chapter 55

"Who followed you? I came to have lunch here, it's my favourite restaurant" Aarav clarified.(In reality, Aarav has never seen this restaurant before, so he made up the comment.)"Whatever" Shashank added walking on his way.Shashank entered the restaurant so does Aarav."Excuse me, I need a table," they both said"You again," they both said together."Listen, I'm asking you nicely. Please stop following and copying me, okay?" Shashank asserted"I told you I am here to have lunch" Aarav asserted"Sir we do not have a table available right now" she replied"We can provide services If you are comfortable with sharing" she added"Yes, please" they both replied together. Their words were synced like twins. "this way please..." The hostess escorted them inside, to their shared table.Their eyes landed on each other Vihaan lost his appetite as soon as his sights caught the guests, whom he allowed sitting at his table. It's Aarav and Shashank."What a bad day" Vihaan sighed as there wasn't anything that he could do. He took Manasvini here, she seemed happy and these two appeared out of nowhere. Vihaan doesn't want to ruin her happiness so clenching his fists he greeted them with a smile.Vihaan's effort was useless, 'cause her smile dropped as soon as she saw Aarav. She changed her expressions real quick though.Shashank instantly took hold of the chair next to Manasvini."I was going to sit there you come to this side," Aarav said to Shashank."Why? I came here first" he replied.Vihaan was trying hard not to spoil things, but his persistence was reaching its limits. Manasvi was also confused by their behaviour, they were fighting for a spot like kids. She saw Vihaan, clenching his fists."You can sit here" she let out looking at Aarav. Emptying her spot she moved and sat beside Vihaan.Aarav wanted to sit next to her but what to do now. "No, it's..." Making a sad face he walked towards the empty chair.After all that drama, they finally settled down. The server took their orders too. Soon the food arrived. Those four had their lunch quietly. The ambience around their table was peaceful. Manasvini was relieved that they weren't fighting anymore. But it was the silence before the storm... and it broke out when the bill arrived.Two bills reached their table and..."I will pay for everyone," Aarav said taking out his card."Except this person" he added pointing at Shashank"..." In return, Shashank took out his card "l am paying for all of us, including him too." He replied with a smile."Here..." He said putting forward the bill with his card."Why?" Vihaan finally uttered"I took her here, and I will pay for the two of us""You guys settle this down between yourselves" he added separating the bills."I said I am paying, why are you sulking up?" Aarav said snatching the bill away."Here you go, separate this person's cost" Aarav let out handing out the bill and card to the server."No" Shashank and Vihaan grabbed his hand. Those three were clashing with each other, "Excuse me?" "Vihaan...""Aarav...""Mr Malhotra..." She tried to stop each one of them but they weren't listening. She took a deep breath to keep herself calm. She took the cash out of her purse, "Thank you, the food was tasty" She smiled and passed the cash and bills to the server. After paying, she walked out. Those three were still busy fighting until the staff came and requested them to empty the table."Sir we are requesting you, please empty the table. Our other guests are waiting" the server said. The three of them turned towards him."The Lady who came with you already paid the bills" he added in a stuttering voice as they were glaring at him."Manasvini...?" Vihaan looked around to find her"Where did she go?" He asked the server, more like he shouted at him."Sh... She left" he answered. Vihaan walked out quickly. So did Aarav and Shashank.Manasvini was waiting for Vihaan at the parking area, near their car."Manu... Why did you..." Vihaan said as soon as he saw her."So your reunion with your bestie was over?" She chuckled cutting him off in the middle."..." He didn't answer back and looked away."Btw... Was it really necessary to fight over the bill?" She let out another chuckle."I am embarrassed enough, Don't talk about that" Vihaan stated with a shy smile.They went inside the car and were about to drive off but someone knocked on the window."Manasvini..."