Page 119 of Since You Stole My Heart

Vihaan took a seat at the counter. ‘That’s alright. We’ll just deduct it from your salary.’

Prateek snorted, shaking his head. ‘You call that a salary?’

‘Hey!’ Dhruv scolded. ‘We didn’t even earn half of this at our first job. You’ve got it easy because we’re generous to college kids.’

Prateek scoffed. ‘Keep joking. I’ll go straight to Harsh uncle and complain. Let’s see how long you both last after that.’

‘Why wait? Do the good deed now. He might give you some pocket money before leaving,’ Vihaan prompted, taking the drink Dhruv offered.

‘Where is he going?’

‘Harsh uncle is retiring from Lenora Home. He’s moving back to oversee the Mussoorie shelter.’

‘That’s about time. He deserves a break,’ Prateek said, beaming at the news.

‘Yeah, he’s done enough,’ Dhruv said, exchanging a look with Vihaan.

The words would still fall short if they tried to measure the part Harsh had played in shaping their childhood. It was his kindness and generosity that had taken them off the streets and given them a roof at the shelter when they were lost kids.

He was the reason they had set up Lenora Home for Children in Mumbai too. It was an homage to his legacy.

Vihaan nodded. ‘Even better for us. We have another reason to visit Mussoorie now.’

‘He’ll still be around if we need him, right?’ Prateek asked hesitantly.

Dhruv smiled at how the new generation of kids at the shelter depended on Harsh just as much as they once had.

Vihaan said, ‘Of course. And we’ll be at the shelter every day too. Dhruv will be taking over as the head of the Kids Welfare Department.’

Prateek’s eyes lit up. ‘That’s huge. Congratulations, bro.’

Dhruv waved it off. ‘Either way, you’re covered.’

‘Not if I want to complain about both of you,’ Prateek huffed, folding his arms as he leaned back.

‘Is that how you talk to the owners?’ Vihaan asked, narrowing his eyes.

‘Sorry, bro. Full respect.’ Prateek straightened, pressing his fist against his chest. ‘Speaking of owners, which one of you wants to go check on the woman in the corner?’

Dhruv frowned, leaning forward to look in the direction his bartender pointed. At the far end of the room, a woman sat alone, half-slumped over the table. From where he stood, he could only make out her silhouette.

‘She looks fine,’ Vihaan observed.

‘She came in when I opened at one in the afternoon and hasn’t moved since.’

‘Five hours?’ Dhruv asked, raising a brow.

Vihaan glanced over again. ‘What, some date stood her up or something?’

Prateek shook his head. ‘The first thing she ordered was a bottle of Scotch and one glass. Didn’t look like she was waiting for company.’

He hesitated, as though debating whether to say more.

Dhruv prompted, ‘What is it?’

‘She looked… off. I think she’d been crying.’

Dhruv became alert, taking another look. ‘You’re sure? I don’t want to go over there and piss her off if she’s just having some me time.’