
"What's wrong with you?" hansh asked in a whisper. "You look tense, honey."
I shook my head, I tried to give her the best smile I could show her. "What?" my many. "It's okay, I'm fine." I put an olive in my mouth and chewed vigorously. "look, right? I eat. So no need to worry."
"alright. But please don't show-"
"Hey, man," Sanjeev interrupted. "Heard you were getting married? Is that true?"
"Oh, yes," HansH said. "That's right. We're getting married next month."
"Then I congratulate you. I'm happy for you both."
"thank you. But not enough with congratulations. You should come to our wedding."
"of course. Even if I may, I would like to take part in your wedding preparations. Brothers should help each other. Isn't that right, man?"
Everyone cheered in agreement. As for me, I should be happy. But why does it feel so scary?
"I will gladly accept your help. And yeah, you should stay at our house for as long as the preparations go on. Okay?"
Thumbs up, Sanjeev agreed to HansH's request.
"What about you, honey?" HansH asked me. "Have you talked about our marriage to Neha?"
Neha's forehead frowned. "Me?" tanyakanya.
"Yeah, of course we'll use your services. You don't mind, do you?"
Clunky. Neha nodded helplessly in front of HansH.
I know, Neha, maybe you're not willing because you think HansH's marriage to Alisah is what you're going to prepare for. I know what you want to be in this position is Zia. I-i know.
"Well, Nandini, you should be good friends with Neha too, so that you can be compact in preparing for your sister's wedding."
Nandini smiled cheerfully. "Surely, Brother. Don'worry. We could definitely be good friends. And, Neha, you take it easy. I'm the kind of girl who can be friends with anyone. I think we'll fit in. Hmm?"
Again. Neha nodded awkwardly. "Yes," he said.
"Em, My HansH, I think I can talk to Neha now. Do you mind if we move to another table? You can talk to a guy."
Agree, HansH invited us to move to another table. Oh, finally....
"Neha."
"Hm." Focusing on the plate, Neha poked at the pile of salad on her plate.
"What's wrong?" my many. "You don't look excited. Do you.. mind if we wear your services?"
His curly hair leaped as he shook his head. "No, kok. I'm just being. yeah, it's personal. My mind is not focused here."
"Oh, why?" ask me softly, be cool like Zia's attitude.
Neha's face instantly turned grim. "I'm sorry. I'm actually here to comfort myself because I'm sad. Last night my boyfriend decided on me."
"That barista? How can?"
Ah shit! I'm flabbergasted.
"How did you know? No one knows I'm dating Stev other than Zia. How do you know about this, Alisah? You...?"
"What's wrong? Is there a problem?"
I quickly turned my head to HansH who was watching my tension at the side table. "none. Just a little girl business." I turned a faint smile to him and turned to Neha. "I know Stev," I lie quietly. "I've seen you guys together, so I know. I am so sorry for the stupidity of this young man. He'll be sorry."
Neha nodded, then the atmosphere between us went back into silence. I don't know what he thinks, about him and his ex-girlfriend, or even his suspicions about me? But on the other hand, my concentration was split upon hearing HansH's question to Sanjeev's sister, "Have you and Alisah known each other for a long time? You seem to have a pretty good relationship. He also called you brother, didn't he?"
I practically turned to their table. Brother Sanjeev glanced at me for a moment, he smiled and then put his shoulders down. "Pretty long," he said. "The first time we met when I saw him crying alone by the lake. You know, Cannon Hill Park, where most desperate people spend their time. He was there that time."
Oh, my God, what the fuck?
HansH looked at me, he realized that I was listening to their conversation.
"You crying? Why?"
"Em, that, I...."
"Because he heard bad rumors about you and the blonde girl," said Brother Sanjeev, again he interrupted quickly.
What'd he say? He wants to make up freely or wants to tell the story of the meeting between him and the real Alisah? Which blonde girl, anyway? What is Kereena?
Sanjeev turned back to me, his eyebrows raised as if asking me to justify the story, but I froze, I didn't know what to say.
"You know, man, back then she was like a desperate girl staring at a photo in her ring. Good thing I recognized your picture, and I told him it was just gossip. Mr. HansH did not love the blonde girl at all. Right, right, dude?"
HansH nodded. He got up from his chair and approached me.
Ughhhh! There's no need to behave like this either, My HansH....
I swore I suddenly became misbehaved to the crowd around me staring at us as HansH crouched his knees before me. With eyes fixed on me and both hands gently grasping my hands, he said, "I'm sorry for the inconvenience. That rumor must have hurt your heart so much that you cried alone there. I'm sorry, Alisah?" One of his hands moved into the curve of my cheekbones. "I'm sorry?"
Oh.. My breath choked. His regret is indeed a common thing felt by every human being, but the way HansH showed it to me in front of the crowd and all family members, it really made me misbehave. "Wake up" I asked. "Don't be like this. I'm ashamed."
"I'm sorry?"
"Yes, but get up soon."
"Thank you, dear."
HansH stood up, but he immediately embraced me in his warm embrace, held by the side of my head to rest on his flat stomach. Fix it! I'm getting nervous.
"You believe me, don't you? Really, I wouldn't be able to hurt you in any way."
I'm nodding. "I believe you" I said. "Math believes strongly."
"Thank you." He kissed my side.
Aaaaah. This man's sweet treatment made me feel like I was flying to heaven. She's so sweet.
"Alright, my dear Brother," seduced Nandini with a smile. "Go back to sit where you are or you will feel the consequences. Aunty's gonna pick you up when we get home."
Ruptured. Everyone chuckled while I had to endure the red tinge that seemed to make my cheeks feel numb. "Sana," I asked. "It's been enough to make me wrong."
"All right." HansH smiled happily and briefly stroked the soft side of my head.
Ughhhh! His attitude was indeed very sweet, so Brother Sanjeev glared at me. And now it feels nano-nano. Pinched position!