18. Most Likely To…, Part 1

[Avni: As it turns out, almost every couple in the theatre club is in a fight over the weekend- and somehow, I'm not involved in any of them. On the flip side, I've been texting non-stop with Hrithik since our last meeting- and he's so nice. Like sacrifice-my-life-for-a-pigeon nice. That should be a good change of scene.]

"That's for table 4, this one's for 9 and take 7s order. 5 needs 2 chaas," her father said (barked).

The only time he's this loud is during rush hour service.

Avni took up the plates and drinks to the respective tables, and then she walked over to table 7 to take their order, and then took it back to the kitchen.

She was in the middle of balancing 2 more orders when-

"Need some help?"

Avni turned around- Hrithik.

Her eyes turned wide, and then flitted to her dad. He hadn't noticed him yet, but- "What are you doing here?"

He caught her drift. "I'm Indian! I thought I'd fit right in," he joked. When it was obvious Avni didn't feel too comforted, he said, "Shit, is your family's the don't-talk-to-the-opposite-sex type?"

"Not really. But I don't know how they'd feel about this," she waved her free hand between them. Which reminded her, she shouldn't be having free hands.

She picked up the tray of food, and manoeuvred around the tables, Hrithik in tow.

He mercifully had the common sense to not talk while they were between the tables, but when she returned to the kitchen, he picked up the conversation again.

"Speaking of this, are you also working here tomorrow?"

"I can get out if I want to. Why?"

He picked up a couple plates from her newly filled tray. "Hrithik-" she protested.

"No, it's fine. One less trip. Anyways, do you want to maybe catch a movie tomorrow?"

"Please enjoy!" Avni smiled at the diners on the table where they set down the food.

Now on their way to crockery section, she said, "Sure. I'd love that."

"I'll pick you up at 6?"

She smiled up at him, "Yeah."

He nodded, "Okay, great." He paused, "Do you need help or?"

She frowned in confusion, "No, I'm okay."

He smiled his brilliant smile. No dimples, Avni couldn't help but think. She shook clear of that thought quickly and smiled back. "See you tomorrow," he said, walking towards the door.

"Who is that?" Shanaaya, her co-worker, asked.

Avni grinned, "He's my competition for this life-altering award."

"And you're dating him?"

Avni looked at her in surprise.

"Oh c'mon, it's so obvious."

She grinned, "He's very cute, obviously. And he's really nice."

"Yeah, I saw. He actually picked up plates. I'd kill for a man like that."

"Really? It doesn't make you feel like you're being rendered incapable?"

Shanaaya rolled her eyes. "You're so incredibly proud, of course you feel that way."

Her words cut deep- but she was right. "Well, I am trying to be less cut-throat so, maybe he'll be good for me."

"Why're you trying to be less cut-throat?"

"Really? Why? That's a question?"

She shrugged, "It's your personality. You probably shouldn't gamble it away."

Ricky sat with his head between his hands.

"Was I in the wrong?" He asked Avni. "The song was supposed to be a duet. She didn't even ask me before changing it completely. And now she's acting like it's my fault? Like- she says the song doesn't mean anything to her but I know it does. She feels like she's constrained because of me? I'll always be supportive of wherever she wants to go. But it just seems like she wants to go where I'm not. On purpose. Like she's escaping me."

"I don't know, Ricky."

"Yeah, you do. Just tell me."

"I don't think I should. This is your relationship with her. Figure it out with her."

He huffed.

"Shouldn't you be at a date right now?" Big Red asked.

Avni rolled her eyes, "I only came over because Ricky literally begged me to- god, so ungrateful."

"How's it going?" Big Red had texted her.

"Movie was fine. He's great. Having dinner rn."

"Do you have any siblings?" Hrithik asked her, eating a fry off his plate.

Avni nodded, "Yeah I have an older brother. He's at college, though."

"Oh. There's a lot of people in my house- grandparents, aunts, uncles- but no siblings. I always feel really intimated by people who have them."

"What? Why?" Avni laughed.

He looked at her quizzically, and she stopped laughing. "Because I feel like I missed out on something," he said.

"It's just fighting, mostly."

He grinned. So dreamy. "So, you live with your parents now?"

"It's- uh just my dad, actually."

His eyes widened in realisation, "Shit, I'm so-"

"No, no," Avni corrected hastily. "She's not dead. She's also not here."

"Divorced?" He asked.

"No, but I don't think it's going to last very long."

"Ah, I get it. They're sticking together for the family."

Avni nodded.

"Yeah, my parents have been like that pretty much since I can remember. Too much family pressure to stay together. At this point, I kind of wish they'd choose their own happiness and just get a divorce."

She smiled slightly at him. "I thought so too, before. But Ricky's parents got a divorce and it's been really hard on him. So I don't know," Avni said.

"Ricky's the Beast, right?"

Avni nodded, "Yeah."

"Is he okay with people finding out about the divorce?"

Avni frowned, "It's not some big secret."

Hrithik nodded. "Are he and his girlfriend okay? Because I know Lily talked to him and she intended to leave permanent marks."

Avni sighed, "Maybe we shouldn't be talking about Lily. Or about the Menkies in general. I don't want the competition to mess everything up. You know, like Howie and Kourtney."

"Oh, I didn't know something happened there."

"Howie didn't tell her he went to North High. And-"

"Oh, I didn't ask to know," he said.

Avni frowned at him. "I'm sorry, I thought it was a natural lead-in."

He sighed, "I don't like to, you know, gossip or back- bitch."

Avni raised her eyebrows, "Okay?" Didn't he just do that to Lily?

"Yeah," he paused. "But I agree. With the not talking about the Menkies part. Just a recipe for disaster," he said the last part under his breath.

"This is me," Avni pointed to her house.

They stopped walking. "I had a great time today," Hrithik smiled.

"Me too," Avni smiled back. For the most part. "I would've been happier if you let me pay my half, though."

Hrithik rolled his eyes, "How about this? You can pay next time."

Avni blushed, "There's a next time?"

Hrithik cupped her face, his cold hands a welcome contrast to her warm cheeks. "If you want."

He smells so fucking good.

Avni leaned up, and Hrithik pressed his lips against her.

Wow.

The kiss was soft, promising that there were more to come. The butterflies in Avni's stomach loved that.

They pulled apart too soon. "I'll text you," Avni said.

Hrithik kissed her again. "Good night."

"Night."

A/n

How are we feeling about this new pairing?

Part 2 is gonna be really eventful ;)

I'll put it up tomorrow, as usual.