VOL 1 - friendship or relationship?
(Q): She Has a (Q) Store? Part 2
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Then, Raitha broke the silence with a nervous chuckle.
"Dad, he's our guest. Keep some distance."
Turning to Shyam with an apologetic smile, she added, "Sorry, Shyam. I don't usually bring guests here, especially not boys. I'm really sorry for how my dad acted."
Shyam, understanding the awkwardness of the situation, quickly reassured her.
"No, no, you don't have to apologize. It's not a big deal, really. So... this 'old man' is your father?"
The moment the words "old man" left Shyam's lips, Raitha's father's expression changed. It was as if Shyam had poured fuel on a fire.
"How dare you call me an old man?!" he exclaimed, his voice sharp. "I still have all the energy you do, a..."
But before he could finish his sentence, a loud crack came from his back. Grimacing, he immediately sat down, took a sip of tea, and attempted to speak again.
"I still ha—"
Another crack interrupted him mid-sentence. The cycle repeated two or three more times before he finally gave up, muttering, "Ahh, I guess I don't have the energy I had years ago."
He sighed deeply, then turned his attention to Shyam. His tone softened as he said, "So, you're Shyam, right? I'm really glad you're friends with my daughter. She's terrible at making friends, and I was worried she'd end up alone for the rest of her life."
There was a pause before he continued, his voice full of sincerity.
"This is my request, from one old man to a young one: please don't leave her."
Shyam nodded politely, but before he could respond, the man leaned in close and whispered something into his ear. Whatever it was, it sent a wave of embarrassment through Shyam, turning his face as red as a rose. Without another word, the man stood and retreated into the house.
Raitha, noticing Shyam's flustered expression, tilted her head curiously.
"What did he say? Why are you blushing? Did he say something funny?"
Shyam, still too stunned to speak, waved his hands dismissively as if to say, "It's nothing." Though Raitha's curiosity was evident, she didn't press further, respecting his silence.
After finishing his tea and chatting briefly about the next day's classes, Shyam decided to leave. On the way home, his mind was consumed by the old man's whispered words.
"No, no, no, no, no," he muttered repeatedly under his breath. "I must have heard it wrong."
What exactly her father had said to Shyam that day remained a mystery—a secret locked away, even from Raitha herself.
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SHE HAS A BOOK STORE?