HIS POV
She looks so lost and fatigued. Why can't she share her problems with me?
"Come, Mr. Lost. Everyone else has arrived," she forwarded her hand towards me while struggling to walk in heels. Isn't she tall enough? If heels aren't comfortable, then just wear shoes.
I forwarded my hand to hold her but walked away.
AWAY. Was she just calling me through her hand?
Oh my god! The café looks so expensive from the outside. My savings will be gone today just in contribution. I wish I also had a side hustle like Tara. It looks so vintage. I love it. The lamps are just like the ones we had in our storage room. My grandparents had lots of vintage stuff.
This wall— it has lots of vintage golden-brown frames with a woody texture. Tara will definitely ask me to click her pictures here.
"These golden-brown frames are so antique, aren't they?" I pointed towards the frames with painted scenery in them.
"It's copper colour," she whispered.
"Do you have enough money? This café seems expensive. Just look at the waiters—even they are so classy," she whispered again. Today, I don't have to bend down as she is wearing heels.
"I have. You?"
"I have more than enough. Just got some money last night. I can even pay for you," she smirked.
"Enough money? Then who was struggling to find some to pay for sandwiches?" I raised my eyebrows dramatically.
"I wasn't struggling to find money. I was struggling to find change. I only had ₹500 notes."
"Wow! I have a rich girl. Friend. Rich friend." Why does my mind work with pauses?
"Yes, you do," she laughed.
"Hey guys," Eddy waved at us.
"Hi, Eddy," we both said in unison.
He gave me a side hug.
"Meeting after a long time. Hi, Tara."
"Hi." They both shook hands, and why is he not leaving her hand?
"Hi," Tara said again nervously and looked at me.
"Oh, sorry." He left her hand.
"Let's go, guys. Everyone is waiting." He moved forward, showing us the way.
"Mr," Tara whispered.
"Hm?"
"Can you walk a little slower?"
"Yes. Are you facing some problems in these heels?"
"Yes!" she cried.
"Then take off your heels."
"But I can't walk barefoot."
"Then wear my sneakers. They are comfortable."
"What will you wear then?"
"I can walk barefoot."
"No. Why do you struggle? It's my problem."
"It's my bestie's problem," I smiled.
"Are you sure?" she asked with concern.
"Yes."
"Guys, where are you left?" Eddy called.
"Coming," we said in unison.
We took off her footwear, and she wore mine.
I bent down to tie her laces and took her heels.
"Why are you staring at me?" I asked when I noticed her.
"I am flustered."
She is not supposed to say that directly. This girl. I can't even smile.
"You don't need to," I said, breaking eye contact.
I took her heels, and she took the gifts from my hand and walked like a kid. She is so funny.
We both entered the café and searched for our friends.
As we went towards them, they started… hooting?
"What happened, guys?" Tara asked, looking clueless.
They all pointed towards my hand.
"Oh, this. She was struggling to walk in heels, so we exchanged."
"You guys are indeed best friends," Ananya said.
"Of course we are," Tara laughed.
"Tara, what were you doing near the lake last night?" Shresth asked her.
She froze, but tried to act normal—which I know she isn't.
"Which lake?" she stammered.
"The one near that university we visited on our 12th-grade trip."
"You must have seen someone else. I wasn't there last night."
"No, I saw you only. You were sitting near the lake and had this bag which you are carrying now."
"Two girls can have the same bag."
"But the keychain was exactly like yours, and I saw your face too."
"You might have been confused. I was at home."
"But—"
"If she says she wasn't there, then she wasn't," I firmly cut in between.
I hope she wasn't there, but I do not think he mistook her for someone else.
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