Page 12 of Twisted Bonds

But what if Chitra decided not to spend time with him because he was from a privileged background and didn’t need her help?

His heart rebelled at the thought of not seeing her beautiful smile again. It had only been two days. But he felt a connection towards her that he didn’t want to risk breaking.

He would tell her the truth eventually. But not right then.

CHAPTER 5

Chitra was at the soup kitchen working on the meals for the day.

She was cutting the carrots for the stew that would be served all day for the patrons at the soup kitchen. But while she did the task efficiently, her eyes fell on Mihir, who was effortlessly carrying a large bag of potatoes on his broad shoulders.

It had been a month since he joined the soup kitchen. Although he was given some heavy lifting work, he never complained. Everyone at the soup kitchen liked him because he was respectful, polite, and very helpful.

She was glad Mihir was adapting well. Not that he needed much help.

A month and a half ago, when she was requested by a temple committee member to help a newly arrived student from India, she readily agreed. She was told the new student was shy, uncertain of his future, and quite distraught about leaving his homeland.

But strangely, Mihir never seemed shy or uncertain or distraught. In fact, he always had an air of confidence about him. He carried himself well and seemed to know exactly what he wanted.

Chitra smiled as she recalled their conversations each morning when she accompanied him from the university to the soup kitchen.

She spoke to him about her day while he listened quietly without interrupting. And when she asked him about his day, he told her about his classes. He was passionate about his studies.And he was also quite knowledgeable and well-informed on many topics. Whenever they discussed a topic she didn’t know about, he explained it to her with patience and respect.

She liked that he wasn’t arrogant or cocky like the other guys his age.

He is also quite handsome.

Her cheeks heated at her thought. She tried not to think of him as more than a friend, but she couldn’t help but admire how handsome he was. With tall, broad shoulders and a chiseled, handsome face, Mihir was one of the most handsome guys she had seen. And it wasn’t just her, she had seen how he often drew admiring stares from the female staff and girls from the university.

“Chitra, are the carrots done?”

Maria, the head cook, was waiting with a bowl.

With her cheeks heating, Chitra nodded. “Yes, I am almost done.” She placed the carrots she had finished cutting in the bowl. “I’ll finish the rest quickly,” she said, picking another big bag of carrots to be cut.

“I can help,” Mihir’s deep voice stated.

Chitra turned to look at Mihir who must have finished carrying the potatoes and onions bags. He came and stood next to her and then picked up another knife to help her cut the carrots.

“You will be late for your classes, Mihir,” she said.

He smiled. “My classes are starting late today.”

Chitra felt her heart skip a beat because it meant he would join her for breakfast.

“That’s great,” she said.

While they worked beside each other, she felt a strange buzzing awareness towards him. Her eyes were drawn to his large, tanned hands and the smooth, efficient way he handled the knife.

Her cheeks heated.

“Are you all right, Chitra?” he asked.

Suppressing her blush, she nodded. “Yes, I’m fine.”

Mihir Thakvar is a dear friend. Stop thinking of him as something more.

Sucking in a deep breath, she looked at him with a smile. “Mihir, are you free this evening?” she asked.

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