Renaming Destiny : Apsara To Myla

Hickey

Myla's POV

When we were all worried about how people were going to take the news, they were all stuck with Ashwin's perfect jawline and eyelashes. I was in the car beside him, as he drove us to the restaurant. I looked at him and observed his facial features in detail for the very first time. He had a chiseled jawline and effortlessly long eyelashes just like they had been simping since morning. His hair was not too long, not too short, just perfect as they sat proudly covering most of his forehead even though they were parted like curtains. He had a really pretty pair of brown eyes which I had always thought were very enchanting. He got that from his mother. 

And he was really muscular. I knew it from all the gym stuff he would post on the internet. I suddenly felt butterflies in my stomach for a second when he skillfully turned the steering wheel with just one hand while looking out the window. He got out first after asking me to stay, walked to my side and opened the door for me. I took his hand that he had held out for me and thanked him. As soon as I looked up at him, I felt the fresh and woody fragrance of his cologne hit me harder than in the car and I took a step away from him only to think straight for a second. I blinked as he passed the key to the valet and walked with me. The others' cars had lined up behind ours and we walked in with them. 

As we entered the restaurant, Enzo's childhood friend, Mark Davis, also the owner of the restaurant saw us and walked to us happily while the person he was talking to turned around and I slightly gasped to myself. It was Kazu. He was wearing a dark blue shirt with a black suit on it. He looked at Enzo and hugged him after Mark. He then greeted Sienna and turned to me. I smiled and shook hands with him while I introduced him to Ashwin. We were directed to one of the VIP sections of the restaurant which had a huge dining table with enough room for all 18 of us. We took our seats and I corrected my dress as I sat down. 

The dinner started off with a tasty little bite, a fresh tomato tartlet with basil oil and tiny greens on it. For the first course, there was a rich lobster bisque, topped with a hint of truffle foam and served with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc. My mouth was flooded with flavors as soon as I had the first bite. I looked at Ashwin and saw him looking at me already. We chuckled and I went for another sip of my drink. Enzo was speaking about his project that was going to end in a few days. He was excited for the next one for which he had to shoot in South Korea. He was asked for a guest appearance in a very anticipated second season of a Korean drama and he was very enthusiastic about his debut to Asian entertainment.

Next up was a seared duck breast on a sweet fig bed with wilted greens, paired perfectly with a smooth Pinot Noir. I had always liked Pinot Noir after my first fancy dinner at London with my new family. The memories rushed back and I looked at my parents. They were speaking to each other while Enzo and Sienna were right beside them laughing at something. I felt blessed and lucky to have them as my family. I controlled myself before I could cry and ruin my perfect makeup.

The third course brought a creamy truffle risotto, bursting with flavor and served with a nice Chardonnay. Isabella and I spoke about how our grandmother used to make us truffle risotto whenever we visited her. She used to serve it with roasted asparagus. I made a mental note to call her soon and got back to my food.

For the main course, we had a juicy filet mignon, beautifully plated with sautéed asparagus and a red wine sauce, complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon. I was already feeling full and wanted to say no to the dessert. I had never had so much in almost 7 years but for some reason I just wanted to eat. Suddenly, I felt like someone was looking at me and turned to my side to look at Ashwin. But he was looking at someone else. I looked around to find everyone enjoying their food but Kazu was the one looking at me. I smiled but his expression did not change. I thought I was just really drunk. 

I ignored the feeling for a minute and decided to focus on my food. But I could feel I was being watched. I looked at him again and he was still looking at me, playing with him food. I cleared my throat and excused myself. Sienna said she would join me but I said it was fine. It was her first dinner with the family. I did not want to ruin that. I walked to the washroom following the directions and stood in front of the mirror for a second. I did feel a weird attraction towards him in Japan but I knew it wouldn't last long. But for my surprise what I felt there wasn't attraction. I felt uncomfortable under his gaze for some reason. It felt like I did not want him to look at me like that. Like he had some real bad intentions for me. 

I quickly corrected my makeup and hair and walked out. But the scene in front of me as soon as I stepped out of the ladies' room made my jaw drop and I did not know if I should have laughed or cried. Kazu had cornered Ashwin to the wall and was talking in his ears while Ashwin was squirming and trying to get away. They hadn't noticed me standing there. So, I hid behind a wall and listened to them. 

"I've seen how you were looking at me all evening, boy", Kazu whispered huskily. Ashwin replied, "You have read it all wrong. I'm not-", I covered my mouth to not laugh out loud when I saw Kazu place his hand on Ashwin's waist and pulled his towards him. "That's what everyone says until they learn what they really want. But I know what we both want. Now, don't act all innocent and get on your-", Ashwin finally pushed him away and said loudly, "I am not gay! And I wasn't looking at you for anything else. You keep her on alert. I did not like that. Oh, God!", he corrected his shirt and wiped his neck where I saw a red mark. I looked away and laughed to myself silently. "Who are you talking about?", Kazu asked. I was still looking away trying not to look at Ashwin. The red mark was too prominent for me to ignore it and look at the scene. "Myla. For some reason she gets all straightened up when she sees you. I did not like how you made her react just by your presence". 

"And why is that? Do you like her?", my laughter died down and I knitted my eyebrows. I turned to them and looked at Ashwin answer him. "Like? I've loved her since I was 13. She has been and will always be my one true love. And after all these years of distance when we both finally got some time together you came in between and made me jealous. That was why I was looking at you", I just stood there. With no expression on my face. I looked at him as he argued with Kazu but nothing else fell on my ears. 

His words kept ringing in my ears. "I've loved her since I was 13. She has been and will always be my one true love", I clutched my purse harder in my hand and cleared my expression. I walked out like I had heard nothing but again, I saw Kazu in his neck. "Stop it, man! I am not bi too!!!", Ashwin yelled and pushed him away. Their eyes turned to me and as soon as he saw me, Ashwin ran to me and said, "It's not what it looks like. I swear. I am - I am into women, Apsara. You are getting the wrong message here", I nodded and smiled but I could not look at him like I had all my life. He had feelings for me. He said he loved me. I just couldn't push that away. 

"Myla, he's right. I just read it all wrong", Kazu said. I smiled at them and said it was nothing. I let their red faces walk before me and I controlled my laughter when I saw them look uncomfortable and ashamed for some reason. Everyone at the table observed it too. But I said it was nothing. 

Finally, for dessert we had a light chocolate soufflé with lavender ice cream. I just listened to the conversation and did not say anything as my mind was already preoccupied. Ashwin was in love with me. He said that himself. Since he was 13? I was just an 8 year old girl. How stupid was I to not know that? And he was with me all the time too. I sighed loudly and felt him hold my hand under the table. I turned to him and he said, "Apsara. I swear to God, what you saw was pure misunderstanding. I am not into men. You know me better than anyone else. I was too shocked when he cornered me like that. I did not know what to do. Trust me-".

Everyone laughed loudly and we fake smiled to make it look like we were listening and he continued, "I followed you to see what was wrong. You were shifting in your seat and were breathing loudly. You had turned red as if you were sick. I don't know when he came behind me. But when I was waiting for you outside, he pushed me against the wall and said some really gay things. I promise you, I am not into men", I nodded and said, "We'll speak in the car", he was not convinced so I added, "Ashwin, I trust you. But let's not create a scene here. We'll speak on our way home". 

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I'm watching too many BL dramas

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