Loving A Lie

11.Neighbors and friends.

After a while,Daniel pulled into the car park of McDonald's on the highway.
"Breakfast?", I asked hopefully perking up in my seat.
He nodded and helped me with the door. Always a gentleman. I sighed quietly. His every small move made me want to watch him more.
" What do you want?",he asked me raising an eyebrow.
"A chicken wrap and a coke."
"Anything else?"
'That'll be enough.'

I went and sat at an empty table for two.
A group of boys sat at my right.
One of them was staring up at my bare legs. I shifted uncomfortably in my chair. Their incessant staring was downright intolerable. I ignored them however. That tall guy from the group whistled to catch my eye but I looked the other way trying to zone him out.

After a few minutes Daniel came in with the food. He got two wraps,French fries,coke for me , cappuccino for him and a blue berry pastry for me.
I smiled at him showing all my teeth.
"Very thoughtful.", I commented. He ruffled my hairs in return. I scowled .
I bit into my wrap,and took a sip of coke.
I think his wrap wasn't as good as mine because he frowned while eating.
" You have got a new ring?",he asked abruptly.
"No it's a gift."
"Who?", he asked a little too quickly.
" Mom and dad gifted it to me as a graduation present."
His frown turned upside down.
"When did you graduate?"
"I got my result just a week ago."
"So I must gift you too."
"That's totally inessential."
"Maybe I could give you a T-shirt printed with neighbour .I'm sure you would love it.",he said smirking.
"Then maybe I would get' neighbour and friend done up for you.", I said sarcastically.
" I promise you I would wear it."
"I hate you."
Then I heard a click behind me.
That idiot didn't bother or maybe wasn't perceptive enough to silent his phone while he clicked my photo.
Daniel angrily got up from the chair and dangerously held that boy's collar who was previously sizing me up.
Strangely enough he picked out the right guy although he was sitting with his back to the guy.
"Delete it right now and move out of here.", he hurled at the boy.
" what if I don't? ",the boy replied though evidently he looked scared.
" You will end up in a cell lockup and I will make sure every time you move ,your bones will remember this day until the time they find themselves rotting in your grave.",Daniel said seriously, no trace of humor.
Oh boy! Was that warning even legal?
Daniel just threatened him.
"Okay. I don't want trouble.", the boy gave up.
'Should have thought this before messing around us.',I said feeling all brave but only because Daniel was with me.
Daniel didn't even have to pick his phone to scare the boy.
I looked at Daniel's muscles once again and shuddered. Nobody would like to cross the wrong side of Daniel.
Daniel could be really intimidating when he wanted to be. I remembered the first night very vividly.
Something akin to pride and possessiveness took a root in me that day.
And I knew something in me was really changing.
I was changing.
I was getting attached to Daniel. I was starting to rely on him.

The gangly teen was out of the eatery within a minute with the rest of his gang.
The crowd that had gathered around us , dispersed too.
I looked shaken so Daniel pulled his chair closer to me and encouraged me to eat.
I mouthed a genuine thank you.
He mock opened his arms again and we both laughed.
" Can I ask you a favour?",he said.
"Yes?"
"Don't judge me okay? But next time just tell me if someone is messing with you. He was pretty much planning on more than just flirting with you.  I was watching him since the time I left the table. It was basically insulting to find out that you didn't bother to tell me "
I gulped at what he said trying to understand all the emotions that was roiling inside me.
"Okay."
'Are you okay'ing me?'

'Yes.',I replied laughing and pushing back all the emotions and for the time being. One day at a time.
Hearing me laugh ,Daniel too broke into a smile.
Warmth flew in my veins and I felt very euphoric in that moment.
I sipped from my coke. I dipped a fry into the ketchup and was playing with it when he looked up from his coffee and said, "I was having trouble finding your house. So I asked a little help from a boy who was very excited at hearing your name. He gave me exactly your building number with floor and room number. This kind of worried me. Do you always carry your fan following around or you make new at each place?", he jested.
At this he received my much deserved disapproving look.