all sitting in the dining area, eating together like some weird, tired family.
Jiya and Samar were sitting at the last table—of course together. Feeding each other, teasing, smiling like the world doesn't exist.
Cute.
Disgusting.
But still cute.
I sat with Avi and Dj on one side.
Opposite us—rest of Section E.
I suddenly remembered something and stood up.
"Oh wait—"
I walked into the kitchen and brought out a few more dishes. There were leftovers I almost forgot. I placed some on the opposite table first, then brought a few for us, and finally carried some to Jiya and Samar.
They both looked up.
"Thank you," Jiya smiled softly.
Samar nodded.
I just smiled back and returned to my seat.
"So… you're good at COOKING " Avi teased, grinning. It sounded like meant it differently.
"Yeah," Dj added, enjoying it way too much.
I looked at both of them and narrowed my eyes.
"I'll COOK you TWO next. Be careful." I said emphasizing those two words specifically.
They burst out laughing.
Idiots. Absolute Mind bogglers.
I shook my head and continued eating.
Then I noticed it.
The other side—
Too quiet.
They weren't talking.
Just exchanging glances.
Like some silent conversation was going on.
Talking with eyes.
Weird people. It's like bluetooth talking.
Whatever.
I ignored it.
The crew members had already left.
Now it was just us.
Some started cleaning tables.
Some washing vessels.
And me—
I was done.
Completely done.
My arms hurt. My legs hurt. Everything hurt.
I looked around… and my eyes landed on Krish.
He was sitting on the sofa.
Quiet.
Watching everyone.
I walked over and sat beside him.
He noticed.
But didn't say anything.
Typical.
I looked at the others.
Running around. Helping.
Even after a whole busy day.
"Hmm… they all were worried about you," I said casually.
He didn't respond.
"So even if they don't want to come here every day… even if they're not obliged… they still come. For you."
This time—he listened.
I could tell.
His gaze shifted slightly.
Thinking.
Realising something.
"Why don't you cook for them again in class after you recover?" I suggested.
He let out a small breath.
"But those jerks are lazy. I can't manage everything alone."
I looked at him instantly.
"I'll help you."
No hesitation.
No thinking.
Just said it.
He looked at me.
Then shook his head slightly.
Like he didn't believe it.
Then after a second—
"…hmm."
And looked away.
That was enough.
He agreed.
I smiled to myself.
Behind us…
Something else was going on.
I didn't notice it properly.
But the silence on that table—
The way they looked at me…
The way Krish looked down for a moment—
There was something heavy there.
Nikansh's POV
We all finished dinner.
And I found something new about her today.
She cooks… really well.
I didn't expect that. Not from her.
The food wasn't just good—it was comforting. The kind that doesn't feel forced. Natural. Like she didn't try to impress anyone.
Now everyone was busy with the last task—cleaning.
The final stretch before going home.
And yeah… everyone looked exhausted.
I noticed Aadhya sitting with Krish, talking. I didn't hear what they were saying. Didn't try to. I just went back to cleaning.
Focus. Finish. Leave.
It took another thirty minutes.
When I finally stepped out, a few were still wiping tables. Jiya and Samar were arranging menus at the counter, talking softly between themselves.
Vivaan walked in after attending a call.
And slowly… everyone gathered.
"All done?" I asked.
They nodded.
That was it.
Time to leave.
But then—
"Where's Aadhya?"
I looked around.
She was here just a while ago.
"With Krish," someone said.
Krish shook his head slightly. "She went with Avi."
I frowned.
Now Avi was missing too.
Vivaan's expression shifted. Not loud. Not angry. Just… irritated.
Like he already assumed they were doing something stupid.
We split up and started searching.
Inside. Outside. Kitchen. Storage.
Nothing.
Then—
"Here!"
Devit called out.
We all went toward him.
He bent down and lifted the tablecloth.
And for a second—
No one said anything.
There they were.
Sleeping.
Under the table.
Avi's head resting slightly against hers.
Aadhya leaning on his shoulder.
Completely out.
Like the world didn't exist.
It was…
Unexpected. Soft.
"Two little ones are exhausted," Jiya said, smiling.
"Little… yet the most fierce ones," Samar added quietly.
I didn't say anything.
Neither did Vivaan.
He was just looking at them.
No reaction.
Just… observing.
We decided to wake them up.
I crouched down slightly.
"Aadhya… Aadhya…" I called softly.
She stirred suddenly.
"Y-yes… table number 4… order is ready…" she blurted out, half-asleep.
Her eyes weren't even open.
For a second—
Silence.
Then everyone laughed.
I couldn't stop a small smile either.
She blinked slowly, confused.
Avi woke up too, rubbing his eyes like a kid.
Both of them completely unaware of what just happened.
We got them up somehow.
And finally—
We left.
I dropped her home.
She slept in the car too.
Didn't even try to stay awake.
Head tilted slightly, breathing calm.
This girl…
Today was exhausting for all of us.
But for her—
It was different.
She carried most of it.
She isn't a professional.
She doesn't have experience like Krish.
Yet she stepped in.
Handled it.
Saved the situation.
Calm when needed.
Chaotic when needed.
Impulsive… yeah.
But real.
And honestly—
That's rare.
I looked at her for a moment longer before stopping the car.
Peaceful.
Unaware.
And one thought stayed—
She doesn't deserve people like us.
Not the kind of mess we are.
Not what's coming.
And the worst part is—
She still walks into it herself.