Page 44 of Storm
Everyone looked at me puzzled.
“Um...I was just taking the glass of water.” That was all I could mutter.
Having no other option, I sat down again with water in hand, glaring at him, to recieve an amused smile in response, combined with a wink.
Halfway through the dinner, Zee went to the washroom. After he came back, he gave me a wicked look and I knew what was about to come next, when he started speaking,
“Sani you look stunning tonight. Just now while I was returning from the washroom, a few guys were asking me about you.”
Before I could say anything in answer, Aariz interrupted angrily,
“Wait a minute Zidaan! Some random guys asked you about Sani and you just answered them and came back? She is your friend or what! You should have broken their jaws!”
Zee and I tried hard to appear serious and not laugh. We were the only two who knew this game. No one else did. All my cousins felt that either it was some sort of inside joke of ours or we were just plain stupid. Anyway, they were used to it, so ignored us. Not Aariz though, he was interested and scowling.
I gave Zee a warning look, not to include Aariz in it. In addition, personally, I ignored him like; he had ignored me, while flirting openly with my friends in college.
Smirking at Zee, I had a saucy comeback ready,
“It’s nothing in comparison to your looks. Girls were staring at you when we entered inside the restaurant.”
“Really?” Zee became seriously excited.
In addition, Aariz turned to look at me with heated eyes saying in accusatory tones,
“You’re being wierd. You don't care a bit, that any riff-raff guy enquires about you, stares at you? You’re taking it so casually!”
Zee again tried to intervene and explain to Aariz, but I glared, and stopped him.
Trying to appear all cool and casual, I told Aariz, “So what? They just praised me in front of Zee. Maybe they found me pretty. What is wrong in that? They enquired about me, so he must have answered them his way and came back. End of story. What is there to discuss in it? Why should I care so much?”
Aariz did not say anything further.
After finishing dinner, we started to leave the restaurant. I stood outside, waiting for Zee to bring the car. Aariz was going to leave in his own car but before that, I guess he had something else in mind, as he marched towards me. With a formidable glare, he asked me to step aside with him, saying he needed to have a word.
Shrugging my shoulders, I walked with him to the corner.
He started without a preamble, his words dripping with condensation and utter furiousness,
“What were you saying inside? ‘So what, Aariz they were just praising me.’”
Aariz rolled his eyes and continued,
“It’s not called praise Sani. They were lusting after you. And you still have no problem with that! They were enquiring about you, staring at you, when they don't even know you. They had no right, absolutely none! And instead of reprimanding Zidaan, you were telling me, ‘So what?!’” He yelled in my face, making me flinch.
I should have told him earlier itself. Shit! He is getting ‘all-protective-friend of best-friend–and-Prof’ combined on me now.
I rolled my eyes for the dramatic effect and said in a soothing voice,
“You are still stuck up on that? Okay fine, I confess it was just a game. Mine and Zee's inside joke.”
Then I went on to explain him all about the game and also that in reality no one had asked Zee anything about me nor had any girl stared at Zee. We were both just fake praising each other. It was just a joke between us.
“Then why didn’t you say so earlier? Do you have any idea how angry I was? I wanted to hammer those guys!” Aariz snapped at me, scolding me so much.
Haww! How dare he scold me?! I have to set him straight. He must know I do not get intimidated so easily. Hah! Hear me roar!
“It was mine and Zee's inside joke. Personal. Why would I tell you about it? I had no idea you’d get so worked up and mad at me for that. Whatever it was, why the hell are you shouting at me? WHY DO YOU CARE SO MUCH?” I yelled, thoroughly confused by Aariz's behaviour.
