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Chapter Four:
"I'll see you tomorrow then," Maanvi hugged Jeevika and said her goodbyes, she had no lessons that afternoon and decided to go to work to spend the time.
"Bye! Take care!" Jeevika and Viren replied as Maanvi went outside, clutching her bag on her shoulders. She had decided to catch the bus, as it was Jeevika who had driven her this morning.
Money was hard to get, well - the money that was rightfully hers was not hers - and Maanvi had decided to work and earn the money needed for University and its fees. She had been working at Chaudary's Diners since the starting of Uni, nearly two years ago. It was there where she had earned enough to buy her art equipment: the pens, colours, paints - which she so badly needed. It was also there where she met Jeevika, the daughter of Madan and Pinky Chaudary, the owner's of the diner.
"Good afternoon, Chachu." Maanvi greeted as she walked into the diner.
Madan, who had gotten his head out of the newspapers had looked up and smiled at Maanvi, "Good morning beta." Despite having no blood relationships, Maanvi and the Chaudary's shared a good rapport, better than J and her daughters.
"How was Uni?" He asked.
"It was good, Chachu!" She exclaimed. "We talked about Pablo Picasso's arts."
"Oh really? And Jeevika's still there, right?"
She nodded. "Yeah, she has English Literature this afternoon. Actually, we don't have much lessons at the same time, not like last year. Though, I think her and Viren do." Maanvi wore the light shaded apron over her clothes and tied her hair back. She started to wipe the tables of the diner until they were glistening clean.
Madan closed the newspaper and started to count the money in the till. He knew the Vadhera's - Viren's family - very well, and it was them who had seen the love Viren had for Jeevika, leading to an alliance being arranged. Madan smiled as he watched his daughter laugh and smile throughout the day, he liked Viren for respecting his daughter and treating her like a gentleman.
"Hm, really? Seriously, I don't think I could ever get such a better son-in-law."
"You mean, your soon to be son-in-law." She grinned, correcting him.
"Yes, yes. But what can I do? I can't wait until my Jeevika get's married."
"And here's me thinking that father's are reluctant to let their daughters go!" Maanvi laughed.
"Not all fathers are like that," Madan replied laughing. "Just wait until you-" He stopped, realising what he said, what he was going to say rather. He inwardly groaned, ashamed. Maanvi went quiet and nodded. She hardly thought about her father or her mother, and when she did it was mostly when she was on her own.
"I'm sorry, Maanvi." He whispered.
Maanvi nodded, before closing her eyes and inhaling deeply. She looked up and smile, "Don't worry Uncle!" She skipped over to the counter, "When I get married, you'll be doing my kanyadhan, okay?" He nodded, smiling. He walked over to her and hugged her. For him, Maanvi was like Jeevika - he didn't have one daughter, he had two.
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"Okay Maanvi, I have to go. Your Pinky Chachi wants to go to her friend's house and she's making me take her. Chef Radhe and Navya are in the kitchen, if you need anything ask them. Please, take over the counter okay?" Maanvi nodded as Madan hurriedly walked out.
She sighed. It had been a long two hours and there had been only a few people in. Maanvi walked over to the tables and took the empty used plates to the kitchen. She placed them into the "to clean" bucket before walking out.
"Maanvi," Navya, one of the chefs walked in with her phone in her hand. "Maanvi, do you mind putting my phone in my bag? It might get broken or lost when I'm cooking."
"Yeah sure." She nodded and took the phone and made her way to the staffroom, where their belongings were. She looked for Navya's bag and placed the phone in, zipping it secure. She walked out to see someone looking over the counter.
The man - who Maanvi had not seen before - was young and suave looking. He looked around her age, his black slick hair was styled in a way that made him stand out. He was dressed casually in a t-shirt and jeans. He wore dark shades, that disallowed her to look at him properly.
"Hi, what can I get you?" She said the same sentence as she had been since the start. She pulled the same fake smile as she watched the man look at the menu, contemplating on what to get.
"Er," He stopped, looking back at the menu. "Can I get a burger and fries?" He looked at Maanvi, and smiled.
She nodded before wondering where she had heard the voice before. It sounded somewhat familiar, although she was sure that she had never seen him before.
"Is that all?"
"Yeah. Actually, can I get a coke with that, please?"
She nodded before replying, "I'll be right back." She walked into the kitchen and gave Navya and Radhe the orders and waited two minutes before walking back with the food. She placed it in the bags as a takeaway before handing it over the counter to the man.
"That'll be 258 rupees* please." She looked up from the till, counting the money. She gave him the change, before he picked up the bag, said a "thank you" and left. She sighed. "Another day, another routine." She thought.
Suddenly, the door slammed open and Maanvi jumped. In came Natasha, the University's most popular girl, and to Maanvi's distaste: Maya and Tanya's friend. She walked over in her heels, that made her seem as if she was walking down a runaway as the model. She brushed her hair back and placed her shades on her head. Behind her, the man walked hesitating. Maanvi peered over, confused. Natasha slammed the bag onto the counter.
"Look diner girl, wrong order. I wanted salad, and diet coke. Pronto!" She hissed. Maanvi nodded before running off into the kitchen to get what she ordered.
Natasha looked over at the man who was staring at her in annoyance. "I'm sorry babe. I said I was hungry and you being a sweetheart bought me food, but I'm sorry I can't eat this, too much carbs." She smiled sweetly before licking her lips. Maanvi walked in and sighed loudly.
"Here." Maanvi gave the salad and diet coke to Natasha, who walked off, asking the man to pay.
He nodded and walked over to the till. He picked out a crisp note and gave it to Maanvi. She looked at it, counting the change before handing it to him. He shook his head.
"It's okay." He said.
"But..."
"Just think of it...as a sorry for the disruption." He smiled.
Maanvi nodded and watched as he walked over. She wondered who he exactly was.
________
So sorry that it's late! But I've been busy - honest! Okay, I sort of forgot to mention something, Jeevika and Maanvi are both 21 (in the UK, that's the mode age at the Senior/Final year: they do 3 years). However, even though Viren and Virat are both in their final year, they are 22/23 - depending on how old they were when they started Uni and how many years they are there for. [this person in my sixth form was 2 years older than me was only in the upper year as he re-sat his year, therefore when he starts Uni, he's "technically" a year older than everyone else] Any other questions? Please ask!
*I am not good with conversions nor prices (maths rather) so had to use the internet. I'm not sure how much rupees are worth, but I converted it from pound. So 3 pounds is around 258 rupees. You know how 100 pence equal 1 pound? What is that in rupees? If anyone knows...?
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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