Page 260 - Half Girlfriend
P. 260

Shailesh gave me a sarcastic smile.

                Jyoti took the cream cheese and applied it on three bagels. I took a
           sip of black coffee.
                ‘Anyway, guys, I’m sorry I lost control. I hurt you guys, after all

           you have done for me. Enough is enough. No more visiting live music

           venues.’
                ‘Really? Promise?’ Shailesh took a bite of his bagel.

                ‘Yes. I want to finish my final report. I want to see a bit more of
           New York, even though it’s snowing and cold. More than anything, I

           want to spend my remaining free time with you both, because who
           knows when we will meet again.’

                Jyoti smiled. She looked at Shailesh, gesturing for him to forgive
           me.

                ‘And if Priya is brave enough to meet me once more, I will
           apologize to her, too.’

                Shailesh stood up. He came around to give me a bear hug.

                'Is it okay? Say something,’ I said to him.
                ‘Idiot you are, what else to say?’ Shailesh smiled.
                Bye, Riya Somoni, I said in my head.

                                                            *

                ‘What size? Speak louder, I can’t hear you,’ I said to my mother
           over the phone.

                I had come to a store called Century 21 to buy gifts for people back
           home.

                ‘Take large size, and get me a cardigan with buttons,’ she said.
                I had brought candies for the entire school. It was not the smartest

           idea. I now needed a new suitcase just to carry the treats.
                ‘Cardigan is done. Do you need anything else?’

                ‘I need some bras. I heard you get good ones there.’
                ‘Bye, Ma.’

                                                            *
                One week before the internship ended, I handed over my final

           report to Olara.
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