AEOTM Chapter 5
Best Friend
"Next station, KR Puram. Doors will open on the left. Please stand clear of the doors."
Ari stood, adjusted her bag, and stepped onto the platform; the air thick with the scent of flowers, dust, and city life. She scanned the crowd and spotted Mira waving energetically.
"Mira," Ari called, walking over.
"Finally! Hey...why do you look so out of it?" Mira asked.
" Oh welI! thanks to a certain someone I gave up my long-earned beauty rest I could have enjoyed today," Ari said, bowing a little with a hand on the back and the other on her heart , her tone dramatic with mock sarcasm.
Mira rolled her eyes. "There's more to life than sleep, my dear. Come on now, let's go before you start sleeping while standing."
Ari glanced at her best friend, wondering once again how this woman seemed to carry more energy than her body could hold.
They set off toward the stalls with Mira clinging to Ari's arm, half dragging her and half walking. Browsing through the market with practiced ease, Mira's eyes scanned every flower like a 'vidhvaan'(scholar/expert in Sanskrit). At the first shop, she began bargaining over marigolds, lilacs, and jasmine, negotiating animatedly with the shop owner. When he refused to reduce the price, citing "standard rates," she shrugged and moved to the next stall.
Even after three shops, they still hadn't found what Mira wanted. Every vendor's price seemed to offend her sense of fairness. Watching her friend frown and stomp away from yet another stall, Ari could only sigh.
Guess my next Sunday morning's gone too. I'm already missing my bed....
Drained of energy, Ari convinced Mira to stop at a small tea stall for a break. Ari took it upon herself to order two steaming cups of chai. The rich aroma of cardamom and ginger hit Ari first, grounding her in a way that reminded her of home. She inhaled deeply, feeling a rare sense of calm amidst the chaos of the market.
Ari took a slow sip and looked at Mira, who was still frowning, her cup of chai growing cold between her palms. She sighed softly.
"Darling, take it easy. We've got weeks before the event. Now smile - and drink your chai."
Mira finally cracked a smile, and raised a brow. "Well, I'll take it that you promised me your Sunday mornings till then."
Ari returned the smile, relieved that Mira returned to her usual state. "Of course, ba. Who made me your best friend anyway?"
Mira giggled, the tension easing as she finally took a sip of her tea.
They chattered on, enjoying their chai and catching up on the last two weeks of their lives.
"So, a YouTube Channel, huh?" Mira mused after learning about Ari's encounter with Amy. "Actually, it isn't a bad idea. You should totally start one Putti. Let's call it 'Putti Sings'. We'll just upload lyrical videos without showing your face. What do you think?"
Ari rolled her eyes at the comment ." Sure ~" she drawled " And who's going to edit and maintain it? I'm busy as is..."
"I'll do it!" Mira declared, eyes gleaming.
"Don't joke about it. You've already got enough on your plate with your programming job. It's pretty obvious how busy you are from your calls of complaints to me,"
"That's only during weekdays, Putti! I'm free on weekends. And don't think you're stealing all my time — I'll spend maybe two hours on it," Mira said, waving her hand dismissively.
Seeing Ari's hesitant expression, Mira leaned closer, her tone softening but persistent.
"Let's just do it, Putti. We'll make it work somehow. What do you say?"
Ari relented with a smile "Fine".
Mira laughed triumphantly, "Don't look so dejected ! I know you're secretly excited."
Ari chuckled under her breath.
Well... she ain't wrong.
-TBC-
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