"Guess, who?"
The voice sounded a bit familiar. Who could it be? If only the person would remove his hand, I could tell who he was. He didn't. He told me to guess his name and gave me three chances. I failed all of them.
"I am really hurt," he said and removed his hands from my eyes. I turned my head to look behind me and was surprised to see him. Sahil gave me a bright smile and I returned it.
"Sahil! Long time no see." I got up from my seat and he chuckled at my reaction.
He looked dashing in a black V-neck shirt paired with grey jeans. His dark brown hair were gelled to the side and I noticed an earring in his left ear. Was that platinum?
After staring at him for few seconds, I extended my hand for a handshake. He didn't return the gesture but instead pulled me in a hug. My face hit his chest and he laughed heartily when I yelped. That was so sudden. I scrunched up my nose as I inhaled an unhealthy amount of perfume. He smelled great though.
I was meeting him after such a long time. We were not in contact after that inter-college science competition. What was he doing here? He pulled apart and took a good look at me. I sensed Rajeev staring at us. Oh, I should introduce Sahil to him before he misjudged us.
"Rajeev, this is Sahil, we met at the inter-college-" I began but he cut me off mid-sentence.
"I know him," he said.
"You do?" I asked in disbelief.
I glanced at Sahil and he nodded his head. What a small world. But how? He lived in a different city.
Wait a minute!
If Rajeev knew him, then was it possible that Ved did too? No! I wished it wasn't so. I needed someone who didn't know him.
"You don't know him, right?" I whispered to Sahil and pointed my thumb in Ved's direction.
"I do."
My face fell and I pursed my lips. He looked at me in confusion and I sat back on my chair. I glared at Ved who was smiling smugly. He shook Sahil's hand and Sahil sat beside him. I got to know that Sahil played basketball too. He had played some matches with Ved during school days.
Also, that wasn't the only thing they had in common. Their fathers were childhood friends too. Just awesome.
Why wouldn't there be someone who wasn't affiliated with Ved? I tried to converse with Sahil but Ved would always interrupt me.
They were discussing about business and politics. Two of my least favourite topics. Rajeev was also not paying attention to me. All three of them were busy in a heavy conversation. Still, I made an effort to join them but failed everytime. I felt so left out.
It felt like I didn't belong here. I glanced around me and then back at my clothes. Everyone was dressed so nicely while I looked like a clown in a white loose pullover and black jeans. I didn't even brush my hair before coming here. I just pulled them up in a messy bun and let the strands loose around my face since I was too lazy to do the hard work.
I scratched the table surface with my index finger. Then I got bored and picked up my phone to keep myself entertained. Why did I even come here?
"So, Sandhya. What about you?" Sahil asked.
"What about me?" I asked in irritation.
Now he felt like talking to me? He raised his eyebrows in surprise and Ved smirked. I knew what he was thinking. There was no one who didn't know him. Arrogant bastard.
"She is just jealous," Ved said.
"What for?" Sahil asked in confusion.
"I am not!" I yelled.
"Keep your voice low, kid," Rajeev reprimanded.
I pouted and Ved began laughing. Sahil looked lost. I told Rajeev that we should leave but he told me to wait for sometime. I glared at Ved. He didn't say anything but I knew that look. He was mocking me.
"Jerk," I mumbled under my breath.
"I heard that," Ved said in a warning tone.
"Good for you then."
"I would advise you to watch your mouth."
"Not taking it."
"A small reminder, but this is my hotel."
"So what? Do I look like I care?"
"I can kick you out, you know."
"Try me."
"I am not doing it only because of Rajeev bhaiyaa. So stop being a brat."
"Shut up already. Don't act like a noble person doing charity. He was taking me for a treat. We didn't invite you."
"As I said earlier, this is my hotel. I can come here anytime."
"Whatever."
Ved fisted his hands on the table and Rajeev pinched his nose bridge in frustration. I knew I was going to get scolded by him while Ved looked like he would beat me up any minute now. I glanced at Sahil and he looked at me dumbfounded.
Oh no! What would he think of me now? He must be thinking bad of me for putting up a tantrum.
He kept staring between Ved and me. Poor guy. He didn't know the history. I sighed and waved towards him to get his attention.
"Long story short, I don't like him," I stated.
"Same here," Ved added.
"May I ask why?" Sahil asked.
Ved and I glanced at each other. We both were in a staring contest, challenging each other to speak up first, but none of us did.
"Why aren't you saying anything, Ved?" I taunted.
"Why don't you go first?" he retorted.
And again we were giving each other death glares. Sahil was waiting for the answer but then he burst out laughing. All of a sudden.
"What? Why are you laughing Sahil?" I asked.
"I can't believe this. Ow! My stomach is aching." Sahil clutched his stomach as he tried to control his laughter. He calmed down and nudged Ved. Ved ignored him and looked at me with hatred. Jerkface.
Sahil looked at me in amusement and his eyes twinkled. What was he thinking now? He gave me a lopsided smile and glanced at Ved. Sahil was deep in thought for a moment before he spoke.
"Sandhya, want to come to my hotel next?" he asked out of the blue.
"What?" I asked.
"Yeah, my hotel. Actually, I was here to observe the working. You know Ved and I are friends but we are competitors too. Since you are already here, how about visiting mine? I would love your feedback."
"Huh?"
"Is that a yes or no?"
"You have a hotel too?!"
"Of course. Why do you look surprised?"
I pursed my lips. He had a hotel? Just how rich was he? Sigh. I pondered over it for a bit and nodded my head.
"Awesome then. It's a startup so I hope you like it." He winked and I chuckled at his enthusiasm.
"I am sure it will be better than this. Had I known earlier that the idiot beside you owned this, I wouldn't have come here in the first place if it wasn't for Rajeev." I waved my hands around me.
"Oh."
"Yes."
"Can you even afford it?" Ved bit back.
"Ved," Rajeev warned and Ved clenched his jaw.
"I wouldn't come even if I could afford it," I spat.
"Kid!" Rajeev yelled.
I huffed and crossed my arms across my chest. I avoided looking at any of them. I started counting in my head. How dare Ved say that? In my mind, I was cursing him with every word I knew. Sahil fidgeted in his chair and I glanced at him. He looked at me in concern.
"Don't worry, Sahil. I am okay," I told him and he nodded his head in response.
"He didn't even ask you," Ved mocked.
I gave him a dead look. Why wouldn't he just shut up? Sahil now understood the extent of our dislike towards each other. He didn't ask any more questions about it.
He confirmed when I would be able to meet him again. I told him it would be better to go on his hotel tour after the exams. I asked him if Gauri would be coming too or not. He shook his head. Bummer.
I checked the time and told Rajeev that I was getting late. He asked me if he should drop me off at my home and I refused. It was enough that he took me out for lunch today. Actually it wasn't lunch since we arrived here around 5 pm and now it was 8 pm. Time flew away so fast.
The guys were staying behind, so I picked up my bag and started to leave. Rajeev gave me a quick hug and I said my goodbye to Sahil. I ignored Ved. That moron could rot in hell.
I exited the restaurant and made a mental note to never visit this place again. Food here was heavenly delicious but my ego wouldn't let me compromise. As I went towards the main road, I looked behind my shoulder. The magnificent building seemed to be mocking me too with its grandeur.
I turned back my head to look ahead of me and continued on my way. I hailed an auto since I didn't want to waste more time waiting for a bus. After twenty minutes of ride, I reached my home. After paying the driver, I entered my house and instantly laid down on the sofa. I was fucking tired and gloated.
I don't think I ate this much ever before. Not even when Mayank treated our science team. Mom came and sat beside me. She picked up my head and laid it on her lap. My whole body was sore with all the work I did today.
I didn't only had to do paperwork but also help in cleaning some parts of the gym also. My notebook and other study materials were still lying on the centre table just like I left them in the morning when Rajeev called. Dad had gone out to drop our relatives at the railway station. I could have used Jahnvi's continuous talking as a distraction right now.
"Too much work today?" Mom asked and I responded with a low 'Hm'.
"You don't have to work yourself so hard Sandhu. I don't know why you are even doing that part time job."
I took a deep breath as I tried to keep Ved's mocking voice out of my head.
"Can you even afford it?"
I shut my eyes close harder and focused on mom's voice. I didn't reply to her question. What was I supposed to say? My parents didn't know I was doing that job so that I didn't burden them more financially. Joining self defence classes was my choice and if I could pay for those myself, then why not?
Mom let it slide and asked me if I wanted dinner. I shook my head. I was already full. Even the food in my stomach was screaming the same thing Ved said.
"Can you even afford it?"
That monkey ass idiot. How could he say that? I didn't show it in front of others but I was hurt. I so wanted to flip that table upside down and bang the chair on his head. But I controlled my anger. Honestly, counting does help to keep the temper down. Moreover, Rajeev wouldn't have let us get into a physical fight. It was too much work.
And then there was Sahil too. Ved insulted me infront of him. He must have a bad impression of me now. I groaned and tried to wave off all the negative thoughts. Then I realised, I was missing something.
Hm? What was it? While trying to remember it, I fell asleep. Terry made sure to get back at me on behalf of his owner. Not in reality but he made sure to wreak havoc in my nightmare.
Like owner, like pet.