Aditi nodded, a small smile on her lips that, in reality, made her seem like she was about to cry instead. "My friend. Thank you for your help."
The young man smiled back. "You're welcome. I'm Max by the way."
"Aditi," she replied, her eyes still red from crying.
Max sat down beside her on the pavement, keeping a respectful distance. "I'll stay until your friend arrives, if you'd like."
Aditi appreciated his kindness very much, and she didn't mind. "Thank you, Max. That means a lot."
As they waited, Max asked her gentle questions, trying to distract her from her pain. Aditi answered sometimes, and sometimes she didn't.
Leila got out of the taxi. She looked a bit messy, as she was preparing to go to bed when Aditi's call came in. Her cracking voice made her wonder what had happened.
Aditi's tears started again upon seeing her best friend rushing to her side, and she immediately slipped into her embrace.
