Why Are You Smiling?

"There is, isn't there?!" She jumped in glee. "Tell me! Everything. Who is he?"

"No, Zara. Had there been, you know you would have been the first person to know. I love you more than I could ever love a guy, you know that." She looked slightly mollified.

"Then why won't you call Vedant?" I pretended to not recognize the name.

"Who?"

She stared at me like I had grown two heads, "The hottie from today, dah!"

I struggled to explain the reason because I knew she wouldn't rest otherwise. "I just didn't find him that attractive, Zara. Can you accept that?"

"Oh. Can I call him up then?"

Armaan immediately shook his head. "I know him and he is a creep of the highest order. Good girls like you and Zara should avoid him at all costs."

I turned to Zara, "I really don't think it is a good idea. He just gave me a very bad feeling."

Zara let out a huff. "Fine, but you disappoint me. I will go and freshen up. See you at dinner."

I waited until she was earshot and asked Armaan, "What's wrong with Vedant?"

"He is a friend, but a worse character than I am."

"Do you mean he has had even more than a hundred and twelve affairs?"

Armaan looked annoyed at the reference. "At least I go for females who are genuinely interested in me. His specialty lies in stalking plain and simple girls, wooing them with his money and charm and then once he is done with them, he discards them like second-hand clothing."

I shivered with distaste at his description and remembered how he'd held me closely when Vedant had been hitting on me. So sweet!

"Why're you smiling? One of Mumbai's biggest and most stubborn playboy is coming after you, and you are smiling?"

"Oh no, not that. I just recalled how protectively you hugged me when he was around; you really care for me, don't you?"

He looked both flushed and embarrassed and I grinned. "Don't think so highly of yourself. It's just that I know him and you are my only human connection, so I naturally feel protective of you…"

I knew he was lying but his words still hurt. Knowing it was useless to feel this way, I stepped out for Zara's, whereas he went away.