So I know I promised this like last week, but I finally got around to it and it's not great but here it is:
Note: This is set in splendidstarkid's and my Coffee Shop AU verse where Rukimini runs an NGO for women and children who have suffered domestic violence. Rukmini ran away from home when her brother tried to marry her off to someone she hated. She lives in the city and she first met Subhadra and Krishna at Indraprastha Coffee.
Forgive me, if its terrible I wrote this in half an hour. empresssarayu, nirantar, @demonkidpliz,
Rukmini cursed her useless umbrella and slammed it against the floor for good measure. A few patrons looks at her, shocked, but she could care less of what they thought. The regulars closer to the counter merely looked amused. She had work in an hour and the bus stop was still a three minutes walk from the coffee shop. She thought about taking the day off, but what kind of message was she sending her juniors if she let a little rain stop her?
Well, she thought, glumly staring out the window as rain poured in sheets. It wasn't exactly little, but still.
"Perhaps, it would be best if you stayed indoors today, Rukminiji," that familiar droll voice called out to her, and Rukimi turned, schooling a frown on her face.
The owner of the voice was perched on his usual seat, legs stretched out before him and chin resting in one palm and tamagatchi held loosely in the other. He was the picture of innocence, with his slight teasing smile and knowing glance, and if Rukimini didn't know any better, she would bet he had something to do with this torrential downpour.
"Perhaps, you should keep your opinions to yourself," Rukmini retorted. His smile didn't waver at her acerbic tone, and it only served to irritate her further.
"I'm only concerned for your well being," he said, blinking at her. "And it might help you to know that all public transportation is shut down today."
Rukmini cursed under her breath. Even if she managed to get to the bus stop without resembling a soggy dishcloth, it was of no use. Maybe she should have listened to Subhadra and gotten that car last month.
"Or, I could drop you, if you like?" he continued mildly. At her glare, he leaned back, tilting his head so his long hair fell over one shoulder, not that Rukimini noticed or anything. "No? Very well, I suppose you're stuck here with me then. Nakul, can you turn up the volume, please?"
Nakul, ducked his head behind the large espresso machine. Rukimi could see his shoulders shaking with ill disguised mirth.
"Right away, Krishna!" Nakul said, vanishing into the back room where Rukmini presumed they had the sound system controls.
Of course, she thought wryly, as Kishore Kumar's dulcet tones washed over her and Krishna resumed humming under his breath, fiddling with his tamagatchi, it would be her favorite song.
She placed her umbrella by the door with a resigned sigh and walked up to the counter where Arjun was smiling like a loon at his phone, probably texting Subhadra.
"Ahem," she said pointedly. "A small cup of my regular, please."
"Righto," Arjun said, tipping his invisible hat to her. He rung her up and handed her her coffee.
Rukmini sat at a table and pulled out her laptop, glad that she had at least thought to pack it today. She didn't realize she was singing under her breath until Krishna interrupted her, "Can I try some of your coffee?"
"Why?" she snapped, partly embarrassed at the thought of him hearing her singing and partly irritated by the way he managed to sneak up on her despite being six feet something. "Have you lost your wallet, that you can't buy yourself a cup?"
He shook his head. "Na, I just wanted to know what magic that cup has that it turned your sour mood around."
"I don't know about the cup, but I do know who's bringing my sour mood back," she said pointedly, trying to concentrate on her work. It wasn't easy with him hovering over her like an over sized puppy. "Either walk away or sit down," she said, regretting her words immediately when he flopped down in the chair opposite hers.
Rukmini tilted her screen up so she wouldn't have to see Krishna's smug face. For a few blissful moments, Rukmini was able to concentrate on her work. She clucked her tongue as she read Mr. Reddy's latest budgeting email. They would definitely have to hold another fund raiser if they were to expand another ward to their children's hospital wing. Deciding not to worry about that right now, she replied to Mr. Reddy, telling him to schedule the contractors for next Monday.
A loud tapping against the underside of the table brought her out of her reverie, and she looked over the laptop to find Krishna tapping his foot in tune to Kishore Kumar's Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si.
She was about to tell him to stop his fidgeting until he started singing, and she watched, transfixed as he sang to his tamagatchi, voice harmonizing perfectly with Kishore Kumar. He didn't seem to notice her gaping, so Rukmini hid herself behind the safety of her laptop, slouching in her chair for good measure. She always thought he had a tender voice, when she wasn't busy being annoyed at him, but she had never heard it quite like this; tender with vague hints of nostalgia and longing. Unbidden to her mind, she thought of him singing to her, just her, far away from the coffee shop and the hustle and bustle of its patrons. She banished the image, fighting down a blush, and resumed typing with renewed vigour.
Across the table, hidden from Rukmini's eyes, Krishna smiled.
