Chapter 12: Act Naturally
It seemed the quiet between the four was going to last forever as they stood there, boxing in the awkwardness, anger and frustration between them. Baralai gripped Rikku's hand tighter; her knuckles felt like they were going to snap in his palm and she cringed to herself. After a long pause, Paine broke the silence and began the inevitable conversation. After all, they couldn't just turn around and walk away from each other; they had too much history amongst them to do that.
"Still keeping the tradition, huh Baralai?" Paine asked, not trying to sound too interested. She scuffed the floor with her boot, leaving a semi circle design on the linoleum beneath her. Her eyes quickly left his and converted to the floor; she was either mesmerized by the mark or slightly bothered by the fact that he was there with Rikku. Baralai took notice glancing over to Rikku and brushing his thumb on her hand delicately as he spoke.
"No, actually I forgot about that." He replied coolly, his eyes to Paine's head, which was still pointing to the floor. "I didn't remember until I saw you both coming in here. We were just talking over coffee, that's all." Baralai looked over at Gippal who seemed surprised but slightly pleased at his answer. Gippal offered a half-assed smile and his customary hand to the back of his blonde head; a reaction that is usually performed when he's uncomfortable and this appeared to be an opportune time for that being his former girlfriend was holding his also former best friend's hand.
"So, we saw you at the club last night." Gippal noted plainly, his tone implying a little bit of annoyance, but not so much as to start trouble. Baralai raised an eyebrow and smiled inside. This was the moment he was waiting for, and he was ready.
"Oh yeah?" Baralai started, acting like he had no idea. "We didn't see you there, were you there long?" He knew full well the answer to that, but wanted to drag it out of them anyway. Gippal walked over to a table and sat down, the others followed suit and parked themselves as well.
"No, we just had some drinks that's all. So when did this happen?" Gippal wondered, pointing to the two of them who still had their hands curled together. Baralai took a breath and stared at Gippal before returning his eyes back to Rikku.
"About a week ago." Baralai answered, smiling at Rikku pretending to get engrossed in her eyes. Gippal cleared his throat to shatter the moment and rested his hand on the cold surface of the table. Baralai averted back to Gippal who gave him the impression in his gaze that this disturbed him. "It was sudden, but somehow this feels right, isn't that true, Rikku?" he questioned, placing his left hand over their interlocked ones as he played the committed boyfriend. Rikku looked fixedly at Baralai and smiled.
"Yeah, but whose really keeping track anyway, were having so much fun being together." She sighed, making her smile as lovey as she could muster. Gippal, whose hand was perched on Paine's right thigh, grasped it tight, pinching the skin. Paine jumped up off her seat and stabbed him with her eyes angrily.
"Damn it, Gippal! What the heck was that all about?" Paine assailed, rubbing her thigh in an effort to ease the discomfort he just caused. Gippal grew embarrassed and his face went a scarlet red as he grazed her with sorry eyes. Rikku and Baralai snuck a glance at each other before they noticed, snickering secretly. The two stood up with her and Baralai removed his hand from hers, moving it up to her shoulder. She felt chills shoot through her, his hand radiating a warmth reminiscent of their embrace at the club the previous night. Rikku blew it off though because she knew this was only a façade.
"We should be going." Baralai announced, moving Rikku closer to the door. Gippal stood up quickly and got in front of them.
"Hey, this is good." Gippal pointed out, stuttering meagerly. "I'm glad to see you're both happy." He extended his gloved hand to Baralai in an effort to shake it. He responded, exerting his hand as well, grasping it firmly and moving it up and down. Meanwhile, Rikku became chagrined and stared fiercely at Gippal.
"Oh yeah, I bet seeing this clears your conscience, huh?" she retorted snootily, a finger in his face in anger. "Whatever. Let's go Baralai, we have to get ready for tonight anyway." She tried to walk away but Baralai held her back with the hand rooted on her shoulder.
"Tonight?" he queried, confusion in his tone. Rikku eyed him, trying to get him on the same page as her; Baralai picked up on it and acted like he knew what she meant.
"Silly me, what was I thinking! Of course, tonight...um...our...anniversary! Yes! Our five-day anniversary! Will we be heading for the club again?" he winked as he met her eyes and she retaliated quickly as to not throw anything off.
"Yeah, I thought we could, that is...unless you don't want to go out, we could stay in and celebrate alone!" she shot back seductively, implying something improper. Baralai blushed at the remark, which worked in his favor being Paine and Gippal were growing sicker by their interactions with each other.
"Why don't we do something to patch up our friendship?" Paine interrupted as she veered her vision to Gippal elbowing him in the arm. He covered the sore spot, trying to dull the fresh sting from the limb's contact as he beheld her.
"Yeah, why not let us go with you, like a double date or something. Before all this we had such a rapport, you have to have some remorse for our past, come on, what do you say, guys?" Gippal indicated, his demeanor presenting the appearance of optimism, hoping it would rub off on them. Baralai and Rikku looked to each other again, having a conversation with their facial expressions. His face stated briefly that it may be ok and the look was the same in hers as she nodded in approval.
"Ok. It would be nice for the four of us to work something out, after all, we've moved on so there should be no ill feelings, right Baralai?" Rikku spouted enthusiastically, trying to sound as credible as possible. She always had a way of doing that, acting like everything was just fine when it wasn't any where close to it. The two bought it though. Baralai began with the details.
"We'll be at the club again at about eight. You can meet us inside, ok?" he arranged, walking to the exit and holding the door for Rikku. Gippal and Paine grinned happily at each other then to Rikku and Baralai.
"Yes! We'll see you there, it'll be fun, us hanging out like we used to." Paine said, a little choked up. They said their goodbyes and two left as two sat back down and ordered coffee. Gippal sat across from Paine, peering at her, irritation plastered to his face. She gawked at him back; bewilderment evident in hers as she downed her coffee.
"What? You seem annoyed." Paine questioned, her lips to the cup as it rested between her fingers. He placed his elbow on the table and supported his chin starting his explanation.
"You didn't tell me the tradition was with Baralai." He snapped, growing angry. "Is that why it's so important to you?"
Paine put her mug down and sighed discontentedly. "I didn't think it mattered. It has nothing to do with Baralai. Why? Are you getting jealous? Just knock it off, and don't think I appreciated that pinch I received all because you couldn't handle him holding her hand. Admit it!" she spat back, squinting her eyes and furrowing her brow. Much to her liking, his mood changed and he felt bad. Grabbing her hand from across the table he stroked it with the other gently.
"I'm sorry. I admit it did bother me, but, to get off that subject, this is a good opportunity. Maybe we can have our friends back." He was being positive, although there was a creeping feeling that he wasn't totally comfortable with this. "I didn't mean to imply your reasons for coming here were because of Baralai. I know it's me you love now, that was stupid." Paine looked at him sympathetically, squeezing his hand firmly.
"It's ok, I forgive you. Oh, and I agree, since they are both focused on each other, they can't stay mad at us forever. Maybe they'll even thank us someday, don't you think?" Paine was becoming optimistic as well, and they left it at that. She didn't want to admit to him or herself that perchance she did miss Baralai and being at the cafe would remind her of the love they once shared.
Upon arriving at her apartment, Rikku went to her kitchen and picked up her comm. Sphere. She dialed Baralai's number and waited for him to answer. His voice boomed through the other end of the line.
"Hey Rikku, what's up?" he asked, plopping onto his couch in the living room. "Are you ready for our 'date' tonight?" he inquired, staring at his velvet curtains, the pattern engaging his attention.
"I guess. As ready as I'll ever be. Do you think this is a good idea? Are you really ready to patch things up with them?" she wondered, worry seeping through the sphere.
Baralai exhaled as he pondered the answer. "Not really. But I think I want to get their reactions tonight when they see us really acting like a full-fledged couple. I'll pick you up at eight, be ready by then! I'm not going to tolerate any 'girlfriend' of mine being tardy. Oh, and good job this morning by the way." He smirked at the last comment and she did too on the other end.
"You weren't bad yourself, I could have sworn you had real feelings for me when you looked at me. It was eerie." She replied. Baralai grew silent on the other end. "Is something wrong Baralai? You're awfully quiet all of a sudden." She said, snapping him out of his silence.
"No, nothing's wrong, I'll see you at eight. Goodbye." He said quickly and abruptly hung the sphere up. Rikku received a click and dial tone on her end and shrugged it off.
"Perhaps he just had to pee or something." She thought to herself as she placed the sphere on its holder and headed for her room. She needed to find clothes to wear for the night ahead. "I wonder how this will all turn out?" she wondered, looking through her closet. Indeed the night should prove to be interesting and she was anxious for the events to come.