Dream Come True - Short Story

It was mid-August, and Mumbai was witnessing heavy rains. Mishti’s café in Andheri was quite famous among youngsters because of its tasty food at a reasonable price. She was a fantastic chef and loved her café. The ambience was made in Bollywood style with cosy settings because Mishti was a movie lover and a huge fan of superstar Raghbir Malhotra. And her love for food and Raghbir was jag-jaahir (well-known).

Mishti was very extroverted, friendly, and outspoken. Raghbir, although a Bollywood superstar, was very reserved and quiet; both were poles apart.

It was Friday midnight. Mishti was busy in the kitchen when the waiter informed her that a customer had just arrived and was asking for food. It was 1:20 a.m., the café was closed, and the final cleaning was underway. She asked them to complete their work and leave on time while she went out to take the order.

‘I hope it’s not too late to get food here. This café was nearest, and I was starving.’ The guy in the hoodie said.

‘No! It’s fine! We are happy to serve; please place your order.’ She replied, and he placed the order.

She entered to prepare his order and realized he followed her to the kitchen.

‘Excuse me. Outsiders are not allowed in the kitchen.’ She said.

‘I am sorry, but it’s just two of us in the café. So, I thought I would accompany you here; I don’t want to get bored by sitting alone; this café looks quite amazing.’ He said and removed his hoodie.

Mishti skipped a heartbeat and dropped a utensil; it was hard for her to believe that the guy standing before him was Raghbir Malhotra himself. He tried to build a conversation with her while she still wanted to think she wasn’t dreaming.

He coughed, and she returned to her senses and talked to him properly. He had already noticed the ambience had many pictures of him, but he didn’t ask about it.

‘Where is the owner of the café? He left you alone to lock it in the end?’ he asked, a bit concerned.

‘I am the owner of this café!’ she replied.

He looked at her in shock and then started admiring her cooking the food for him. They talked casually when she cooked and later when he ate. Mishti was still trying to absorb that her favourite actor was sitting before her.

Knowing she was his fan, he was kind enough to ask her for a picture as she hesitated to ask for one. He left, and Mishti looked at the door for some time. She went inside the kitchen and shouted loudly; then, she started dancing while cleaning the utensils. She was happy and was on cloud nine.

She was dancing when she noticed someone was standing at the kitchen entrance. She stopped and looked at the person at the doorway, who was looking at her with a soft smile.

‘I am hallucinating, right? You left some time back!’ she said.

‘I never left! I went out and came back because of the heavy rain. I saw you shouting and then dancing; I couldn’t help but remain quiet so I don’t disturb you.’ He replied, smiling innocently.

She tried to hide her embarrassment while he looked at her in admiration. Both looked at each other, unable to break the awkward moment that had been created between them.

‘I came back to ask you if I can drop you home?’ he finally said.

Her blushful smile gave away the answer on her behalf! And she couldn’t believe whether she was dreaming or if her dream had come true!

***The End***