The next day, at the cafeteria Kifayat met Arbaz and his roommates. After greeting each other, they sat together. Kifayat and her friends trays had a chaotic mix of iced coffee, fries and snacks. Cyra's cousin Neil frowned seeing his sister eating all these unhealthy foods."You guys should not eat all these junk food all the time. Let me buy you something healthy." Cyra knew it's useless to stop his cousin. So she just let him be. Kifayat was sitting between Cyra and Dina. Across her was Arbaz, flanked by his friends Samir and Aman.
The conversation started casually, then ended up stretching for hours with countless gossips and chatter.
Dina grinned, deliberately elbowed Kifayat, asking, "So, how is the investigation of that letter guy is going?"
"Well, it's still unresolved. The investigator gave me a list of suspicious people. I have eliminated some name and some are still under surveillance." Saying this Kifayat looked at Arbaz.
Arbaz feigned innocence, "You should know the investigator is trying his best."
"Yeah by giving me the names of weirdos, poets, or men who are already in relationships."
Samir chimed in, "Don't forget me, I was in the list too."
"You were eliminated from the beginning purely for asthetic ground." Kifayat teased.
Everyone burst into laughter. Samir feeling offended, "Junior sister, you should improve your eyesight. Look at me, I am so handsome, I am from the same school as you, my handwriting is good too. There is a high chance I am the letter guy."
"Prove it then." Kifayat took out her notebook, sliding it to them. In fact all of you, show me your handwriting now!"
"Aye, aye, detective." Aman said, taking the notebook. One by one they all scribbled something throwing some jokes and comments.
Neil said, "You guys are just wasting your time. What if the real guy is not even on the list?"
"Speaking of the list, it reminds me, have you already met everyone on the list?" Samir added while passing the notebook back.
Arbaz thought for a moment, then nodded, "I think we did."
"No, there is still one person left." Kifayat said calmly.
Arbaz frowned, "Who is it?"
"Dylan."
Arbaz could not remember adding someone of this name. Aman chimed in, "oh Dylan! He is my cousin, he is also a freshman just like you and you guys are actually from the same department."
Kifayat nodded, "Yeah, I have seen him. I didn't know he is your cousin."
Arbaz asked, "When did you meet?"
"Don't you remember the boy who stopped me in class yesterday? That was Dylan."
Aman confusedly asked, "Why did he stop you for?"
Arbaz remembered, "Isn't that the guy who just asked her on a date?" Something snapped in his mind. I can't let them talk.
Seeing Arbaz's darkened expression Aman understood something must have happened between them.
In order to ease the atmosphere, Aman said awkwardly, "Actually there is no way Dylan is the letter guy, I can guarantee it."
"We will know after talking." The boys tried to convince Kifayat to eliminate Dylan, but Kifayat remained still in her decision.
Back at the dorm, Arbaz slammed the door hard even the windows rattled. Samir, Aman, Neil all of them flinched, hurriedly bouncing to their bunk.
"What the hell were you thinking?Arbaz shouted, tossing the backpack on the bed.
Neil started," if it's about the fries I can..."
"NO! Which idiot put Dylan's name in the list ?"
Samir and Neil both glanced at Aman, who slowly sat up. Aman remembered how things had gone wrong earlier.
He cautiously replied, "Didn't you tell us to add some extra names who have no chance in hell on the list?"
Arbaz glared, "And you think your cousin who looks straight out of k drama fit in that list? "
Everyone in the dorm was stunned. They never thought Arbaz, the proud son of heaven would one day feel insecure because of someone's appearance.
Aman scratched his head trying to come up with a valid reasons. "Listen to my explanation, I met Dylan few days ago in the cafeteria. He said he had fallen in love with a girl. But I didn't know who it was at that time. Besides my cousin looks kinda weak, he is quite shy. I thought our sharp-tongued junior sister would not like this type of guy."
"Well, surprise! Apparently the person your cousin liked is Kifayat and now I even made chances for them to talk," Arbaz said sarcasticly. This is what it feels to dig one's own grave.
Neil said, "They are quite fated, right." Arbaz shot a death glare at Neil. "No, no, not fated, I meant what a bad fate."
Samir could not help but laugh, " Arbaz you are like a jealous little wife."
Arbaz didn't deny, he just lay in his bed in silence, trying to calm his restless heart.