Comforting Kiss

3. Free

The next evening, Priya rushed towards the restaurant for dinner. As soon as she entered she saw Neha waving at her from the far end. She wondered how Neha even saw her from that far and smiled looking at the familiar faces.

"Hey, sorry I got caught up in the traffic," she said taking her seat next to Neha.

"That's okay, we got here just now as well, but babe I'm mad at you" She added making a disappointed face.

"Now what did I do?" Priya was confused and curious.

"When I told you about the dinner plan, you started giving excuses at first. Do you know Vikram," she said turning to Vikram "how hard I had to work to get a YES from her. " Vikram laughed. "She still thinks we are strangers" she huffed and looked angry.

"Actually Rajat is here" both her friends turned to look at her "I didn't want to leave him alone and you do know he is not comfortable with you guys"

"Priya" Neha kept her hand over Priya's "Why are you doing this to yourself? He is toxic, can't you see how much he controls you?"

"I am beginning to see that" she replied smiling softly.

"And yet you are still with him"

"I will talk to him about it. I kind of have made up my mind now, so don't worry" Priya replied.

"We are not telling you this because we don't like him, we are telling you because we love you a lot girl, and we don't want to see you sad" Vikram added holding out her hand.

"I know guys and I love you as well. Now, come on let's order food" Priya said with an enthusiastic voice.

"I think we should wait for a while. Ram isn't here yet" Vikram informed.

"Ram is coming as well?" Priya asked. While Vikram nodded, Priya made up her mind to apologise to him about yesterday. Just then Priya saw Ram entering the restaurant. She told Vikram that Ram was here and he waved his hand to get his attention. As Ram made his way towards their table, he saw that the only seat left was beside Priya. He took the seat next to her and smiled at her.

"Ram where is your little girl?" Vikram asked.

"Girl?" Neha spoke with a confused tone," Wife? or Girlfriend?" she teased.

Ram laughed nodding his head while Vikram spoke "Sorry, I forgot to inform you guys about it. Actually Ram asked me if he can bring his daughter tonight...and "Just then Neha cuts him

"Wait! You have a daughter? " when Neha questioned Ram, Priya could feel her heart beating extra fast, she didn't know why but she was curious and a bit disappointed.

"I'm a divorcee actually "She could see the hesitation in Ram's eyes. She signalled Neha with her eyes to stop asking him questions. She always wondered how a lady could get what another lady is trying to tell her with her eyes, but it always worked with Neha.

"So where's your daughter? Why didn't you bring her?" Priya asked cutting Neha from asking any more questions about his wife. She could see how his face lit up as soon as she asked him about his daughter.

"She's at home. Her favourite movie was on television and so she didn't want to miss it" He said with enthusiasm in his voice.

"How cute!" Neha said, "And how old is she?"

"She's 7" Ram replied immediately. "Okay. Okay. Let's order something to eat first and then you can continue with your questions Neha?" Vikram interrupted.

*****

Vikram and Neha got busy with their own conversation, leaving Priya and Ram alone in a totally awkward situation. Priya wanted to speak with him, apologize about yesterday but her heart was pacing really fast. It was an unusual feeling all of a sudden. Vikram and Neha had tried to set her up with many of their friends before but she never felt this way. She had this urge to know him. Maybe her dream had triggered it, maybe it was because she saw him in her dream, close to her, hugging her.