Ariena was so immersed in her own world that she didn't pay any attention to the person beside her who was getting more and more gloomy with the passing time.
She continued telling praises about his super hero brother Evan with eyes filled up with only admiration and respect. 'It was such a pleasure to meet someone who has been such an important part of your life , with whom you can let go all the formalities and mannerisms.' she thought to herself.
When Stan noticed that she was to busy to notice her husband he tried to give some signal to her to look to her left by moving his eyes but she failed to get it
Brann saw Stan what was the latter aiming at so he joined him by giving more definite signs ,"Oh wow....he really is a wonderful guy then, after all he saved your pride....haha"he laughed little weird ,by pointing his head towards Andrew. Stan copied his actions to, "ya ,ya.. you are right".
As Ariena saw both the guys in front of them acting a little weird ,so she paused to notice what they want her to look . She turned to her left only to get the shock of her life.
Andrew was glaring at Brann ,if glare could kill he would have died right there and then. At the same time Brann and Stan also zipped their mouths with their hands showing that they will not speak a single word.
'What happened to this guy here....', she tried to ask to the two guys in front of her through her eyes, but they just gave her a awkward smile ,so she again turn to face Andrew.
"Ariena...." Andrew called her name by giving so much stress that she flinched on her own spot.
"Andrew..."she called his name very carefully.
"What should I do with you...? Do you know what wrong you have done..?." Andrew asked again with a upset tone.
Ariena didn't have any ideas so she immediately shakes her head in denial mode.
For a split of seconds, a glint of doubt crossed through Andrew's eyes, 'Is this girl is really so virtuous... so pure... so naive ....that she didn't noticed how close she was with that super hero of her and from where she got the guts to blabber praises for him as if he's a God.. Or ... she thinks it's easy to fool me with those innocent puppies eyes of her.' , he thought to himself while deciding he should believe her or not.
"Guilty" or "Not Guilty"...
While poundering over this question in his mind he stared into her eyes and tried hard to get his answer. But he got surprise to see her blank expressions.
After sometime he pinched space between his eyes and said, "Ariena.... How can you talk of some other male with so much admiration in front of your husband and his friends... don't you feel this act of your's is disrespectful towards my pride..?"
"Sorry , sorry... I didn't realize that my words just now we're so misleading and disrespectful to you....." she replied in a sad apologizing tone, "It's not like that I see you as some one who is inferior to my school Senior..... it's just that I was too excited to meet him here after so long, I just wanted to let you guys know about him... sorry...."
Seeing the sadness in her eyes and in her tone, all the three guys felt bad for overreacting over the situation. It was then that they realize that it was such a rare occasion as she was opening to them and telling them about herself and her past life.
Usually, even been familiar with the group she preferred remaining silent or replying only to very few questions which were related to her work or some random stuff. She rarely joined their gathering and even if she joined them, most of the time, she acted almost like an invisible person.
'This time he really scared her,' thought Andrew seeing the pityful figure in front of her. 'A single word more and she will start crying he was sure.'
He look towards his friends, all three of them pass a knowing look among themselves.
"Hey! don't feel sorry okay ....it was just a prank .We were just fooling with you...we just throw some allegations to make you feel guilty and look at you ...you take the bait .... right Andrew... right Stan ...",he elbowed Stan to say something to ease the pressure.
"Absolutely correct..... you are such an simple person ..... hahaha.... you got yourself trap in our lies so easily..." Stan also tried his best to stop the tears falling from her enchanting green eyes.
Though their words provided some comfort to her but to be sure she looked towards Andrew to get his assurance too.
"Why can't I feel it that it was a joke.... what they just said is it true Andrew..? she questioned him in a soft voice nearly audible to others.
"Yes, they are speaking truth.... infact to be exact I bet to them that you will fight for yourself ...tsk but look at you ...you gave up so quickly... You made me loose a big sum you know Mrs. Johnston...." replied Andrew while composing his build up anger.
'Wow you are such a smooth liar Andrew' both of his friends have him a military salute to him in their minds.
Brann was quick in gathering Ariena's attention towards him as he acted like someone stabbed him in his heart while saying, "Ariena you hurt my feeling ...in your eyes me and Stan are liars ..... that's not the way you treat your friends...."
Instantly, Ariena gave him a big smile while holding her both ears ,"Sorry , sorry.... how can I even think like that about you two, I totally trust you ... it's just that Andrew expressions were really scary, It did feel real to me and I really got scared at that time.... So so sorry...."
"Okay , okay ... you have to drink three glasses each of alcohol to show your sincerity towards me and Stan... "brann said while calling the waiter to serve the drinks.
"Oh no no , please accept my apologies like this only...." ,she thinks for a few minutes and then added"..... or how about I can treat you guys lunch or dinner personally cooked by me or wherever you want, which ever is suitable for you guys ..... please I will blast if I take even a sip of the drinks..... Please Brother have some mercy..."
Soon all of them started chatting happily, except for one person , who was not able to understand his own outrage that happened some minutes ago.
'Aaggggh... ' Andrew shouted with all his might in his brain to gain some clarity in his thoughts, why did he reacted like that before,why does her actions and words have so much impact on him? .....