The girl in the mirror

chapter 7

"Oh I'm sorry-". I freeze when I meet those familiar honey eyes.

"Ashwin!".

"Eve!".

We both stare at each other. Oh my god. He's here like actually here.

"Hey" I say slowly, still in shock.

He continues to stare at me "hey wow you're um really here" he finally says. he looks around "You're here alone?".

"Yeah I told poppa and auntie I would be fine. the market isn't that big".

Ashwin frowns "You shouldn't go places alone, it's dangerous".

"Okay now you sound like Poppa. I'm going to be fine".

"Still I don't like the idea of you being alone". His eyes light up. They always do when he gets an idea. "Well you know Anshia would kill if she found out that I left you alone...so for my safety and yours let's look around together".

Ashwin POV

Someone bumped into my back. "Oh I'm sorry-" The person was saying sorry when I turned to look at them. My eyes grew wide. It's her. It's really her.

"Ashwin!"

"Eve!"

My mind went blank as I stared at her. We have never been this close before then again we never met in real life before. My heart is racing. I put on a straight face like seeing her in person doesn't make me all warm inside. When she tells me she's alone I frown.

She can't be here alone; there are way too many people with bad intentions. I can't let anything bad happen to her and I want to spend time with her...alone. I made some stupid excuse about Anshia. I mean there is some truth that Anshia would kill me but I'm not afraid of her... maybe a little but that doesn't matter.

"Come on I know the best places" I take her hand and lead her through the crowd.

Eve POV

The streets are bursting with people. The smell of spices and street food makes my mouth water. I hate crowds. I glance at Ashwin's hand. It feels warm and comforting. I hate crowds but with him there it doesn't seem that bad.

"You want something?"

"Oh no it's fine".

He rolls his eyes and walks over to a puri stall. "Hey can we get two aloo puris"

"Ashwin. It's fine you dont need to buy me food". He looks me dead in the eye and hands the stall owner the money "Oops too late. you're not going to waste food are you?". A smirk spreads across his face. An annoying yet very handsome one.

"Okay stop looking so worried besides I know you love aloo puri" he says.

"How do you know that?".

"um like cause um just eat it " he stutters. He shoves the puri in my hand.

I take a bite. "Mmmmm". I was in heaven. Ashwin brushes my hair behind my ear " Be careful you don't want hair in your mouth". " Oh um thank you". I shyly continue to nibble on my food while we both roam the market. I notice he keeps taking glances at me. Weird but I don't mind. We make our way to the jewellery stalls.

"Aren't you meant to be in school?" I ask.

"Well I took a couple of days off. I have to practice for my dance recital".

I smirk "So being at the market is practising?".

He gives a playful smile "I need inspiration from the people to channel into my performance". "Sure whatever you say".

"I'm hurt , why don't you believe me". He puts his hand over his heart. I elbow him "Stop being dramatic". We giggle as we continue our way to the jewellery stalls.

I noticed his eyes seemed to linger at the stall full of necklaces . Anisha mentioned that Ashwin loves necklaces. I nudged him and gestured to him, " Let's check out that place". I grab his sleeve and pull him along. The stall displays all kinds of necklaces and earrings. The golden beads shine so brilliantly in the sun. My gaze is transfixed at them. Ashwin starts inspecting a necklace. It's a golden chain with a pendant. The pendant with a star design.

"You like that one?" I ask. He continues to stare at it. Then he looks at me then back at the necklace. "Yeah I do". The gentle smile comes back on his face. "You should smile more like that, You look cute when you do". Oh my God what did I just say. He slowly blinks "You really think so?". Words just came spilling out of my mouth.

"Of course you do What an idiot would think you're not". He rubs his neck and his mouth spreads into a huge smile. His eyes shine like the gold in the stall "Thank you. You're the first person who said that to me". My face heats up. "Um, let's go over there" I pointed at a random toy stall.

Ashwin POV

I'm screaming inside. My mind is a jumbled mess. She finds my smile cute. Omg she finds my smile cute. I can't stop smiling now. She got embarrassed so she headed towards a random stall. How cute. I have to tease her more. Oh wait, I didn't get that necklace. That would have suited her so much. Ugh I'll get it when we head back. I'll just follow her lead for now.