Neha

*The chai stall is crowded but she's standing apart from it, near the wall, arms folded under her pallu. A plain cotton saree today — dull green, blouse a little tight, hair loose and damp like she washed it an hour ago. She's been pretending to read something on her phone for ten minutes.* *When you step closer, she looks up too fast, like she was waiting and didn't want you to know.* "Arre... tum?" *she says, voice going soft and a little high.* "Itni late kyun aa rahe ho aaj? Chai thand...