" What?" Mark's jaw dropped. " Ofcourse not! Just what is running in that mind of yours? I don't like him. I do admire him for his formidable strength, but that doesn't mean I hold affection for him. If there is anything, it is the desire to fight with him and defeat him."
" Dude, I have never seen you this eager to befriend anyone before." Ben retorted.
" Well, that's because I want him to be my alley. Brother, you know how my family is. Father wants to eliminate me from the hierarchy. Even though I am his eldest son and grandpa has named me as the next heir, he feels insecure. He thinks I will mistreat him the way he mistreated my mother. His betrayal made my mother so heartbroken that she left everything behind. Even after she left, he never tried to amend their relationship. He continued his filthy ways and had multiple affairs. He never came back to find her, or me. Not even once. It was grandpa who found us, living with aunt and you. He was the one who brought me back when mom passed away. Since then, I have been nothing but a thorn in my father's eyes. He despises me and that goes vice versa." Alan paused.
" Once, I turn 21, I will inherit the position of main alpha of the clan. For now, he can not kill me but he can surely harm me and reduce my chances of being the next heir. You remember how he fixed my boxing match back then. One hit on my head with those metal studded gloves and I would have become retarded. If I hadn't forfeit back then, I don't know what would I have become by now. I don't want to live in fear. That's why I need both Rui and Alan. While Rui is like a charming omega who can deceive people by her appearance. Alan is the protector who can turn every obstacle into dust for Rui. If I get Rui, I can get Alan to be my alley. With his intelligence and fighting skills, I won't have to worry about the threats. He is a sharp weapon but he only works for those he cares for. If I have the people he care for, I can use him as shield and as a missile."
Ben who was casually teasing his little brother was now feeling conflicted. Just what kind if shit is his little brother going through. Is that man still abusing his power? And what about Rui? Does he likes her or she is a tool as well?
" Hey, what are you looking at?" they were suddenly interrupted by Rui. She was enjoying her cheese chicken kebabs when she noticed these two watching her. She caught both of them red handed and now it was time for confrontation.
" We were looking for you." Ben rushed to reply.
" That I saw. But why? Were you following us?" Rui narrowed her eyes.
" No…. we were looking for you because…" Ben stuttered out the first half of the sentence and forgot the second part.
" because Ben wants your notes for Data structures. He was saying that you have good handwriting, so we were looking for you. We found you here but we were too shy to approach you." The quick witted Mark made the whole story up in milliseconds. " What are you eating in this sloppy place though?"
" What do you mean sloppy? And since when shameless people like you have become so bashful. Oh just forget it! I am already in a bad mood. I don't want to lose my mind by talking to you." Then Rui turned to Ben and smiled, " If you wanted the notes, you should have told me."
Ben who was lost in Rui's smile, replied half consciously, " But I don't have your number."
" Oh. I am sorry. Here, give me your phone." Rui saved her number in his phone and continued, " would you like to join us?"
Ben gave a heartfelt smile, " that would be my honour."
" Whoa.. smooth!" Mark commented from the side.
" Shut up!" Both Rui and Ben spoke in unison. Then, they blushed like fools.
Soon, these four people were sitting at the same table. Mark stared at Alan's food and asked with fake politeness, " What are you eating?"
" Oh…it's a famous dish called none of your business." Alan replied.
....
" It's cheese chicken kebabs. These are new and quite famous. Do you want to try it?" Rui asked Ben, completely ignoring Mark.
" Sure. Mark, do you want it too?" Ben in turn asked his precious little brother.
" No. I don't eat unhealthy food." Mark replied.
" Then don't sit here and make me lose my appetite." Alan mumbled.
...
" What did you say?" Mark inquired.
" Aunty one plate of cheese chicken kebabs for the gentleman. And one spicy one for me. Make it double." Alan shouted out and the turned to Rui, " Let's try the spicy ones as well."
" Yes, oh I love it." Rui continued nibbling on the food.
The woman came back with three plates of fresh hot kebabs. Both Ben and Mark looked at the plates with doubts and disgust.
" Dear rich people, are you looking down us?" Rui asked in a cold tone.
" No. I just don't get it. I have never had something like this before. Aren't these like skewers?" Ben asked.
" Oh my god!" Both Rui and Alan gasped.
" Just taste it. Don't judge food without tasting. That's offensive. What if the chicken got offended and haunted you for comparing him with skewer? He sacrificed himself for you and you are judging him. Not cool." Rui slid the chilly chicken kebabs towards Alan and herself. " Let's dig in. Oh… Ben hold the stick like this and slide it down. And then, use the chopsticks."
The kebabs were hot and fresh. They were oozing smoke and a delicious smell followed it. Ben, grabbed one piece and tore it from the middle. The mozzarella cheese formed a long strand and melted Parmesan cheese flowed out. The kebab was made with boneless chicken mixed with several grated veggies and spices. It was crusty on the outside and soft on the inside. The spices and the cheese created a beautiful harmony. The moment they entered the mouth, it all melted into one bomb of crazy flavors.
" Delicious!" Ben was awestruck, " This is so good. Here Mark, try it."
" No thanks. This stuff is out of my…" Before Mark could finish his words, Ben stuffed the kebab in his mouth. Mark was now trying hard to act like he doesn't like it. However, he could not anymore. Not after tasting such delicacy.
" Brother, I will comply with your request. I will eat it. Since, you, the big brother who I respect, asked me to do so. Brother, you should order more for yourself. Make sure you order enough." Mark grabbed Ben's plate and started nibbling too.
Watching the three little hamsters nibbling on chicken, Ben could not but laugh, " These kids."
" Ben, you stay. I will order more for you. Till then, you can share with me." Alan offered his plate to Ben.
" Thank you." Ben was overwhelmed by sudden shower of kindness. He grabbed a piece and took a bite. A sudden burst of spices took him by surprise, " Oh my gaaad, What is this?"
" The spicy one. Isn't it yummy?" Alan winked at Ben. Ben was having a hard time dealing with pepper but he knew very well what Alan was trying to do.
" Yes, it's amazing. Even better than the cheesy ones." Ben supported Alan in his trickery and continued, " Oh…These spices are amazing."
" Are they? Brother, let me have some." Mark grabbed the chicken from Ben's plate and ate it shamelessly. " Oh…What the…water. I want water." He was shook by the hot spices. His whole body, his every red blood cell and white blood cell screamed a single word, Water!
Alan, Rui and Ben, all three rejoiced at the misery of Mark. That's what you get for stealing some one else's food. A loud cheerful laughter brought them all a little more closer.