EP 104 : Social Media & Chill vs. Boring Life & Bill - (Part 01)
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Welcome to the podcast from the bottom of my heart. Oh life, what kind of a race is this? How much have the paths of love changed? First, there was love, there was marriage, then responsibilities and bills came. But now, now the world is of social media and chill. And the concept of marriage has become as old as it is. So let's go to today's story of the age of social media and chill and the age of boring life and bills.

Love stories often start at strange places. Sometimes in crowded cafes, sometimes under a trending hashtag, and sometimes in the comment section of online food reviews. This story is also something like that. The story of Riddhya and Aditya, which started with a new cafe review in Mumbai.

Today's story begins with a freelance content creator from Mumbai, Riddhi. Riddhi is sitting on her bed, with headphones in her ears, editing videos for her YouTube channel. On the screen, there is a new cafe on the screen, Bricklin Cafe's airy seating, unique decor and delicious food videos are running.

Riddhi's fingers are moving on the keyboard rapidly. She is giving commentary in the video while playing taal mail with background music. Mumbai's foodies, if you are looking for a quiet and unique cafe, then do check out Brick Lane Cafe. The ambience here is amazing and the food is also amazing. I tried burgers, pasta, pizza, everything here and believe me, there was more than one item.

After editing the video, Riddhi uploads it to her channel. She knows that this video will not be viral, but she likes to review food and share the experience of new restaurants with her followers. On the other hand, Aditya, a young building contractor, is involved in shaping the landscape as the speed of Mumbai changes.

His life is cut off to complete his site visits, client meetings and office work. Even today, he is sitting in the office late at night, preparing a presentation for the next day's meeting. During a short break, Aditya picked up his phone and started scrolling Instagram.

Suddenly, he saw a food blogger's YouTube channel poster, which said "Brick Lane Cafe Review". He got a call from his father a while ago, who told him that a new cafe was opened in Bandra by them. He thought, "Let's see the review of this blogger. How would people find the cafe?"

After clicking the video, he saw that a girl named Riddhi was reviewing the cafe. He watched the whole video and found that Riddhi said the same things about the cafe that he had felt. The relaxing atmosphere of the cafe, the artwork on the walls and especially that outdoor seating area for which he had put a lot of effort on his team. Riddhi had mentioned all these things in a beautiful way.

After the video ended, Aditya thought that Hrithik should reply. He typed in the comment box, "Very good review, really gave the real experience of the cafe."

Riddhi got this comment as a notification. She read the comment and went to Aditya's profile. In her profile picture, he was standing in front of an under construction building wearing a helmet. Riddhi thought that maybe he is a construction worker who may not be connected to her video. But still, she replied to Aditya. Thank you. How did you like the cafe?

This was the moment when their story began. In the beginning, their conversation was only about the cafe and food. Riddh asked, "Does Aditya really work there?"

Aditya laughed and said no. He actually works in the company that makes that cafe. His father is the owner of that cafe. Riddhi was a little surprised to know this. She didn't think that she would get to talk to a building contractor on social media. But Aditya's way of answering and knowing so much about his cafe, Riddhi liked it.

After a few talks, Aditya asked Hrithya, "You are a freelance content creator, so what kind of content do you usually make?" Hrithya said that she mostly makes food reviews, travel vlogs and some branded campaigns. She also told Aditya that she is currently trying to grow her YouTube channel.

Aditya praised Hrithi's passion and asked, "What do you think is the benefit of running a YouTube channel in today's age?" Hrithi said, "It's a matter of seeing. I like it more than making money that I can show people new experiences and I can also explore my creativity."

Aditya agreed with Hrithik. He himself respected creative work, even if he was a building contractor. He told Hrithik how he had created the entire design of Brick Lane Cafe with his team.

They kept talking for two hours. On the different aspects of life, they kept talking. On one side, Riddhi liked Aditya's hard work and simplicity. On the other side, Aditya was getting impressed with Riddhi's creativity and indiscretion. Slowly, their chatting continued till late night.

Both of them were telling each other so much that they didn't tell their closest friends.

One night, Aditya gathered his courage and asked Hrithi to talk on video call. Hrithi was a little scared. It was new for her to go out of the social media and chill world and meet someone. But she used to get a peace of mind when she talked to Aditya, which she had never felt before. Finally, she agreed to meet.

The two planned to meet in the same Brick Lane Cafe in Bandra next week. Riddhi found it strange. Taking online conversations into real life was a new experience for her. But she was eager to see how it would be to meet her online friend offline. Riddhi kept worrying about this all week. How would Aditya be? Will she feel a connection like online chatting in real life?

On the other hand, Aditya was also very nervous about this meeting. He ironed his favorite blue shirt and tried to leave the office early that day. Finally, the meeting day came. Riddhi wore casual denim jeans and a floral top. He kept his makeup minimal by giving a slight wave to his hair.

When he reached the cafe, he decided to sit at a table near the window, from where he could see the entire view of the cafe. In a short while, the cafe's door opened and Aditya came in. Hrithya immediately recognized him. He looked more handsome than his online profile picture. There was a little fear on his face that was making him even more beautiful.

Aditya looked around and spotted Riddhi's table. He slowly came towards her and sat on the chair in front of her with a hello. The first few minutes were a little strange. Both started looking at the inside of the cafe to avoid looking at each other. Finally, Riddhi started talking. How did you like the real cafe?

Aditya smiled and said, "Better than an online review, you have really caught the soul of the cafe in your video." Gradually, they started to get comfortable with each other. They started to share their online conversations. Aditya told that how he used to watch Riddhi's videos at night. He also found out what his favorite ice cream flavor was.

Riddhi was also impressed with Aditya's hard work and passion. She told how she endured so many difficulties in the world of freelance content creation. After lunch, they left the cafe and started wandering on the busy streets of Bandra. In the evening, they reached the beach. The sun was drowning in the sea with a red light, which had made the whole environment magical.

Listening to the waves of the sea, they talked for hours. They shared their dreams and childhood memories with each other. Hrithik felt that she had known Aditya for years. As night fell, they decided to return.

Both of them were a little calm as they walked to the taxi stand. A strange silence was between them which was not uncomfortable but soothing. The taxi arrived. Riddhi felt a little strange to meet Aditya before leaving. They said bye to each other. Before leaving, Aditya gathered courage and asked Riddhi, "Can I meet you again?"

Riddhi smiled and said, "Why not?" And she went home. That night, Riddhi was not able to sleep while lying on her bed. Aditya's meeting had shaken her from within. She felt that this was more than an online flirt. Her life, which revolved around social media and chill, had suddenly begun a new chapter.

On the other hand, Aditya was also looking at the roof of his room. Riddhi's laughter, his words, his facial expressions were all in front of his eyes. He talked to a girl for the first time in so long, without any hesitation. In the next few days, their conversation increased even more than before.

They would talk on video calls every night. After work, Aditya would call Riddhi first. He would tell her about his day-to-day experiences. From site visits to meetings with clients. Riddhi would share her ideas for the next video. And she would also talk about the challenges in her field. Gradually, their conversations started to change.

Now apart from looking at the camera, they also started sending each other good morning and good night messages. They shared every small and big thing with each other. A few days later, Aditya sent a message to Hrithik. I think you should read my favorite book. Maybe we can talk about it sometime.

Ritya smiled and answered, "Tell me which book is it? I will order online." Aditya told that the book is available at a small shop, which he often sees during site visits. He also told that next week he will be in the same area. Ritya got an idea. He answered Aditya,

"Can I meet you at that shop?" "Maybe we can have coffee with the book." Aditya hesitated a little, but then he immediately agreed. Their second meeting was not in a fancy cafe, but in a lost shop of old books. The smell of the little dust of the books, the old pictures on the walls, and the pile of books, both stood in a different world.

Aditya helped Riddhi find that book and then they both went to the coffee shop together. This time their conversation was going around books, movies and music. Riddhi was surprised to know that Aditya is crazy about such big books. At the same time, Aditya was also very impressed with Riddhi's filmic knowledge. As evening came, he decided to return.

While going home, the two were sitting in the taxi and were a little quiet. Aditya took Riddhi's hand in his hand. Riddhi looked at him with a look. Aditya was a little scared but said, Riddhi, you are really very special. I don't know what this is or what it is, but I can feel it. You, before his words were complete, Riddhi stopped him with a smile. Me too, Aditya.

I also feel something special is happening. It may not be that easy. You are a building contractor, boring life and bills. This is your world. And I am a freelance content creator. Social media and chilling, my world, our worlds are completely different. Aditya slowly took his hand in his own hands.

But does it matter? Our conversations, our connection, all of this seems real. Let's give it a chance. Between social media and chill vs boring life and Bill, maybe we can write a different story of love. Riddhi pondered over his words. Love?

This word was new for her, especially for someone she knew online. But in Aditya's eyes, she felt that it could be more than a flirt. After a while, Riti said, "Okay, let's give it a chance. But it won't be a love story. It will be our story with our ups and downs."

Aditya smiled happily. He held Riddhi's hand more firmly and said, This will be our story, Riddhi. And this story has just begun. Taxi brought them to their house. Before leaving the car, Aditya said bye to Riddhi and kissed her on the forehead. This was the first. But Riddhi felt that this was a feeling of the beginning.

That night before going to sleep, Riddhi took out her diary and wrote in it, "Something special happened today. Maybe it's love or maybe it's the beginning. It's like leaving the world of social media and chill and walking on a different path. This is the story of Riddhi and Aditya that is being written now.

It was the story of Riddhi and Aditya that started with a food review. Where this story will go in the future, will be known in the coming episodes. But one thing is for sure, the path of love is never easy, especially when your world is trying to go towards boring life and bills from social media and chill.

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