MIDNIGHT CAFE

With the loud roaring of alarm Arav jerked up suddenly. He was a little surprised as he does not remember setting any alarm. With confused thoughts he woke up and sat on the bed. He opened his eyes and realized the room he was in did not belong to him.

Out of curiosity, he looked around and found photos that stunned him. He saw picture of himself with a mysterious lady he does not remember. By the looks of the pictures, He concluded that these were old pictures. He was confused as well as overwhelmed.

“Good morning, Love’’ Arav heard the voice of a mysterious woman. he turns around and sees this beautiful woman, wearing alluring dress, looking happily at him. Everything felt very unfamiliar to him.

She hands him coffee and just then a child came running and said, “dad you are awake.” Arav was shocked about what he heard. He attempted to say, “Who are you and why are you calling me dad? I don’t even know you,” but he was unable to speak.

Arav gazed around, trying to process everything. He sat there thinking about what is happening with him. Soon, he realized that he has to act like a husband and a father.

Arav got out of bed to plan his remaining day and figure out what he is happening with him. He walked to the closet in the room to decide what he has to wear for the day. To his surprise, He did not expect his wardrobe to just be formal clothing with nothing but monochromatic colors.

As he was collecting a suit for himself to wear, he heard the woman call for him, letting him know that the breakfast is ready. Arav quickly took a quick shower, dressed up and went to the breakfast table.

"You’re already running late; how can the CEO of Dreamcore Enterprises be late?" The lady remarked. Confused, Arav asked himself, “What is Dreamcore Enterprises?” as happily ate what was plated before him. After finishing his breakfast, he stepped out of the house to his next destination.

One of the neighbors Greeted him and wished him a good morning as he made his way to his car, which was unusual for him.

He gave them a tight smile and greeted back, got to his car in the parking area and left. The next stop for him was his company - The Dreamcore Enterprises. To reach his company, he began asking strangers for the directions. When he was halfway there, he realized he could use GPS to find his way. He quickly pulled out his phone and looked for the application, but it wasn’t there. Puzzled, he ignored it and began asking strangers for directions once again before arriving at the office.

He entered the office and went straight ahead to the receptionist and asked, “Where is Arav Mehra’s cabin?” The receptionist chuckled and said, “Why are you asking about where your cabin is?” With annoyed look he grumbled, “Just tell me where it is.”

The receptionist replied that it was on the third floor. When Arav asked, “Where on the third floor?” the receptionist gave him a perplexed look before responding, “You don’t recall how you mentioned that the third floor is exclusively yours because three is my lucky number.” The receptionist gave him a toothy smile as she narrated the story.

“Miss receptionist, thank you for your help,” Arav stated and gave her a warm smile.

While Walking towards his cabin, he noticed some awards and certificates his company had received because of him. He was looking around the room, taking note of everything, when he heard a knock on the door. An employee came in and began presenting his paperwork.

He said, “Our company is facing a significant loss, last month we had a good profit, and this month is about to end but we couldn’t even reach half of it.” Arav noticed that the employee looked extremely worried.

“Leave the file here, I’ll think of a way to make more profit,” Arav commented, unable to comprehend. The employee left the cabin after replying, “Okay, sir.” Arav began to consider what he could do regarding profit and loss as soon as the employee departed, although he had no idea what this company did.

During the work hours, few employees came to give Arav their leave applications. As he was reviewing the application, Arav asked the employee who was standing before him, “As far as I know, employees give leave applications to manager, no?” Arav then added, “Why did you come here? Don’t you always go to manager for these things? Do you think I’m free? I mean I am but go to the manager.” The employee responded, “The manager didn’t come to work today, which is why I came here.” With a look for fear on his face.

“Okay, your leave is approved,” Arav sighed and retorted.

When clock strike twelve, Arav decided to leave for his home. On his way back home, he noticed a cafe down the road. Immediately as he spotted the cafe, the door opened, pushing Arav inside. He fell on the floor of the cafe, bewildered, got up to dust himself, and then heard a voice. When Arav turned back, he saw a man standing there with a green apron bearing the cafe’s branding, a white shirt, and denim cargo pants.

The man introduced himself as the cafe owner and said” here you are my boy I was waiting for you. Where have you been all this time? how did you get so late? what happened are you okay?" to which Arav replied with a feeling of disorientation “yes, I am okay, but who are you and why were you waiting for me?”

The owner questions Arav, asking, “What are you saying, Arav?” You come here every day, and now you want me to introduce myself to you. Arav replies with confusion, indicating that he does not know who the owner is and cannot confirm that he visits on a daily basis. The owner stated that he sees Arav every day sitting in a corner with a lady named Meera. Arav, who is unaware, says, “Now, who is Meera?”

The seeming argument between owner and Arav came to halt when they noticed a lady walking towards them. she reached out to them and said," what happened? why are you both being so loud.”

Arav feeling annoyed with all the new circumstances and information asked the lady to mind her business as his argument with the owner does not concern her. He then noticed the lady had a hurt expression on her face which made him feel guilty.

The offended lady in a stern voice, said, "Who do you think you are Arav, talking to me in such a rude manner."

Arav completely ignoring the lady, turned his head towards the owner and said “because of you she knows my name now. What was the need for you scream like that?”

The owner didn’t say anything and simply gave Arav a death stare.

Instead, the lady began to talk and said “he was not loud, you were and I know your name because you come here daily with me. I am Meera”

“No, it’s my first time here” Arav affirmed and rolled his eyes. if he came here every day, he sure would remember it. Meera sighed, looking defeated, responded “you come here every day, you just forgot everything habitually.”

Arav did not believe her or the owner and asked them to bring evidence so he can trust them.

Owner provided him with a proof and handed him a photograph of him in cafe with Meera.

Arav sat quietly, looking numbly at the photograph and avoiding Meera’s eyes. The owner began explaining that this cafe is midnight cafe since it solely appears at night and disappears as soon as the clock strikes 4:00 a.m., and because it is 3:30 a.m., They still have 30 minutes to converse.

Arav responded with a drained look to the owner, “Leave all that” and then added, “Why am I here? I didn’t wanted to come here in the first place, but I think I was dragged by something,” to which Meera replied with a shy smile on her face “Yeah, I think the Arav who forgets everything didn’t want to walk in, but the Arav I know who remembers everything just waits for night hoping that the cafe would come sooner. This cafe is for those individuals who lost everything and crave for another chance, like you and me."

Arav interrupted Meera to add “and what about this owner? Did his cafe didn’t work? consequently God gave him another shot and eventually convert this cafe for people like us?” Meera giggled as she replied “There is the Arav I know, Funny and Charming. To answer your question. Well, Yes, he is the one who gave us another chance. You could say he is barista with divine powers” Arav followed up with “Meera you are a terrible liar.” Arav Suddenly felt a familiar feeling rise within him.

During their conversation, Both Meera and Arav heard an alarm go off, which made Meera turns serious and said, “I’m not joking like you, fool.” Aarv noticed that the clock struck 4 a.m., and the cafe began to dissolve, with Meera simply saying, “Don’t forget everything that happened today.”

Arav remarked, “How can I” sending a loving smile to Meera one last time for today.