BAREFOOTED

Chapter 3

Megha was doubled over her work table, trying to carefully attach a green Malachite gemstone at the center of the triple butterfly front of the footwear.

She had neatly lined the edges of the scalloped heel cage with tiny similar colored sequins and the result was a stunning pair of white and green shoes with Louise heels that took your breath away.

She felt good.

Her back twinged and she unconsciously rolled up, straightened and stretched up her hands to ease the pain. She was right on schedule and it meant she could afford a little time out – it was Saturday after all and her friends had been pestering her to join them for a few hours in the evening. Her father and Dhruv would be back only tomorrow - it was his way of ensuring his daughter would make an effort to step out and meet her friends. Besides, the rest of the week was going to be insanely busy with her son starting school.

There was a light tap on the door and she turned to see Ruchi peep in hesitantly when she called out 'enter'.

"You want me to cook anything special for dinner Ma?"

Ruchi always addressed her as 'Ma'. Considering she was only a few years older, it felt weird but her father had told her to just accept it. She was a slightly built woman with heavily oiled thick black hair worn in a tight braid. Her husband managed the farm and it helped that they lived close by, especially when Megha needed a baby sitter at odd hours while she worked on shoes.

"It's okay....I'm planning to go out Ruchi."

"Okay. Want me to stay the night?" she asked with concern in her voice.

"No....I'll be okay, I'll probably stay back at Archie's place. Thanks anyway."

Ruchi nodded, "I'll turn on the lights later. There are some noodles in the fridge if you get hungry. Call if you need me?"

Megha smiled gratefully and followed her out of her workroom.

What would they do without Ruchi?

Probably starve and live in a pigsty.

She dialed Archie's number.

"You'd better not be canceling," she growled without a hello and Megha laughed.

"I'll be there. Dad and Dhruv have gone to my uncle's for the weekend and I think I've seen enough shoes for a while."

"Nice to know we come in at least third – that too after your bloody shoes!"

"Where shall I meet you?" she asked ignoring her friend's sarcastic comment.

"Come home? And dress nice....we're going to a new and happening pub. You don't want to feel like my mother when you sit next to me."

Megha's eyes narrowed at the deliberate taunt.

"Oh yeah? Just you wait young lady....," she hissed into the phone as Archie's laughter filled the phone.

Megha threw her phone beside her keys and pulled open her closet. Most of her clothes were casual. Pulling out a white top with thin delicate spaghetti straps, she smiled to herself. She was really looking forward to actually sitting down with her two friends and enjoying a lazy evening.

After a quick shower, she pulled on a long flowing brightly printed skirt to go with the plain white top. The cropped black jacket matched the pair of boots that encased her feet and her shimmering long black curls tumbled below her shoulders after a long toothed comb was run through them. Turning to look in the mirror, she felt pleased. She knew her feet would kill her for imprisoning them but she wanted to look good. The gold hoops on her ears and the dark kohl on her eyes made her look gypsy-like and she grinned back at her reflection before strutting out of her room.