chapter 28

       We made our way back kicking the stone . Looked like she was determined to carry it all the way back to her home and me being a good friend I am, joined her in it. It was silly, but sometimes all the fun lies in being silly itself.     " Want to go eat something?", she asked and I nodded almost immediately. I hadn't eaten out since last we two went to canteen. " So what you want to eat?" , she asked,  I pretended to decide though my answer was obivious    " Golgappee!" ( Pani Puri ) she chuckled and nodded. " You seem to love them. " , her remark earned my excited acknowledgement, " A lot!"      We had walked down to the busier lane consisting of various food stalls. Multiple options to choose from. Evening time this place was all packed and lively. You would find many kinds of foodstuffs and diverse options even in those! I rarely ever came here since our college 's canteen served enough at reasonable rates.     " Let's go here ", she dragged me into a shop and I simply let her. We both decided to go for golgappa just her preference was spicy and mine medium. Not to mention even at medium spice my eyes teared up while I felt my tongue was on fire. I envy who can actually stand spicy food. I love it but end up shedding buckets of tears in attempt to eat.      No matter how much I have been loathing her ever since start but at this very moment, I find her most admirable person on the earth. No one could be as good as her. She is just the best. And the only reason for change in my opinion is her offering me her sukha pudi as well. I love that one more than the golgappa. And suddenly all her flaws disappeared to me and she was like the most perfect human.     " Want to have something sweet?", she asked and I nodded as I wiped my tears.  She only embraced me from side as she laughed at my state.     Nothing funny !    I hit her lightly and she let go off me , laughing. " Cake , chocolate, icecream, juice, ...." " Ice Cream!" I cut through her option list already having decided my next food. I eagerly walked ahead to an ice cream cart only to be pulled back harshly by my bag .     " Ouch!", I whined as I collided into her and she glared at me still not letting go off my bag's handle. " What?" " Don't want you to catch cold. So choose something else. "" What? Are you my mom?" , I asked as I freed myself from her grip.      " Do I need to be your mom to care for you?", she asked as she folded her hands in front of her chest giving me a sharp look. I fell completely silent at that.    Does that even have an answer?    " If so . I am . And so I am not letting you fall sick for no reason at all my baby ! ", she said as she dragged me past the icecream cart. All my opinion about her suddenly crashed down to hatred .      " So what should I eat?" she gave me a stern look and then her lips curved into a mischievous smile. She leaned closer to my ear and whispered, " Me ". " I want something sweet not bitter.", I said and walked ahead proud with the impact my reply caused. Sometimes it's fun to watch that smile turn into a frown , especially when it's a mocking one.       We anyways settled for a pastry since it was nobody's birthday to be buying a whole cake . She didn't seem that intrested in sweet but still accepted one bite as I offered . Rest was to me. I love such people. Who just take one bite and back off and leave the whole plate to you. Am foodie and this means a lot! [ Vibha's pov ]        I thought she was cute when she's angry but I was wrong. She is even cuter while eating. Taking bites twice the size of her mouth and then looking like a cute puffy monkey . Small things as food are enough to make her happy. I admired her as she ate  . I was taken aback when she extended the spoon in front of me to offer a bite. I know she was just being herself, sweet, but I froze completely. She might have not realised the fact that she was feeding me but I did. And it gave shivers. I don't know what for.      I just blinked at her as she pouted at my blank reaction.  " Don't want?" , her question knocked me back to reality and I just lied, " I don't like sweets . " She frowned at my response and was about to retreat her hand but I caught it midway. I ain't leaving such an opportunity .  Then pulling it back , I leaned forward taking the bite. She looked confused at first but then broke into a smile.      She continued eating and me admiring. She was too engrossed to notice me , I took the opportunity to quietly take a few photos. She looks cute. Unfortunately she noticed it when she was done and immediately stood up to snatch my phone like she ever could. It ended with us giggling and chasing till the cash counter. She halted to take out her purse but I already paid. She frowned and glared at me.     " My treat . ", I said and dragged her out. " You even paid last time. ", she argued and I know she didn't like it this way. But can't help. I don't want her to pay . I can't have her to pay. We stepped out with her still clinging to my arm and ranting about how I don't listen to her. I ignored anyways.     " Want to eat anything more?", I asked and she shook her head negatively. I smiled at her. It feels good this way for some reason. She suddenly ran away and I didn't understand why and where to. I started looking around . But it was too crowded to find her. I immediately took out my phone calling her.    " This idiot has her phone on silent! Damn it! What is she 5? Why run away suddenly like this?", I mumbled to myself as I looked around in the crowd. My eyes scanned the whole area but there wasn't any trace of her.      I tried to call again . It might look like I had spammed her but that wasn't the concern. I had to find her . I never felt this panicked and lost before.     Where did this idiot go to?