Falling For The Enemy

Chapter 13: Relationship

The restaurant was cozy with dim lights and designed like art deco. It smelled like candles and expensive scent. People were engaged in a conversation, talking about their life and enjoying the food. It made Lyla wonder about the price of the food. She slowly grabbed the menu and checked the prices of the food items. Her eyes saw the starters starting from ₹500 and the main course over ₹2000.

She put the menu on the table and drank the water offered at the table. "I had come to this place just the last week." Sangeeta said. "Remember Akshay?" She whispered the last part.

"Is that why you insisted on coming here?" Saya teased. "So what's the tea"

"We've been talking on Insta. Tomorrow we have decided to meet because we both are free only during weekends."

"That is amazing! Girl remember, guys rush a lot but take it slow." Riya advised. "Slow is better. Always." She put emphasis on each word.

"Riya is speaking from experience. Isn't she?" Ronit grinned mischievously.

"Oh yes. My friend always rushes into things because boys are crazy over her. She always regrets it." Riya said seriously. The statement made Lyla think of Akansha because she seemed like a girl whom every guy would go crazy for.

They ordered the starters and Lyla accepted whatever others are ordering. Part of her didn't even want to eat here as it looked very expensive and she hasn't gotten her this month's salary yet. She was sure, she will be penniless for few days.

As the food arrived, they continued their conversations which revolved around relationship. The light music started playing in the background. Everyone seemed loosened up as they drank beer. Lyla refused any such substance. "Lyla, you don't drink?" Shiv asked, seeing her drink Coca-Cola.

"She's a good girl bro." Jeet commented with a big smile.

"Yeah she looks like one." Lyla didn't understand what kind of undertone wa there in thus statement.

"Wha do you mean by that Shiv?" She asked.

"No, just saying you look like someone who doesn't drink. In a good way. So relax."

She knew some of them were looking down on her. It's kind of unacceptable to not drink or smoke amongst youngsters as this was perceived as a part culture. However, she avoided it.

"How about you try it from my can?" Riya asked sweetly.

"No thanks."

"Pleaseeee." Riya insisted, pushing the can towards me. "It's just a beer. Come on. Nothing happens."

"Okay then." She felt hard time saying no. She sipped from the can the fizzy explosion took place in her mouth. The bitter sweet taste felt addictive yet she couldn't see much of an appeal. "It tastes horrible."

Everyone laughed at the table. "Don't force her. Lyla, you drink your coke." Yash's voice rang throughout the table.

"Yash seems a bit serious today. Is it just me?" Saya whispered in Ronit's ear which was audible to everyone.

Lyla made a short eye contact with Yash. "Saya, were in a relationship before?" Lyla asked, her eyes lingering on Yash a bit. She noticed that Yash wasn't drinking at all.

"Yeah I've been in a relationship. It was very short lived."

Sangeeta put her palm against her cheeks, both elbow on the table, looking at Saya with a smile. "Do you like someone now?" We all knew what she was hinting at. Her eyes flickered between Saya and Ronit. Ronit sat up straight anticipating an answer, knowing very well what Sangeeta was gesturing towards.

"No I don’t." Saya took a big sip of the beer to avoid the eye contact, especially with Ronit.

"What about you Ronit?" Lyla turned to him, sitting beside Saya.

"No relationship. Don't like anyone." He said, throwing both of his hands on the air in defeat.

All of them exchanged glances from each other sure that something is cooking between them. It was Lyla's strategy to ask everyone this question so that when she asks Yash, it doesn't feel awkward and too obvious.

"Riya, what about you?" Lyla turned towards Riya sitting by her left.

Riya finished her can of beer and took a huge bite of chiken chillie. "I was in a long term relationship like two years ago. After that, I was too tired to date anyone." Riya revealed, some depth underlying her tone. She sighed deeply and took another bite of the chicken. "I'm thinking of dating women instead." Riya flipped her long curly hair and looking straight in everyone's eyes.

"What? Are you serious?" Jeet asked, surprised.

"Guess you'd never know." Riya teased with a smile.

Lyla was astonished. Riya was too brave to confess right into our faces. Yet it's hard to say if she was honest or merely joking like her usual self. Lyla's admiration for Riya just rose.

"What about you Lyla? Have you been in a relationship?" Riya asked back. Lyla didn't expect this question as she was planning to ask everyone, not being questioned back.

"Oh. Yeah. None of them very serious."

"Whoa does that mean you've been in many relationships?" Sangeeta asked.

"Yes. Like not many. I don't know. I don't even  remember them to be honest. I was just too nice to say "no" to them and I accidentally ended up in a relationship." Lyla said casually, trying to make sense of her messy love life.

"You don't even remember them?" Yash asked leaning forward. Lyla, reading their faces, understood that she came off very complacent and irresponsible. She must have come across unserious person.

She quickly responded to him, not wanting to a bad person in his eyes, "True. I never really liked them. It's usually I like someone and whenever they show interest, it just goes away. So, I just stay away from relationship in general." It was as if she was only talking with Yash.

"Your interest disappears, the moment they like you back? Red flag." Jeet mocked.

"What about now? Do you like anyone?" Riya asked curiously.

"She does. It's Hasan right?" Sangeeta smiled ear to ear.

"No! Not at all." Lyla denied immediately. "Not him."

"Come on. You guys danced so romantically. I'm sure you thought, even for a split second, that this guy is hot." Riya chimed excited.

"Not even for a split second." Lyla made a cross with her hand.

Others talked about their love life too. Turns out Shiv is currently dating a girl he met on dating app. Jeet is into casual relationship. Lyla, finally asked Yash, the one she waited for the most.

"I have been in many relationship." He revealed.

"Oh, were they serious?" Lyla asked as she grabbed the chicken with the fork, trying to sound unaffected.

"Yes. All of them. I don't do relationship as a joke." Yash said sharply. It, somehow, stung Lyla as if he was attacked her with his words. 

Lyla feeling personally attacked asked, "How come you were serious with all of them?"

"I loved them all with the intention to marry. Didn't work out. Those girls wanted something different." Yash said in a serious tone.

The saga of questioning each other continued. Lyla couldn't help but think how different they both are from each other.