I reached the restaurant in twenty minutes and everyone was waiting for me.
There were three people other than Kabir.
Manish and Arjun whom I have met before and a girl who was sitting beside Kabir. It was my first time seeing her.
I greeted everyone and looked at Kabir so that he will introduce her.
This blockhead won't understand my signals ever. Thankfully, Manish understood and said, "Aditi this is Natasha and Natasha this is Aditi, Kabir's best friend."
You forgot to tell me who is she. Of course I won't say that out loud.
"Hi!" I greeted her.
"Oh, Hi! I have heard a lot about you." I raised my eyebrow at her.
What did she mean by that? From whom? Kabir? Did she said that casually or he really talked about me.
I shrugged that thought. I don't want to overthink on something, and raise my expectations. Things are fine as they are.
"Kabir ordered for you already, see if you want anything else. After all, it might not suit your taste." Natasha said. She and Kabir were sitting beside each other while we three were sitting opposite them.
I don't know but I felt she was being hostile to me. It was our first time meeting, I couldn't think of any reason for which she would hate me. She felt weird.
I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable under her gaze.
"Don't mind her." Manish whispered in a voice only I could hear.
"Why is she behaving like that?" I asked him. He is a friendly and nice person. Usually it takes me time before opening up with someone, but with him it just felt natural. He seems like an older brother I never had.
"You know she likes him and she is pursuing him, so she is just jealous of you, as you are his best friend."
I stilled for a second at that piece of information. I don't know how I should take it. Now I understood why she was staring at me like that when I entered. Like she wanted to tear me up.
How should I react now because I am feeling like crying? I should just not think about it, if I did I am sure I will end up crying.
"Who? Kabir?" I asked as I masked my emotions.
"Who else?" Manish replied. I had a feeling that he saw through me but he played along to give me face.
"She has a questionable taste." I said and focused back on food. I think even my taste is questionable that I fell for him. A person who don't understand anything.
My mind still went back to that piece of information again and again. He allowed her to do that. He had no objections against her pursuing him. Which could only mean that he liked her too right.
Why would he bring her along, and let her sit close to him.
"Where you gone? The food will turn cold." Manish nudged me gently and I came back to senses.
"Sorry, I was just thinking about work." I made an excuse.
"Are you okay?" Kabir asked me with concern.
"Yeah, I am fine." I lied. I am not okay at all. I am angry and jealous and sad to the point I don't even know what I am feeling right now.
Natasha didn't bothered me for the rest of the dinner and I am thankful for that otherwise I might not have been able to keep my emotions in check.
Everyone on the table was in great mood except for me, but I didn't show that.
I acted as if I was enjoying myself. I think I could be an incredible actress at this stage.