That Brat

Chapter 03 You are available

Chapter 03 You are available

After another boring lecture, Olivia and Dheeraj made their way to the bustling college canteen. The aroma of various dishes filled the air as students hurriedly queued up to grab their lunch.

As they entered, it was as though a spotlight had turned toward the couple sitting at the center table in the canteen. It was as if they had walked onto a stage in the middle of a play, and everyone was waiting for the next act.

Olivia, always quick to point out, leaned in close to Dheeraj, her voice dripping with amusement. " See, I told you. Jatin and Mira are back together. It's like their daily soap opera."

Dheeraj couldn't help but feel a pang of annoyance as he watched Mira and Jatin engrossed in each other. They sat close, exchanging affectionate glances and the occasional stolen kiss. It was a sight that made Dheeraj's wolf restless.

" They seem really into love with each other, ha? " he muttered, his words laced with thinly veiled frustration. He took a seat across from Olivia, tossing his backpack onto the table with a bit too much force.

" Love? Pfft! That playboy only knows how to flirt, " Olivia scoffed, her tone mocking. " Mira told me she's not serious about him. Just enjoying his company for a while. "

" So, you mean she's playing him too? " Dheeraj arched an eyebrow, clearly intrigued.

" No, no. She's not that kind of person. She's just confused, you know? She'd never had a boyfriend before, and suddenly she announces that Jatin is her boyfriend. I can't figure out what she sees in that s"x addict! "

" Seriously? " Dheeraj asked in disbelief.

Realizing that she might have used a rather bold term to describe Jatin, Olivia just shrugged her shoulders, a casual 'what can you do' expression on her face. " I mean, what do you expect from a Casanova like him? " She rolled her eyes, a mixture of amusement and mild exasperation in her tone.

Dheeraj couldn't help but chuckle at the idea that he might have a chance with Mira if she wasn't fully invested in her relationship with Jatin.

" I think their relationship is just a college thing for a while. You know, part of experimental phase and all that. "

" Yeah, who knows what's going on in her confused mind. Did you know she studied at our school, but we didn't really talk back then. Now, in the university, we've become friends. "

" Really? " Dheeraj found himself eager to learn more about the girl who had suddenly become the center of his world.

Just as they were engrossed in their discussion about Mira, she gracefully joined them at the table, taking a seat next to Olivia. Her presence filled the air with a sweet scent that momentarily derailed Dheeraj's thoughts.

" I'm so sorry, Olivia, about what happened near the locker, " Mira began, her voice soft and apologetic. " And Jatin feels sorry too for saying things to you. "

Sorry? That person can never feel sorry about anything.

" It's ok " Olivia replied, choosing to accept the apology to keep the peace, especially for Mira's sake and like it was planned Jatin joined them also after a minute by taking a seat next to Mira.

" Hey, Olivia, no hard feelings from my side, " he said, but he refused to apologize as Mira had suggested him.

" It's okay, " Olivia repeated, her voice steady. She knew that sometimes in friendships, especially new ones, you had to navigate tricky situations with patience and understanding.

Dheeraj had been holding his breath, a silent observer to what seemed like a never-ending conversation filled with apologies, tension, and a hint of flirtation. He realized he needed a moment to himself, so when his phone rang, it provided a much-needed excuse to leave the table. Olivia, who might have been growing increasingly irritated with Jatin's presence, seized the opportunity to excuse herself as well.

" See, I told you she doesn't like me," Jatin complained to Mira once Olivia and Dheeraj had departed.

Mira let out a soft sigh, her gaze briefly following Olivia and Dheeraj. " It's not like that, Jatin. She just cares about me. "

Jatin leaned back in his chair, a pout forming on his lips. " And you don't think I care about you? She acts like I'm a monster trying to eat you. "

Mira shook her head, trying to diffuse the situation. " Come on, Jatin. Just drop it. I don't want you two fighting, especially because of me. "

" It's because of you that I tolerate your friends. Otherwise, I'd really like to eat you. " Jatin said playfully, flashing her a sly wink. His hand, daringly, slipped under the table and brushed against her thigh.

Mira's eyes widened in surprise, her cheeks flushed with a sudden warmth. " Shut up, Jatin! " she whispered with a playful slap to his wandering hand. Despite her words, she intertwined her fingers with his beneath the table, a small, affectionate smile tugging at her lips.

--------------

After his brief phone conversation with his mother, Dheeraj returned to the bustling canteen, secretly hoping to catch Olivia and Jatin in yet another bickering fight. But to his surprise, Olivia was nowhere to be seen. Instead, what he found was Jatin and Mira, in the midst of another one of their Hallmark movie moments.

Jatin, the epitome of romantic charm, was delicately holding Mira's hand, caressing her fingers with all the subtlety of a magician performing a trick. He leaned in, his words barely more than a gentle breeze, as if he was revealing the universe's best-kept secret meant only for Mira's ears. In response, Mira's lips curled into a shy yet utterly delighted smile, like a kid in a candy store.

Unable to resist the allure of this intriguing scene any longer, Dheeraj casually approached their table and confidently took a seat opposite Mira. The atmosphere took a sudden, slightly awkward turn as Mira subtly tried to adjust her seating, while Jatin held onto her hand as if he'd just discovered the world's most precious hand warmer. It was like watching a hilariously intense tug-of-war over a hand.

Dheeraj couldn't help but grin at Mira's response.

" Hey, Indians! " Dheeraj greeted with an easygoing grin, his voice breaking the silence.

Both Mira and Jatin responded almost in unison, their voices synchronized like a well-rehearsed duet. " Hello. "

" You guys look very cute together. It's kinda turning me on, watching both of you, " Dheeraj teased, trying to mask his growing wolfish anger.

Mira and Jatin exchanged a puzzled and somewhat startled glance. Dheeraj's comment had caught them off guard, and they were unsure how to respond to such an unexpected remark.

Jatin, always quick to deflect tension with humor, took a moment to process Dheeraj's words before responding, " Thanks, man," he replied with a chuckle, interpreting Dheeraj's comment as a light-hearted compliment. His grip on Mira's hand remained firm, and he shot her a playful wink.

" So have you two.. you know fcuked each other yet? " Dheeraj, never one to shy away from direct questions, couldn't help but be curious about the dynamics of Mira and Jatin's relationship. His inner turmoil regarding his connection with Mira only intensified his desire to understand their bond better. So, with a boldness that surprised even him, he inquired.

The heck!

Mira's discomfort with Dheeraj's straightforward question was palpable. She shifted uncomfortably in her chair, her gaze briefly flickering to Jatin, seeking support in handling this unexpected line of inquiry. How dare he ask about such a personal matter?

Jatin, decided to take Dheeraj's question as a joke, perhaps a misguided attempt at lightening the atmosphere. He chuckled and replied with a smirk, " Nah! We're not that...horny, " a mischievous glint in his eye.

" You should try those yummy stuff, " Dheeraj persisted, wanting to know every detail about Mira's life.

" She will never let me, brother, " Jatin chuckled.

"Jatin! " Mira nudged him hard, disapproving of his casual response to Dheeraj's prying.

" Sorry, sorry, " Jatin winked playfully.

Changing the subject, Dheeraj asked, " So, you guys are from India. Which state? "

" I am from Gujarat, and you? " Jatin replied.

" I am from Hyderabad, and what about you, Mira? " Dheeraj inquired, noticing Mira's reserved demeanor, perhaps influenced by Jatin's presence.

" Bengal, " Mira answered briefly, not divulging much information.

Just then, Jatin's phone rang, providing him with an excuse to leave. " I'll just come; my friends are calling me, " he said, quickly making his exit with a quick kiss on Mira's cheek.

Dheeraj fisted hind hand under the table.

" Nice to meet you, Mira, " Dheeraj smiled forcefully, trying to engage her in conversation and finding it hard to take his eyes off her.

" Same here, " Mira replied noticing the mischievousness in his eyes.

" Do you know we used to go to the same school? " Dheeraj continued, eager to keep talking to her. He couldn't express his feelings that he met his mate when they were kids.

" Yes, I remember you were playing that Eadric role, " Mira said matter-of-factly, not easily impressed.

" Oh you even remember the name of my role. You must have been charmed by me. " Dheeraj jokes.

Mira shrugged, " No, not really. My memory is just sharp. " This boy thinks too much about himself.

" Awww, I like sharp things, " Dheeraj countered playfully.

" Sharp things can be dangerous, " Mira retorted.

" And there's no fun if danger isn't involved, " Dheeraj quipped, trying to flirt with his mischievous eyes.

" Ah, fear and danger go hand in hand, " Mira said knowingly.

" So, one day we should go hand in hand together. " Dheeraj suggested with a smirk.

" What do you mean? "

" Are you free in the evening? "

" Pardon? Are you hitting on me? " Mira chuckled at his silly flirting skills.

" Maybe... yes, " Dheeraj admitted unabashedly his eyes locking with hers, conveying his genuine interest.

Mira, now intrigued, regarded him with a bit more seriousness. " You can try that on Olivia, " she pointed out, hinting that her friend might be more receptive to such advances.

" Why should I? " Dheeraj seemed genuinely confused.

" Because she's your best friend, " Mira explained.

" So? "

" So, you two have a good understanding with each other. "

" But Jatin and you don't have a good understanding, " Dheeraj countered, trying to get a sense of her feelings.

" I'm talking about you and Olivia, " Mira clarified.

" Oh! Well, there's only friendship between me and her, " Dheeraj stated, surprised by the turn of the conversation.

" Anyone would be lucky to have her. She's such a nice girl, " Mira praised her friend.

" Yes, she is a nice girl, but why should I flirt with her when I know she's not interested in relationships? " Dheeraj reasoned.

" Then try on somebody else; there are lots of girls in the university, " Mira suggested with a smile. She found his flirting attempts irritating, because she wasn't ready to fall for them just yet.

" But I see you as a special girl who needs to be cherished with care. If I were your boyfriend, I would spend the whole night talking to you only, " Dheeraj said with a hint of seriousness, referring to Mira's fight with Jatin earlier in the day.

Mira caught the hint but decided to play along, " Oh, but I'm not available. "

" You're sitting right in front of me, that means you're available, " Dheeraj persisted with a mischievous grin.

" Han? What kind of logic is this? I have a boyfriend already, " Mira countered.

" Boyfriends are meant to change, " Dheeraj said nonchalantly.

Mira rolled her eyes, " Then I can change you also? "

Dheeraj chuckled, " So, you think I can be your boyfriend? "

" No, never. I am not that type of girl, " Mira retorted.

Dheeraj raised an eyebrow, " I'd like to know what type of girl you are. "

" Aye, don't hit on me, " Mira was going to walk away before she really hit him hard but Olivia came on time to join them again.

" Hey, what's going on? " Olivia asked, taking a seat next to Mira.