Zia spotted jai and proceeded at his table followed by her parents. She felt so bad looking at him. He was sitting lowering his head on both his hands. She wanted to go and hug him tightly. Which obviously she couldn't, but she made sure he feels better. She placed her hand on his shoulders and whispered 'Jai.. ' He looked up at her. 'Zia. I.... oh hello uncle. Hi aunty.. ' He said hurridely getting up from his seat and moved forward in a gesture to welcome them.
No surprise, zia's dad did not respond to his kind expression and seated himself right in front of jai's chair. Mom however placed a tiny smile at him.
All of them took their seats. Jai-dad and zia- mom sat opposite whereas jai and zia sat next to each other.. taking extra care that not even their sleeves touch one another. Jai's heart was pumping so fast that he feared others could hear its thumping.
A huge personality 55 year old man with heavy moustaches and a wrinkled forehead was sitting so close to him that their legs brushed with one another at intervals. And everytime jai's legs touched zia's dad's, he cringed as if he's committed a dangerous crime.
The awkward silence across the tablewas broken by the voice of a waiter 'sir your order please..' zia's dad looked at jai. Jai looked at zia.. Zia signalled him to ask them himself. 'Emmm what will you have uncle.. eh sir.. ' 'Coffee..' 'Mam.. ?' 'You can call me aunty.. i too will have coffee.. 'zia's mom smiled. Jai felt little relaxed by her behaviour. He ordered coffee for all of them.