The Journey (2016)

The Acquaintance

  If I told you what I was
Would you turn your back on me?
And if I seem dangerous
Would you be scared? 
- Monster, Imagine Dragons

The Acquaintance

"For Nikhil." Radhika said before Nikhil could. "He is sick, so I was giving him some company." She was hoping Nikhil's dad would buy it. It was a great excuse.

"Oh, how nice of you!" He said and looked really touched as he smiled at her adoringly. To Radhika, he seemed a bit too happy at the information. Radhika gave him a smile in return too. Behind his father, Nikhil made a face and an X with his hands, mouthing no for her smile, which made Radhika chuckle with a real smile. His father noticed this and turned to see his son smiling at him innocently. Just then a man walked to the open door and knocked on it. All three people turned to him. The man visibly reddened at the sight of his boss.

"Good afternoon, sir. A Pizza order was delivered for this villa." He said. Radhika took the box from him and thanked him. She had already paid with card so didn't worry about the payment. She was so used to tipping, she felt awkward to let him go empty-handed.

"You should eat with us, dad." Nikhil said.

"I would love to but sadly my stomach is full." He made a face. "I actually came by to say hello and get the file for Canary."

"Lies! You only came for me, but don't want to admit it, right?" Nikhil looked at him as if he was suspecting him of a fraud but then sneezed and Radhika bit her lip to stop herself from saying 'bless you!'

"You caught me!" His dad grinned. Radhika watched the scene unfold before her in amusement. She wanted to clap her hands and cheer them on for their cuteness. Suddenly she missed her dad and his jokes. Most of his jokes were about her mom. He loved teasing her and would always blame Radhika when she got mad. She was brought out of her thoughts when she realized Nikhil's dad was talking to her. "Radhika, you stay here as long as you like and feel free to kick him out."

Nikhil gasped while Radhika laughed. "Thank you, uncle."

He smiled, "I hope to see you tomorrow morning then." He turned to Nikhil. "Take your medicines on time and come eat home cooked meals once in a while, okay?"

"Ay Ay, Captain!" Nikhil saluted and hugged his dad. Then Nikhil went inside to get a file and handed it to him. They discussed over some legality issues and then he left. She breathed in relief when he left. Nikhil raised his eyebrows at her. "What?"

"What?" She answered.

"Why were you so nervous?" He asked. Obviously, why would he feel nervous around his dad?

"Who? Me? I wasn't nervous." She replied, opening the pizza box on the coffee table. Nikhil cocked his head and looked at her but his act was interrupted by a sneeze. Radhika laughed at the failure. "I was nervous because I was scared he would get us married if he found out we are sharing a villa." She said and then added, "bless you!"

"Of course he won't!" Nikhil rolled his eyes. "He respects my decisions."

"I know he does and my parents respect mine too, but come on. You know they really want us together and will try to find excuses." She replied.

"You are right. They like playing cupid." He agreed. "By the way, this is technically a suite. Villas have two bedrooms, a home theatre, dining table for eight, a private pool, a private salon, a private...you get my point." He paused. "I don't like it because it feels lonely."