She sneakily escaped from his view and looked for Tapish, then she found him freely wandering in the store like he was strolling in the garden although they were roaming freely until they didn't come across Shashi.
She checked herself, put her sunglasses on, and covered her face with a scarf, then adjusted her puffy sleeves up to her wrist in nervousness. She swooped up Tapish at the right time and tucked him inside her long warm trench coat that she bought today itself.
She acted like some random yet elegant girl hovering near the shoe section, her gaze became glued to Shashi, who was conversing with someone when they neared she saw that Shashi was not alone, and he came along with his new friend 'Soma'.
She observed their behavior, they were acting as if they were such close friends and she also noticed Soma who was acting like a 'best friend' kind of way with Shashi, her heart burning with coal fire, her eyes throwing fire arrows at Shashi's back head. Shashi instantly turned at that moment as he felt a burning gaze on his back head, their eyes collided, her burning fiery eyes splashed by making eye contact with his curious sparkling eyes, and her body became stiff by his long stare as if analyzing her.
To save her disguise, she acts cold, she huffs and gestures with her hand to look forward and mind their own business, Soma mimics her behind her back, Shashi bursts into laughter, and Hrida smiles upon hearing his laugh.
Shashi utters in between his laughter," Soma, looks like, my influence has finally started working upon you. You did a super job in mimicking that ' Scarf girl'."
Soma's eyebrows raised at his name selection, expressing with an honest tone, " You…Have you ever realized that your chosen nicknames are the worst, to be honest. Seriously, 'Scarf girl' for that random " too classy" girl. "
Hrida whispers under her breath, hearing their conversation with a playful tone," I agree with Soma. Shashi, my game partner is worst at selecting names even for his characters in the games…but since he had helped me choose the name ' Tapish' for my cat big bro, I accept your nicknames for me; Game partner, Colliding Girl and now Scarf girl. Pffft…"
Hrida didn't want to follow them but ultimately she did follow their trail while maintaining a good distance from them. Her curious eyes were trying to analyze Soma's act and also observing his move over her best friend.
She grunts with an irritated tone, " Shashi, you can't break another promise of ours. I will not let you break our promise. Not happening in my presence. Even though Soma is a better friend than her, still, that doesn't excuse him to do this to me... Hmmph! "
Hrida observed them while hiding near the boys' jeans section, She couldn't control her giggle when Shashi looked confused about which shirt to choose, and fortunately, they didn't hear her giggle but then Shashi imitated Hrida's tone, " Shashii…Are you seriously confused just by two shirts when there are many options still left?
You don't need to ponder much, just focus on what you like the most among these two, and then no issue is left. " Then, he also imitated her humming behavior which tickled her gut and Hrida burst into loud giggles, attracting both boy's attention, especially Shashi's.
Soma feels familiarity for some reason although that ' Scarf girl ' is suspicious and now it is clearly confirmed that she is spying upon us, so they need to be careful. Shashi again found himself making eye contact with the same ' Scarf girl' and he also remarked on her weirdly standing at the boy's section and followed their trail until now.
Soma whispered something in his ear and Shashi immediately agreed, meanwhile Hrida was rummaging awkwardly through the boy's short section, her eyebrows scrunched in worry and her low humming tone clearly audible to only Tapish.
Hrida sneakily glanced in their direction and noticed their sudden disappearance, her eyes anxiously searched for them and she felt relaxed discovering Shashi looking through the jeans section with awkward hand gestures, which caused a warm smile to hang on her lips.
Hrida's smile vanished when she felt a tap on her shoulder, she knew that it was an alarm sign, so grabbed that person's hand and dragged him to the corner of the T-shirt section where no one was there at the moment.
Soma was completely surprised by her sudden action, he immediately recognized her by her moon-shaped birthmark near her lips, he was going to speak but Hrida shushed him by putting a finger over his mouth, " Don't be loud, otherwise, Shashi would know about her presence. And I don't want that..at least for now."
Hrida remained silent waiting for Soma's response, but he just kept staring at her, Hrida's pleading eyes shifted more into keen gaze, She exclaimed in a low tone, " Ohh! Now I understand what you intend to do, you want to take my place, isn't it?
You want to be Shashi's best friend, don't you?
Listen, Soma, I know, Shashi is quite a friendly and caring friend to have but I am sorry to inform you that you can't take….Leave it. The most important point, you won't expose my identity, otherwise, I won't talk to you as well. Am I clear? "
Her rambles continued but Soma couldn't hear anything as he was completely smitten and engrossed in capturing her features, her eyes, her expression, and her unique birthmark, his face flushed red because of the close proximity between them.
On the other hand, Shashi is still rummaging through the shorts section as Soma suggested to him while Soma inspects the suspicious activity but Shashi doesn't see Soma or that 'Scarf girl' nearby either. Shashi thought of looking for them but then he dismissed the thought because he didn't want to ruin Soma's plan.
Meanwhile, Hrida kept on rambling till she noticed Soma smiling at her, she assumed that he was enjoying witnessing her complicated emotions; she snapped her fingers in front of his face bringing him back to reality. Soma noticed her burning gaze but he could also grasp sadness, unhealed wrath, and fear hidden deep in her eyes.
Before he could say anything, she threatened him in a gentle tone, " Soma, you told me you want to be our friend and I am willing to be your friend. Shashi will also be your friend but I can't let you take my place in his life.
He might become close friends with you but I will always remain his only best friend. I know, I sound a little mean right now but I beg you please he is one of the people whom I trust and care for although I have Tapish and now Navya Didi as well.
Still, I….I am sorry..but you will just be a friend to both of us. I am really sorry, Soma."
Each word disheartened Soma's heart bit by bit, he could feel her emotions but she didn't want to allow him in her life closer like Shashi.
Soma ponders," I never wanted to be Shashi's friend at first but now when we become friends, I realize he is really a great friend to have and I got a friend because of you, Hrida. I want to be closer to you, know you better, and be best friends with you but without taking anyone's place.
I want to create a space for me in your heart, Hrida, I wish you could see that. But I don't give up easily, someday you will become my best friend as well. I will wait for you, Hrida."
Soma decides to be bold, plays along with her assumption, and challenges her in a playful tone, " What if I do replace the best friend's place? What would you do, Ms. Hrida? Oh…sorry..I mean 'Scarf girl' ?"
Hrida is baffled by his statement, her mouth is wide open but no word comes out of her mouth, then her gaze shifts into a warm gaze, and she declares in a confident tone," He would never give my place to you, I know him well. Do whatever you desire to do, my place is permanent in his life."
Soma was again hurt by her statement but it made him laugh at the same time because Hrida appeared cute in his eyes. Hrida then asks him with a concerned tone," Is Shashi okay? He is not sad because of me, right? Tell me, is he the same idiot as before? hmm? "
Soma nods and assures her in a warm tone," Everyone is well, Hrida. What about you, you look better now although you always look beautiful. Shashi is the same idiotic guy as he was but caring as well. Take care of yourself, you should be more careful.
I am…We are really worried for you and Lakshman bhaiya is trying his best to find you. Hrida, Lakshman bhaiya is majorly concerned about your well-being but still, I won't expose your identity. Trust me! Now, hide yourself well because your stares are obvious to everyone."
Soma was going to step away from her, but his body stiffened when she held her hand and called out in a soft tone," Soma, Where are you going? I haven't finished my sentence yet, there's still something left to ask."
Soma turns awkwardly facing her, she resumes her sentence," I don't consider you as my best friend but that doesn't mean I don't care about you. I consider you as my friend and you matter a lot to me as well. So, Are you okay? How's been school? Did you like our school? You weren't triggered by that shadow thing, did he hurt you? "
Soma's happiness had no bounds, she cared about her, and he mattered to her, Soma happily nodded and expressed with a cheery tone," I am perfectly fine though I did get hurt physically when I tripped while playing football during sports period but the wound is fine, I am fine."
Hrida expresses her genuine concern," Are you serious, Soma? It doesn't hurt much, right? Does it still hurt?... Don't worry, I am here with you, now the wound will heal like this…quickly." Hrida displayed a warm smile for him and patted his hand softly.
Soma was delighted; he felt blood rush within his cheeks meanwhile Shashi's gaze fell on a pretty headband and Hrida's gaze shifted from Soma to a particular warm-brown colored shirt with an intricate embroidered single pattern of waves near the collar, they both thought of each other and whispered each other's names to the air. Her gaze shifted towards another shirt, which invoked a smile on her face, Soma's smile caught upon her smile.
Hrida requests him with a gentle tone, " Soma, could you suggest Shashi buy that shirt over there, the brown one, it would suit him. He looks really confused about what to choose, so please help him. Please, Soma."
Soma felt his heartstrings being twisted but the strings of tension released when Hrida suggested to him in a cheery tone, " Oh! And that shirt over there, the emerald green colored T-shirt would suit you, I believe.
Green looks good on you, remember you wore a green colored sweatshirt when we met at the railway station. And I would be happy if my friend looked cool and classy although you already are. But, there is no pressure or force, it's your wish, I won't feel bad if you don't want to buy that T-shirt. "
Soma coolly answered with a neutral tone," I would consider your choice and take a close look at your selected choice then if I like it, I would buy it. And, I will suggest the shirt you selected for Shashi. Okay..then see you soon, Hrida. Take care." In his mind, Soma had already decided to buy this T-shirt for him.
Hrida nods and waves him goodbye. Soma returns to Shashi's side and in the meantime, Shashi's mom plunges into the dress store searching for both boys and she finds them near the Jeans section.
Shashi's mom scolds Shashi lightly," Beta (Child), Where were you both? I have been searching for both of you in the entire mall. I know you forced Soma into a mischievous sneak away like you used to do with Hri…Hrida.
You tell me, did you choose something for yourself? And what about you, Soma? "
Soma spoke on behalf of Shashi," Aunty, I was just going to suggest to him this shirt, this warm-brown colored shirt, and for me, I have already chosen this emerald green T-shirt."
Shashi instantly liked the shirt and closely looked upon the details of the pattern, somehow this reminded him of Hrida, who loves embroidery patterns, Shashi thanked him.
Shashi's mom remarks in a sentimental tone," This shirt and T-shirt look like Hrida's choice for some reason. Strange….Hmm. Hope the police find her soon. I miss her." Shashi and Soma hoped for the same in their mind.