Page 43 of Storm
“You’re going out, now? Sani it’s late. You should have left a bit early, don't you think?”
What are we, long lost friends, for him to be so informal and chatty?
“I'm not going alone. Zee and others will be with me. I have to rush now. Bye.”
“Zidaan is back in town? When did he return?”
“Yeah, he came back an hour ago, directly to my place for...” I abruptly stopped texting further.
His reply came quickly,
“?”
Yeah, right...Because we are so close and chummy.
“Why am I telling you about this? Zee and others are waiting for me. Bye now.” I tried to sound curt through my words and switched off the phone.
In the restaurant, we got a large circular table and sat around it talking and laughing. For some reason, Zee insisted we order a little late. Everyone sat enjoying the chitchat except for me.
I should have been a little nicer to Aariz on the phone. He was just being friendly after all. Why do I always end up hurting him? And why am I feeling so guilty about it now? I was not nice to him, but nor was I an utter bitch. He just asked a number and I...did not give it to him. He must have got it from someone else by now. In addition, he must have already spoken to Zee. If not, should I tell Zee to call him and see why he wanted the number?’
Zee would ask the same thing, ‘Why are you thinking so much about Aariz?’
I did not understand this feeling, myself.
Suddenly, I felt weight of a hand on the back of my chair, bringing me out of my thoughts.
Before I could turn around, I saw Zee greeting over my head,
“Hey Aariz! Finally you have arrived.”
Stunned, I craned my neck to see it really was, in all his glory, the man ruling my thoughts these days...Aariz, looking steamy in a black button-down shirt and black trousers.
For some wierd reason, I wondered if I looked steamy to him in my navy blue cocktail dress. Self-consciously moving a hand through the waves of my open hair, I discarded this thought as rubbish. Who cares what he thinks of me?!
He greeted everyone, while standing behind me with his hand still on the back of my chair. He was mingling with everyone except me and thus, disturbing me immensely for some reason.
He spoke to everyone, as if I was not there. It was completely Zee’s fault. What was the need to invite this guy in the first place?!
Ooh! Now I get it. This means Aariz had lied to me about not having Zee's phone number. When I blurted that we were going out, he must have called up Zee and got himself invited. Very smart!
Everyone asked him to take a seat. Since I kept glaring at him with the expense of straining my neck, I could not help but notice something pass between him and Ibbi, who sat beside me.
As if Aariz was his date, Ibbi stood up and graciously offered his chair to Aariz, while he went around the table to sit on the empty chair next to Zee.
Wierd.
We ordered, and shortly our food arrived. I gobbled on my noodles, avoiding every other dish.
I heard Aariz whisper, as if talking to himself,
“Looks like its madam's favourite dish.”
An involuntary blush crept on my face and the matter turned worst, as while eating, every now and then his arm would brush against my bare one, leaving me in goose bumps.
Going breathless and unable to take the close proximity anymore, I stood up.
“Sani, you need something? Any problem?” asked Aariz, in a loud carrying voice.
