Hate ,Love and Everything In-Between (HLEIB)

Chapter 4: Café Talks

The Next Day
Khushi settled into the café booth, concern etched on her face. "Prerna, what's going on? Tune mujhe lagbhag 20 baar call kiya hai kal. What's wrong with you?"
(You called me like 20 times yesterday.)

Prerna took a deep breath, her eyes welling up. "I'm sorry, Em. I just... needed to talk to someone."

Khushi's expression softened. "Kya hua?"
(What happened?)

Prerna's words tumbled out. "Mom finally told me about Dad's health issues... and we went to see Dr. Rehan yesterday."

Khushi's brow furrowed. "Dr. Rehan? The doctor from City-View Hospital? Who tried to flirt with me with his outdated pickup lines that day?"

Prerna nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes... and it gets worse."

Khushi leaned in, her voice gentle. "Kya matlab?"
(What do you mean?)

Prerna's eyes locked onto Khushi's. "Mummy ne usse iss Saturday khane pe invite kar liya."
(Mom invited him for dinner this Saturday.)

Khushi's eyes widened. "Whoa, that's out of the blue. What's going on?"

Prerna's frustration boiled over. "I don't know why Mom did that. It's like she's oblivious to how awkward this is."

Khushi's curious gaze asked deeper. "What's bothering you about the dinner invitation?"

Prerna's words spilled out in a rush. "Rehan is... my rival from high school. We constantly butted heads. And now, he's treating my Dad, and Mom's inviting him to dinner? It's just too much."

Khushi nodded sympathetically. "That's a lot to handle. Are you worried about facing him again?"

Prerna's eyes dropped, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't know if I can pretend to be polite. Our past... it's complicated."

Khushi reached out, offering a reassuring touch. "You'll get through this, Prerna. Want me to come over for moral support on Saturday?"

Prerna's face lit up with gratitude. "Would you? That would make me feel so much better."

Just then, Prerna's phone buzzed on the table, displaying her mom's text.

"Hey beta, kya tum Dr. Rehan unki favourite dish puchh logi Saturday ke khane ke liye? Chahti hu kuchh aisa banau jo wo enjoy karein."
(Hey child, can you ask Dr. Rehan about his favorite dish for Saturday's dinner? Want to make sure we make something he'll enjoy.)

Prerna groaned, rolling her eyes. "Mom's again."
Khushi chuckled. "What's up?"

Prerna showed Khushi the text. "Vo chahti hai ki main Rehan se uska favourite food pata karun. Jaise ki uski personal assistant jo hu."
(She wants me to ask Rehan, his favorite food. Like I'm his personal assistant.)

Khushi laughed. "Well, maybe it's an opportunity to break the ice?"

Prerna's expression turned skeptical. "Break the ice? With Rehan? Fat chance."

Prerna hesitated, then typed out a response to her mom:
"Okay, Mom. I'll ask him."

Khushi raised an eyebrow. "Tu sach mein usse puch rahi hai?"
(You're really going to ask him?)
Prerna shrugged. "Might as well get it over with."

Prerna picked up her phone and dialed Rehan's number.

Dr. Rehan's deep voice answered on the first ring. "Prerna."

Prerna's heart skipped a beat as her eyes narrowed, her grip on the phone tightening. His smooth tone grated on her nerves.

"Dr. Rehan," she replied curtly.