NOVEL WEB Chapter 13: is it a ( Q ) part.2
CH 6: Is It a ( Q )? Part 2
VOL 2 - Was It Just Luck?
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They met at a popular mall, renowned for its sprawling size and top-tier facilities. It didn't feel like a regular mall; it was more like a mini-city, filled with endless shops and towering buildings. As soon as they entered, they began their search for the perfect pair of shoes.
For Shyam, this was unfamiliar territory—a vast, bustling place full of noise and distractions. But for Raitha, it was a mission she had meticulously planned. She had already done her homework, researching the stores and memorizing the layout. To her, this was more than just shopping—it was their day. But to Shyam, it was just a casual outing.
After wandering for a while, they reached a shoe store on the upper floor. It was enormous, almost like a mall within the mall itself. Shoes of every kind imaginable were displayed in neat rows—local brands, international labels, affordable options, and even luxurious, high-end designs.
As they browsed, a pair of shoes caught Raitha's eye—a beautiful mix of red and white. Her gaze lingered on them, and her expression betrayed her feelings. She looked at the shoes as if they were something she had dreamed of owning.
Shyam noticed her staring. "Do you like these? They don't seem that expensive. Want me to get them for you?" He moved closer, reaching out to pick them up.
But Raitha quickly stopped him, shaking her head. "No, it's alright. Let's look at something else."
Her words sounded casual, but her face told a different story. There was a flicker of longing in her eyes, coupled with a quiet resignation. She didn't want to admit it, but it was clear she felt the shoes were out of her reach.
Shyam hesitated for a moment, then said, "I can buy them for you if you want!" His voice cracked slightly as he spoke, his heart pounding in his chest. He wasn't sure why he felt so nervous, but the thought of seeing her smile gave him courage.
Raitha turned away, hiding her emotions. "Really? But shouldn't you spend your money on something that's useful for you?"
Her heart wanted to say yes, to accept his kind offer without hesitation. But her mind refused, filling her with doubts and questions. She was caught between gratitude and guilt, afraid of what it might mean to accept such a gift.
Shyam looked at her for a moment, then said softly, "If I buy these for you, it's not a waste. It's something that matters to me."
Silence fell between them. They stood there, unable to say anything else, as if the world had frozen around them. The weight of unspoken emotions hung heavy in the air.
Then, without another word, Shyam stepped forward, picked up the shoes, and walked to the counter. He bought them without hesitation.
As he handed the bag to Raitha, he said quietly, "I think we should head home." His voice was almost a whisper, as though he didn't want anyone else to hear.
Raitha stared at the bag in her hands, unable to find the right words. She wanted to thank him, to tell him how much it meant to her. But all she could do was nod and follow him silently.
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That night, Raitha sat alone in her room, clutching the shoes to her chest. Tears streamed down her face as she replayed the day in her mind.
"Why am I like this?" she whispered to herself. "I had the perfect chance to make things better between us, and I ruined it. He must hate me now."
Her mind spiraled into negativity, filling her with regret and self-doubt. She felt like a burden, someone who didn't deserve kindness.
"He's never going to talk to me again. I messed everything up."
The loneliness weighed heavily on her heart, like a bird trying to fly with broken wings. She cried herself to sleep that night, the red-and-white shoes resting quietly by her bedside—a bittersweet reminder of a day she could never forget.
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IS IT A DATE?