LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 14: so they have a ( Q ) too?
CH 7: So They Have a ( Q ) Too?
VOL 2 - Was It Just Luck?
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Three days passed in silence. Shyam and Raitha hadn't spoken a word to each other since their mall visit. The air between them was heavy, both unsure how to bridge the gap.
One sunny afternoon, Shyam was cycling down the street, a small bag hanging from his handlebars. Inside was a freshly baked cake. He pedaled smoothly, heading toward his destination, until he spotted someone on the opposite side of the road.
It was Raitha.
She walked slowly, her head tilted down, her eyes unfocused. It seemed as though her thoughts had trapped her in another world. The bustling street, the noise of vehicles—none of it seemed to reach her. Her steps were hesitant, her movements sluggish, as if the weight of her emotions slowed her down.
A loud honk suddenly jolted her back to reality. She blinked and looked up, her gaze falling directly on Shyam.
He was standing by his bike, handing a cake to an elderly man. But what shocked her most was what came next—Shyam accepted money from the man in exchange for the cake!
Her mind jumped to conclusions. "Is he selling cakes now? Is it because of me? Did buying me those shoes put him in financial trouble?"
A wave of guilt washed over her. She felt her chest tighten. "I have to make this right," she thought. Without even realizing it, her feet began moving toward him, faster and faster, as if they had a mind of their own.
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Shyam had just handed the cake to the old man and was securing his bag on the bike when he noticed Raitha running toward him. Her expression was a storm of emotions—sadness, embarrassment, and something else he couldn't quite place.
He stepped back in surprise, waiting for her to cross the road. Before he could say anything, she stopped in front of him and bowed deeply.
"Hey, Shyam. I'm so sorry! You're having to work because of me!"
Her words took him by surprise. He blinked, confused. For a moment, he didn't understand what she meant. But then it hit him—she thought he was working to make up for buying her the shoes.
Shyam's first reaction was a burst of laughter, but he quickly stifled it, covering his mouth with his hand. Her misunderstanding was both touching and amusing.
"Wait, wait. You think I'm working because I bought you those shoes?" His voice was soft but laced with amusement. "Well, thanks for worrying about me, but it's not like that."
Raitha looked up, her face a mix of confusion and hope.
Shyam smiled and explained. "My dad owns a cake shop. I was just delivering a cake for him. That's all. Do you want to see the shop?"
Raitha's face turned crimson—so red that even the reddest rose would pale in comparison. She wanted to crawl into a hole out of sheer embarrassment. "Why do I keep messing up like this?" she thought.
But then, she noticed his warm smile and the sincerity in his eyes. He had invited her to his dad's shop. After some hesitation, she nodded. "Sure, I'd love to."
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The cake shop was a cozy little place tucked into a quiet street corner. The aroma of freshly baked goods filled the air as they entered. Shyam's father, Aditor (a name Raitha found amusing), greeted them warmly.
"So this is Raitha," Aditor said with a knowing smile. "Shyam's told me about you."
Shyam groaned. "Dad! Stop embarrassing me."
Aditor just chuckled and handed Raitha a freshly baked cake. "Here. Try this. On the house."
Raitha took a bite, her face lighting up instantly. "This is amazing!" she exclaimed.
The two spent the afternoon talking about everything—school, their favorite books, their hobbies. For the first time in days, the awkwardness between them melted away, replaced by laughter and easy conversation.
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That night, Raitha couldn't stop smiling. She texted Shyam for hours, talking about their studies, the day they had spent together, and even a little about their future.
For the first time, she felt a little closer to him—a step closer to understanding the strange, fluttery feelings she had whenever she was around him.
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SO THEY HAVE A SHOP TOO?