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After breakfast, everyone scattered into their own busy lives—Nana heading off to open his clock repair shop, and Nani preparing for her shift at the daycare center. I had been there with her a few times when her hours were flexible. Watching the little kids play was sweet, though it tugged at me when they cried as their parents left. But as Nani always said, it was part of growing up, part of making a life out of life.
I headed upstairs too. There wasn't much for me to do until Nani returned around 5 and Nana around 7. Plenty of time to rot in bed with a TV show or a book. I opted for the show—anime, specifically—because holding a book too long sounded like a cramp waiting to happen.
After bingeing ten episodes of anime, the doorbell rang, pulling me out of my cocoon. Begrudgingly, I dragged myself downstairs, muttering, "Who the hell is it now?"
When I opened the door, there stood Rishi, looking like he hadn't slept in a week, complete with eye bags bigger than my existential crisis. But there he was, grinning like a moron, acting as if the dark circles under his eyes were the new fashion statement.
"Well, hello there, Mira," he said, his voice too smug for someone who looked like a sleep-deprived raccoon.
I blinked, caught between shock and disbelief. "Sup?" I deadpanned, not even attempting to hide my annoyance. Did he seriously show up at my door when I was mid-shounen anime marathon? What kind of evil was this?
"Not even a 'come on in'? Juhi aunty would be heartbroken if she knew her sweet granddaughter didn't offer me the royal treatment," he teased, clearly enjoying himself way too much.
I crossed my arms, glaring. "State your business, peasant, or be gone."
With an exaggerated sigh, he raised his hands like a criminal caught in the act. "Your dear Nani asked me to take you out for lunch."
I blinked again.
What?
Lunch with Rishi?
That made no sense-
"Are you sure she didn't lose her mind somewhere between making parathas and packing her daycare bag?"
"I'm not a doctor, but she seemed pretty sane when she gave me the instructions. I mean, it's not every day I get such a prestigious task," he said, grinning as if I should be honored.
My patience was wearing thin. "Why would she do this? She was perfectly sane this morning, and now she's sending you to take me out?"
"Hey, I'm just following orders here," he said, shrugging dramatically. "You can call and confirm if you think I'm lying, but I promise, I've got nothing but pure intentions." He put on his most innocent face, which, frankly, was even more suspicious.
I rolled my eyes but stepped aside. "Fine, get in. But don't touch anything."
Rishi swaggered in like he owned the place, heading straight for the couch, where he proceeded to mess up the cushions. I almost growled. "So, where are we going, oh gracious one?" he called from the couch, lounging like a king.
