An awkward silence reigned over all three of them. The waitress kindly placed the two cups of coffee on the table and was about to ask the new customer when Kunal gently waved her off with a firm smile. During the time, Kunal had taken the liberty to pull a chair from another arrangement and put it beside Vidhushi. And now, Vidhushi and Kunal sat across a very confused Advith.

Vidhushi finally cleared her throat and began the introductions.

"Umm...Advith, this is Kunal and Kunal, he is Advith." Vidhushi immediately finished.

The two men nodded with a strained smile.

Kunal brought his hand forward for a handshake and Advith immediately complied.

"I am her fiancé." Kunal possessively added to what Vidhushi left.

"What?" Advith's exclaim was clear.

"We got engaged two weeks ago. And we are getting married after eight months. I'd be glad if you would attend our wedding too." He added and then turned towards Vidhushi.

"Don't forget to give the wedding invitation to your friend here, okay, Vidhu?" Kunal told Vidhushi.

She knew what he was doing. So, in return, he was rewarded with a thousand-volt glare from her. Advith being a silent observer, noticed her action and reaction carefully.

"Sure." She said while gritting her teeth to control her anger. She knew very well to not insult Kunal in public. It had serious consequences.

Thinking of consequences, her eyes followed his waistband where he always kept his gun. And seeing the metallic tip, she internally cursed. He was armed today and she couldn't put Advith's life in danger. He was innocent in this drama.

"We were just discussing some issue and that is why I was trying to console him." She defended her act of putting her hand over Advith's. It was all to save Advith, she chanted in her mind.

Kunal's sudden laughter scared her.

"Oh, darling. It's completely fine! I am not the kind of man who gets jealous just because his fiancee holds some other man's hand. It's completely natural in the modern world, right Advith?" He mockingly asked.

"Aa....yeah, I guess. She doesn't seem to be a cheating type as well." He added sensing the tension.

"Ah! I know her. She would never think of betraying me in her life...let alone cheating!" He said, still chuckling momentarily.

Vidhushi and Advith were completely silent though.

"I believe, I must go. You two must...." Advith was about to give them space when Kunal interrupted.

"Oh, no! Please continue your chatting. I just came to see my wife-to-be and remind her about something. She must have gotten my message though, right Vidhu?" He asked.

"Yes, Kunal. I am sorry." She whispered the last part with a grim expression.

"Please continue." Kunal said as he stood to leave. He had just left the cafe when Vidhushi spoke.

"Advith, I apologize. But I really need to go and talk to him." She added quickly, grabbing her bag.

"Yeah! No problem. Please." He said as he stood up in a gentlemanly gesture and saw her run out of the cafe towards the man who claimed to be her fiance.

He sat again with a slump as he saw her run out of the cafe. He could see both of them arguing. But then, he removed his eyes from the couple and focused on the two cups of coffee placed in front of him. Suddenly he didn't want to drink it. He saw her cup of coffee and wondered what exactly was going between them. It was clear to him that she wasn't happy to see Kunal. And there was something really off about the man himself. He could feel it. He had dealt with enough persons to see what's going in their minds. And this man didn't reach up to the good level.

Calling the waitress for the bill, he apologized for leaving without having the coffee. He also paid for the package she had ordered but forgot to take with her in hurry.
.
.
.

"Kunal, wait." Vidhushi called for Kunal as he was about to open the door of his car.

He turned around slowly, partly expecting her to run after him.

With a smile, he spoke.

"Yes, darling." He sang.

Vidhushi sighed, trying so hard to contain her anger.

"What was that?"

"What was what, darling?"

"Kunal! I am serious. What are you even doing here? And why did you make a scene there in front of my friend?" He asked.

Kunal took a step closer to her such that he almost touched her. Her heartbeat increased.

"What am I doing here! Be thankful that I am in a good mood or that man inside the cafe would be dead on the floor and you would be crying for my mercy...begging for your own life." He seethed in anger.

"It is not like I met him without informing you! I told you that I was meeting a guy who helped me. And we were having coffee together! What is the big deal in that? Why are you so angry?" She asked, exasperated. She felt as if she can't breathe. Didn't she have this much freedom in her life to at least choose whom to meet with?

Kunal grabbed her arm and brought himself close to her ear.

He whispered.

"Don't you know why I am angry, darling?" He asked.

"No, I don't!" She lied as she tilted her face to look him in the eye, straight.

"You touched him." He didn't bother to explain himself.

"And I told you it was just a friendly touch because ...."

"I don't ******* care why you touched him. I have made it clear to you million times that I don't want a trace of another man on you. And I knew something like this would happen which is why I came here."

"Kunal! Why don't you trust me!" She asked, her hands flying in confusion.

He cupped her face gently, his emotions flipping in reverse.

"I trust you, Vidhu. I don't trust others." He sighed.

He stared at her for some time before he straightened himself and was about to apologize when he saw Advith coming out of the cafe. His anger flared more as he saw him looking over to Vidhushi. Their eyes met and he forced a smile. Advith smiled back, uneasily. Vidhushi had her back towards Advith so she could not see him.

"Let's get you home." Kunal announced.

Vidhushi bit her lips. She wanted to say so much. But her weakness stopped her.

As soon as he closed the door as she sat inside his car, she looked out of the window to see Advith entering his own car. She loved the little moment she had with him. He was a nice person. She could tell. Perhaps she would apologize to him about today someday when she will meet him again.

But, Kunal had to ruin it as well. Sitting beside her, he took her hand in his.

She looked at him in confusion.

"Promise me one thing, Vidhushi." He asked.

"What?" She asked.

"You will never see that guy, Advith again." He declared. His eyes held no room for argument.

"Kunal..." She was about to defend, but he beat her to it.

"No, Vidhushi. I don't like him. And I don't like his intentions as well. Hence, you are not to meet him again, under any circumstances. Got that?"

She sighed. "Okay." She answered, wondering why Kunal was so paranoid of Advith.

It wasn't as if she was going to fall in love with him! She wondered.