Dancing Jodi

Chapter 3: Run While You Still Can

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Meezaan had managed to get both the Noorani he once knew and the Noori that was only a few feet away off his mind long enough to engage in a conversation with the rest of the table. Amir and Dave ended up leaving a half-hour later, saying they had an early class the next morning, leaving Sajan and Meezaan alone to talk sports, past jobs, and just life in general.

Of course, it wasn't too long before Sajan's attention was dwindling away from Meezaan and falling towards Noorani instead. He had Rafi, who was just finishing up his shift, call Noori over when he got the chance. This time, when Noori arrived at their table, she had her long hair up in a messy bun, stains on her apron, and she seemed less nervous; she didn't even glance in Meezaan's direction.

"What's up?" She greeted Sajan, voice rushed, probably due to the heavy intake of customers coming in.

The stage performances had come to an end and there were cleaners mopping up the stage floor. Sajan had explained how there were performances every hour with thirty-minute breaks before the next set of dancers came up. It gave the workers time to switch between dancing and serving, and also allowed the guests to have some time to enjoy their food and drinks.

"This is for you." Sajan held out a full glass of water.

Noorani shook her head. "I don't need it."

"Yes, you do. You've been working non-stop. Drink it. Customer's requests are always followed through, remember?"

"Not unless they're unnecessary and asking for too much." Noorani retorted.

"I don't think I'm asking for too much. What do you think, man?" Sajan looked towards Meezaan, who froze mid-bite.

"Uhh..."

"Okay, give it here." Noorani grabbed the glass and started drinking while staring across the room, still making sure everything was in order around her. "Thanks." She said when she finished the whole glass. "Can I get you anything else before...?"

"Hmm. We could probably go for some dessert in celebration." Sajan decided. "Don't worry, it's on me."

"Okay." Noorani pulled out a pen from her bun and a notepad from her apron. "You want the usual, or...?"

"Don't tell Devi on me, but I think I'll go for the gulab jamun tonight. You good with that, man?" Sajan looked towards Meezaan.

"Yeah, that's fine," Meezaan answered.

"Unsweetened for you, then?" Noorani started to jot it down in her notepad.

"Yeah, thanks."

"How did you know he'd want...?" Sajan looked between Meezaan and Noorani.

Meezaan looked up and realized what Noorani had just said. She'd remembered his distaste for the overly sweet syrup added to most Southeast Asian desserts. He wondered if she was about to let the cat out of the bag now.

"Waitress's intuition." Noori smiled down at Sajan. "You work here long enough, and you can practically read the orders off people's faces."

It didn't seem to be a complete lie, and it was enough to get Sajan off their case, thankfully.

"Night performance is starting up soon, so it's getting really busy." She informed them with an impatient frown.

"No problem. We can wait."

Meezaan wanted to point out he really didn't want to wait any longer and was itching to get home and in bed, but he didn't really feel like he had much say since Sajan was the one driving him home.