Tethered

Tied

27th of September 2024
Scene 1: The narrow streets of Udaipur

The sun was setting over Lake Pichola, casting golden reflections on the water. Aarushi, a 25-year-old tourist, wandered through Udaipur's narrow alleys. The city's charm had drawn her in, and she had strayed far from the bustling markets.

Born and raised in Delhi, she barely knew the city of Udaipur, the streets completely being stranger to her, her feet paced inconsistently. 3 steps forward and another glance at the map. A city mural draws her attention, admiring the beauty of the city's art, and a shadow lurks behind her. She instantly turns around to see a guy in an apron prowling after a cat, making its escape from the store after stealing a can of fish. The guy, in stealth, plans to ambush the cat, who's about to uncan the fish inside. Aarushi observing all of this, signals the guy to wait until the cat lowers its guard.

Aarushi: *with a low tone* NOW!

[The guy quickly jumps over the cat but it manages to fly off the scene and he hits the ground hard]

The guy in the apron : *in audible pain*that's gonna hurt me for a while.

Aarushi: *holding her laughter* stand up already, I won't be able to hold my laugh for long before it bursts out. *Covers her mouth to hide her laughter*

The guy in the apron: *a little embarrassed* maybe a hand instead of laughing at my misfortune?

Closes what seemed to be a diary and puts it inside her bag.

Aarushi: *approaches the guy* what makes you think I'll have sympathy for a stranger?

The guy in the apron smiled sheepishly as Aarushi extended her hand to help him up. His warm, rugged grip contrasted with his embarrassment.

The guy in the apron: I'm Manjeet, by the way. I work here.

Aarushi: *playfully* A butcher, huh?

Manjeet: *grinning* Not exactly. I just stock shelves and, as you saw, chase down thieving cats.

Aarushi couldn't help but laugh, her guard lowering slightly. She glanced at the mural again, a strange sense of calm washing over her in this unfamiliar city.

Aarushi: I'm Aarushi. Just exploring.

Manjeet: *smirking* And helping strangers fall flat on their faces, apparently.

They shared a brief laugh, the chemistry between them immediate but subtle. It felt natural. Manjeet watched as she turned to leave, something pulling him to speak.

Manjeet: Hey, there's a cafe just down the street. How about I buy you a coffee to make up for.... well, this?

Aarushi hesitated, looking at her phone and then back at him. For some reason, she nodded. "Sure, why not?"

Scene 2: Cafe by the Lake Pichola,
[Late Evening]

As they sat in the cozy cafe overlooking the serene Lake Pichola, conversation flowed easily. Manjeet spoke about his small life in Udaipur, the quiet comfort of routine, and how he had never really left the city. He mentioned a woman "Neha" who he had been close to, a woman he thought was "the one" until she suddenly left for a job overseas.

Manjeet: *looking distant* She just vanished one day. Said she got an offer abroad, and she left. But, what keeps me wondering is, she was a very dependent girl, always asking me to do things for her, sometimes helpless. Emotionally vulnerable. She had big dreams, but, for someone like her to just settle somewhere faraway on her own, it just doesn't click for me.

Aarushi tilts her head slightly, displaying confusion on her face.

Aarushi: Maybe she didn't like how dependent she was on you, Maybe she just moved on. Happens all the time.