☘︎The eyes, the sparkle of eyes when someone smiles, are enough to cage a heart in love for the rest of one's life☘︎

Aniket pushed Chandra’s shoulder, "Bro, stop sitting like a grandpa, we are getting late."

He stretched, "Fuck the shit."

Aniket frustratingly said, "At least change your shirt, you look like you haven’t slept in days."

"I don’t care. I am not going to just deal with her drama."

"Just wish her, give the gift, take free drinks, and get out."

"Then why don’t you both go? She likes you guys, right?"

"Chandra, we are just scared she will start crying and pull some crazy stunt like ‘He doesn’t wish me, what will I do with my life’ with a fruit-cutting-knife.”

"Disgusting. You both seriously know how to ruin my mood."

Vivan sighed, shaking his head. “Chandra, just get up, man. It’s not a big deal. Just wish her and leave.”

Aniket crossed his arms. “Yeah, dude. If you don’t go, she might start crying and then—”

Chandra groaned, slamming his book shut. “Crying, drama, suicide threats. What is wrong with you guys? Why are we friends with her?”

Vivan smirked. “She’s your friend, bro. We just got dragged into this mess.”

Aniket chuckled. “Yeah, and now we’re dragging you. Let’s go. Ten minutes. Just wish her, give the gift, and we’re free.”

Chandra rolled his eyes.“Fine. But if she cries, I’m leaving immediately.”

Vivan grinned. “Deal. Now, change your shirt. You look like a retired grandpa.”

Chandra glared at him.“This is my comfort shirt.”

Aniket patted his back. “Comfort later, survival first. Let’s go.”

They stepped out, the night air cool against their skin. Chandra stuffed his hands in his pockets. “If she hugs me, I swear I’m punching someone.”

Vivan laughed."Not before you get us those free drinks."

They arrived at the party around 9:30 PM. The cake-cutting was already done, and loud music filled the house. People were laughing, drinking, and dancing, but in one corner, the birthday girl sat with smudged eyeliner and a tissue clutched in her hand.

Chandra barely stepped inside when she spotted him. Her eyes widened, and within seconds, she ran straight at him.

“Oh, fuck,” he muttered, trying to step back, but it was too late.

She threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his torso in the clingiest way possible, pressing her entire weight against him. The scent of vanilla perfume and cheap vodka filled his nose.

“Chandraaa,” she whined into his chest. “You came! I thought you wouldn’t, and …” She sniffled dramatically. “I was so heartbroken.”

Chandra stood stiff, his hands awkwardly hovering above her back. “Yeah, uh… happy birthday?”

She tightened her grip. “I missed you soooo much. Do you even care about me anymore?”

Aniket and Vivan exchanged amused glances, barely holding in their laughter. Aniket mouthed, You’re screwed.

Chandra exhaled sharply. “Shalini, can you …” He lightly patted her back, trying to pry her off. “Can you let go?”

She pulled back just enough to look up at him with teary eyes. “Why are you so mean to me?”

Vivan stepped in, shoving the gift box into her hands. “Here. We got this for you. Happy birthday.”

Shalini gasped, eyes flickering between the gift and Chandra. “Did you pick this, Chandu?”

Chandra sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Yeah, sure. Now can you—”

Before he could finish, she let out a small squeal and hugged him again, this time tighter. “You do care! Oh my god, you still care!”

Aniket turned away, covering his face to hide his laughter, while Vivan grabbed a drink from a passing tray and whispered, “This is better than I expected.”

Chandra clenched his jaw. One hug. Just one hug, and I’m done. But the way she clung to him, he had a feeling this was going to take much longer.

Chandra stood frozen, every muscle in his body tense as Shalini clung to him like a koala. He shot a desperate look at Aniket and Vivan, but they were too busy enjoying the show.

"Shalini," he said, voice flat, "let go."

"But!"

"Let. Go."

She finally loosened her grip, stepping back just enough to look up at him with a pout. "Why are you always so cold to me?"

Chandra exhaled sharply. "Because every time I talk to you, you either cry or pull some weird emotional stunt."

Her bottom lip trembled. "That is so mean, Chandu."

Aniket nudged Vivan. "Two minutes in, and she’s already on the verge of tears. New record?"

Vivan grinned. "I’d say top three moments, at least."

Shalini shot them both a glare, then turned back to Chandra with big, watery eyes. "I don’t do weird emotional stunts."

Chandra crossed his arms. "Last year, you threatened to faint because I didn’t text you at midnight."

"That was different!"

"And the year before that, you said you’d ‘never be happy again’ if I didn’t dance with you at your birthday party."

Shalini stomped her foot. "Chandra, stop making me look crazy in front of everyone!"

"You are crazy," Aniket muttered under his breath.

She ignored him, grabbing Chandra’s arm. "Listen, I don’t care if you’re mad at me. I just want to know one thing…"

Chandra raised a brow. "What now?"

"Do you still care about me?"

Chandra closed his eyes, inhaling deeply, counting to ten, don’t lose it, don’t lose it…

Vivan sipped his drink, watching with pure amusement. "Bro, just say yes, and we can all go home."

Chandra groaned. "Fine. Yes. Happy? Can I go now?"

Shalini’s face lit up. "You really do?!"

"No, but if I say no, you’ll cry harder, and I don’t want to deal with that."

Her expression shattered like a dropped mirror.

Aniket bit his lip. "Ohhh, he did not just say that."

Shalini's breath hitched, her face scrunching up. The second she started sniffling, Chandra turned around. "I’m leaving."

"Nooo, Chandra, wait … " She grabbed his wrist, and before anyone could react, she slumped dramatically onto the floor.

Gasps filled the room. A few guests turned their heads. The music was still blasting, but suddenly, people were watching.

Vivan choked on his drink. "Dude, did she just?"

Aniket's jaw dropped. "She really collapsed? Oh my god."

Chandra closed his eyes and took a deep, deep breath. "This is why I didn’t want to come."

For a moment, there was silence. Then "Oh my god! Shalini!" someone shrieked.

People rushed over. A girl knelt beside her, shaking her gently. "Babe, are you okay?"

Chandra stood there, arms crossed, his face completely blank. "She’s fine."

"She literally collapsed!" another girl glared at him. "What the hell did you do to her?"

Aniket leaned closer to Vivan. "Should we act concerned or just let this play out?"

Vivan sipped his drink. "I’m here for the drama. Let’s see where this goes."

Meanwhile, on the floor, Shalini let out a shaky breath, her eyelashes fluttering dramatically. "I… I don’t feel good…"

Someone handed her a glass of water. "Drink this, babe."

Chandra pinched the bridge of his nose. "Shalini, get up."

"I c-can’t," she whispered weakly. "My heart… it hurts."

Aniket turned away, biting his lip to keep from laughing. Vivan wasn’t even trying anymore.

Shalini made a small whimpering sound, looking up at Chandra with teary eyes. "You don’t even care, do you?"

Chandra exhaled, staring down at her. "No, Shalini. I don’t. Now, either get up, or I’m stepping over you."

Gasps. Shocked whispers. Someone muttered, "Dude, that’s so heartless."

Shalini’s lip trembled. "You used to care," she whispered, voice broken.

Chandra rubbed his temples. "I used to believe you wouldn’t pull shit like this, but clearly, I was wrong."

Silence.

Then loud, ugly crying. Mascara running down her face. People awkwardly shuffled away, unsure whether to comfort her or pretend they didn’t see anything.

Aniket finally lost it, letting out a snort of laughter. "Bro, you actually broke her."

Vivan clapped a hand on Chandra’s shoulder. "Mission accomplished. Let’s go."

Shalini suddenly grabbed Chandra’s leg. "No! Please don’t leave me like this!"

Chandra looked up at the ceiling as if asking God, "Why me?"

"Shalini." His voice was slow, tired. "Let. Go."

"No! You walking away will destroy me!"

"You’ll live."

"No, I won’t!"

Aniket was laughing so hard he had to lean on Vivan for support. "Dude, this is better than any movie."

Chandra took a deep breath. Then, with zero hesitation, he lifted his leg. And walked.

Shalini lost her grip and flopped onto the floor with a soft thud.

Gasps filled the room again. Someone even muttered, "No way. He actually did it."

Chandra didn’t stop. He walked straight to the door. "I’m done."

Aniket and Vivan hurried after him, still wheezing. "Bro, wait!"

As soon as they stepped outside, Chandra took in the cool night air and let out the deepest sigh of his life.

Aniket wiped tears from his eyes. "Man, that was legendary."

Vivan grinned. "Worth it for the free drinks alone."

Chandra shot them a glare. "Never. Drag me. To her parties. Again."

Aniket patted his back. "No promises, bro."

Chandra groaned. "I hate you both."

They laughed, walking into the night, leaving behind the chaos inside.

As they reached their car, Chandra ran a hand through his hair, still exhausted from the emotional rollercoaster inside. Aniket leaned against the hood, still chuckling, while Vivan scrolled through his phone.

"Bro, I swear, this night will go down in history," Aniket said, shaking his head.

"Yeah, yeah," Chandra muttered, unlocking the car. "Let’s just get the hell out of here."

But just as he was about to open the door.

"CHANDRAAAA!"

The three of them turned just in time to see Shalini sprinting toward them. Her dress was slightly uneven, her smudged mascara making her look half-crazy, and her hair flew wildly behind her.

Aniket’s eyes widened. "Oh shit"

Before Chandra could react, she threw herself at him, grabbing his collar and hovering her lips inches from his.

Gasps filled the air. A few partygoers who had come outside to smoke stopped mid-puff, watching in shock.

"Chandra," Shalini breathed dramatically, loud enough for everyone to hear. "You can’t just leave like this!"

Chandra’s entire body went rigid. His hands instinctively went up, gripping her shoulders to push her back, but she clung tighter.

Aniket and Vivan stood frozen, their faces caught between horror and amusement.

"Oh. My. God," Vivan whispered.

Aniket’s jaw dropped. "Bro, is she? Is she actually trying to?"

Chandra clenched his jaw. "Shalini, let go."

"Just admit it!" she cried, her lips still hovering dangerously close. "You still love me!"

A murmur rippled through the small audience forming around them.

Chandra let out a slow, deep exhale through his nose. "I never loved you."

Shalini let out a shaky gasp, as if he had just stabbed her in the heart. "Y-You’re lying!"

Aniket, who had recovered from his shock, finally smirked. "Damn, she’s really going for the Bollywood drama package tonight."

Chandra, sick of the bullshit, tightened his grip on Shalini’s arms and firmly pushed her off.

"Shalini," he said, voice dangerously calm. "If you ever pull this shit again, I swear to god—"

She stumbled back slightly, eyes wild, and then she collapsed to the ground.

Again.

The bystanders gasped. Someone whispered, "No way. Again?"

Chandra didn’t even blink. "I’m leaving."

Shalini let out a broken, shaky sob. "You’re just gonna walk away from me like this?"

"Yes."

"But!"

Chandra turned to Aniket and Vivan. "Get in the car."

Aniket immediately obeyed, hopping into the passenger seat while Vivan slid into the back, still laughing under his breath.

Chandra got in, started the engine, and without sparing Shalini another glance.

He drove off.

From the rearview mirror, he could still see her sitting on the ground, staring after them, completely stunned.

Aniket let out a breath. "Dude. What the hell was that?"

Vivan laughed. "I don’t know, but it was iconic."

Chandra didn’t say a word. He just drove. Away from the madness. Away from the drama.

And far, far away from Shalini.

❀ ❀ ❀

Chandra lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling, his arms folded behind his head. The room was dark except for the faint glow of his phone screen on the nightstand. The events of the night replayed in his mind like a bad movie he couldn’t turn off.

Shalini. Her messy mascara-streaked face. The way she ran at him out of nowhere. How she tried. No, forced herself onto him, hovering her lips so close it made his skin crawl.

He shut his eyes tightly, exhaling through his nose. What the actual fuck was she thinking?

As if physical intimacy would magically make him love her? As if one forced, dramatic scene in front of a bunch of random people would suddenly flip a switch in his heart?

“You still love me!” Her voice echoed in his head, whiny and desperate.

Chandra groaned, rolling onto his side, dragging a hand down his face. No, Shalini. I never did. And now, I never will.

She really thought love worked like that? That if she pushed hard enough, made enough of a scene, grabbed him, held onto him, forced her way into his space, he would just… give in?

His jaw tightened. It was disgusting. Beyond irritating.

He wasn’t some goddamn character in a romance drama. He wasn’t going to wake up one day and think, Oh, wow, after all her manipulative crying and dramatic stunts, I suddenly realize she’s the one for me!

No. Hell no.

He flipped onto his other side, punching his pillow in frustration. Sleep? Gone. Completely ruined.

Because now, every time he closed his eyes, all he could see was her, desperate, emotional, and completely delusional.

Chandra muttered under his breath, "I swear, next time, I’m jumping out a window before she tries that shit again."

Chandra sighed, knowing sleep wouldn’t come anytime soon. His mind was too restless, tainted with thoughts of Shalini and her suffocating desperation. He needed a distraction.

His eyes flickered to the bedside table. 

The poetry book. 

Yes, the book, he couldn’t help but bring that home.

Without thinking, he reached for it, fingers grazing the edges. As he flipped it open, a soft, melodic wind seemed to blow through his mind.

Araddhya.

Even the mere thought of her name felt like moonlight spilling through an open window. A quiet, unshaken presence. A contrast so sharp, so profound, against the chaos of the night.

His thoughts wove into her, effortlessly. The way her eyes, deep and bright, sparkling, held a thousand unsaid words. They were fierce yet soft like poetry itself, burning yet gentle, like fire wrapped in silk.

He could still remember how she looked at him, not with the desperate plea of someone trying to claim him, but with the quiet confidence of someone who didn’t need to. A gaze so piercing it stripped away all, leaving only the raw, unfiltered truth.

The way she walked, unapologetically herself, as if the whole world could turn to dust and she would still stand tall.

The way she spoke, every word measured yet full of meaning, her voice, not so fake thin, not heavy, just normal, feminine, a song that lingered in the silence, able to create the urge to listen more.

And yet, she wasn’t just bold—she was soft in the most unexpected ways.

Chandra’s fingers absentmindedly traced the edge of the book as he flipped to the index. His eyes scanned over the titles, skipping past words that held no meaning to him tonight—until they landed on one.

"The Intimacy"

Something about it made his breath slow. His fingers stilled before he turned the page.

The Intimacy

The intimacy when he looks into my eyes, like I am the only one speaking,

The intimacy when he holds my hand while crossing roads, as if I can’t be left alone.

The intimacy when he picks up a little flower from the roadside,

And smiles, thinking it’s enough to make me happy.

The intimacy when he stops at an earrings stall,

And I know, for that fleeting second, I was in his thoughts.

The intimacy when his fingers tangle into my hair,

Messing it up more, but I don’t care.

The intimacy when he softly tucks my hair behind my ear,

And his hand lingers there, as if unsure to stay or leave.

The intimacy when he holds the umbrella over both of us,

But tilts it more towards me, even if it soaks him.

The intimacy when he brushes off dust from my cheek,

His thumb grazes my skin as if it’s something precious.

The intimacy when he adjusts my sweater in the cold,

And mutters something about how careless I am.

The intimacy when he notices my undone shoelace,

And kneels without hesitation to tie it,

His hands are slow, careful, like he’s scared of ruining something.

The intimacy when he chooses to walk on the traffic side of the road,

So I can feel safe, without him saying a word.

The intimacy when he sends me drawing of the particular sky,

Saying it reminded him of me.

The intimacy when he cups my face after a long day,

And just looks, no words, no explanations, just looks.

The intimacy when his fingers curl into mine,

And it feels like he is holding something fragile.

The intimacy when he feeds me with his hands,

And I taste not the food but his care. 

The intimacy when he fixes my scarf without saying a word,

Just a quiet gesture of care that makes my heart ache.

The intimacy when he casually brushes his arm against mine,

Like, even the smallest touch has meaning.

The intimacy when he offers me the first sip of his coffee,

And says, “It tastes better when you drink it.”

The intimacy when he rests his head on my shoulder,

Not because he’s tired, but because he feels at home.

The intimacy when he hands me his jacket without asking,

And don't mind shivering, as long as I am warm.

The intimacy when he picks up my favorite snack,

Because he remembers what I once mentioned in passing.

The intimacy when he notices my hands are cold,

And holds them in his, warming them without hesitation.

The intimacy when he pauses mid-conversation,

Just to wipe something off my lip with his thumb.

The intimacy when he saves a spot for me in a crowded place,

Because he knows I’d feel anxious standing alone.

The intimacy when he stands close in a group,

Not saying much, but always making sure I feel safe.

The intimacy when he pulls me to the side of the path,

So I don’t accidentally step into a puddle.

The intimacy when he stops mid-walk,

Just to take a photo of me, saying, “The light is perfect.”

The intimacy when he doesn’t mind being late,

Because I needed an extra moment to collect myself.

The intimacy when he quietly adjusts my crooked glasses,

And smiles, like he secretly loves them that way.

The intimacy when he looks at my messy self,

And smiles like I am still the prettiest he has ever seen.

This is all I want.

This is all I crave.

Not grand things.

Not perfection.

Just the way his hands linger on me like I am his,

And the way his eyes say things, his words never will.

As he started reading, the first line sank into his mind, "The intimacy when he looks into my eyes like I am the only one speaking,"

And suddenly, she was there. The memory of their fleeting encounter played in slow motion.

Their worlds had barely brushed against each other. He had felt something shift inside him.

"The intimacy when he stops at an earrings stall,
And I know, for that fleeting second, I was in his thoughts."

He imagined it. Walking beside her, their steps in sync. The way he would pause at a small street vendor, pretending to be indifferent, but in truth, his fingers would linger over a pair of silver earrings because he remembered the way silver suited her skin.

Would she notice? Would she know that, in that moment, she was the only thing in his mind?

"The intimacy when his fingers tangle into my hair,
Messing it up more, but I don’t care."

He let out a slow breath, shutting his eyes. He wasn’t supposed to think about this. About her. But the words pulled him deeper.

"The intimacy when he softly tucks my hair behind my ear,
And his hand lingers there, as if unsure to stay or leave."

Chandra swallowed. He could almost feel it, the weight of such a simple, fleeting touch. The way his fingers might hesitate, just for a second too long, before retreating.

Would she lean into it? Would she let him? Or would she step away, completely unaware of the storm she left inside him?

"The intimacy when he holds the umbrella over both of us,
But tilts it more towards me, even if it soaks him."

He saw it too clearly now. Rain pouring in slow, delicate drops. Aradhya, beside him, eyes half-lidded, lost in thought. He would hold the umbrella over her, but the cold would creep down his back, unnoticed, because how could he care about anything else when she was right there?

"The intimacy when he brushes off dust from my cheek,
His thumb grazes my skin as if it’s something precious."

His heartbeat quickened. Would she let him do that? Would she laugh, her voice light like the wind, or would she freeze, her fiery gaze softening, her lips parting slightly as if she wanted to say something but never did?

"The intimacy when he chooses to walk on the traffic side of the road,
So I can feel safe, without him saying a word."

Chandra pressed the book against his chest, inhaling deeply. This wasn’t real. This wasn’t his. Impossible.

Aradhya was just a stranger. A passing moment. Someone who had barely looked his way, who didn’t even know that, for weeks now, she had been living in the quiet spaces of his mind.

"The intimacy when he looks at my messy self,
And smiles like I am still the prettiest he has ever seen."

His lips twitched, a quiet scoff escaping. Because she was.

Even in the one fleeting moment he had seen her, that bold, piercing look in her eyes, she had been the most effortlessly beautiful thing he had ever seen.

This wasn’t love. He knew that. But maybe, just maybe. It was something.

Chandra let out a slow breath, his grip on the book loosening. The words on the page blurred as his mind drifted, his body sinking deeper into the mattress.

He felt it. Not in reality, but in that space between wakefulness and dream, where imagination drapes over consciousness like a soft, silken veil.

She was beside him.

Draped in black georgette, the fabric clinging to her delicate curves, cascading like liquid night. The dim, golden glow of the bedside lamp cast soft shadows over her bare skin—the elegant slope of her shoulder, the delicate dip of her waist.

Her head rested on his chest, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her cheek.

And God. Her scent. Something faintly floral, subtly intoxicating.

Her arm wrapped around his torso, fingers tracing absent patterns against his skin, as if she had been there a thousand times before.

Her breath was warm, slow, fanned against him, and he swore his own breathing faltered.

Chandra's hand rested against her waist, fingers grazing over the soft, bare skin where the saree had shifted. The heat of her body burned through his fingertips, but she didn’t flinch. Didn’t tense.

She just lay there, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

He could hear the rain outside. The distant hum of the city. But all of it faded against the quiet sound of her breathing, the warmth of her hand resting over his chest.

His gaze flickered down, taking in the way her messy hair sprawled over him, wild and beautiful.

His free hand moved instinctively, fingers slipping through the strands, tangling gently, savoring the silkiness of it between his fingers.

Would she sigh if he pressed a kiss against her hair? Would she shift closer if he pulled her in? 

He wanted to memorize the way she felt against him, but…

The dream was shattered.

Chandra’s eyes snap open, his chest rising and falling in uneven breaths. The book lay forgotten beside him. He blinks, staring up at the ceiling, the ghost of warmth still lingering against his skin.

For a long moment, he just lay there, disoriented. Then, a quiet, bitter laugh escaped his lips.

Because fuck. She wasn’t here. She never was.

He exhaled, running a frustrated hand through his hair. Because now, there was no going back. Araddhya wasn’t just a fleeting thought anymore. She was a fever; one he had no cure for.

Phone buzzed again, the sharp vibration cutting through the heavy silence of his room. With a frustrated sigh, he reached for it, blinking the remnants of sleep from his eyes.

Vivan.

He answered, voice still thick with drowsiness. "Yeah?"

Vivan's voice came through, tense. "Bro, we have a problem. The property deal, you know, last minute, they’re pulling back. They’re saying they’re not interested in selling anymore."

Chandra’s jaw tightened, his mind snapping back to reality. "What the fuck? Everything was finalized."

"Yeah, well, apparently not anymore. They’re stalling, making excuses. We need to go there now, try to fix this before it slips completely."

Chandra runs a hand down his face, exhaling slowly. "Location?"

"Same place. Near the old highway. Get here fast, we don’t have time."

"On my way."

He cut the call and swung his legs over the edge of the bed. The cold air bit against his skin, but he barely registered it. His mind was already shifting gears, calculating, planning, yet something else lingered at the edges of his thoughts.

Or rather someone.

He curses under his breath as he grabs a fresh shirt from his wardrobe. Even now, even in the rush of urgency, her image clung to him. The spark in her eyes, the way she had looked at him in his dream, soft yet intense, burning yet vulnerable.

The warmth of her skin beneath his fingertips. The feel of her lips against his. Chandra freezes mid-motion, gripping the shirt in his hands. A strange heaviness settled in his chest.

What the hell was that dream? He clenches his jaw, inhaling sharply. It wasn’t real. It was just his mind playing tricks on him, twisting a single moment of eye contact into something dangerously intimate. A flicker of guilt crawls under his skin. Imagining her like that. Touching her, feeling her, without her even knowing. Without her consent. Chandra isn’t a man who lets his desires rule him. He doesn’t chase fleeting attractions. He doesn’t get affected.

But then why did the thought of Araddhya feel so different? So raw. So consuming. His fingers curl into a fist, frustration seeping into his veins. "Get a grip, Chandra."

He forces himself back into the moment, throwing on his clothes with practiced efficiency. Within minutes, he is out the door, slipping behind the wheel of his car, the engine roaring to life.

The city lights blurred past as he sped down the road, but his thoughts remained tangled, trapped between urgency and something far more dangerous—

A pair of fiery eyes that refused to leave his mind.

𝚆𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚞𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚌𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚒𝚊𝚛𝚢, 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚛𝚎𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚗𝚘𝚠. 𝙳𝚞𝚛𝚋𝚒𝚔𝚊 𝚜𝚌𝚛𝚞𝚗𝚌𝚑𝚎𝚜 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚗𝚘𝚜𝚎, “𝙸 𝚍𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝙸 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚊𝚌𝚢.”  

𝚂𝚞𝚛𝚢𝚊𝚗𝚜𝚑 𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚍𝚜 𝙰𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚝 𝚝𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚕𝚢, “𝙲𝚊𝚕𝚖 𝚍𝚘𝚠𝚗, 𝚋𝚛𝚘, 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎’𝚜 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚊𝚖𝚎. 𝙼𝚊𝚢𝚋𝚎 𝚒𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚊 𝚏𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚙𝚑𝚢𝚜𝚒𝚌𝚊𝚕 𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚕𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚎𝚕𝚕 𝚒𝚗 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎. 𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚊𝚠 𝚑𝚒𝚖 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎, 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚋𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚑 𝚒𝚜 𝚠𝚛𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚍 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚗𝚊𝚖𝚎.”

𝙰𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚝 𝚐𝚛𝚘𝚠𝚕𝚜, “𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝚒𝚝’𝚜 𝚜𝚘 𝚗𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚢, 𝚝𝚘 𝚒𝚖𝚊𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚊 𝚐𝚒𝚛𝚕, 𝚑𝚎 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚖𝚎𝚝 𝚘𝚗𝚌𝚎.” 𝚅𝚊𝚗𝚒𝚔𝚊 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚜𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚜𝚑𝚢𝚕𝚢, “𝙱𝚞𝚝 𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚜𝚘 𝚏𝚎𝚎𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚐𝚞𝚒𝚕𝚝𝚢 𝚊𝚏𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚒𝚖𝚊𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐.” 

𝙴𝚗𝚊 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚄𝚕𝚛𝚒𝚔𝚊 𝚝𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚎 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚋𝚢 𝚙𝚞𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚋𝚘𝚝𝚑 𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚜, “𝙰𝚛𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚏𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙼𝚊𝚢𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚒𝚗 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚍𝚎𝚜𝚌𝚛𝚒𝚙𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗, 𝚑𝚞𝚑𝚑𝚑?”