Vikram dragged Akira inside the elevator. He stood behind her in close proximity. She smelled like Lavender but her hair was mild coconutty in fragrance. He so badly wished to embrace her and to take a deep dive into this fuzziness of coconut and lavender which was making him weak in his knees.

Just when the elevator door was about to close more people came in. The next instant he pulled Akira behind him. She wasn't taken by surprise because that's how Vikram was, always protective and always caring. She always felt relaxed when he was around because she knew he will take care of her. Whenever she missed her parents and felt lonely, she would call him up. He knew how to lift her mood well. He helped her to take the right career choices. Starting from picking the right college, to which scholarship to apply for, he was always there for her. Vikram was like her protective shelter, her guardian angel.

She always followed his words except once, when she chose 'Anthony'.

They had to go to the second floor to Tony's. When the elevator reached the second floor, he escorted Akira out. He enveloped her in his arms like she was some princess. After reaching inside he took his Jacket back from Akira's shoulder and waved at Mike.

Mike and Teddy had already taken a booth towards the corner. Vikram and Akira joined in. The waiter came and gave them an I-Pad to choose their songs to sing and then passed on the food and drinks menu. Akira picked spicy chicken wings bucket and then passed on the menu. Vikram ordered roasted peanuts and steak and then winked at Akira, "this time I am not sharing". Akira mocked him back and said-

"Then you aren't getting my chicken wings either".

"Ouch, that hurts," said Vikram and started patting his chest and they all started laughing. He looked into her eyes and said -

"Smile more, it suits you."

She smiled and they both looked at each other. One was expressing her gratefulness and the other his concern.

The silence was broken by Mike.

"I am not getting you Mini-burgers Teddy", said Mike.

"Com'on Man!!!", said Teddy.

"Choose one", reprimanded Mike.

"But I want both mini-burger and chicken nuggets", said Teddy in a defeated voice.

Vikram looked at Mike fondly. Both the brother and sister duo led a very humble life after the death of their parents. Most of the money which they received went into their education and living expenses. No matter how many times Vikram's dad had offered to support them, these two never budged. He knew that Mike didn't have much money to foot the bill. Probably he would be blowing up his weekly saving here tonight. His throat choked a bit seeing this kid being so righteous.

"Let this buffalo eat as much as he wants. I don't want him to crib later that I kept him hungry," said Vikram with a chuckle.

"Hey !!! I am not a buffalo, I am a baby pig," said Teddy. He was fond of them all and never used to mind their jokes.

"But, bro I invited you. Why will you pay?", said Mike feeling a bit embarrassed because he didn't want Vikram to know that he was a bit low on cash. He had mentally calculated the bill amount based on what everyone was choosing and he knew that he couldn't afford one extra item more.

"Well I am treating coz I am super happy today", said Vikram.

"Let me guess, you finalized a super big deal?", asked Teddy.

"No", said Vikram.

"Then what for?", asked Akira.

He turned towards Akira and looked into her eyes and said -

"Cause you left that moron and came back to", Vikram paused. In his head he wanted to say "to me", but then he continued,

"to us".