Siya's POV

"Table six served."

I placed the empty tray on the counter and stretched my sore arms with a relieved sigh.

"Thank God this café opened."

Cindy looked up from the coffee machine.

"Hmm?"

"We finally have a decent job."

I smiled as I untied my apron slightly.

"No billionaire parties."

"No fake smiles."

"No serving drunk guests."

"And..."

I looked around the cozy café.

"...the pay is actually good."

A small smile appeared on Cindy's face.

"Yeah..."

It wasn't her usual smile.

It barely reached her eyes.

I frowned.

"Cindy?"

"Hm?"

"What's wrong?"

She quickly shook her head.

"Nothing."

"Liar."

She sighed, setting down the cup she was holding.

"I'm sorry."

I blinked.

"For what?"

She looked down at the floor.

"I was the one who came up with the waitress job."

"Cindy..."

"I convinced you to work with me."

She laughed bitterly.

"And look what happened."

I knew exactly where this was going.

"You trusted me."

"I was the one who told you we'd be safe."

"And then..."

Her voice became quieter.

"I left you alone."

I gently rested my tray on the counter.

"Cindy..."

"I know how you are, Siya."

She finally looked at me.

"You don't like crowded places."

"You don't ask people for help."

"You stay quiet even when you're uncomfortable."

A tear escaped her eye.

"And despite knowing all that... I still left you alone."

"I should've stayed with you."

"I should've never let you go by yourself."

"What if I had just stayed five more minutes?"

"What if none of it had happened?"

She wiped her eyes quickly.

"I'm sorry..."

Without thinking, I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around her.

She froze for a second before hugging me back.

Tightly.

"It's not your fault."

"It is."

"It isn't."

"I left you."

"You didn't leave me."

She looked at me in confusion.

"You went to do your job."

"You trusted that nothing bad would happen."

"So did I."

I smiled softly.

"You didn't know."

"You couldn't have known."

"But-"

"No."

I gently wiped away the tears on her cheeks.

"The only thing you ever wanted..."

"...was for us to earn honestly."

"You found us work when we needed it."

"You stood beside me."

"You worried about me."

"How could I ever blame the person who was only trying to make my life better?"

She stared at me for a long moment.

Then suddenly laughed through her tears.

"You know..."

"What?"

"I really don't deserve you."

I smiled.

"Good."

She blinked.

"What?"

"Because I deserve better."

Her jaw dropped.

"SIYA!"

I burst into laughter.

"I'm kidding!"

"You little brat."

She lightly smacked my arm.

"I was about to cry again!"

"And now you're threatening me."

"I'm absolutely threatening you."

We both laughed.

A genuine laugh.

The kind we hadn't shared in days.

After a moment, Cindy bumped my shoulder with hers.

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For not hating me."

I smiled.

"I could never."

"Promise?"

I held out my little finger.

"Promise."

She linked hers with mine.

"No matter what happens..."

"We'll get through it together."

"Together."

Just then the café manager clapped his hands.

"You two done becoming sisters?"

We both looked at him.

He pointed toward the entrance.

"Table three has been waiting for five minutes."

Cindy groaned dramatically.

"Our emotional moment lasted exactly ninety seconds."

I laughed.

"Come on, Blondie."

She picked up her tray.

"Race you to table three."

"You're on."

And as we walked across the café together, I realized something.

Some friendships begin with a smile.

Ours was beginning with healing.

Slowly...

One ordinary day at a time.

Siya's POV

The lunch rush had finally slowed down.

For the first time in almost two hours, the café wasn't overflowing with customers.

Cindy let out a dramatic sigh as she leaned against the counter.

"My feet have officially resigned."

I laughed.

"You've been working for three hours."

"Exactly."

"I've suffered enough."

I was about to tease her again when the little bell above the café door chimed.

Ding!

"Welcome to Brew & Bloom-"

The words died in my throat.

Two familiar faces walked inside.

One looked around the café with curiosity.

The other looked around as if he owned the place.

"Carlos?"

He spread his arms dramatically.

"Surprise!"

I sighed.

"...Why do I feel like trouble just walked in?"

Kathy giggled beside him.

"Because it did."

---

Carlos dramatically placed a hand over his heart.

"Sharma."

"What?"

"You wound me."

"I've known you for days."

"And?"

"You still don't trust me."

I folded my arms.

"I trust gravity more than I trust you."

Cindy snorted so loudly that even the cashier laughed.

Carlos looked offended.

"Blondie Blunder!"

Cindy grinned.

"Cock-roach Bosco "

"I have a name."

"I know."

"And I choose not to use it."

---

Kathy smiled warmly at both of us.

"We were nearby and thought we'd drop in."

Carlos immediately corrected her.

"She thought we'd drop in."

"I came because she promised me coffee."

Kathy rolled her eyes.

"You literally begged me to come."

"I call it enthusiastic participation."

---

I couldn't help smiling.

"You two can sit anywhere."

Carlos looked around dramatically.

"Hmm..."

Then he pointed toward the table right beside the counter.

"This one."

"So you can spy on us?" I asked.

---

Cindy walked over with her notepad.

"What can I get you?"

Carlos didn't even open the menu.

"Whatever the most expensive thing is."

Kathy smacked his arm.

"He's paying."

Carlos looked horrified.

"I suddenly want the cheapest coffee."

---

Cindy burst into laughter.

"Too late."

She scribbled something down.

"Two premium coffees it is."

"CINDY!"

"You said the most expensive."

"You people are robbing me."

"No," I smiled.

"We're teaching you consequences."

---

A few minutes later, I placed their coffees on the table.

Carlos took one sip.

His eyes widened.

"...Okay."

Kathy raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"This is actually amazing."

I folded my arms proudly.

"So?"

He sighed dramatically.

"I hate admitting you're good at something."

"Say it louder."

"I said don't get used to it."

---

Just then, the café owner walked past.

He smiled at us.

"You girls are doing a wonderful job."

"Thank you, sir."

As he walked away, Carlos looked between Cindy and me.

His teasing expression softened.

"I'm glad."

I blinked.

"Glad?"

"You both found a place where you look..."

He searched for the right word.

"...peaceful."

For the first time since walking in, there wasn't a joke in his voice.

Just sincerity.

Kathy smiled.

"You deserve a fresh start."

I looked at Cindy.

She looked back at me.

Then smiled.

"Yeah..."

"So do we."

Carlos immediately ruined the emotional moment.

"So..."

Everyone looked at him.

"Employee discount?"

I grabbed the menu.

"Carlos."

"What?"

"Out."

"What?!"

"You've lost your discount privileges."

"I NEVER HAD THEM!"

"Exactly."

The entire café echoed with laughter upon seeing the banter between carlos and Cindy

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