The little leader finally allowed everyone to leave the mall after making sure they had seen almost every game and collectible that had caught his attention.
He walked toward the parking lot with the miniature model Radhika had given him held carefully against his chest. Every few steps, he looked down at it again, checking it as if someone might suddenly tell him that it wasn't really his.
Sid noticed and laughed.
"You know, if you keep looking at it every ten seconds, you're going to memorize every little detail."
The boy looked up proudly.
"That is the point. It's my collection."
Shristi smiled.
"And apparently the most important collection in this entire family."
"It is."
Radhika laughed softly as she walked beside them.
"Fine, Mr. Collector. Just make sure you don't drop it."
"I won't. You gave it to me."
Something about the way he said it made Radhika smile.
They continued toward the parking area, talking and teasing each other. The noise from the main mall entrance gradually faded behind them as they moved toward the quieter side of the parking lot.
They were almost halfway to their cars when Radhika suddenly slowed down.
She had heard something.
"Wait."
Everyone stopped.
Sid turned toward her.
"What happened?"
Radhika didn't answer immediately. She tilted her head slightly, trying to listen.
For a few seconds, there was nothing except the distant sound of cars and the occasional announcement from inside the mall.
Then it came again.
A faint, muffled sound.
Almost like someone was trying to speak while struggling to breathe properly.
Radhika's expression changed.
"Did you hear that?"
Shristi looked around.
"I heard something."
The younger boy moved closer to Radhika.
The sound came again.
This time, it was clearer.
There was fear in the voice.
And someone was struggling.
Radhika immediately looked toward the darker section between two rows of parked vehicles.
"Someone's there."
Sid's expression became serious.
"Stay close."
But Radhika was already moving toward the sound.
"Radhika, wait."
She slowed only enough to make sure she wasn't walking blindly.
The others followed closely behind.
The voice came again.
"Please…"
Radhika stopped.
And then she saw her.
A young woman was struggling beside a parked vehicle, clearly frightened while someone was trying to stop her from calling for help.
Radhika didn't think twice.
"Hey!"
Her voice cut sharply through the parking lot.
The person immediately turned.
"Leave her."
Radhika stepped forward.
The others came behind her, making it clear that she wasn't alone.
"Move away from her," she said firmly. "Now."
After a tense moment, the person stepped back and hurried away between the parked cars.
Sid immediately took out his phone.
"I'm calling security."
Radhika went straight to the girl.
"Are you okay?"
The girl was breathing heavily. Her eyes were wide with fear, and she looked as though she was still trying to understand what had just happened.
Radhika crouched slightly so they were at the same level.
"Look at me. You're safe now."
The girl nodded, but her hands were still trembling.
"I…"
"You don't have to explain everything right now," Radhika said gently. "Just breathe."
Shristi came forward and offered her some water.
The girl accepted it.
"Thank you."
Radhika remained beside her.
"Are you hurt anywhere?"
The girl shook her head.
"No. I don't think so."
"Good. Then stay with us for a little while."
The girl looked at Radhika with visible gratitude.
"You came when I called."
"We heard you."
"I thought nobody would."
Radhika gave her a reassuring smile.
"You don't have to worry about that anymore."
Slowly, the girl began to calm down.
After a few moments, she finally spoke.
"I've only just come here."
Radhika listened carefully.
"I was born in India, but I grew up in America. I've spent most of my life there. I came here with my friends, and today was supposed to be my first proper day exploring the city."
She looked around nervously.
"And this happened."
Radhika's expression softened.
"Anyone would be frightened after something like this. Especially when you're somewhere you're not familiar with."
The girl nodded.
"I didn't know where to go. I didn't know whom to ask for help."
"You don't need to know everything immediately."
Radhika placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"You're safe now. That's what matters."
The girl gave her a small, grateful smile.
"Thank you."
Radhika nodded.
"Of course."
Suddenly, the girl looked down.
"My phone."
She began searching through her bag.
"I had it with me."
"Take your time."
After searching through several pockets, she finally found it.
The screen lit up.
Her expression changed immediately.
There were several missed calls.
All from Jess.
"Oh no…"
She quickly called back.
The moment the call connected, a worried voice came through.
"Where are you? I've been calling you again and again!"
"Jess, I'm okay."
"Okay? You disappeared!"
"I know. I'm sorry."
"Where are you?"
"I'm in the mall parking lot."
There was a brief silence.
"Stay there. We're coming."
"Jess—"
The call ended.
The girl looked at Radhika.
"She was worried."
"She cares about you."
The girl nodded.
Before anyone could say anything else, voices could be heard approaching from the direction of the mall.
"Where is she?"
"Check the other side."
"We've been looking everywhere."
The group appeared at the end of the parking lane.
And then everything changed.
Sid was the first to recognize Jess.
His eyes widened.
For a second, he simply stared.
"Jess?"
Shristi followed his gaze.
The surprise on her face was almost immediate.
"Wait… that's actually Jess."
Sid looked at Shristi as if he needed confirmation.
"Wasn't she coming tomorrow?"
Shristi nodded slowly.
"She was."
Radhika also looked toward the approaching group.
The surprise on her face was obvious now.
Nobody had expected Jess today.
For a moment, the shock of seeing her unexpectedly almost made them forget why they were standing there.
Then Sid's surprised expression slowly turned into a wide, genuine smile.
"She actually came."
Shristi's face brightened too.
"Without telling anyone."
The younger boy looked between them.
"Who?"
Sid laughed softly.
"Someone who was supposed to surprise us tomorrow."
But Jess hadn't noticed any of them.
She was too worried.
Her eyes were moving frantically across the parking area, searching for the girl.
"Ananya!"
The moment she spotted her, Jess hurried toward her.
"Ananya!"
The girl immediately turned.
"Jess…"
Jess reached her and took hold of her shoulders.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
"I'm okay."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Jess pulled her into a tight hug.
"I was so scared. You weren't answering, and then you suddenly called me from the parking lot."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize. Just tell me what happened."
Ananya hesitated.
Then she looked toward Radhika.
"She helped me."
Jess finally looked in the direction Ananya was pointing.
Her eyes landed on Radhika.
For a moment, Jess seemed confused.
Then she remembered the name.
"Radhika?"
Radhika nodded.
"Yes."
Jess's expression softened with recognition.
She had heard the name many times.
She simply hadn't expected to meet her like this.
"You're Radhika."
"And you're Jess."
A small smile appeared on both their faces.
But before either could say more, Ananya spoke again.
"She didn't know me. She just heard me calling for help and came."
Jess looked at Radhika again.
The surprise in her expression slowly changed into genuine gratitude.
"Thank you."
Radhika smiled.
"You don't need to thank me. She needed help."
Jess glanced at Ananya, then back at Radhika.
"I still want to."
Behind them, Sid and Shristi exchanged another look.
Their initial shock had completely disappeared now.
Instead, their faces carried the happiness of seeing someone they had been waiting for—even if she had arrived a day earlier than planned.
Sid finally walked forward.
"So much for tomorrow."
Jess turned.
Her face immediately brightened.
"Sid!"
She laughed as he approached.
"You weren't supposed to be here until tomorrow."
"I know."
Shristi hugged her next.
"You could have told us!"
"I wanted to surprise everyone."
Sid shook his head.
"Well, congratulations. You succeeded."
The laughter that followed finally broke the remaining tension in the parking lot.
But while everyone was happy to see Jess, one small truth remained hidden.