Raabta - Completed

6

ngl, I wrote almost 10k words for this chapter, then ended up editing out most of it coz it was so unwanted, fml. Its 6k now, btw.

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"You are late," Sana said, as Sidharth rushed into Jamies Café. They walked further inside together, Sidharth stepping forward and Sana walking backwards. "Do you aim to achieve a record of being late to every meeting or you do it for pleasure?"

Sidharth dropped his leather briefcase to the ground and shrugged his Jacket off, it was too hot and humid. He looked at his outfit, white shirt, black tie along with black formal pants, all drenched in sweat. He hoped he didn't smell.

Sana pushed her black Ray Bans up onto her hair and said to the hostess, "Two for lunch, please," politeness radiating out of her warm smile.

"I had to attend another meeting," Sidharth said. "It's only down the road from here so I thought I could leg it." He wiped his palms on his trousers, bending to pick up his briefcase. "Mr Malik had other plans."

"Busy day?"

Sidharth smiled crookedly up at her, running his fingers through his sweaty hair.

"Erm, sort of. My assistant's girlfriend bought him a basketball hoop to put on a bin as a gag gift. He was horrified and told me he thought it was an immature distraction--He's quite professional, you see--until I said we should try it." He gave up on his hair, resulting in a small section on the very top of his head sticking straight up. "Three hours later, I've gotten no work done, we wasted an entire pack of printer paper, and he's revealed himself as the Michael Jordan of throwing rubbish."

Sana's eyes crinkled at the corners as she laughed, the loud, high-pitched sound barked suddenly out of her wide smile. Sidharth' brows arched with his own small smile, Sana quickly schooling her features.

"I've got your table ready, guys," the hostess said, smiling and holding her arm out with two menus in hand. "This way, please."

They followed her down the aisle of white tables. They were seated next to a window. "Too bad it's too hot today," Sidharth said, pulling his seat into the table. "I like their outdoor tables."

Sana nodded, reading over the menu.

"Me too."

"You've eaten here?"

"I have. Their bar is good, too."

"Do you live in the area?"

"I don't."

Sidharth waited for the rest of Sana's sentence, but it never came, Sana's eyes scanning over the menu.

"Okay," Sidharth said slowly, picking up his own menu.

His eyes were pulled away from the list of food and over the edge of the white cardstock. Sana seemed to have gone for a more relaxed look as opposed to her usual curve-hugging outfits.She wore a black top paired with ripped boyfriend jeans. Her face was devoid of any makeup, except for a light pink lipstick adorning her full lips.

"Was a pleasant surprise when you suggested this place."

Sidharth looked up from Sana's full lips.

"Sorry?"

The small upwards tilt of the left side of Sana's mouth, a clue that he'd been caught staring, made the back of Sidharth' neck burn.

"I said it was nice that you picked this place. I like it here." Sana took her sunglasses off her head and stuck one arm in the vee of her top, her right hand ruffling through her long locks. "It's comfortable."