Dinner Date with Oziya

                                    

                                          
Ritika arrived at the restaurant to meet Oziya, sitting down and folding her legs to ward off the cold. She unwrapped Cann's coat from herself and placed it on the chair next to her. Her phone buzzed with a message from Oziya.
"Hey, have you reached?"
"Yes, I'm here."
"Great! I'll be there in a few minutes," he replied.
A waiter approached her table, offering water and a menu. "What would you like to order, ma'am?"
"I'm actually waiting for someone," she replied with a smile.
"Of course," the waiter nodded and left.
While waiting, Ritika absentmindedly opened her phone and typed, "CANN TURKISH ACTOR" into the search bar. News articles and rumors popped up, including speculation about his engagement and marriage. Just as she was about to click on one, Oziya arrived.
"Hello, Miss Gorgeous," Oziya greeted with a charming smile.
"Hello, Mr. Oziya," Ritika said, quickly swiping away the browser and standing to greet him. They shared a brief hug.
"I hope I didn't keep you waiting. Had an emergency case at the last minute," Oziya said, his tone filled with pride.
"No worries at all, I just got here myself," she said. "And as a medical student, I totally understand."
They both looked at the menu, and Oziya asked, "So, what shall we order?"
"Whatever you like, I'll have the same," Ritika replied.
"Okay then," Oziya said, waving for the waiter.
"We'll have the salmon and steak, please," Oziya ordered confidently.
Ritika quickly interjected, "Oh, I'm vegetarian."
Oziya chuckled. "Got it, one vegetarian option for the lady then," he told the waiter.
As they chatted, Oziya's phone rang. "Excuse me," he said, stepping away to take the call. Ritika watched as his expression turned tense. When he returned, she asked, "Is everything alright?"
Oziya sighed. "The patient I treated today had a cardiac arrest. I need to get back to the hospital."
"Oh," Ritika said, trying to mask her disappointment.
"I'm really sorry, Ritika. We'll have to do this another time."
"Of course, Oziya. Go, your work is more important."
Oziya grabbed his phone and stood up to leave. As he hugged her goodbye, his eyes lingered for a moment on the coat draped on the chair beside her. He didn't comment, but his curiosity was evident. Ritika apologized to the waiter, canceling the order, and left the restaurant, Cann's coat still in hand.
Walking outside, she thought to herself, *Quite the stupid night. I should've just eaten instead of letting my nerves get the best of me.*
As she stuffed her hands into the coat's pockets for warmth, her fingers brushed against something-movie set cards detailing Cann's shooting schedule for the night. To her surprise, the location was close to her apartment, and a sudden impulse urged her to visit.
She hailed a cab and headed to the shooting set, where Cann was busy filming. Taniz, his assistant, handed him a water bottle. "Hey, did you know your new neighbor is Ritika?"
"The same girl who saved you?" Taniz asked, shocked. "What a coincidence!"
They both laughed as the break ended and Cann returned to work.
Meanwhile, Ritika arrived at the set, only to be stopped by the security guard. Despite explaining that she knew Cann, the guard was unconvinced, telling her, "I've heard that line from five other people today."
Ritika stood there, unsure of what to do, when she noticed Cann in the distance, washing his face. Water cascaded down his beard and over his shirt, revealing his toned abs underneath. Embarrassed, she quickly looked away, but Cann saw her just in time and ran over.
"Ritika!" Cann called out, surprised and pleased to see her.
"Hey," she greeted, smiling.
"You're here! Come inside, I'm almost done," Cann offered, but Ritika hesitated, feeling out of place among the crew.
"No, I was just passing by," she said, starting to walk away.
"Wait," Cann gently grabbed her hand. "Give me two minutes. I'll grab my stuff, and I'll give you a ride home."
Ritika started to protest, but Cann insisted. "It's late, and I'm not taking no for an answer. Just wait."
She nodded reluctantly, and Cann dashed off to gather his things. But when he returned, Ritika was nowhere to be seen. His heart sank, thinking she had left.
Just as he was about to head back, he heard her voice.
"Cann."
He turned to see her standing there, holding two sandwiches and cups of coffee. "I'm sorry. I got hungry, so I went to the canteen," she said with a shy smile.
Relieved, Cann laughed. "Wait, weren't you just on a date? Did the doctor starve you?"
Ritika giggled. "He had to leave for an emergency. We barely spent ten minutes together."
"Well then," Cann said, taking a bite of her sandwich, "this makes up for it."
As they shared the food and coffee, Cann and Ritika walked back to his car, talking and laughing the whole way. The night, which had started off on an awkward note, suddenly felt warmer and full of possibility.