Chapter-10 A Break in Friendship

Raza and Maryam were having fun roaming in the empty streets of the most colourful city of Indonesia. There were only a few people around including hawkers and vendors. Both halted at an ice cream stall.

'I'll pay. Don't worry. ', he insisted.

'Oh, no. I got my kale. I can... even pay for you too. '

'No need for that. Just tell me what flavour you want? '

'Um... Let me ask first. ' 'Excuse me. What flavours do you have? '

The seller didn't understand English, but said awkwardly with a very Indonesian accent, 'Err...Vanilla, choco, strawberry, butterscotch and pineapple. ' The most common flavours.

'What do you prefer Raza? '

'Whatever you give me. '

'But, still...? '

'I'd prefer strawberry flavour... I like strawberries. They are sweet and sour at the same time... Long time since I ate one. ', he said while staring at her. Maryam found it odd, but generally said, 'Weird. But, I'd like vanilla. '

'So simple? Like your life? ', he whispered.

'Excuse me, Raza? '

'I mean... You look to me like a girl who's more of a chocolate or strawberry-girl. '

'What made you think so? ', she said with a disgusted look.

'Alright. Forget it. Just tell him what you want, and... you know, you already know what I want. ', he said while poking his elbow on her.

'Okay... '

She felt very odd. She told the vendor and gave him the money for both the cones. Raza took the cones from the seller and presented one to Maryam like a servant, 'Please, Madam. Let me serve you your ice cream. '

She giggled.

Maryam was about to pick her cone when suddenly a thief ran past them, rifling away Maryam's purse. The purse had the last few rupiahs and her gifted smartphone. She screamed as she felt loosening grip of the purse at her shoulder. She started running after the thief, calling Raza's name for help.

'Come, Raza! Help me! '

'I can't come. Leave it. ', he shouted chillingly.

The thief was an athlete, of course. At a perpendicular turn, she was blindly following him and bumped into a woman. It was Ms. Riza.

'Maaf karen! I mean, so sorry. I'm in a hurry. '

Then, she recognized her uniform which seemed like police uniform. She then instantly said, 'Please, please, help me. He's a thief (points at him). Catch him, please. My purse! Please. '

Ms. Riza immediately ran after him. As Maryam watched her, she was coming back with the thief. Maryam walked to them quickly.

'So, what's he having of you? '

'My purse... which had a smartphone. I recognize it. And, few rupiahs, I know how many. Just show me. '

She checked her belongings, while Ms. Riza seized him tight. Nothing was less or more in the purse.

'Thank you so much. You helped me. Thank you. I'm so grateful to you. '

'It's okay. It's my duty... Are you uh,... You're not Indonesian, right? ', she investigated.

'Yes, I'm not Indonesian. I'm a kaurian. But, how do you that? '

Thoughtfully, she said, 'Oh, I'm experienced. You're an Indian-muslim. '

'Yeah. And, you helped me like you all do. '

She smiled. Ms. Riza smiled while nodding. After some seconds, Ms. Riza took something out of her pocket and said, 'Um... I like Indians. You know what, take this! (Hands her her card) You seem nice. Contact me in need. But, yeah, privacy policies... Don't share this with anyone. Till then, let me take this jerk out of here. Don't worry anymore. '

'Thank you again, Ms... (looks at her card to see her name) Riza! '

'Do remember: The world's with you! ', she smiled affectionately and took the thief away.

Now, Maryam walked back and saw Raza walking fastly to her, still holding those ice cream cones. She was upset with him. When she reached, she said in anger, 'What on the earth just happened to you? '

'Oh, darling. Are you alright? ', he said with concerns while trying to hug her. She pushed him.

'Leave me, coward! And yes, who are you calling "darling"? '

'You, of course. '

'Shut it. Who gave you the right to call me that? Know your limits, Raza. '

'Stop yelling at me, okay? What did I do? ', he said angrily.

'Yeah, exactly. You didn't do anything. I was running after that thief b-l-i-n-d! I thought you'd help me. I didn't expect what you did. '

'Cut it now. ', he said with irritated looks.

'You were just standing there like the vendor. Why didn't you follow that bastard? I was feeling so helpless. '

'I was uh... holding these cones, stupid. '

'Wha...? ' She was devastated and rattled at the same time. She slowly said, 'I have never heard anything sillier than this. I can't believe my ears you telling me this dumb reason for not using your presence of mind, dear! ', she sarcastically said.

'I'm not always going to be there. I'd do what I could. '

'Tell me a better excuse, Raza... Don't you know what this purse contains? My responsibility- in it! '

'You better cut the conversation right here. '

'Oh, sure. As you wish. '

'Let me take you back where I took you from. '

'Wait... That's the Kaur. I know my way back. You won't always be there, so... ', she threw another sarcasm.

'Let me take you back. Your Abba's going to kill me. '

'No. Just leave me alone. Enjoy your ice creams! Bye. '

She walked away. Raza joined her because he had to take the same route. Their fight only intensified till they reached the Kaur. At last, Maryam told very confidently, 'No more awkwardness around! '