Raghu frowned. I mentally facepalmed. Raghu hadn’t told them about his dreams of becoming a chef. I had told Nisha about that. Why did she have to throw it in his face?

But before he could respond, the lights went out and the movie began. Raghu was sitting next to me and I knew what Nisha said had affected him. He sat stiffly for the first half hour and I felt sick to my stomach. He was going to think I talked about him to my friends and, well, I did, but I didn’t want him to know that!

Nisha, who was sitting on my other side, whispered in my ear. ‘I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.’

I didn’t reply. I glanced at Raghu who was glaring at the screen.

By the time it was intermission, Raghu seemed fine. He got up to get some more popcorn and asked if I wanted some.

‘No,’ I told him.

He didn’t look at Nisha as he walked past her to reach the aisle and walk downstairs.

‘He’s upset about what I said,’ Nisha groaned. ‘I should have kept my mouth shut.’

‘He’ll be fine,’ I told her, although I wasn’t sure.

I stood up because I wanted to go to the restroom. She joined me and we walked out together.

‘What was I thinking? I don’t even know him and I said all that to him.’ She sounded rueful.

‘It’s okay,’ I assured her. ‘He needs to be taken down a peg or two anyway. Such an overconfident ass.’

‘Who happens to have such a delectable ass,’ Nisha said with a grin.

I felt my face flame up for the barest of seconds before I turned to her. ‘Ugh,’ I said, making a face and shuddering at the same time.

She frowned and I knew I had overdone it.

‘So, this was the same guy whom you couldn’t stand until a week ago,’ she said, as I headed inside one of the stalls.

I shut my eyes, knowing that she had too much insight into my thoughts. When I stepped outside to wash my hands, she continued.

‘So have you decided?’ she asked, catching me off guard as I wiped my hands on a paper towel.

‘Huh?’

‘Whether you hate him or like him?’

I threw away the wadded paper towel and faced her.

‘How does it matter?’ I asked her finally.

‘What do you mean?’

‘Should I list the reasons why it doesn’t matter?’ I asked impatiently. It was fine for me to acknowledge this annoying crush I had on him, but I really didn’t want to dissect it with Nisha. It would just make it worse if she agreed with me.

‘Yes. Please do,’ she said with a frown on her face.