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18.1. 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?"