Chapter -6

Casey P.O.V

“Thank you” . After paying the cab I entered the restaurant. The restaurant’s entrance bell chimed above me , a welcoming smile from the attendant greeted me. The warm ambiance of the place, with its soft lighting and murmured conversations, momentarily eased my nerves. "Reservation for Deniz," I said, my voice steady. The attendant checked the list and nodded, "Right this way.”

As we weaved through the maze of tables, I glanced around, half expecting my friends to come on time for once.But no, they were fashionably late as always. The attendant led me to a table with a perfect view of the entire restaurant.As I settled into my seat, I let out a small sigh of relief, allowing myself a moment of relaxation.

Then, as if the universe decided I was too comfortable, I saw him. My heart dropped. There he was, my ex-boyfriend, walking into the restaurant with the girl he had cheated on me with. Panic surged through me, and I instinctively shrank into my chair, hoping they wouldn’t notice me. I lifted the menu, using it as a makeshift shield, peeking over the edge to watch their every move, wishing it were a Harry Potter invisibility cloak.

They were seated at a table just a few feet away. Perfect. I could hear their conversation as clearly as if they were sitting with me. I slid lower in my seat, trying to become one with the chair.Minutes dragged on like hours I was about to drop my menu when I saw him stand up. The room seemed to grow quiet as he knelt in front of her, he pulled out a small, velvet box from his pocket. He opened the box to reveal a ring, the girl gasped dramatically, and the restaurant's patrons turned their attention to the unfolding scene. My mind raced. Was he really proposing? Here? Now? After only nine months?

We have been together for three years but not once has he ever talked about marriage and looked at this bastard proposing his fling after only nine months. If you do not want to marry me then why have you wasted my time? What have you gotten out of hurting my feelings?

“Will you marry me Susan?”

Her hands covered her mouth, nodding vigorously. The restaurant erupted in applause, the clinking of glasses and joyful shouts filling the air.Something inside me snapped. I could feel my inner Hulk was rising.

I slammed my menu down and stood up abruptly, my chair clattering to the floor. Heads turned, including those of my ex and his new fiancée.

"Are you fucking kidding me?" I shouted, storming over to their table. The girl blinked at me in surprise, while my ex turned pale. "You proposed to the girl you cheated on me with while you were with me . You slept on our bed when I was away for a business trip so you thought yeah this is the time you both should try it on our bed because Casey is an idiot she did not catch us for six then how she will catch us now . What did you think that you will get away with?”

“Casey,calm down," he stammered, but I was having none of it.

“Calm down? Oh, I'll show you calm!" I grabbed a glass of water from a nearby table and tossed it in his face. He sputtered, dripping and shocked. "This is for cheating on me, you jerk!”

I turned to his fiancée, who looked like a deer caught in headlights. "And you! Congratulations on your new life with this two-timing slimeball. I hope he cheats on you just like he did to me!" With that, I reached for the tablecloth and yanked it, sending dishes and silverware crashing to the floor.The restaurant fell silent, everyone watching in stunned disbelief.

"You know what? You deserve each other. Good luck with your miserable lives!”

And then, just like that, reality snapped back into place .I blinked rapidly, I was still holding my menu as I sat at my table. The restaurant was calm, filled with the gentle clinking of silverware and the murmur of polite conversation.My ex-boyfriend was indeed kneeling in front of the girl, holding out a ring. She gasped and nodded, the restaurant erupting in applause as she said yes.

I was still in my seat, very much not the green, rampaging Hulk. The only mess around me was the folded napkin on the table. I shook my head, feeling the heat of embarrassment creep up my neck. The wild fantasy had felt so real, but here I was, just an unnoticed observer to their happy moment. I sighed, trying to collect myself, and took a sip of water, hoping it would help.

Just then, my phone buzzed on the table. I glanced at the screen: it was my friend, Sarah, calling. I picked up, grateful for the distraction.

“Hey, Zazu," I said, trying to sound cheerful.

"Hey, Casey," she replied, sounding a bit hesitant. "Listen, I’m really sorry, but I have to cancel dinner tonight. Something came up with work, and I can’t get away.”

I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. "It's okay Zazu. Thanks for letting me know.”

"I feel terrible about this. Let’s reschedule soon, okay?”

“Absolutely," I said, forcing a smile even though she couldn’t see it. "Take care” .I hung up and sighed, glancing around the restaurant. My friends were going to be late or not come at all. I was stuck here, alone, in a place where my ex-boyfriend had just proposed to the girl he cheated on me with.

Deciding not to give up yet, I immediately dialled my other friend, Deniz. She picked up after a few rings, her voice rushed. "Hey, Casey! What's up?”

"Hey, Deniz. Are you on your way? Zazu just cancelled on me.”There was a brief silence.

“Were we scheduled to meet today?” then she gasped. "Oh my God Casey, I am so sorry. I completely forgot! I got caught up with a case at work and lost track of time. I’m still at the office.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose, feeling the weight of the evening settle on my shoulders. "It's okay, Deniz. Work happens. We will catch up another time.”

"I'm really, really sorry. I'll make it up to you, I promise."

"Don't worry about it. Just handle your case. We will talk later.”

After hanging up, I sat there for a moment, absorbing the turn of events. The restaurant buzzed with happy conversations, none of which included me. I flagged down a waiter, feeling a mixture of frustration and resignation. I did not want to go home just yet so I moved to the bar of the restaurant.

It's just me and my loneliness now.