18.“Our Café Opening Will Be On February 5th!”

I was lounging comfortably on the plush sofa inside Flute & Foam, our café, with Parth, Sidharth, Vishal, Lavanya, and Nandini. We were deep in discussion about our plans. After school, I'd gone home, changed into some casual clothes, had a quick lunch, and headed straight here. The café was almost ready. The renovations were done, and our cultural fusion theme had come to life. It was beautiful.

As soon as the renovation began, people around FC Road started getting curious. This street was always buzzing with life, packed with students, locals, and tourists. The moment word got out that someone was opening a business in this place—the one rumored to be cursed—people couldn't help but talk. Whispers spread quickly, faster than we could have anticipated.

At first, a few curious onlookers came by, perhaps expecting to feel the strange, unsettling vibes that had kept this spot vacant for so long. But instead, they were met with a sense of calm, a quiet warmth that seemed to radiate from the café itself. I couldn't help but smile as I watched people walk in cautiously, only to leave feeling lighter, almost refreshed.

The news spread even more, and we didn't even have to lift a finger. The café's reputation was growing on its own. Free marketing, I thought, laughing quietly to myself. Who wouldn't love that?

"Anyway, back to the point," I said, leaning back on the sofa, stretching my arms as the conversation shifted back to business. "It usually takes 30 to 45 days to renovate a place like this into a functioning café, but we didn't have that kind of time."

We had already decided early on that Flute & Foam couldn't wait. The buzz was building around us, and we had to seize the momentum. So, instead of relying on a single renovation team, we hired multiple ones to speed up the process. The cost was higher, of course. Everything seemed to come with a price tag larger than we'd expected. But in the end, it would be worth it.

"Well, that's the price you pay for fast progress, right?" Sidharth had joked earlier, but there was a layer of truth behind his words. We didn't just rush the renovation; every other step needed to be fast-tracked too. From café machines and equipment to permits and paperwork, we moved at lightning speed.

We had ordered the best café machines, sleek equipment, and everything else we could think of to make sure the place ran smoothly. The large espresso machine gleamed under the soft café lights, while the grinders and milk frothers were already placed, ready for action. I had personally arranged each piece of equipment in its designated spot, ensuring everything was perfect.

The official stuff was all sorted too. GST registration, FSSAI approvals, SPICe forms, you name it—we had it. Of course, how we managed it all so quickly was... well, let's just say I had a little help. I smiled to myself, thinking about how I had hacked into a few official sites to speed up the process. They didn't know all the details, and maybe it was better that way.

As I looked down at the Shareholders' Agreement Sidharth had handed me earlier, I skimmed through the details again.

"Looks good," I said, smiling as I signed it with a quick flick of my pen.

I passed the document to Parth, who signed next, then Vishal, Lavanya, and finally Nandini.

Just as I settled back, Nandini leaned forward with a serious expression. "Here's the financial report on how much we've spent so far on renovations and machines. You asked me to put it together, Madhav."

I nodded, taking the neatly bound report from her hands, As I flipped through the pages, scanning the figures, Nandini continued, her voice measured but with a hint of pride in how thoroughly she had compiled everything.

"The renovation alone cost us ₹9,00,000," she said, her eyes glancing briefly at the others before settling back on me. "That includes the lighting: Hanging Pendant Lights, Fairy Lights, Floor Lamps, and Lanterns for ambiance. Then there's the bookshelf filled with novels and, of course, the mangas you insisted on." She gave me a playful look, knowing full well my obsession with creating a fusion between Indian culture and global tastes, even down to the smallest details.

I couldn't help but smile as I imagined a customer grabbing a manga off the shelf while sipping chai in a café adorned with peacock feathers and classical Indian art.

Nandini continued, her tone shifting into a more practical mode. "We also added Wall Art, Floating Shelves, and Framed Artwork to make the walls feel alive. As for Seating and Furniture, we went for a blend of Cushions, Pillows, and Low Seating options to keep that cozy, inviting vibe. We got Rugs, Carpets, and Table Runners that fit perfectly with the traditional-meets-modern aesthetic."

I glanced up at her, impressed by the level of detail. She caught my look and smirked. "And, of course, the other décor—Potted Plants, Hanging Planters, and Terracotta Pots. Oh, and how could I forget the Peacock Feathers and Statues to tie into our theme? They were a splurge, but you were adamant about it."

"Had to be," I said, grinning. "They're part of the soul of this place. Flute & Foam wouldn't be the same without them."

She nodded, acknowledging my vision, but quickly added, "And don't forget the centerpiece—a beautifully crafted flute for display. It's going to be a real conversation starter." she gestured to the report in my hands.

Hearing this, I nodded as Nandini continued, "As for equipment, it'll cost ₹10,00,000, and the other essentials will be around ₹75,000, bringing our total to ₹19,75,000." I took a moment to process the figures, then smiled, setting the reports down. "Now, Vishal, did you talk with the local vegetable and fruit sellers about supplying fresh produce for our café? And what about the menu I asked you to print?"

Vishal nodded, a proud grin spreading across his face. "Already done!"

I felt a wave of relief wash over me. "Great! With the renovation mostly finished in the next two or three days, when do we want to plan the opening?"

Nandini chimed in, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "What about February 2nd, Sunday?"

Vishal quickly countered, "But even if it's Sunday, it's Ekadashi that day, so many people will be fasting."

Everyone nodded in agreement, considering the implications. Nandini sighed, "Yes, you're right."

Lavanya then offered a suggestion with a playful smile, "What about February 14th? It's Valentine's Day!"

Sidharth dismissed her idea with a wave of his hand. "Nah, not interested. That day is useless."

Lavanya shot him a teasing look. "What do you know about romance, Sidharth?"

He shrugged, trying to ignore her. "Why are you asking us, Madhav? Just tell us what you think."

I smiled, appreciating their banter. "I was thinking February 5th. What do you all think?"

They exchanged glances, and Parth finally spoke up, a knowing smile on his face. "As expected from you, Madhav. Baba also said February 5th is the best day. After reading the stars, he mentioned that it's Tritiya Tithi, the third day of the lunar cycle, which is considered auspicious for starting new ventures in Hindu tradition. It's a Shubh Muhurat for a business opening."

I could feel the energy in the room shift to excitement as everyone nodded in agreement. "So it's decided then," I said, my heart racing with anticipation. "Our café opening will be on February 5th!"

Hearing my words, everyone nodded in agreement, and I felt a sense of anticipation building in the air. I turned to Parth with a smile, "So, when are the staff arriving? You mentioned they'd be here today."

Parth replied, "They're coming at five o'clock."

I nodded. Selecting skilled staff was crucial, and even though their salaries were a bit on the higher side, I believed it was worth it. I envisioned how our café would thrive with the right team in place.

I continued, "So, what's the final setup for the shifts?"

Parth explained, "We've organized two shifts. The morning shift runs from 8 to 4, and the evening from 4 to midnight. For the morning, we have five staff members: three females and two males. One of them is a chef, another is the cashier, and the remaining three are baristas. One of the baristas will also take on the role of shift manager."

I felt a wave of relief wash over me as Parth detailed the structure. "And the evening shift?" I prompted, eager to know more.

"It's all male for the evening shift, following the same pattern," he continued. "The evening shift manager is also the café manager, and his name is Raghav."

As we waited for the staff to arrive, anticipation buzzed in the air. Finally, the door swung open, and in walked Raghav along with the other team members. Parth and the others exchanged greetings with enthusiasm, their smiles brightening the room. I was still lounging on the sofa, half-heartedly observing the scene unfold.

Raghav, approached Parth, a hint of seriousness in his voice. "Sir, should we start the testing process and go over the recipes?"

Parth nodded enthusiastically, his smile broadening. "Absolutely! Madhav is going to teach you all the recipes." He pointed at me, and I felt a wave of surprise wash over the new staff. Their expressions flickered with skepticism, clearly questioning how a young boy could possibly know anything about recipes.

"Yo! How's your day? Ready to learn?" I said, trying to break the ice.

They looked at each other, hesitating for a moment, their eyes filled with doubt. But as I maintained my smile and confidence, their hesitation began to melt away. Slowly, they nodded, albeit with lingering uncertainty.

"Let's get started, shall we?" I continued, my enthusiasm rising. "I promise you, it'll be fun!"

As I continued demonstrating the art of making a cappuccino, the initial skepticism among the staff began to fade, replaced by curiosity and anticipation.

"Alright, let's get started," I said, positioning myself at the espresso machine. The rich aroma of freshly ground coffee enveloped us, energizing the room. "The key is to start with high-quality beans. Grind them just before brewing for the best flavor."

As I demonstrated the grinding technique, I could feel the atmosphere shift. I glanced at Parth, Sidharth, Vishal, Lavanya, and Nandini, who were gathered at the counter, watching with supportive expressions.

"After grinding, the next step is tamping," I instructed, applying consistent pressure as I compressed the coffee into the portafilter. "A good tamp ensures an even extraction."

I turned my attention to frothing the milk, focusing on creating the perfect microfoam. "Watch closely; it's all about the angle of the steam wand and incorporating air slowly," I explained, my excitement palpable. The steam hissed as I maneuvered the wand, and the milk transformed into a velvety texture.

"Now, who wants to give it a try?" I asked, stepping aside to encourage Aditi, one of the baristas, to take her turn.

As she took over the steam wand, I observed her movements closely. She began with hesitation but quickly found her rhythm. The milk frothed beautifully under her guidance, and when she poured it over the espresso, the result was a stunning cappuccino, complete with a heart-shaped latte art design.

"That's excellent, Aditi!" I praised, a genuine smile on my face. The staff around us nodded in approval, their confidence growing.

Next, I shifted gears, eager to teach them the finer details of latte art. "Latte art is a beautiful way to present our coffee and impress our customers," I said, gathering everyone's attention. "Let's start with the basics: the heart shape."

I demonstrated, pouring the frothed milk into the espresso with a steady hand. I focused on the movement, tilting the cup slightly and pouring from a distance to allow the milk to blend with the coffee. As the heart shape formed, I felt a surge of satisfaction.

"Now, it's your turn," I said, looking at Raghav and the others.

One by one, they stepped up to try their hand at latte art. "Great job, everyone!" I encouraged, watching as each of them developed their skills.

As I moved through the café, guiding the staff in preparing sandwiches and other items on the menu, the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow through the café's windows. Shadows began to creep into the corners of the room, but the atmosphere was alive with energy and determination.

I noticed the expressions on the staff's faces shifting from skepticism to awe. They watched me, eyes wide, as I expertly crafted each drink and dish, my movements fluid and confident. It was as if they were trying to reconcile the fact that a young boy could effortlessly handle the intricacies of running a café.

Once I finished the last sandwich and laid out the final drink for them to admire, I turned to face them, my smile bright and reassuring. "You all did great today," I said, my voice warm with encouragement. "Starting tomorrow, you can come in to practice what I taught you. Your workdays begin then, and we'll be ready for our grand opening on February 5."

A wave of nervous excitement rippled through the group as they exchanged glances. "I hope you're all ready by then. If you have any questions, feel free to ask them." Finishing my words, I gestured toward my friends and stepped outside, the cool evening air wrapping around me. I settled into a chair, placing my laptop bag on the table. As I opened my laptop to watch TMKUC, I could still hear the conversation buzzing from inside.

I caught snippets of their voices, and then Raghav's deeper tone broke through the chatter. "Sir, can I ask you something?"

"Of course," Parth replied, his voice inviting yet curious.

"Who is that boy? I mean, your friend Madhav. I've worked in many places, but I've never seen someone who can do this work so professionally. For a moment, I forgot he was just a young boy teaching us," Raghav admitted, his voice laced with genuine intrigue.

Parth paused, glancing at me through the window, then back at the staff. "He's just a little genius," he said, his tone light but protective. "So don't be surprised by what he can do. Just remember, don't judge him because he's young, okay?"

The staff nodded, their expressions shifting from skepticism to admiration.

(A/N: If I'm missing something, please let me know.)

[A/N: Here is the menu for Flute & Foam:

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Flute & Foam Menu

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Hot Beverages

Coffee

Classic Hot Coffee: Freshly brewed coffee served hot.

Espresso: Bold and rich espresso shot.

Cappuccino: Espresso with steamed milk and frothy foam.

Latte: Creamy espresso mixed with steamed milk.

Mocha: Espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate syrup topped with whipped cream.

Flat White: Espresso and velvety steamed milk.

Affogato: Vanilla ice cream topped with a shot of hot espresso.

Tea

Masala Chai Latte: Spiced tea with a creamy twist.

Kashmiri Kahwa: Fragrant green tea with saffron and almonds.

Turmeric Golden Milk: Warm milk with turmeric and spices.

Ginger Lemon Tea: Fresh ginger tea with lemon and honey.

Cinnamon Apple Hot Tea: Black tea with apple and cinnamon.

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Cold Beverages

Coffee

Kesar Pistachio Cold Brew: Iced coffee with saffron and pistachios.

Iced Coffee: Chilled coffee with milk and ice.

Cold Brew Coffee: Smooth, slow-steeped cold coffee.

Iced Latte: Chilled espresso with milk over ice.

Iced Mocha: Iced coffee with chocolate syrup and milk.

Vietnamese Iced Coffee: Strong coffee with sweetened condensed milk served over ice.

Signature Cold Coffee: Chilled coffee with milk, chocolate, and whipped cream.

Frappe Delight: Blended iced coffee with flavors of vanilla or caramel.

Shakes

Mango Shake: Creamy shake with fresh mango pulp.

Banana Nut Shake: Blend of banana, milk, and nuts.

Chocolate Shake: Rich chocolate shake with ice cream.

Strawberry Milkshake: Shake made with fresh strawberries.

Oreo Shake: Shake with crushed Oreo cookies and vanilla ice cream.

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Mojitos

Mint Lemonade Mojito: Refreshing mint lemonade with lime.

Tropical Fruit Mojito: Blend of pineapple and mango with mint.

Cucumber Mint Mojito: Cucumber and mint with sparkling water.

Spiced Orange Mojito: Zesty orange juice with mint and a hint of spice.

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Sandwiches

Paneer Tikka Sandwich: Grilled paneer marinated in spices with veggies and mint chutney.

Veg Club Sandwich: Triple-decker sandwich with assorted vegetables and cheese.

Grilled Vegetable Sandwich: Mixed grilled vegetables with pesto in toasted bread.

Caprese Sandwich: Fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil with balsamic glaze.

Spicy Chickpea Sandwich: Mashed spiced chickpeas with veggies.

Avocado and Hummus Sandwich: Creamy avocado and hummus spread on whole grain bread with fresh veggies.

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Appetizers

Samosa Chaat Tacos: Crispy samosas in taco shells with chutneys.

Tandoori Veggie Skewers: Grilled marinated vegetables with mint yogurt dip.

Paneer Quesadilla: Quesadilla with spiced paneer and cheese.

Hummus Platter with Naan Chips: Hummus with naan chips and fresh veggies.

Spiced Sweet Potato Fries: Crispy sweet potato fries with a tangy dip.

Vegetable Spring Rolls: Crispy rolls filled with spiced vegetables.

Palak Chaat: Crispy spinach leaves topped with yogurt and chutney.

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Desserts

Gulab Jamun Cheesecake: Cheesecake infused with gulab jamun flavors.

Mango Sticky Rice Parfait: Coconut sticky rice with fresh mango.

Chai-Spiced Tiramisu: Tiramisu with chai spices.

Coconut Barfi Brownies: Chocolate brownies swirled with coconut barfi.

Masala Panna Cotta: Panna cotta with cardamom and saffron syrup.

Rasgulla Sundae: Rasgullas served with vanilla ice cream.

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Thank you for visiting Flute & Foam!]

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