Searching for you

"It's tiring, mom," Ryan complained to his mother about losing his document in the computer and having to re do the work all over again.

He had not gotten out of his to breathe some fresh air or walk around the campus except go to class and come back to dorm and sit with his laptop.

"Take a break son, it's been a month now. It's not the end of the world," his mother advised him through the phone. Ryan was shaving and had put the phone on the speaker. "You are not like the other college kids. Go have so fun, go on dates, don't just live burying your face in the books and screens. Are you not interested in your opposite gender? Do you have anything to tell me? Don't worry, you can share everything, I will not judge or say anything against," she added quickly.

"Mom, I'm very straight and do date girls. Please stop imagining things," Ryan stopped his mother from going down the path that would lead to her fainting and his father having to handle it. "I have to go, bye," he said and hung up the phone. 'God,' he shook his head and washed his face. He put on his black t-shirt and blue Jean and stepped out of his dorm. It was twilight. The sky purple, orange, and pink, and it looked beautiful. The trees on the campus looked greener than ever. Ryan walked towards the main gate and exited the campus. He walked towards the cafe. He did want to meet someone particular.

Ryan opened the door. The ringing bell alerted the staff.

"Good evening. How may I help you?" The one at the counter asked.

"One flat white, please," Ryan ordered, looking around for the particular one.

"Okay, sir," the girl took the order with a smile. "Anything else?" She asked.

"No," he replied, not turning his head.

"Are you looking for someone?" She asked him.

"Has she left?" He asked.

"Who?" The girl grew confused.

"The other girl who usually takes the order," he said.

"I'm sorry, but many people work here. I'm not sure about who you are talking," the girl replied.

"The young one. Inaya," he said.

"Oh her," the girl said immediately. "She is done with her shift. She just left a couple of minutes back. She will be working at the only 24/7 department store in the next street," the girl informed him.

"Thank you so much," he smiled and waited for his cup of coffee. Ryan got his cup and walked out immediately.

'How should I walk in as if it's so random and accidental too meet her there?' Ryan thought, coming up with ideas to act surprised.

*******

*******

"Patience, patience," Inaya took deep breaths and tried to control herself. "I am tired of organising this shelf again and again," she talked to herself. The people who visit come, pick a thing, mess up and leave. And Inaya has to rearrange it again. "Why can't for once people respect and mind the arranging?" Inaya was so angry. She heard the bell ringing and someone opened the door. "Good evening," she said loudly. "Would you like assistance? I insist," she spoke loudly, slowly standing up.

"No," the voice rejected her help instantly. Inaya walked towards the counter and walked right into a man. A man she does not know. She looked up at his face.

"Are you Inaya? " He asked her.

"Yes," she answered. "Do we know each other?"

"No, but I know you," he said. He looked around the store. "This is where you work?" He asked.

"Yes," Inaya grew a little tensed.

"I heard you put my brother in trouble and hurt his feelings," the tall well built figure in the black suit was pretty intimidating to her. Inaya looked away. "Does Harold ring a bell to you?" He asked her.

"Oh come on," Inaya rolled her eyes. "For heaven's sake, for once, can people stop coming and stirring my past?"

"Past? Well you have an interesting one indeed?" He said walking closer to her, his eyes tracing her abdomen. "I don't see it, no swell with a sign of any child my brother is talking about,"he then looked straight into her eyes.

"Stop it," Inaya told him, locking her gaze with his. "Stop right there," she gritted her teeth. The man raised hand mid way,.titled his head with a smirk on his face, and took two steps back.

"Harry, someone's on call for you," his secretary walked in at the right time, holding the phone for him.

"I will call you back," Harrison Bow said and hung up.

"Don't mess up with Harold again," he warned her. "If you settle before taking it to court, good for you, or I cannot guarantee what my father will do to you," he said and the right time, the door opened again. Inaya looked at who it was.

"Hey," Ryan looked at the scenario inside the store, and lowered his voice.