"We're closed for the day, we are moving ti a different location," a lady came running as the two opened the door.
"But I see someone inside," Sony pointed out.
"That's our business client," the lady replied immediately. Naila did notice a BMW SUV parked in front of the customer parking spot. Naila nodded and pulled Sony's hand.
"Let's go," she said.
"But," Sony wanted that filter coffee badly.
"Sony they are closed, we will go else where, come," Naila walked, pulling Sony's hand.
Sony after they left. The client stepped out. Naila could hear the doorbell clinging as the door was opened and the chat st the distant but she did not care to look back. And a minute later, the BMW drove past her.
Naila took Sony to another cafe that served decent coffee.
Sony ordered a latte for Naila and a flatwhite for herself.
After an hour of chitchats and school gossip, Sony and Naila stepped out of the cafe. She noticed that the BMW was back at the filter coffee cafe they wanted to go to. To her surprise someone walked out and turned towards her.
Naila panicked for no reason. She turned around immediately and she had no idea why she had done that. She turned around with the intention to hide but she did not have a clue why she felt like that.
'What is he doing here?' She wondered. But he had already noticed her. He looked at her.
"Let me lock the door and we'll go," the lady who owns that cafe started locking the door.
The tallest guy waited patiently.
"The bus has not come, has it?" The lady asked Sony.
"No we're still waiting, I guess it's running late today," Sony replied.
"Probably," lady replied. "Thank god he offered to drive," the lady said smiling at the man standing next to the luxury car.
"Where are you shifting to?" Sony asked. "I will miss your coffee," she added.
"Heard about that township on the other side of the valley? Like 10 kilometers from here,?"
"Oh yes! Of course. I live after that place," Sony said immediately.
'It's inside there. A lot of cafes are opening inside for the residents. I will get a lot more customers there than here."
"Are the units sold out?" Sony was curious.
"Yes all the 200 villas are sold out." Sony was shocked.
"Oh my, so that many families and people will move in. God this place is going to be crowded."
"A lot of people are from this valley itself," The lady kept talking.
Naila felt so blank, letting the conversation drift past her as a knot of dread twisted in her chest.
'Why is he here?'Crossing paths yesterday was surprising enough, but seeing him again today fels like an ambush. Just why? I have not done anything wrong'. She had no idea how to face him without giving everything away.
Needing a shield, she pulled out her phone and scrolled frantically through meaningless screens, desperately willing herself to look occupied. He watched her, his mouth tugged into a smile but trying to hid it. He had caught her act immediately, amused by just how hard she was trying to disappear.
"Son, can you drop these two ladies along with me, we all appear to be travelling towards same direction?" the lady tried to convince him.
"Hey, that's fine," Naila replied immediately.
"That's a good idea," Sony opposed it.
"Sony the bus will be here soon," Naila said, smiling at her.
"Car will be more comfortable, I'm hurt anyway, I would rather have a comfortable ride than walk and climb," Sony disagreed.
"I don't mind it," the guy said. "Hop on," he said and unlocked the door. It looked like Sony had no idea the guy. She has forgotten about seeing him with Naila the day before at the Christmas market.
'Thank god she does not remember him from yesterday. Think she didn't see his face itself yesterday,' Naila thought and badly wanted to believe like that. Naila and Sony got in at the back.
"What's your name?" Sony asked the guy.
"Luke," he replied.
"I'm Sony," Sony introduced herself. "This is my colleague Naila, she is new around here," Sony said.
"You live here?" Luke asked looking at Naila through the mirror with a surprised expression.
"Yes, like I said, two stops after the township," Sony replied thinking he asked her. "She is the school dorm." Sony answered for Naila.
'Shut up Sony,' Naila wanted to say but remained quiet.
"Naila seem very quiet," the cafe lady said.
"Corret," Luke agreed to it. Naila looked at him.
"Weird. She is not usually this silent. What happened? Not feeling well?" Sony asked.
"I'm fine. Just enjoying the ride. I have never come to this side. It looks pretty," Naila said.
"Luke, listen, is it ok to visit the township and just roam? I would like to see what it's like inside," Sony asked suddenly.
"Oh, that's possible but only if you have the gate pass. Only resident's have that. And if you're visiting any resident, you can get a temporary pass from them," Luke explained.
"So I can't then," Sony sounded disappointed.
"No you can," he said looking through the mirror again at Naila. "I will pre-approve an entry with your name, if you would like to visit today," Luke said. "Or just tag along, I'm going home anyway, with Aunt Mary to drop her at the cafe complex. You don't need approval."
"You live there?" Sony asked. She sounded shocked.
"Yes, I recently moved in," he replied.
"That's awesome and it would be great if you can do it," Sony immediately sounded excited. "Let's walk around there Naila. It's something new here. Everyone is curious about these villas but entry is restricted. Let's go see once," Sony added.
"Is it necessary? I have to make sure you're home, report it to coordinator and return back," Naila said.
"There is still plenty of time and it doesn't hurt much now, let's try. They cannot watch us anyway now, let us enjoy this day off. We hardly get any," Sony insisted. Naila sighed and sat staring outside again.
"What happened?" Aunty Mary asked.
"I was almost attacked by a wild pig yesterday night, on my way to the bus stop and luckily Naila was around to help me," Sony explained.
"What were you two doing near the woods?" Luke sounded concerned.
"Someone did not take me along with them to the Christmas market and asked me to go home and i went alone then it happened," Sony nudged Naila and it was slightly stronger than intended which hurt Naila's harm.
"Oww..," Naila made a slight sound in pain. Luke looked back immediately, slowing the car a little.
"Sorry, sorry, I did not mean to," Sony apologised quickly.
"It's ok, it's ok," Naila reacted immediately and looked outside immediately avoiding Luke's gaze. Luke was smiling again and drove a bit faster this time. Naila felt really nauseous this time around the hairpin bends and he has no idea about it.