Unexpectedly

Catching up

"Vijay? "

Divya breathed out. Her eyes were as wide as saucers. Unknowingly, her feet dragged her to him, who was standing in the middle of the queue.

He didn't change much. He has always been a head taller than her, and her that petite size. Her eyes momentarily roamed at his frame, taking in the boy that has now become a young man.

He had a noticeable beard growing on his face, with his black hair falling down at his eyes. His light brown eyes shone in recognition, with slight dark circles surrounding them. He gave her a smile (or that's what she assumed) which she returned, beaming at him.

He didn't grow up to be a bulking man, but a tall lean structure.... Something Divya liked. The last time she saw him, he looked a little wild, but now he looked tamed and clean. She blushed but dismissed the thoughts, and turned to look at him, now finding him eying her hair. He was trying to say something but was contemplating it.

She raised her hand to her hair and took one strand of it between her fingers, looking at it.

"Is something wrong? " She questioned tilting her head, her eyebrows drawn together.

He snapped out of his daze and answered. "Oh no... Just.... You cut your hair.. " he trailed.

"Oh! Um... Yeah... They were becoming hard to handle, so one day I decided to chop 'em off. " She grunted. But then caressed her hair again, now hesitant.

"Does it... Does it look bad? " She asked, expecting him to answer.

He was caught off guard by the question. She was too. Why should she care about his opinion? But it was too late...

He looked everywhere but at her, now thinking about a reply to give her. "Uhh... No... It's Okay.. " He mumbled. She smiled at him, now both silent.

Vijay took the initiative and raised his hand for a handshake, but not before moving forward in the queue. Divya, at his gesture, clumsily held his hand, which she noticed engulfed her own.

She again mentally scolded herself, "get a hold of yourself girl! You are past this phase!!! "

She withdrew her hand hastily, but not enough to make him uneasy.

"So? What are you doing here? " His deep voice dragged itself to her ears, making her jump a little. She softly explained the whole thing of why she was here and sorts. She also pointed to the place where she and her friends seated themselves, kind of introducing them to him.

He could get a better view of the seat as he was taller than her. When he noticed the guys, his face contorted into a mischievous smile. He turned to look at her again, who jumped at his gaze. She knew this smile all too well. Those days...

Her lips twitched but she didn't smile. She knew a groan deserving question was bubbling it's way through Vijay's lips.

"Is one of them your boyfriend?"

Divya groaned and looked at him, unamused. He kept that smile making her want to push him away by the face. But, she restrained herself, mumbling an answer between her teeth.

"You know I don't do relationships"

He chuckled a little. "Yeah yeah, the little miss D is a holy nun." He teased using the nickname that was used by everyone from their group.

"I am not!" she grumbled, now triggered. But she smiled nevertheless.

"So what are you doing here?" She questioned.

"Well, I'm here on a vacation. One of my friends invited me to this trip. International travel? Who is a fool to deny it?" He chuckled softly.

She accompanied him with her tiny giggles, then a thought struck her," Where are your friends?"

"Oh most of them are at the hotel. And I'm just stuck with the lovey-dovey couple over there." Vijay pointed out. At the opposite corner of the room sat a couple who were leaning over each other, pouting and clicking selfies.

Watching them, Vijay and Divya make a funny face, but soon look at each other, with the former sighing and the latter giggling.

"I'm telling you, I'm stuck!" He groaned in his hand. She just smiled at his predicament.

"What about you then?" she asked hesitantly.

"hm?"

"Any girlfriends?" She asked, looking at her friends, all busy with their phones.

"Nah. Broke up with the last one before coming on this trip. She was quite a banshee, I tell you. I don't know why I dated her." He said casually looking around seeing others chatter and enjoy their treats.

"Another time-pass?"

"I guess, yeah.." He trailed off.

Their silence was cut off by someone clearing their throat. It was the lady from the reception. It turns out they were blocking the queue. The people standing behind them were glaring at them. Vijay slowly walked to the receptionist, muttering a small apology, now donning a stone face. Divya smiled apologetically at her.

She came beside Vijay and whispered softly. " I'll be going now. See you later." He just nodded slowly and turned to give his order. Divya also made her way to her seat, now with a small smile decorating lips and heat warming her face.

She looked at him one last time. But missed the glance his eyes made towards her. Both now seated with their respective friends, at the opposite ends of the cafe.

***

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