Okay, to tell the truth, I myself am not sure how this chapter has turned out. Hope you like it.

"Words in double quotes" - Talking

'Words in single quotes' - Thoughts

Chapter 22 - Never Judge Without Evidence

"So this is it?"

"Yes Chachi. This is the café where that stupid boyfriend stealer is there." Kavya sneered. "Ragini is such a clingy menace."

Ayaan rolled his eyes at her accusation. 'That description would fit you perfectly Kavya.' his brother already told him about Ragini. Laksh described the sisters in good light. But Ayaan still was in doubt if it was because he liked Ragini. They could really be a menace for all he knew. Maybe Laksh was mistaken? 'Whatever it may be, I guess I'll find the truth for myself today.'

#Inside#

Ragini looked up as the doorbell jingled as some more customers entered. However, what caught her eyes was the presence of Kavya. 'That brown haired bimbo! Ugh! She has the gall to step in here!'

"What did that towel ever do to you? You look like you're swinging it's neck." Tina snickered as she neared her to collect the glasses. "Go tend to the new arrivals, would ya?"

(If anyone's forgetting, Tina as Dia are the helpers at Tanuja's café.)

"You go. I'm not serving that lady!" Ragini put the towel on her shoulder and snatched the tray full of empty glasses from her.

"Hey, I wa-"

"I would not try to question her if I were you Tina." came Dia's voice from behind her. "Who knows if she decided to smash those glasses on your head? I sure would want to live another day."

Tina gulped. "Right!" she kept the towel away and walked towards the new customers with a bright smile. "Welcome to Mermaid Café. What would you like?"

Vandanna, Ayaan and Kavya looked up towards her.

Vandanna nudged Kavya, as if questioning if it was Ragini. Kavya shook her head.

"Um...ma'am?" Tina repeated.

"We would decide after a minute. For now, can we get some water?" Ayaan uttered since Vandanna didn't respond.

"Sure sir! I'll get it right away."

Vandanna's eyes followed the way Tina left with suspicion. Suddenly, something caught her eyes. "Isn't...isn't that Sanskar?"

It was only natural that she would know Sanskar. After all, all of their families knew each other since the five - Arjun, Sanskar, Abhi, Rishi and Laksh were almost more like brothers than best friends.

Ayaan looked her way and indeed found Sanskar there. "It is. But what's he doing cleaning tables?" from the corner of his eyes he also saw Abhi. "Abhi's here to and...and collecting the glasses? What's going on in here?! Did someone shift us to another dimension?"

"Now I understand why it's so crowded here in the café today. Abhi the Rockstar is here." Kavya commented. "Look Chachi, they're taking advantage of his fame as well. These girls are making them work. I bet they are lazying around while there workers and Laksh's friends work for them!" Kavya accused.

"Hey, it might not be so. Those two girls over there." Ayaan pointed over. He tried to recall the names from when Laksh had told him. "Swara and Pragya were their names I think. They are Ragini's sisters. They are working too."

"Don't defend the wrong Ayaan." Kavya chided. "You're too young to realize these things."

"I'm only two years younger to Laksh mind you."

"Whatever Ayaan. This is unacceptable!" Vandanna looked around in disgust. "It's good that Kavya informed me beforehand about this girl Laksh was falling for. She's trapping him!"

"Exactly. I would always think the best for Laksh. He deserves a better lady." Kavya smirked. 'Which will be me. I'll make sure of it!'

#City Prison#

Arjun went inside after he saw Maya enter the place.

"Hey! Who are you? Trespassing isn't allowed here." came the voice of a guard.

"I'm not trespassing. I was just..." Arjun stopped mid-sentence. 'Following Maya without her permission into a highly secure prison? Nope. Definitely can't tell him that.'

"Was just what? What is your reason visiting?"

Arjun racked his brain for a valid and acceptable reason.

"Arjun? My goodness it is you!"

Arjun turned to the voice. His eyes widened in surprise. "Nikhil? What are you doing here?"

"I'm the head officer of this prison. What do you think? Impressive, eh?" Nikhil wriggled his eyebrows at him.

"More like bewildered. How did a person who was the chief of pranks in college become the in charge of a menace hall?" Arjun joked. "Nice to see you dude."

"Same here." Nikhil came and gave him an one arm hug. "So, any reason for this visit?"

Arjun got an idea. "Dude, I need a help."

"Sure. I'm listening."

After sometime...

With Nikhil's help, Arjun managed to get a free pass inside the place. Since he didn't know which direction Maya went, he decided to check every corner of the place.

'Oh come on! How many more?!' he sighed to himself getting frustrated. However, rounding the fifth corner, he wasn't disappointed when he saw Maya there. But what surprised him was the deep gash on her head and the blood oozing out.

#Mermaid Café#

"This is the one for bench 5. Tina, take it please."

"I already went there two times. Only to be greeted with those two arrogant women. They act like they are so high and sophisticated!" Tina complained.

"What about the guy? I'm pretty sure I saw you smile at him the time I went out." Rishi enquired in good humor, as he took out the cake from the oven. He was helping Tanuja inside the kitchen. If someone asked him, it was definitely not to spend time with her. He simply was being useful.

"The guy is amazing! But that doesn't mean I'll go to that table again."

"Here's the order for table 7 Di!" Ragini cheerfully uttered as she entered the kitchen.

"Ragini, please take this to table 5."

"Sure." she took the tray and went out. Only then did she notice who was sitting there. 'No way! Definitely no way am I going there!' as she looked around to pass the tray, she didn't find anyone free. Everyone was busy. Not to mention she's didn't want anyone insulting her Di's café for late service.
'Aww...why me?'

Nevertheless, she took the tray of food towards them with a smile. "Here are your orders." refusing to meet Kavya's eyes, she smiled at Vandanna and Ayaan.

'Time to test her.' thought Ayaan. "Wow! You sure are beautiful. I think I just...I just fell for you at first sight."

"Eh?" Ragini uttered the oh-so-intelligent response.

Ayaan took her hand and smiled. "Will you go on a date with me on my Audi? I'll treat you like a queen."

Kavya and Vandanna watched everything in bewilderment, too shocked to do anything.

Slowly, Ragini's lips turned up into a smile.

Seeing this, Ayaan felt disappoinment set in. 'She looks like she will agree. But bhai said she wasn't like Kavya who kept running after money and looks. I really hoped she was as he said. Bhai's heart will be broken if he finds this.'

"I'm flattered that you find me beautiful Mister." Ragini politely replied, removing her hand from his. "But I've already committed myself to someone else in my heart. I'm really sorry. Besides, you would most likely be of the age of a little brother to me."

Ragini hoped she had explained it in the most polite way in which he wouldn't be heartbroken. 'I never intended to do that. But I love Laksh.'

However, to her shock, instead of being angry or sad, he laughed a hearty laugh an got up to hug her. "It's a yes from my side. Bhai sure has a good choice, no bhabi?" he whispered loud enough for only her to hear.

Leaving her standing there in bewilderment, he sat down with a big grin.

"Ayaan! What is this?!" Vandanna chided, finally breaking out of her stupor.

"Vandanna?"

They all turned to look at the voice. It was Abhi's dadi.

"Didi? You here?" Vandanna got up to greet Didi, which is what she liked to call her. "Come and sit please."

Ayaan got up and gave her his chair. He himself brought another from the nearby table.

"Yes. Abhi told me he's here. So I came to visit." seeing Ragini standing still Dadi smiled at her. "Ragini beta, what's wrong? Don't you recognize me?"

This seemed to bring Ragini out of her thoughts. "Rockstar Dadi! How can I forget you?! How are you?"

"Hahaha...I'm fine beta. How are you and your sisters?"

"We're fine Dadi. Wait, I'll bring you a hot cup of coffee. It's free for you!" she skipped away without waiting.

"Adorable child, isn't she?" Dadi said rethorically. However, seeing the scowl on Vandanna's face, she couldn't help but seem confused. "Something wrong Vandanna?"

"How can you tolerate that menace and her sisters Didi?"

"Eh? What do you mean?"

"Don't you see how uncultured they are? They're even making Abhi work, along with Sanskar. How can they take advantage like this?"

"Oh Vadanna! You've got it all wrong."

"Hey! The food's getting cold. Why don't we all dig in?" Kavya interuppted, trying to stop their chatter. 'Shit! Dadi will ruin my plans!'

"Actually, I think my food won't go in until I hear the truth." Ayaan commented with a smirk. "Go on Dadi."

#City Prison#

Arjun watched as Maya didn't bother rubbing away the blood. She simply continued smiling at the two individuals behind the bars.

There were no guards near, no doubt because Maya sent them away for want of pivacy.

The woman was crying looking at Maya, while the man stared at her angrily, holding the broken pieces of the pot kept for water.

Arjun could see peices lying around him. 'One of the pieces must have flown over and hit Maya.' he was broken out of his thoughts by Maya's voice.

"You never fail to add a new scars to me, do you?"

"Shut up wretch! It's because of you that we both are locked up here. I should have killed you! I should have killed you when I had the opportunity!" screamed the man.

"But you failed. And here I am standing tall as a successful businesswomen, while you rot in this jail." Maya smirked arrogantly at them. Although she seemed confident, Arjun could see her hands shaking.

"Maya...I'm sorry for everything. I really am. But I was too scared Maya. Please understand dear." the woman came near the bars and extended her hands outside, touching Maya's face. "Please let me out. Please? Please Maya?"

Maya's eyes seemed to soften at her words. She placed her own hands above the woman's. "How I begged you with such pleas once. How I begged you to save me. But...but all I got was your silence."

"Maya I was helpless. Please understand Maya. I care for you?"

Maya stepped back and let out a dry laugh. "Care for me? Care for me? What sick and twisted care was it when you beat me when you were drunk?! Yo-" her words got cut in between when she felt a hand grab her neck.

"I'll kill you. I'll kill you!" the man shouted in rage, squeezing harder.

Maya felt her he'd spin as her air supply was being cut off. In any other cases, she would have scratched the attacker's hand, bit her attacker, kicked him. But she was too terrified.

Arjun watched as Maya's eyes seemed to gloss over, as if relieving past traumatic events. He couldn't keep silent any longer and rushed to her.

Punching the guy in the face, he quickly held Maya who was about to fall down. He pulled her a few steps away and patted her back. "Are you okay Maya? Maya?"

Maya coughed and sucked in deep breaths to even her breathing. She looked up with red eyes towards the woman standing to the side behind bars. "Just like always, you stood and didn't nothing, didn't you?"

"Maya I couldn't. I...I..."

"Just as I thought. Always so selfish, aren't you?" Maya spat with her voice almost breaking.

Seeing Maya's state, Arjun balled his hands into fists. He hated seeing her fall weak. She was Maya. She should never have to look so scared and vulnerable. "That's it! We're leaving." without waiting for a response, he dragged her away from there.

#Mermaid Café#

Vandanna rubbed her temples as she felt the onslaught of a headache. On one hand, Abhi's dadi explained to her how amazing each of the sisters were. But on the other hand, Kavya had earlier told her how nasty and two-faced they were, especially Ragini. She didn't know whom to believe.

"Vandanna aunty! Ayaan! How are you?" came Abhi's voice. "Dadi, you're here too. Awesome!"

"Wow! It's really nice to see you all here. Ragini just informed us." Rishi spoke as he came near with Sanskar to greet them.

"Sorry we didn't notice you earlier. It sure is crowdy here today." Sanskar commented.

"Abhi beta, I never have seen you work even at your home. Then why? Are these girls forcing you?" Vandanna asked as a joke, but was actually serious.

Abhi chuckled. "You're right about me lazying around. But we are helping out on our own. Besides, I never knew work could be this much fun!"

"Of course it would be since Pragya's here, eh?" his Dadi teased.

"And that too." Abhi replied without shying. "Me, Sanky and Rishi are enjoying the work! We ourselves offered to help."

Now Vandanna was more confused then ever. "Excuse me. I think I'll just go and wash my face."

"Dadi, here's your cof-woah!" Ragini was about to place the cup on the table when Vandanna suddenly stood up. As a result, the cup got jerked up and fell down, with coffee spilling on Vandanna's clothes. Some fell on the floor making her lose balance and fall back on the chair.

"Oh no! Are you okay?" Ragini exclaimed in worry. "I'm so very sorry! I never meant for it to happen. I'm sorry!" she panicked.

"How dar-"

"Kavya, shut up." Ayaan got up and held her firmly by the arm. As everyone was busy looking over at Vandanna's injury, Ayaan took the chance to pull Kavya away from the table. She was too shocked and scared by Ayaan's tone to do anything. 'Mum is in good hands. I know I can count on them.'

"Swara! Swara, please bring the heat bag from the kitchen. I think she hurt her back." Ragini instructed.

"I'll be right back!" Swara put down the notebook she was carrying as rushed inside the kitchen. Tanuja and Pragya who were there got to know of the incident from her and rushed out after her. "Here. Take this Ragu." Swara handed the heat bag to Ragini.

Ragini carefully placed it behind Vandanna's back. "Are you feeling better aunty?"

Vandanna squeezed her eyes shut from the pain. Fortunately, the bag was working and she felt the pain lessen. "I'm...I'm better now. The headache caused me to get up without looking out. Thank you for helping me." she looked at the mess created. "I'm sorry for making the place untidy."

"It's okay. I should have been more careful. I'll clean it up in no time!" Ragini responded with a smile.

"No need Ragu. I'll clean it up." Pragya spoke, already leaving to bring the mop.

"I'll clear up the pieces of the cup. Be careful everyone. You don't want to hurt yourself in those." Swara warned as she got to work as well.

"I'll bring another cup of coffee for you Dadi. I'll bring a cinnamon tea for you as well aunty. It will help with the headache." Tanuja suggested with a smile and moved towards the kitchen.

Vandanna felt guilty for thinking of the girls as lazy ones who liked to escape work. They didn't at all seem so. In fact, she was impressed how they didn't hesitate to do the work which was another's responsibility.

And Ragini? If she was as Kavya said, then she would be shouting at Vandanna instead if taking the blame. Moreover, if the girls were rude and uncultured, they would have thrown a fit for the expensive cup and also for getting the place dirty. However, instead Tanuja didn't blame her. Rather, she went to bring tea for her.

'How could I have doubted these wonderful girls?! I'm ashamed of myself!' Vandanna chided herself. From the corner of her eyes, she saw Ragini flinch and hide her hand in her dupatta. 'If I'm not wrong...' Vandanna pushed the dupatta aside, revealing the red mark on Ragini's hand. "Oh no! Some of the coffee burnt your skin."

Ragini nodded. "It spilled over."

"Why didn't you tell us?! Doesn't it hurt?"

"Yes. But our customers should be our first priority." she responded with a smile. This only served to increase Vandanna's guilt.

"But you shouldn't forget yourself! Ugh, you idiot!" Sanskar chided. "Come with me!" he took Ragini with him towards the washroom to apply some Colgate on the burn, knowing it would act as a temporary ointment. This wasn't missed by Swara. But her worry for her sister was more than her jealousy over the fact that Sanskar and Ragini were close. Her sister's safety came first.

"Shit! Tina and Dia need help attending to the tables. I'll be back Dadi." Abhi rushed off to take the orders of other tables.

"Now do you believe me Vandanna?" Dadi questioned in a soft tone.

"I do Didi. I should be ashamed that I doubted them in the first place! I should never have based my opinion on other's words."

"I'm glad. Now you know the truth."

Vandanna smiled. "And I can finally tell Laksh that I don't have any problems with his choice."

"Huh?"

Vandanna's smile widened at the hidden meaning. "Nothing."

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~ 🌹 Mona 🌹