"Mmm...", this is so delicious.

"You liked it?"

"Liked it? I love it. I can like legit marry this food".

"Be careful what you wish for", Raymond said and dug his spoon into Akira's plate and took away a big scoop of her risotto.

"You bully", she said and smiled.

Their banter continued till she excused herself to go to the washroom.

Something inside him told him not to ignore the warning, so he called up Raymond,

Suddenly he saw Akira's phone ringing and it was a call from David.

"Hello, David".

"Hello, Raymond".

"You don't seem to be surprised to hear my voice on Akira's phone?"

"That's because I was hoping for you to pick up at least her phone. Where the hell is your phone? I have been trying to call you like forever".

"Oh it was drained out and I put it on charging but forgot to take it with me. Tell me what's wrong. You don't sound ok".

"Nothing Raymond, you tell me, what are you up to?"

"I am with Akira now".

"I am well aware of that part. But is that ok? I mean whatever you are doing?".

"It was getting hard David. I don't think I can stay away from her anymore. I know I sound selfish but now I want to spend the rest of my time with her, no matter how bad it gets. I should have listened to you earlier. By staying away from her, I am not only punishing myself, but I am also punishing her. You were right, maybe there is some other way to deal with all this. Tell me that there is a way that I can keep her happy by going back into her life".

David, who had always advocated for their togetherness was now torn in between what he wanted and what he had to do.

So swallowing away the thoughts he said,

"But I think you were right. I don't think its right of you go back into her life again".

"You think so?", Raymond asked all disappointedly because he was the one who always pushed him to go back to her when he refrained himself from doing so and now he was standing in between them like a wall, trying to speak in her interest.

"I guess I do Raymond. I thought about it rationally. She is quite young and at this age, she doesn't deserve to bear all this pain and suffering. Imagine her standing a couple of feet away from you and you don't even recognize her. It would kill her Raymond. You might not have your watch on you all the time".

Closing his eyes, he tried hard to recollect her face in the old memories, in the times that he had spent with her, but he just couldn't. She appeared in all her memories all faceless, like a big question mark that he had no answer for. But then again he remembered her happy face, that promise he had made and he realized no matter what, he could desert her this time.

So, taking a deep breath, Raymond said,

"No David, I am not leaving her this time, whatever it takes".

David took a deep breath and said,

"Well, I tried to convince you in a straight way, but looks like it's not going to work."

"What are you saying, David?"

"Check her WhatsApp"

Raymond opened her WhatsApp and saw a small duration clip sent by David.

"Who is he?"

"That's the sniper sent by your dad to finish off Akira. And the deadline is one day Raymond. And I think you should listen to him seriously this time".

His fists were now balled in anger.