Page 15 of Twisted Bonds

Unlike Chitra, Mihir didn’t seem embarrassed or uncomfortable by the assumption that he was Chitra’s boyfriend.

“Thank you for the wonderful food, Tara,” he said. “It reminded me of my home.”

Tara smiled. “You are welcome here anytime, Mihir.”

They got up to pay for the meal, but Sagar and Tara refused. “Since you are Chitra’s friend, and it’s your first meal at our restaurant, it’s on us.”

Chitra usually insisted on paying for the meal. But since it was Mihir’s turn, she didn’t argue. She decided to help Sagar and Tara sometime at the restaurant during their busy times.

Bidding good night to the sweet couple, Chitra stepped out of the place with Mihir. The rain stopped, and the weather was cold yet refreshing.

Once again, she felt a strange awareness towards Mihir.

“By the way, my coworker Nancy from the supermarket thought you were my boyfriend. I told her you were a friend. So, she asked me to introduce her to you.”

Chitra didn’t know why she brought up the topic. But she wanted to get rid of the strange awareness she felt towards Mihir.

Mihir was quiet.

“Oh, sorry if I made you uncomfortable,” she said.

She realized he wasn’t used to the concept of dating, which was rare in India.

“I’m not uncomfortable about people assuming I’m your boyfriend,” he said with a smile. “I would be proud of being your boyfriend, Chitra.”

She was stunned for a moment. And then, she realized he must be joking.

She laughed. “Stop joking, Mihir.”

He smiled, not saying anything.

Soon, they arrived at the residential unit near the temple, where she lived. She stopped and looked at Mihir.

“I’m so glad you are adapting well to your new life here, Mihir. Congrats on getting your first paycheck.”

Mihir smiled. “But I’m yet to treat you to a meal,” he reminded. “Today doesn’t count because I didn’t pay.”

She laughed. “All right, then we’ll go on another treat sometime soon. Good night, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“Good night, Chitra,” he said softly.

The smile on his handsome face made her stomach flutter strangely.

Pushing away the awareness, she smiled and waved him goodbye before going into her building. But for the rest of the night, she was reminded of Mihir’s words.

“I would be proud of being your boyfriend, Chitra.”

Even though he had been joking, his words fluttered inside her heart.

CHAPTER 7

“Mihir, can you hear me?”

Mihir pressed the phone to her ear. It had been a week since he had spoken to his older brother and sister. He knew his sister was anxious. The phone lines had been down the previous week in Singoor.

“Yes, di. I can hear you. How are you doing?”

He heard the sound of relief. “I’m doing very well, Mihir. It feels so good to hear your voice. It’s been so long, I was worried.”

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