"Don't be mad at me, Lucy. Please..."

For the first time in the past fifteen minutes, since our heated exchange, I lifted my eyes—previously fixed stubbornly on the floor—to meet John's gaze.

He stood a few steps ahead of me, and I had deliberately created distance between us, refusing to speak.

"I'm sorry I shouted at you. I'm sorry I hurt you."
John closed the gap I had made, now standing directly in front of me.

"I wish I didn't have to say what I did, but please believe me—this man is ill-intentioned. I saw it, Lucy."

"I... I don't know what to say, John," I stuttered, close to tears. His words shook me to my core, and my mind struggled to comprehend their meaning. A small voice echoed inside my head, adamantly insisting that John must be wrong.

"I've known Krishna Kumar Uncle for three years. He's never misbehaved with me. He's like a father figure to me, John."

John nodded, a knowing look in his eyes. "I know, Lucy... But the way he was staring at you? He doesn't see you as a daughter."

"You're telling me he sees me as... an object of desire?"
John nodded again, his silence heavy.

I wanted to believe him; I knew he wouldn't lie to me. But despite my desire to trust John, my mind resisted his claims.

"I would understand if you refused to believe me, Lucy."
His words startled me, reflecting the very thoughts swirling in my mind as if he could read my feelings.

"You always see the good in people. I value that innocence in you," John continued.

"After all, you've been doing the same with me. If there's any good in me," he added, his voice wavering with emotion.
His words unleashed the tears I had been holding back. They streamed down my cheeks once more.

"There's plenty of goodness in you, John," I managed to smile through my tears as I stepped closer to him.
His eyes widened in surprise at the sight of my tears.

"Damn, I'm making you cry again! I'm such an idiot!"
For the second time that day, he gently wiped my tears away.

"Stop making me cry with your cheesy lines, Lennon," I playfully teased, hoping to lighten the mood.

"Go use them on your girlfriends instead." I flashed him a wide smile.
John looked puzzled for a moment but soon broke into a grin.

"Don't you dare call me cheesy, missus. And just to remind you, I have no girlfriend."

"But you'll make a pretty girl fall for you soon enough, won't you?" I winked at him.
John simply shook his head in denial, but I noticed a fleeting sadness cross his face.

It was clear he was still healing from his breakup with Barbara.

"I'm sorry I got angry at you, John," I whispered.

"No worries," he replied with a gentle smile.

"Look, Lucy... I'm not asking you to believe me. Just... please be careful with Krishna Kumar from now on."

"John... don't you think you're jumping to conclusions?" I asked softly, not wanting to upset him further. But I couldn't agree with his accusations against Krishna Kumar Uncle.
John let out a heavy sigh, clearly struggling with my disbelief. I could see him fighting to maintain his composure.

"I know it's not easy for you to accept this, Lucy. But please believe me when I say I saw things you didn't. I saw the way he looked at you. The excitement in his voice when you talked about that Indian novel. The lust in his compliments about your saree. I noticed how he touched you. You're too innocent to have seen those details. But I saw them all."

"Because unlike me, you're wise, right?" I couldn't resist saying, half-defiantly, half-jokingly.

John remained serious, unfazed by my attempt to lighten the mood. "Could be, yes. But more importantly, I know how men think. I understand the lines they use to hit on girls they fancy, and I know how they look at them."

Once again, his words left me stunned. Could it be that he was right? No... maybe, yes...
How could I make such serious accusations against Krishna Kumar Uncle?

"John, I still want to give him the benefit of the doubt."
My voice was barely above a whisper.

"Please don't misunderstand me. I completely trust you, John. But I can't..."
My words tumbled out in a chaotic rush. I stammered, beads of sweat forming on my forehead. My heart raced, and my eyes began to sting with tears again.

I didn't want John to think I didn't trust him; I couldn't bear the thought of losing him. Sadness and shame forced me to lower my gaze. I didn't feel brave enough to look at him anymore.

Then I felt his gentle touch on my face. "It's all right, Lucy..."

Tilting my chin up, he met my gaze. The warm chocolate hue of his almond eyes was tinged with sadness. "You don't have to believe me. Just... be careful. Let's say it's a precaution. All I want is for you to be safe."

"I promise," I nodded, struggling to offer him a reassuring smile.

"Now go," John whispered.

I frowned, confused about where I was supposed to go. Before I could ask, he continued, "Crowther's house is just a couple of miles away. You should go alone."

"Why don't you come with me?" I asked, puzzled. "You could meet Crowther one last time."
John gently shook his head.

"I'd love to, Lucy. But if your parents are there... I don't think they'd be pleased to see me."
His words made my heart sink. He was right, and I knew it.

A lump formed in my throat, making it hard to voice the simple words that followed. "So... see you soon, John?"

"We'll meet again very soon, missus. You'll be at Paul's place at seven this evening," he said with a cheeky grin.

"I wouldn't bet on that, Lennon," I replied, unable to suppress a grin in return. "I already told you I couldn't come."

"You will. It's a fact."
John's grin widened, and I felt puzzled by his confidence.

"No, I won't, John," I insisted, trying to sound firm, but my resolve faltered.

"You will come, Lucy," he asserted, like a determined child.

"I'm telling you, you've never missed a single one of our rehearsals. This time won't be any different—" John suddenly interrupted himself, a frown crossing his face. "Wait a sec..."

"What? What's wrong?" I asked, surprised by his abrupt silence.
His gaze fixated on my neck.

"I think your necklace is undone. It's slipping away from you."

"What?"
My hands instinctively went to my neck, feeling the pendant I wore.

"Let me tie the knot of your necklace back."

"Thanks," I whispered as he moved behind me.

"Can you move your hair to the front, please? It's blocking access to the knot," he said from behind.
I complied, gathering my long hair onto my right shoulder.

I shivered at his accidental touch on my bare skin as he worked to tie the knot.

"Is it okay now, John?" I asked a few moments later, noticing his silence.

"Wait... right... done."

"Thank you," I smiled warmly as he returned to stand in front of me. But my smile faltered when I saw something glinting in his hand—the gold cross pendant from my chain.

John flashed a triumphant smile. "Well, if you want your pendant back, you know what you have to do now, Miss Thomas."

"John, you liar! Give it back to me!" I screamed, desperately reaching for the pendant, but he kept it just out of my reach.

In moments like this, I cursed my height—I was barely 5'3" while he stood at 5'10".

"Oh hell no... You know the time and place. You'll have to come get it back there and then, love."
John burst into laughter.

"John, please," I pleaded. "Just give it back to me. I promise I'll come anyway." I tried to negotiate, feeling foolish, like a child pleading with her parents.

"How can I trust you? If I give your chain back, I'm not sure you'll come."

"I will, John. Trust me," I insisted, desperate to convince him.

"Good to know you'll come, then. I'll give you your chain when I see you this evening."
He was teasing me again.

"Now, excuse me. Time to go. The lads are waiting for me."
John winked, and before I could react, he took off running. He glanced back at me a couple of times, catching the anger and distress on my face.

But that didn't stop him from disappearing into the horizon, leaving me behind.