Page 13 of Twisted Bonds

“Yes, I am free.”

“Great! Then let’s celebrate your one-month anniversary at the soup kitchen with a special dinner.”

He smiled. “I’m looking forward to it. But this time, I want to pay.”

She laughed. “Deal!”

She enjoyed Mihir’s company. And she was determined to continue their sweet friendship without having confusing thoughts and feelings towards him.

CHAPTER 6

Chitra looked at the clock in the supermarket. It was seven o’clock in the evening.

She normally stayed a few additional minutes to chat with her coworkers, but that evening, she began packing up to leave right away.

“Hi Nancy!” she greeted her coworker who would take over the shift.

Nancy smiled. “Special plans this evening?”

Chitra laughed. “I’m having dinner with a friend. I’m taking him to the Himalayan Café.”

“Is he a tall guy from the university?” Nancy asked.

Chitra was surprised. “Yes. How do you know Mihir?”

“He’s waiting outside,” Nancy replied. “I thought he must be your boyfriend.”

Chitra was taken aback. Mihir knew she worked at the supermarket in the afternoons and evenings. But she didn’t think he would wait for her.

“He’s quite handsome,” Nancy said. “Next time, introduce me to him.

Chitra laughed. “Yes, I will introduce him the next time. Goodnight, Nancy!”

Grabbing her bag, Chitra hurried outside. She saw the familiar tall figure of Mihir standing at the side of the entrance, holding an umbrella. It wasn’t raining heavily, but it was cold and drizzling.

As soon as Mihir saw her, he smiled. Happiness coursed through her.

“When did you come?” she asked, pulling up her jacket hoodie. “I thought you were going to meet with a professor today in the evening until seven. I was coming to get you from the university.”

He shifted closer to her and placed the umbrella on top of her. His nearness immediately made her warm despite the freezing cold.

“I was done early,” he replied. “So, I decided to come here and wait. The café is closer to here.”

“You should have waited inside the supermarket instead of outside in the rain. You must be cold!”

“I’m fine,” he replied with a smile. “I didn’t want to disturb you during your work.”

It was sweet and considerate of him. Chitra wasn’t surprised. Everything Mihir did was always sweet and considerate.

“I’m glad you came,” she said. “I am already hungry. You will love the food, especially in this cold weather.”

Mihir smiled. “I’m hungry too. I had sandwiches for lunch.”

Chitra laughed, knowing how much he loathed sandwiches and enjoyed hot, spicy food that wasn’t available in the university cafeteria.

“Then let’s go!”

They walked down a few streets and stopped in front of a restaurant. It was run by a sweet couple who immigrated from Nepal.

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