The rest of the morning rushed by in its usual Laila shouting for Mayo to "Get your bag," and Jane trying to bribe Jojo into finishing her breakfast.
During it all, Harry remained surprisingly calm, moving through the house like he'd been there for years instead of weeks.
By the time Airam finally headed out for work, he offered to go with and she refused.
He walked her all the way out to the gate anyway.
"Please, let me pick you up after work," Harry said, leaning casually against the door frame.
Airam fixed her bag on her shoulder. "I said no, Harry."
"Fine," he shrugged. "I will wait for you at the bus station then."
She shot him a look, but her lips twitched. "You're crazy."
"Yes, so I have been told," he said lightly.
She walked off, pretending not to be flustered, pretending not to notice him watching until she boarded the bus.
And Harry, smiling like a fool, finally returned inside.
~~~~~~
Airam received a text from her aunt Maggi to get some groceries on her way back. "Airam, we are having a team party after work. You should join us?" Ash asked as the rest of the team stared from behind.
"Oh, sorry, I would love to, but... I can't. I need to get home early," Airam said as Ash turned to look at the others.
"Pay up, I told you," Ash said, taking money from the rest of her colleagues. They had placed a bet, and apparently, Ash won. Airam never had time for any such gatherings.
"Seriously, guys," Airam mumbled. "I would have gone, but something came up. Trust me, I will surprise you guys one of these days," Airam said, grabbing her bag.
"We will wait for that day," Sima said, still angry that she lost the bet. Airam let out a soft smile.
"See you guys tomorrow," she said, walking out of the office.
Right outside her office, she was surprised to see a familiar figure at the bus stop.
"Harry," Airam said.
"Hey there," he said with a smile. It seems she had been waiting for a long time.
"How long have you been waiting?" Airam asks. "I wasn't waiting. I had something to do in the area. I just finished." He lied. He had been waiting nearly an hour and a half.
"I see, well, you should take the lead. I need to get some groceries," Airam said. Harry insisted on going with her.
"I can carry the heavy stuff," he said.
"You're not carrying anything," she replied.
"I'll walk beside you then."
"Fine."
The market was noisy, busy even at night, and there were overwhelming rows of vendors shouting prices and women bargaining with unmatched passion.
But wherever Airam went, Harry followed.
When she tasted tomatoes to check their freshness, he copied her, pretending to be an expert.
When she argued the price with a stubborn vendor, he stood behind her nodding aggressively as if it helped.
When she lifted heavy yams, he didn't ask. He simply took them gently from her hands.
"You don't have to help," she said.
"I know," he answered, "but I want to."
And for the first time, she didn't argue.
After getting everything, they walk back home having small talks on the way. Later at home, Mrs. Amira, Airam's mother, invited Harry over for supper, and Airam didn't object. She said nothing and just added another plate to the table.
"What happened? You two seem not to be fighting lately," Laila jokes.
"Laila, stop making it seem like I enjoy picking up fights with people," Airam defended herself.
"Harry, where is your family?" Mrs. Amira asked as Harry almost choked on his food.