the day we first met : version [ enhanced ]

CH5: Is It a ( Q )? Part 1

VOL 2 - Was It Just Luck?

---

"Hey, hey, Shyam! Do you want to go shopping with me for a new pair of shoes this weekend?"

Shyam, halfway through packing his bag to leave school, was caught off guard by Raitha's sudden appearance. It was typical of her to pop up with a question out of the blue—her curious nature never failed to keep him on his toes.

"Sure, I don't mind," he replied casually. In truth, he had been planning to hit the market anyway to pick up a new game. The idea of tagging along with her didn't seem too bad.

Days passed, and the weekend finally arrived. The night before their outing—was it a date? Or just a casual trip to the store? Well, only time would tell—Raitha found herself facing a dilemma common to many girls:

"What should I wear?"

Her room looked like a tornado had swept through it, with dresses strewn across every surface. Each outfit she tried on felt either too casual or too formal. While Raitha was lost in indecision, her father, Woaliam, barged into her room without knocking—a classic move of an overly familiar parent.

"So," he began with a smirk, "you're going on a date with Shyam?"

Raitha froze. Her face turned crimson, a mix of embarrassment and happiness showing all at once. She tried looking everywhere but at her father, hoping to steer away from the topic. However, Woaliam wasn't one to back down. He stared at her with an intensity that made it clear he wouldn't leave until she gave him an answer.

Finally, with a sigh of resignation, Raitha admitted, "Yes, but I told him it's to buy new shoes. I mean, how could I just ask him out on a date when we've only known each other for a month or two?"

As if to emphasize her frustration, she flopped onto the bed, covering her face with her hands.

Woaliam chuckled, amused by his daughter's dramatic display. "You're just like me, you know," he said warmly. "When I fell for your mother, I didn't know what to do either. But as our college graduation drew closer, I realized if I didn't tell her then, I might never get the chance again. So, don't overthink it. Just wear what you wore when you visited his favorite spot in the forest."

(Reference: Chapter 3, Volume 1)

Having delivered his "sage advice," Woaliam laughed heartily as he left the room, leaving Raitha muttering under her breath:

"That old man! But... maybe he's right. Should I wear black? Or white? Hmmm…"

She spent the entire night debating her wardrobe choices, only to end up wearing the outfit she had on when they visited the forest.

Meanwhile, on Shyam's side, there wasn't a hint of worry on his face. He went about his usual routine without a care in the world. (We men are simple creatures, after all.)

And so, the day of their meeting—their "maybe-date" or "just-friends outing"—finally arrived.

---

To Be Continued...