Her fight

Author Pov:

A girl shifted in her seat, glancing at her watch for what felt like the hundredth time. It was well past lunchtime, and she'd been sitting in the boutique for over two hours now, waiting for the previous customer to finish her shopping.

Her stomach growled softly a reminder that she hadn't eaten since breakfast. She shifted again, pulling her knees up and tucking her legs beneath her, trying to make herself more comfortable on the velvet armchair.

Her friend had dragged her here on the promise of a gift, something "special" as a reward. She hadn't said much beyond that, just flashed her a mischievous smile and steered her into the boutique.

It was a cozy place, a little too scented with lavender, but filled with beautiful, delicate pieces that seemed to dance under the soft lights.

Her eyes drifted to a rack of pastel colored dresses, then over to a display of earrings that caught the light in a way that made them look almost magical.

But after two hours of waiting, the magic had faded. She leaned forward, trying to catch a glimpse of her friend, who was chatting with the shop attendant near the fitting rooms. Her friend caught her eye and gave her an apologetic wave, mouthing, "Just a little longer! Mayu."

Maya forced a smile, but her patience was running thin. She shifted again, her stomach protesting with a louder growl this time. She wished she'd grabbed something to eat before they'd come in, but Priyanshi practically dragged her inside.

The boutique fell silent as the fitting room curtain ripped open, and out stormed a woman in designer heels, her high pitched voice slicing through the calm. "None of these are my type!" she shrieked, her tone dripping with disdain.

She jabbed a manicured finger at the trembling salesgirl. "These clothes are so out of fashion. I don't know how you expect anyone to buy them."

Maya stiffened, the irritation she'd been suppressing for hours finally bubbling over. She leaned forward, voice steady but firm. "Buy whatever you want and let me buy," she said, her patience hanging by a thread.

The woman turned, her gaze narrowing as she took Maya in, her lips curling into a sneer. "I'm not some low class girl like you, willing to settle for anything," she snapped. "I need time, you bitch. It's not like you'd understand anything about style."

Maya's face burned, but she refused to let the insult sink in.Then, she turned back to the woman, raising an eyebrow. "Even a small child has better taste in fashion than you."

Maya continued, "and maybe I'm not rich like you or have an ATM boyfriend, but I don't need anyone to fund my fashion sense. So don't lecture me." She indicated a man who is looking in his phone, unbothered by whole chasho.

Priyanshi's eyes sparkled with surprise and pride as she watched Maya. But before she could say a word, the woman equally snide and smug crossed her arms with a smirk. "Oh, don't pretend you have options, sweetie," she said mockingly. "If you're leaving, fine. But just so you know, I can buy all those clothes and donate them to the poor like you. So just apologise and i will let you go."

Maya's lips curved into a calm smile, unbothered. "Alright, go ahead. Follow me, then. donating to the poor is the most generous thing you'll ever do, maybe they'll thank you. But you'll have to find something else to brag about."

She looped her arm through Priyanshi's, turning toward the door. "Let's head to the local market. I'd rather spend my time where kindness is more valuable than arrogance."

And with that, she took Priyanshi's hand, head held high, and walked out, leaving the boutique's air thick with stunned silence.

Unbeknownst to Maya, a pair of keen eyes had been following her every move from across the boutique. Leaning against a display near the back, a young man stood, seemingly engrossed in his phone.

His thumb brushed over the screen, but his attention was clearly elsewhere, focused on the small scene unfolding with Maya at the center.

As the argument grew heated, a faint, amused smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. He observed her steady confidence, her unapologetic stance, and the way she held her ground with a calm but fiery conviction.

Each word she spoke with an effortless boldness, every glance laced with purpose, intrigued him more than he cared to admit.

When Maya finally turned on her heel and strode out of the boutique, his gaze lingered, a glimmer of admiration flashing in his eyes.

.....

Maya walked briskly, practically pulling Priyanshi along, eager to put the boutique and that irritating woman behind them. But as they strolled down the street, Priyanshi seemed oblivious to the world, too busy showering Maya with praise.

"Oh my god, Maya!" Priyanshi gushed, her words spilling out in a breathless stream. "I can't believe how you just stood up to her like that! I would've never been able to. And the way you told her off honestly, that was amazing! You were like a total boss back there!"

Maya gave a small smile, nodding in acknowledgment, though her mind was elsewhere. Priyanshi's voice hummed on like a radio she couldn't turn off. She wanted to be polite, but the constant chatter was exhausting.

Raised in an orphanage, Maya had spent most of her life in silence, with people who rarely felt the need to fill every pause. She didn't mind quiet, it was something she'd learned to find comfort in.

It felt strange, though, to dislike something about Priyanshi, especially after how kind she'd been. Priyanshi was her first real friend, her first female friend, no less and she didn't want to risk losing her.

After all, she'd always dreamed of having someone like Priyanshi, someone full of warmth and energy, someone who reached out to her.

So, Maya smiled and nodded in all the right places, her hand still firmly wrapped around Priyanshi's arm, guiding her into the next boutique. She tried to focus on the clothes, in the new space, letting Priyanshi's words float around her like background noise.

As they finally wrapped up their shopping, Priyanshi's excitement only seemed to grow. She turned to Maya, her eyes bright. "Okay, so tomorrow you have to come over to my place! It's my birthday, and I won't take no for an answer."

Maya hesitated, her fingers tracing the edge of the shopping bag in her hand. "I... I'd love to, Priyanshi, but I have a lot of work on this new design. I really need to make some progress tomorrow."

Priyanshi rolled her eyes, waving a dismissive hand. "Oh, come on! You can take a break for one day, can't you? Besides, it's my birthday! Just a few hours and you've never even been over. It'll be fun, promise."

Maya opened her mouth to respond, but the look on Priyanshi's face and the hopeful, eager smile was enough to make her pause. She let out a soft sigh and nodded. "Alright, fine. I'll come."

Priyanshi let out a squeal, practically bouncing.and Priyanshi continued on, talking about party decorations and food, Maya's smile faltered. An image flickered through her mind-a small blur from a distant memory, soft but strangely vivid.

She saw herself as a young girl, her bday which changed her whole world, her heart heavy with the thing which she'd buried long ago.

Maya shook her head, as if the motion could erase the image. The past was the past; she was no longer that little girl. Now, she had people who wanted her around. People who invited her in. For Priyanshi's sake, she could push those memories aside and let herself enjoy tomorrow.

"inform me the time." she said, with a soft but genuine smile. And as Priyanshi launched into her party plans, Maya let herself listen.