The Squad

Mike's POV

As we reached the market I called josh. "Hey, Josh where are you?"

"At the entrance gate."

We met Josh and Radha at the market entrance gate.

"Guys so I want to take something for my would-be husband. What should I take?" Radha asked

"Post marriage you guys should come to my parlor I will ink matching tattoos," Josh suggested

"That's so sweet of you Josh. But I need something to gift him from the trip."

"Buy some chocolates or a watch or perhaps cologne."

Radha looked at me and replied sarcastically "How unique Mike"

"Hey, Radha. Since Lyon has a huge market for silk production why don't you buy some silk clothes for him?" Mary said

"Perfect. After marriage, we also have some customs where the newlywed couple has to sit for puja. So I will check if I can get a silk kurta."

"What is kurta?" I asked curiously

" It's a long collarless loose shirt with only 2 or 3 buttons on top." Mary told

"Ok. Let's see if we can get something like that." I told with a doubt

After checking around 6 shops for kurta we got tired.

"I am so tired. If we do not find Kurta here just get something else Radha. I swear I am not coming anywhere else." Josh said sweating and panting

As we entered the shop we saw the shop lady who looked like she is from South Asia.

Radha spoke to her in a foreign language

"Aunty Apke pas silk k kurte hai kya? ( Hi, Do you have silk kurta?"

Shop Lady replied her "Ha beta hai na. (Yes dear we have). Usually, it's hard to get silk kurta here but since we export ethnic wears to India we keep it."

" Great. I need something to gift my would-be husband. So please show something fancy."

"Sure."

The shop lady called a guy and said "Bacchae voh shadi wale kurte k collection jo banaye hai voh leke ana?" (Dear bring the kurta collection that we designed for wedding wears.)

The shop is a 2 storeyed shop. The lady signaled us to follow her on 1st storey. We went behind. As we reached the first storey we saw a mattress lying on the floor. She asks us to sit on it so that we can sit and see the kurtas.

"Wow...After walking so much I actually needed to relax a bit. This seating arrangement is great." Josh said happily

The shop lady said to us "Yes in India usually for marriage shopping it takes around 3—4 hours to select all the dresses and sarees so we have this arrangement where all can sit and select the dresses comfortably."

"wow, this is great. So do you anything in silk for girls as well?" Mary asked

"Yes, we have silk scarfs, dupatta, tops, dresses, and sarees."

"Can you show me some scarves?"

"sure."

I was glad that at least Mary's mind got distracted and she is enjoying the shopping. After around half an hour later Radha finalized a yellow colored kurta and Mary finalized a red-colored scarf.

After shopping, we went for dinner. Mary treated all of us to dinner. I insisted on paying but she told me that according to the bet she is supposed to treat. I said ok. We then came to the accommodation and sat in the living room gossiping and laughing since it was our last day in Lyon.

The next day we all left for New York. There were around 2 hours for our boarding. Radha was talking on the phone with her fiancé. Josh is talking to Katrina and her girlfriend Sophia. Me and Mary started exploring the shopping area of the airport. We went to a bookstore.

Mary was checking out a few books. I initiated the conversation.

"so?"

"So What?"

"I hope we are meeting in New York. This is not our last meeting." I said

Mary sighed and without looking at me said " Ya Mike we will definitely try to catch up however I cannot assure you. You know how busy I am with all surgeries, medical checkups, and things.

"Are you avoiding me?"

"What? Of course not. It's just I am so busy so I don't want to commit anything about the meeting."

"Even I am busy Mary. You have no idea how is it to work with the witch Alandra."

"Who is Alandra?"

"That's not important. The important thing is you are avoiding me and apart from that I feel you do not want to get attached to people and so you prefer solo traveling."

" I enjoy traveling Mike. How does attachment come here." She said moving to the other side of the shelf. I went near her and said

"That incident happened long back Mary. You cannot put your life on hold for some idiot."

"What are you talking about?"

"You are afraid of friends, relations, attachment because of the incident."

"That's absolute bullshit."

"Is it? Then why are you not looking at me while replying?"

"I am checking the books Mike."

" Don't give me this crap. You are not going to meet me and so you are avoiding me.."

Mary now closed the book and put it back on the shelf and turned towards me.

" Yes. You are right. I don't want to meet you because I like you and I don't want to get hurt again." she confessed

I was a bit shocked.

"I like you too Mary but we cannot think ahead until we meet and see how it goes."

"I am not ready for any relationship Mike."

"I understand and I respect that. We can meet as friends."

"You don't understand Mike. I can't be friends with you when I love you. I don't know how but I have fallen in love with you."

Unknowingly Mary realized what she has confessed.

"I am sorry Mike. I need to go."

I didn't know what came over me but I knew now I can't let her go. I immediately held her by her waist and pulled her in a long passionate kiss. Luckily in the row where we were exploring books, no one was there. Mary hesitated but kissed me back.

Suddenly Mary just ran from there leaving me blank and confused. The flight journey was a bit monotonous. We reached New York after 16 hrs.

As we landed and collected our luggage I met Josh and Radha. I waved them goodbye and wished Radha the best of luck for her marriage. Radha exchanged her number with us so that she can send her wedding invite. My eyes were searching for Mary who was nowhere to be seen.

" Are you looking for Mary?" Radha asked

"Yup. I thought we all will meet here." I told

"Actually she came to me in flight and told me that she has to rush hospital as she got the message that acritical case has arrived," Radha told

I then realized that I don't know where Mary works.

"Do you know in which hospital Mary works?" I asked

"I guess you guys were more close," Josh exclaimed

Only if you know dude how close I was with her a few hours back and now she is gone.

Sensing my expression Radha replied

"I am not sure about the hospital but I might take her address stating I need to send her wedding invite ."

"That would be great. Thanks." I said

"No Problem. I can see great chemistry between you guys. Hope you guys be together soon and will attend my marriage as a couple." Radha said with a wink

"Thanks"

I waved Josh and Radha goodbye and took a cab to my apartment.