Stubborn Love

A Royal Apology

Sia's gaze followed the mouth-watering, steaming plate of Pav bhaji from the server's hand to their table. Of all the cuisines in the world, street food was her favorite. As soon as it touched the table, Sid and Sia attacked the plate.

Akshay smiled fondly at her innocent expressions. He sat diagonally opposite her at a square table inside the canteen. The light from the window beside him fell on her face, making her radiate in her yellow Kurti.

There were two benches on either side of the table. Beside him sat Sid and Rahul. Rahul was busy updating Silvi about the interesting happenings of the last evening that she had missed.

'You should have been there! I had goosebumps throughout!' Rahul exclaimed to Silvi.

'Calm down, girl!' Silvi taunted at Rahul's hyperactive description, making the group giggle at the familiar teasing.

'But seriously, Sia, I still can't wrap my head around the fact that you could be so brave. What got into you?' Silvi questioned, turning to her side with genuine wonderment.

Sia continued the silent fight for the last piece of 'pav' with Sid in response to her question.

Rahul waited impatiently for Sia's answer and then spoke to her, 'Honestly, I am just surprised that he even likes you! Not that you aren't pretty, but he is so majestic!'

'Control your hormones, lady!' Silvi commented, grinning. Then continued to address Sia, 'I can't believe you insulted 'the Raghav' in front of his own followers!'

Sia didn't bother to look up.

Akshay sat quietly near the wall at the corner of the square table. He was happy to be sharing the table with Sia, but the conversation was going towards a sore area for him.

He stole many glances at Sia to gauge her state of mind. He was immensely worried if she had reconsidered his rival.

Sia on the other hand was now busy devouring her plate of 'faluda'. As if the conversation did not concern her at all.

Akshay contemplated the girl she was. He knew her for the last two years. Observed her movements during the days they had common lectures. Thoughts of her never left him alone.

But her actions were so unpredictable. Sometimes she appeared poised and at other times she was a total hurricane. Sometimes she looked so intimating and at other times she was as coy as a squirrel.

She was like an open book. An open book, written in an unknown language...

Catching him stare at Sia, Silvi asked bluntly, 'So how do you feel about the deadly competition Akshay?'

Sia finally looked up at him. 

He remained silent, executing Silvi in his mind for putting him in the tight spot.

'Oh stop it, Silvi!' Sia came to his rescue.

Unaffected, Silvi continued with her dissection, ' If I am getting the facts straight, you who are crazy in love with Sia, stood there like a statue. And Raghav, who supposedly loathes her, came to her rescue?'

That was the gist. The conclusion Akshay didn't want Sia to arrive at, ever. But her cunning friend wouldn't let him have it so easy.

Akshay wanted to retort back. He had successfully justified his immobility yesterday in his head. But the 'love' word thrown so casually by the rude girl threw him out of his wit. He hadn't even confessed his feelings to Sia and having them mocked so blatantly in front of her...

He wanted to put forth his point so desperately. But confident comebacks weren't really his thing. And Sia's presence alone was enough to keep him tongue-tied.