Chapter 31: Jatin

“Well, well! Look who it is! A beanpole!” Cabir exclaimed.

Jeet didn’t even spare him or the other two a glance before thrusting a hand forward that passed between Cabir and Harshil’s sides.

“Been a while, old friend.” A mellow voice sounded near the duo’s ears.

Startled, the two jumped back; Cabir almost knocking Aakash over. As they looked at the man who had clasped Jeet’s hand from behind them, their jaws dropped. Aakash too raised an eye in surprise.

“Hey, Aakash, Fatso and…” The bespectacled man cocked his head to the side as he looked at Harshil, “Who is it that left their child unsupervised here?”

“Who’s a child?!” Harshil snapped back almost at the same time as Cabir fumed, “How do I look fat?! And why is Aakash the only one getting a decent greeting, Jatin?!”

“Is it the first thing that’s pissing you off or the second?” Jatin grinned, completely ignoring Harshil.

“How about both of them? Equally.” Cabir retorted.

“Well, we all called you ‘fatso’ back in school and as for why I greeted only him decently…well, he’s not the one who called Jeet a ‘beanpole’.” Jatin shrugged.

“Well, I called Jeet a ‘beanpole’ back in school too. So, he doesn’t mind it, right, Jeet?” Cabir turned towards the lean man.

“Hey, fatso.” Jeet said by way of a reply. Cabir’s eyebrow twitched in annoyance.

“It’s really been a long time. Jeet. Jatin.” Aakash clasped hands with the two and questioned the bespectacled man, “But we knew Jeet was here…what about you though? When did you arrive?”

“Ah, I have been transferred to Mumbai. It’s been around a week since my posting.” Jatin scratched his head, “I was so busy that I forgot to notify you all…plus, we haven’t been in touch for a long time. I’ve been having a few chats with Jeet from time to time…and very rarely with this abandoned child.”

“What’s with you and children, you pedo?!” Harshil’s lips drew into a thin line.

“…I don’t think you know the meaning of the word.”

“I’m a doctor.”

“You need a doctor is what it seems.” Jatin responded nonchalantly.

“…”

“…This conversation is going way off course.” Cabir observed from the side; Jeet nodded in agreement.

“Why don’t we all go grab a bite to eat somewhere?” Aakash suggested.

“Good idea! Dunkin’ Donuts! There’s one nearby. I love donuts, especially the strawberry-flavoured ones!” Cabir added enthusiastically.

“I call dibs on the chocolate ones then!” Harshil joined in, distracted by the prospect of donuts.

“You do know that we can all order what we want, right? It’s not as if we can only order one chocolate-flavoured donut?” Jatin pointed out.

“Oh, shut up! Spoilsport!”

“You’re acting like an idiot…why are you blaming me?”

“Um…guys…since, I’m the one you came to meet, shouldn’t I get to decide where we go?” Jeet interrupted the petty squabble.

“You’re treating?!” Harshil latched onto Jeet with enthusiasm.

“Fat chance.” The lean man deadpanned.

“C’mon, you should treat your buddies. It’s what good friends do!”

“I don’t mind treating them, but you’ve always been a freeloader.” Jeet shook him off.

“Miser.” Harshil made a face.

“Abandoned child.” Jeet shrugged back.

“He-”

“So, where do you plan to go?” Aakash clasped Harshil’s collar and dragged him back.

“I was thinking Subway? I just had a match…something filling would be nice to eat.”

“Nah, I want something sweet. Dunkin’ Donuts.” Cabir waved him off.

“I’m fine with anything.” Jatin shrugged,

“Same.” Aakash nodded.

“I’m voting for Dunkin’ Donuts too.” Harshil pitched in. When Jeet cast him an annoyed glance, he snorted, “That’s what you get for not treating. Get your ‘something filling’ later on. High-five, Cabir?”

“You can get burgers in Dunkin’ Donuts. They aren’t as good as McD but they are not bad. Personal opinion, of course.” Cabir patted Jeet on the arm and swung an arm around Harshil’s shoulder. “No high-fives. You are the only one who doesn’t want him to eat anything.”

“Bah. Both of them are annoying.” Harshil shrugged.

“You’re the one who suggested meeting Jeet.” Cabir reminded him as they all began walking.

“Who knew Jatin would be here too?” Harshil groaned.

“Quit pretending. It’s nice to have the gang back and you’re the one who’s the happiest about it.”

“Blah blah blah.” Harshil threw off his friend’s arm and marched ahead, leaving the lawyer chuckling.