I Believe in You, Nicawa-san

She nodded, snagging the paper, and stepped out, weaving through the department's hum. " Who should I bring with me? " she muttered, scanning desks. "Habi-san, maybe?" She drifted toward Oki's desk—finding it empty, chair cold. "Huh? She's not here… Now what?"

Minutes later, Ashi and Haari trekked down a bustling street, the sun painting the city gold, traffic droning low beneath pedestrian chatter. Haari lagged a step, hands in his pockets, a groan rumbling out. "Remind me again, why am I here ?"

"Mr. Patel asked me to get some supplies and told me to bring someone to make it faster," Ashi said, eyes flicking to the list. " And you were the only one not buried in work—or hiding."

"Lucky me," Haari drawled, mock-dramatic, dragging his feet.

They stopped short. "What's up?" Haari asked, brow arching.

Ashi's face fell, a sheepish twist to her lips. "I… forgot to ask where we're supposed to get this stuff."

Haari's smirk bloomed, quick and sly. "Well, if that's the case… let's go to the mall."

"The mall?" Ashi balked, hesitating as they neared an escalator. "Isn't that overkill? Too pricey?"

"So what?" Haari shrugged, stepping onto the moving stairs. "Patel didn't specify, and it's coming from the company's funds anyway."

"I know, but…" Ashi lingered, doubt creasing her brow.

"C'mon already," he said, giving her a light nudge—enough to make her stumble, sigh, and trail him up, resigned but curious.

The mall's cool air hit them like a wave, a sharp break from the sticky heat outside. Glass storefronts stretched endless, lights glinting off polished floors. Haari glanced back, hands still pocketed. "which store are we looking for?"

Ashi glanced at the list… then at the sea of storefronts… then back at the list.

"…I have no idea."

Ashi squinted at the list, then up at the sprawling storefronts, a sea of signs and glass. "I have no idea."

"Give me the list that the bold head gave you." Haari said, holding out a hand, smirk already forming.

Ashi blinked, caught off-guard. "Bold head?"

Haari snickered, eyes glinting."Patel. Didn't you notice how his head shines?"

Her frown deepened, a scolding edge creeping in. "Kichiro-san, you can't call him that—he's our manager!"

"Relax, he's not here to hear it," Haari shot back, snagging the paper from her grip. He scanned it, head tilting. "Alright, let's start looking."

They wove through the mall's maze—past gleaming displays, chattering crowds, and the occasional whiff of perfume or pretzels. Ashi trailed Haari's loose stride, her eyes darting between the list and the shops, while he ambled like it was a Sunday stroll. A stationary store yielded pens and notepads; an electronics nook coughed up cables. Bit by bit, the bags piled up.

Loaded down, Haari glanced her way, a grin tugging his lips. "Nicawa-san, how about we grab some food while we're at it?"

Ashi's gaze flicked to the food court—tables buzzing, trays clattering, scents of fry oil and spices thick in the air. "We're supposed to be working," she said, voice tight with duty.

"Don't worry. It's not like anyone's going to check up on us," Haari countered, light and unbothered. "Quick bite, then we're gone. C'mon."

She hesitated, chewing her lip, then sighed. "Fine—but fast, okay?" She fell into step as he led the way, bags swinging.

The cool mall air hummed around them, a faint echo of escalators whirring as they aimed for the chaos of the food court.

They claimed a wobbly table in the food court, the air thick with fry grease and chatter, menu boards glowing overhead. Haari propped an elbow on the edge, scanning options. "What're you getting?"

"Noodles," Ashi said, decisive, peering at the bustling counters.

They ordered quick—noodles for her, a burger for him—and settled in as the crowd hummed around them. Talk drifted easy, the clatter of trays fading to background noise. 

As they waited for their food, the conversation turned casual. Ashi leaned forward, curious. "Hm, home… actually, I wasn't born in Chandigarh." 

Her head tilted, eyes narrowing. "Wait—what? You're not from Chandigarh?"

He shrugged, casual. "Nope. I'm from Punjab, actually."

""Punjab? Really?!" Ashi's voice spiked, excitement flashing as she straightened up, nearly knocking her food. "The Punjab?"

Haari blinked, startled by her sudden fire. "Yeah, I came to Chandigarh for studies, but after graduation, I started job hunting with my friends. Luckily, I got a job here, while they had to move elsewhere."

"You mean you're from the same Punjab that's also known as 'The Land of Five Rivers'?" she pressed, eyes twinkling like she'd cracked a treasure map.

"Yeah…their is only one Punjab in india" He leaned back, a half-smile tugging. "you seem really excited about it," 

"Why wouldn't I be?!" Ashi burst out, hands waving. " I've always wanted to visit places like the Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, Wagah Border, Sheesh Mahal—I've been dying to see it all! There are so many places I want to explore in Punjab."

Haari chuckled, low and warm. "Slow down, Nicawa-san—you're about to climb the table."

"I've read so much about Punjab. It's known by many names—Sapta Sindhu, Pentapotamia, Panchnada, Brahma Vrata, and even India's Bread Basket! I never imagined you'd be from Punjab—I thought you were a local."

"Never said I was," he said, shrugging again. "Just didn't broadcast it."

She leaned closer, elbows on the table, grin wide. "So… when are you taking me?"

"Huh?" Haari froze, burger halfway to his mouth " To where."

"You know… to Punjab." she said, like it was obvious. " You'll take me there, won't you?" 

"Well…" He faltered, caught in her glow.

"It's my dream, Kichiro-san," she said, voice softening, eyes big and pleading. "Please?"

He sighed, setting the burger down, a reluctant smile breaking through. "Okay, I'll take you to Punjab on our long weekend," 

"Really?!" Her face lit up, bright as the neon signs outside.

"Yeah, I promise" he said, sincerity slipping in. "I'll help you make your dream come true," 

Ashi's cheeks flushed pink, her smile widening. "Thank you, Kichiro-san! Oh—and while we're at it, I wanna see your hometown too."

Haari's face drained, eyes widening. "What…?"

"What's wrong?" she teased, leaning in, voice lilting. "You can take me home, right? I'd love to meet your parents."

He shot up, chair scraping loud. "Nicawa-san, don't you think we've been here too long?"

Ashi jolted, the errand snapping back. "Oh—crap, I forgot!"

They grabbed their bags, ready to bolt, but Haari's stride faltered near a glowing ice cream stand. Scoops plopped into cones, the air sweet and cool, tugging him in. He turned to Ashi, a grin sparking, dark eyes glinting. "How about some ice cream now?" 

She glanced at her watch, frowning soft. "Kichiro-san, we're already late."

"It'll be quick," he said, already drifting toward the stand, not waiting for her okay.

Ashi sighed—half-exasperated, half-amused—shaking her head but trailing him. The stand blazed with colors: chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, mint. Haari snagged a double scoop—chocolate and vanilla, towering high. Ashi picked a modest strawberry cup, spoon in hand.

They stood amid the food court's buzz—shoppers chattering, bags rustling—savoring their treats. Then Ashi's eyes snagged on a giant ad plastered across a board: Food Competition – Taste the Challenge! Her steps slowed, spoon hovering, lips parting. That looks… fun, she thought, grip tightening on her cup.

Haari caught her stare, mid-lick, and followed it to the flyer. "Wanna join?" he asked, casual, ice cream dripping slightly.

She flinched, flustered, caught dreaming. "I-I was just looking!" she stammered, shoving a heaping spoonful into her mouth, pink tingeing her cheeks again.

Haari's smirk lingered, sly but gentle, though he let her flustered dodge slide. After finishing their desserts. Haari suddenly turned toward her. "You go ahead, Nicawa-san. I'll catch up with you later."

Ashi's brow creased, spoon still in hand. "Why?"

"There's something I need to take care of," he said, voice light but edged with a flicker of secrecy, eyes dodging hers.

She squinted, trying to peel back his vagueness, but he waved her off, hand flapping lazy. "Okay…" she said, skepticism lingering, "just don't dawdle for too long."

Back at the office, Ashi nudged open Patel's door, bags rustling as she set the supplies on his desk. Patel glanced up, relief softening his tired eyes. "Here's everything you asked for, sir."

"Thanks, Miss Ashi—huge help," he said, nudging his glasses up, a faint smile breaking through.

She returned it, warm and easy. "No need to thank me. We work for the same company, so it's only natural to help each other out."

They swapped a few quick words—work, before she slipped out, settling at her desk. Her pen tapped a restless rhythm, thoughts snagging on that food competition flyer. Should I go for it? Excitement tangled with nerves, a quiet thrill bubbling up.

Rafta ambled over, hands in his pockets, a grin teasing his lips. "Ah, Nicawa-san—did you happen to see Haari anywhere?"

She looked up, pen pausing. "Oh, Kichiro-san? He's still at the mall."

His brow arched, curious. "At the mall? Why?"

"Mr. Patel asked me to pick up some supplies, so I invited Kichiro-san to come along," she said, shrugging. "On the way back, he said he had something to take care of. He should be back soon, though. Did you need something?"

"No, it's alright, it wasn't that important," Rafta said, scratching his neck, grin fading to a lazy shrug.

He drifted off, leaving her to her tapping pen and the competition tugging at her mind.

Haari burst in minutes later, slightly winded, hair mussed like he'd run through a gale, a faint smudge streaking his sleeve. "Sorry I'm late," he huffed, scanning the office, catching his breath"Got caught up with a few things at the mall."

Ashi shot him a sidelong glance, curiosity prickling, but let it slide. "It's fine. By the Densi-san was looking for you—but it wasn't anything urgent."

He exhaled, shoulders loosening. "Good to know. Let's get to work, then."

The day wound down, the office thinning out—chairs empty, screens dark. Ashi stretched at her desk, bag half-packed, the hum of distant traffic seeping through the window, laced with fading coworker laughs. She slung her strap over her shoulder when Haari's voice cut through. "Nicawa-san."

She turned, head tilting. "Hm?"

He stepped up, pulling a small folded paper from his pocket and holding it out. "Here."

Ashi took it, fingers brushing the edges, brow creasing. "What's this?"

He shoved his hands in his pockets, watching her closely. "A ticket for the food competition. I noticed you were interested earlier, so I went ahead and registered you."

Her eyes popped wide, breath catching. "Wait—seriously? You did this for me?"

"Yeah," he said, shrugging like it was nothing. "I thought you'd want to participate."

Ashi stared at the ticket, grip tightening, doubt flickering. "I-I don't know… My cooking isn't anything special. It's just something my grandma taught me when I was a kid. I don't have any formal training."

Haari tilted his head, a faint smile tugging. "Nicawa-san, you bring me lunch almost every day, and it's unreal every time. The care, the flavor—you've got skill. It's worth showing off."

Her lips parted, uncertainty wavering as his words sank in. "But… what if I'm not good enough? What if my dishes don't compare to the others?"

His smile steadied, voice low but sure. "Your dishes are already amazing. This competition isn't about being the best—it's about sharing something you love. I believe in you, Nicawa-san. And I know you'll do great."

A warm flush crept up her chest. Sharing what I love… She looked up, eyes softening, searching his. "You really think so?"

"Dead sure," he said, grin widening, eyes glinting bright. "You've already proven your talent. This is just your chance to shine even brighter. I'll help you prepare, and we'll make sure you're ready."

A small, airy laugh slipped out, her nerves easing into something lighter. "Thank you, Kichiro-san. If you're that confident in me, I'll do it. Can't waste this after you went out of your way."

"Awesome!" Haari's grin flashed full, excitement sparking. "Let's get rolling—you're gonna shine."

The next day, Ashi perched on the bench beside Haari, her lunch box untouched on her lap, fingers fussing with its edges. Her gaze stretched far, locked on the hazy horizon, thoughts swirling behind her eyes.

Haari chewed slow, swallowing a bite before glancing her way. "What's up, Nicawa-san? You good?" His tone stayed light, but a thread of worry wove through.

She blinked, jolted back, forcing a quick smile. "Oh—it's nothing." Her eyes darted off again, the smile fading. "Just… kinda nervous about the competition."