Maintaining a good amount of silence I was waiting for the food to come on the table so that I could have it and went home as soon as possible but the wait was not ending. My heart was beating a bit faster than normal. Regardless of the long lecture, Deni had delivered, I was still a bit scared.

"Shifa aapki family me kon kon hai? Other than your papa, Mumma and your dear Hamdan bhai?" I suddenly looked up at this question. Deni was looking at me for a reply. He remembered Hamdan bhai's name!! I was a bit shocked.

(How many members do you have in your family?)

"Hamdan bhai's wife and my younger brother," I replied and he raised a brow.

"You've another brother too? You never talked about him" Only Bilal's thoughts were enough to make me smile. "We never discussed our families so I never got a chance" Shrugging with a smile I lift the class of water to have a small sip.

"Hmm... That's true. We never discussed our families" copying my action he took a sip of water before asking. "What's your brother's occupation?"

I know it was his trick to vanish my stress and he was a bit successful.

"Hamdan bhai works in a consulting firm in Canada, and My younger brother, Bilal is graduating in law"

"That's great. Is Bilal also very serious, just like his elder sister?" He smiled as so I did.

"Bilal and sincerity are the same poles of a magnet, always ready to repel each other. He is a big prankster and dramatic boy. Sometimes I call him oversized baby" I just rolled my eyes while remembering Bilal and his tantrums. In the meantime, lunch was served.

"Come on Shifa, attack!" I tried not to laugh but his style was too funny I couldn't help but laugh while trying to find out Biryani on the table but...

He ordered everything besides biryani. That's not fair! This is the biggest injustice with me and my dear Biryani.

My mood was spoiled, for me feast is equal to Biryani. Only Biryani.

"What's your favourite dish miss?" Filling his plate with different dishes he asked and preferring not to reply I looked away. "As if you do care about my likes and dislikes!" I mumbled before serving a small amount of Salad on my plate. Who asks about others' favourite dishes after ordering lunch with one's choice?

"Do I have to care about your likes and dislikes?" His right brow arches with this question, making my heart skip a beat.

I was beyond shocked! Ya Allah, What I have done? Had I mumbled louder than enough? I ought to think twice before saying anything like this, but I was pretty late with this realisation. Wiggling my fingers together in that embarrassing situation I was watching the white marble floor when he clear his throat.

"Okay, tell me one thing... Do you care about my likes and dislikes?" His voice forced me to look up at his face. I noticed the colour of his eyes for the first time. Those dark grey eyes and charming smile managed my heart to skip a beat.

I have to admit that after Faraz he's the only guy whose personality attracts me. No, I was not attracted by his physical personality but by his genuine nature and wise mind. He was the second guy who was not trying to impress me not any other girl and this quality gave him a good state in my eyes.

"Hmm... Answer. Do you care about my likes and dislikes?"

"Yes? No. I mean ye. No"

What the hell I was babbling? I was on the fence, neither I could say that I don't care about his likes and dislikes nor I could admit. In both situations, I would be giving different and odd vibes!

"Shifa...?" He uttered but this time there was a smile on his lips which addressed that he was trying to tease me, and somehow that smile managed to vanish my nervousness to some extent. Unwillingly I giggled after watching his smile.

"You're again teasing me. Aren't you?" I complain about a smile but he shook his head. "No, I'm not. I'm asking very seriously." He was trying to be serious but his style was playful.

"Why would I do care about your likes and dislikes?" Narrowing my eyes I replied playfully "I don't care," I added in a playful manner on which he chuckled holding his arms on his chest

"Really? Don't you?" I shook my head in reply while suppressing my giggle. "Why?" He fake glared at me.

"Why would I care for you? Who are you to me?" In the same playful manner, I cross-questioned.

Wait a minute... We both are arguing as if we are friends.

Are we or not? 

"Good... this question is better!"

"Now tell me who I'm for you?" He raised another question in front of me, I wanted to cry about that situation, he was leaving me on Cross Road every time.

"You're my senior," I said while shrugging and taking a sip of water but his expressions become denser than before, making me distress.

"Is this a way to talk to your senior? Don't you know the protocols? There is a particular manner to talk with your seniors" He scolded me making the blood run cold inside my frame. He was correct I shouldn't be so casual with him. I wanted to run away from that place due to the embarrassment but what could I do?

'Shifa when you haven't talk to any other guy in this friendly manner then why you've crossed that boundary of professionals?' My heart criticised me and I didn't lift up my gaze.

"Miss Shifa I'm asking something" His voice was strict and my tears were ready to pop out.

"Deni we're friends too." I muttered looking at his face which was still holding the same anger. "Or aren't we?" I asked fearfully, my voice was shivering but he raised his left brow.

"If we're friends then don't you care about my likes and dislikes?" He smiled and I held my forehead with a sight of relief but my heart was still beating fast.

"Aapne mujhe dara diya tha Deni" I complaint with a defeated smile. He chuckled gently and served me a few pieces of Paneer tikka which he was already having.

(Deni, you scared me)

"Try this it's very tasty" I poke the fork in a price of cottage cheese before dipping it in the green dip and...

It was delicious! I guess the best Paneer tikka I had till the date.

"It's delicious" with this compliment I lift the next morsel.

Now I can forgive Deni for not ordering Biryani. With this thought I smiled looking at him, he was busy in having lunch using the fork and knife.

Ughh... How can someone use knife and fork to have indian food? I never become master in using knife.

"Hmm Miss Shifa... Bataya nahi aapne? Do you care or not?" I had taken only second or third bite when He again asked while having his lunch and I was again at crossroad.

(You haven't tell me yet!)

"I've done, thanks for the meal." To avoid that question I stood up leaving the morsel of my hand and he laughed.

"Arey aap to aese bhaag rahi ho jese mene aap se bill mang liya ho... Main to sirf jawaab mang raha hu" He said when I took a single step ahead.

(Dude you're running away as if I have ask you to pay the bill. I'm asking answer only. )

"Main bill de dungi, aap jawaab kisi aur se le lijiye" I replied while taking another step forward but he laughed lightly with a nod.

(I would pay the bill, and you ask for this answer to someone else.)

"Beth jao Shifa, main to bas aap ko tang kar raha tha." He said and lifts his hand to see time in his wrist watch but his hand touched with mine. I felt my heart was coming out at any moment, he didn't do it intentionally but my poor heart skipped a beat. First of all, I looked everywhere and thankfully no one was watching us. I glanced at him while taking my seat but my heart gave a loud beat when our gazes met so I immediately look away, I was feeling nervous in his presence but what could I do except have lunch silently. But maybe he understood my nervousness.

(Sit back Shifa, I was only teasing you)

"Ice cream?" He asked and I shook my head with a hesitation but he still ordered strawberry ice cream for both of us which I don't like a single bit. But anyhow I managed to have it without even looking at him, I was not in playful manner anymore!

"Bill to aap dogi na?" He asked and I suddenly looked up!

(The bill will be paid by you. Right?)

Oh no... I was the one who committed to pay the bills, I nodded slowly looking at the table which was still filled with dishes that were untouched by us. Why did he order this much food?

"Excuse me, pack all these remaining food" I felt so embarrassed when Deni ordered the server who place the bill on our table.

"Deni, what are you doing?" I mumbled and he blinked like trying to say that he already knew what he was doing, so I decided to shift my gaze towards the bill and my heart skipped a beat.

₹4897... That was the bill for that meal

"All good?" He asked and I tried to nod but my shocked state didn't allow me. "You pay the bill I'm going." Saying that Deni stood up and my breath was stucked in my throat. Why did he ordered this much food?

I had some thousand rupees in my purse and around five hundred bugs in my e-wallet.

"Aaj to yaha ke bartan dhone padenge" I mumbled because looking here and there. I didn't have money to pay the bills and Deni left me alone after taking the leftover food.

(I'll have to wash the dishes over here)

"Ma'am do you need anything else?" the waiter come up with those words and I looked towards the bill. "Actually... I need some time to pay the bill, my friend is on the way" I lied, but planned to call Afifa

"But sir has already paid for this at the counter" the Waiter informed me and I took a deep breath, I literally felt like I got life back in my frame. Taking my purse and mobile I went out of the restaurant where Deni was already standing.

"Bill pay kar diya?" He smirked while wearing his specs after cleaning them.

(Paid the bills?)

Ugh... He again teased me!

But I smiled and nodded, he raised his brow and gestured me towards the car, but I shook my head. I couldn't afford to be a daredevil again, only doing lunch with him was enough, going back to home in his car wasn't a smart choice for me.

"I'll manage," I said but he rolled his eyes.

"If you wanted to manage by yourself then I shouldn't pay the bill" He teased me and I just smiled. "Come" Saying that he hopped in the car and I bite my lower lip but hopped in the car after him.

"Deni" I mumbled when he hummed

"Drop me before my home, sorry but I can't invite you to my home" I felt highly embarrassed and he looked towards me with furrowed brows.

"Why?"

"You already know" I replied with embarrassment and he smiled.

"Main to soch Raha tha aaj aapki mummy ki hath ki chai pi kar jaunga, aur Hamdan se bhi mil lunga" I was shocked

(I was planning to have tea made by your mumma and I will also meet Hamdan.)

"But Deni you alr..." before I could say anything he chucked

"Ye aapka hosh uda hua face dekhne me jitna maza aata hai na... Main Bata nahi sakta"

(I can't describe you how much I enjoy to see your shocked face)

I wish, I could glare at him for that but that was difficult for me. He was making my fun and I was only tolerating that, but surprisingly I wasn't feeling bad but enjoy. After a few minutes of the silent drive, he stop the car at a red light where a beggarwoman came towards our car. I was expecting Deni to ignore her but he rolled down the glass window of my side.

"Shifa, wo khana de do" I obeyed his command by giving that big package of food to that lady who smiled and looked towards both of us?

(Give that food)

"Upar wala aapki Jodi salamat rakhe" The woman blessed us before turning back and we looked towards each other, my face was dull but not more than him. Deni rolled up the glass again and fake cleared his throat as he wasn't comfortable enough to get that blessing as so I, but don't know why we both burst into laughing altogether.

(May God bless your pair)

"I have to admit, it was hilarious" he laughed again and I also nodded

"How can she be blessed like this?" I laughed "Hamari Jodi... Oh god.."

"Wese Hamari Jodi salamat rahegi to aapka promotion jaldi ho jayega" He laughed

(By the way, you'll be promoted soon if our pair will stay blessed)

"What does it mean?" I shrugged.

"RJ Khushi and RJ Deni's couple is becoming famous with passing time, so it's better for your carrier," He explained and I smiled. He again started driving and we both were again silent like we had no topic to talk about, but I wanted to talk to him.

"That's why you ordered to pack leftover food?" I asked without looking towards him and I feel him smiling

" We had already paid for that so What's the point of wasting food? We should give it to the needy" He said showing his wise side to gain a point of respect in my eyes. Our car passed by the India Gate and a smile created a curve with my lips after remembering a few childhood memories, and I don't know how he understood that! He stopped the car near an ice cream vendor to buy me an ice cream.

"No Deni, I already am full," I mumbled but he passed that to me while saying.

"Le lo, main nahi kahunga ki ye aap ki second ice cream hai" my heart skipped a beat because he repeated the same words which once Faraz said at the party while giving me ice cream.

(Take it, I won't say it's your second ice cream)

"Thanks" I muttered with a lower gaze but those days strike my memory, and all my emotions were ready to flow down from my eyes.

"Kya hua?"

(What happened?)

"Kuch yaad aa gya" I mumbled and didn't find guts to have that ice cream.

(Just remember something)

"kya yaad aa gya? (what?)" He asked and I shook my head with a fake smile while mumbled "Nothing special" but I don't know what superpower he have.

"Kuch to hai, batao kya yaad aaya koi Bura insan ya kisi achhe insan se judi buri yaad?" I looked towards him and smiled lightly.

(There is something for sure. Tell me what's this? Any bad person or something better related to a nice person)

"Insan bhi achha hai, aur yaad bhi... Bas... Leave it" I left the sentence in between and he smiled while glancing at me

(The person is good as so the memory but.... Leave it)

"What's your age?"

"What?" I exclaimed

"Must be 23-24. Right?" He guessed and I nod my head with a hushed "Yes'

"Abhi to starting hai in buri yado ki. Ye puri Zindagi milti rehti hai, lekin har ek buri yaad ke liye ek ice-cream ki bali dena to koi samajhdari nahi hai na" He said in a playful manner I couldn't help but laughed while looking at the ice-cream cup, which was half-melted already. I started having that and he also smiled.

(It is now just the beginning of these bad memories. It goes on for the rest of life, but sacrificing an ice-cream for every bad memory doesn't make any sense, isn't it)

"Wese aap ko manners sikhane ki zarurat hai, share bhi nhi kari or khud hi sari khaa li"

(You need to learn basic manners. Y9u didn't even share )

Ughhh... He again teased me

"Deni aapko chahiye thi aap pehle hi keh dete" I complained and he made an innocent face

(You would have said earlier if you wanted to have )

"Banake hum faqeero ka bhees Galib,

Tamasha-e-ehle karam dekhte hain"

"Again urdu couplet? Now, what does it mean?"

"It's your homework" I rolled my eyes before shrugging my bag on the shoulder.  

"Please stop the car here only," I said and he park the car nearly one kilometre away from my home.

"Allah Hafiz" I Greeted him before stepping out and he smiled.

"Fee amannillah" he muttered and I smiled.

"Arey Shifa.." I stopped to close the car door due to his call "Ji (yes) Deni?" I asked.

"Jane se pehle Bata to do, do you care about my likes and dislikes or not..." He again teased me and I smiled while narrowing my eyes.

(Tell me before you go)

"No, I don't!" Chirping that I removed my hand from the car door, and he rolled down the glass. He was going to say something but suddenly his smile vanished as if I said something wrong. We both keep watching each other for two long seconds. "Allah Hafiz, and happy birthday" with a narrow smile I greeted him and took long steps ahead towards my home. But my heart was not working properly, it was skipping beats regularly. I don't know why?

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