Hruta's POV
"Hello, Ladies."
A familiar voice echoed, and I didn't need to turn around to know who it belonged to.
Sameer Desai.
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and braced myself for the dramatic entry of the King of Latecomers.
"Aagya tu... kabhi toh time pe aaya kar, Sam!" Dhanu snapped, her eyes narrowing at him.
["There you are... Try to be on time for once, Sam."]
Sameer gave his signature sheepish grin, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Arey, sorry meri maa," he replied with exaggerated puppy eyes that only worked on strangers.
Not us.
"Sam, seriously," Vishu chimed in, arms crossed, "next time we'll give you the wrong time so you'll be on time."
"Hahahaha, very funny," Sam waved a dismissive hand, flopping into a chair with zero shame.
"Now, what's this emergency? Ya phir yeh sirf ek excuse tha mujhe bina bulaye chai peene ka?"
["Or were you just looking for an excuse to have tea with me without an invite?"]
Dhanu points at the stack of empty cups in front of me. "Look at her! yeh already four cups maar chuki hai."
"Wait, four?" Sameer's eyes widened, "Bro, tu toh secretly chai ki smuggler nikli? Ya tu soch rahi thi chai pike suicide karegi?"
["Bro, turns out you're secretly a tea smuggler? Or were you planning to drink tea and then commit suicide?"]
I gasped. "Noo! I was just... nervous, okay?
Seriously, what is wrong with drinking four cups of chai?
It's not like I was committing arson. Just stabilizing my emotions through caffeine.
These people? Drama factories.
Sameer leaned forward with mock concern, eyes wide and voice dripping with sarcasm."Nervous? About what? Ki chai thandi na ho jaaye? Ya darr tha ki bina chai ke tu hawa mein udd jaayegi?"
["Were you just scared the tea might get cold? Or worried you'd float away without it?"]
This man and his logic... someone take him back to the shop, he's malfunctioning.
I narrowed my eyes at him, my tone deadpan and done-with-life."Ab tu chup karega ya mein bhagga doon tujhe yaha se?"
["Will you shut up now, or do I have to kick you out?"]
He raised both hands in mock surrender, but that annoying grin? Plastered tighter than Fevicol on a school project.
Before I could launch another sarcastic grenade, ding! — Another cup of tea arrived.
Sameer immediately stood up, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"Excuse me," he said to the server, loud enough for half the cafe to pause mid-sip.
"Agar iske baad is table pe ek bhi chai aayi na, toh uska bill main nahi bharunga. Aur nahi mere dost ko bharne dunga. Ulta case karunga aap logon pe—ek masoom ladki ko chai pila pila ke maar diya."
["If even one more cup of tea shows up on this table, I'm not paying for it. Neither is my friend. In fact, I'll file a case against you people — for trying to kill an innocent girl with an overdose of tea!"]
I slid down in my seat, dragging a hand across my face.
Iss mahaan aadmi ko dekho... mere hi cafe mein mujh pe case karne ki dhamki de raha hai.
Vishu nearly choked on her coffee. Dhanu wiped tears of laughter. And Sameer? That idiot just stood there grinning like he'd just saved me from a caffeine overdose.
Why are these people my friends?
Bappa, mala ghe tuzya kade. Ataach.
(Please take me now, God. I'm done.)
"Shut up, Sam. Nahi tar khre che fekun dein me tula," I snapped.
["Shut up, Sam. Or else I'll throw you out of here, for real."]
He gave a peace sign like a fool, still grinning and sat down.
"Varun, you can go," I told the server, who wisely nodded, placed the tea cup on the table, and disappeared faster than my patience.
The laughter died down as Dhanu leaned forward, tapping the table.
"Ruhi, ata sangnaar kaay jhala ahe? Yah fir aise hi baithi rahegi?" she asked, impatiently lacing her voice.
["Ruhi, what happened? Or are you just going to sit there like that?"]
I sighed.
Yes, Hruta. This is why you called them. Get to the freaking point already.
I sat up a little straighter, fingers fiddling with the edge of my shirt. "You guys remember I told you about that guy?" I asked, voice low, almost a whisper.
Vishu squinted, puzzled.
"Which one?"
yeh ladki aise bol rahi hai jaise aate jate mai sabse pange leke aati hoon.
Like, excuse me?? Do I look like a certified Jhagdaloo ki Dukaan to you??
"The one from the pub," I clarified, watching their expressions closely.
Recognition sparked in their eyes. They leaned in, curiosity written all over their faces.
And then I dropped the bombshell.
"He's none other than my brothers' best friend—Nirved Singhania."
Dead. Silence.
Like... actual silence.
You could hear the ceiling fan struggling overhead. A spoon clinked in someone's untouched teacup nearby.
Dhanu's mouth opened in pure disbelief. Vishu blinked like her brain had short-circuited. Sameer just froze with a biscuit halfway to his mouth.
I launch into a recap of the wild events, my mind flashing back to that unforgettable encounter.
Flashback
It was a Saturday night, and we decided to take a break from everything and have fun at the pub.
The place buzzed with life—dim lights flashing in sync with the heavy beat of the music, people dancing like there was no tomorrow, and the endless flow of drinks that had finally started to catch up with me.
I was tipsy.
Okay... maybe more than tipsy.
But it didn't matter.
Tonight was about letting go.
No stress. No overthinking.
I moved through the crowd, hips swaying with the beat, leaving my friends behind as I headed straight to the bar.
Leaning over the counter, I ordered the strongest tequila they had—my confidence louder than the DJ.
And when the bartender finally handed me the shot, I downed it in one go—no hesitation.
That's when I noticed.
A figure seated at the far end of the bar.
No. No... no, no. Am I dreaming?
My gaze locked onto him, slowly trailing over his face, his broad shoulders, that dangerously calm posture...
Am I in hell?
Because he looked like a hot devil, not just a man who walked out of fire—but one who ruled it.
And the worst part?
He hadn't even looked at me yet—
But I already felt burned.
Mysterious, oceanic blue eyes, a perfectly tailored suit, and an aura that made everyone else in the room seem small.
He looked dangerous—and, of course, that made him look even irresistible.
There was something about him...
Something magnetic. Sinful. Unreachable.
Without a second thought, I slid onto the barstool next to him.
He didn't glance at me. Not even a flicker of acknowledgment.
He casually swirled his drink in his hand, his gaze focused straight ahead, like he had better things to look at than the girl beside him.
He took a sip.
And his Adam's apple bobbed slightly as he swallowed.
Why the hell was that so attractive?!
Like, helloooo—Biology?
You and I need to have a serious conversation. Because that one stupidly subtle motion did more damage than any flirtation ever could.
My breath hitched. I felt hot.
And not because of the tequila.
And frankly?
It hurt.
Like, Oyeeee? I'm sitting right here. You do not get to ignore me like this.
Rude.
But fine.
I'll let it slide.
Because—
Let's be honest... when you look like a walking sin, you earn a few forgiveness points.
And maybe—just maybe—
It wasn't entirely his fault.
I think that liqueur took more of me than I realized.
Because suddenly, I found him dangerously hot.
Hot enough to make me question my sanity and flirt with poor decisions.
My hormones and emotions?Fully conspiring against me.
Rooting for the stranger.
Rooting for the moment where his eyes would finally meet mine.
And when they did...
When those piercing ocean eyes finally met mine—
I forgot how to breathe.
He didn't just look at me.
He unraveled me.
Like he saw every reckless thought running wild in my mind. Every flutter in my chest. Every drop of tequila-fueled madness rushed through my veins.
My heart raced, but liquid courage took over. I gave him what I thought was my best flirty smile. "Hey," I said, voice soft, leaning toward him.
He looked at me with the faintest hint of amusement, but he didn't respond—just a raised eyebrow and a very slight smirk.
Undeterred, I moved a little closer. "You look... lonely," I said, twirling a strand of my hair, trying to sound smooth. "Thought I might keep you company." I could barely focus on his face, but wow, he was something.
He finally spoke, his voice low and chilling. "And you thought I'd want company?"
I blinked, struggling to keep my cool. "I mean... who doesn't want company?"
I tried to sound mysterious, but my words were already slurring. With a boldness I didn't quite recognize, I reached out to touch his arm—oh, no, was I touching his arm? When did that happen? My hand seemed to have a mind as it slid toward his shoulder. "Very... uh... muscle-y," I added, squeezing his arm, only to wobble on my stool.
But before I fell, he caught my wrist to prevent me from falling.
"Careful, Firefly," he murmured.
Firefly.
Huh. Not bad.
"Sorry," I laughed nervously. "I think... It's your fault for looking so... distracting."
He didn't pull away.
Didn't flinch.
Just kept looking at me like he was trying to read every drunk little thought running wild in my brain.
And maybe I was insane.
No—scratch that—I was insane.
Because I leaned in.
Closer.
Close enough to breathe the same air.
He still didn't say a word. Didn't flinch. Just watched me with that maddening calm, like he was daring me to do something foolish.
So, I did.
Without thinking—without even pretending to care—I straddled his lap.
Right there.
The hem of my dress riding higher as my thighs settled on either side of him, hands finding their way to his shoulders for balance... or maybe for temptation.
His eyes darkened. His jaw clenched.
But he still didn't stop me.
He let me come to him.
Let me play with fire.
His hands came up then—slow—and landed on my waist. Not gently. Not cautiously.
Firm. Possessive.
Like he was claiming his seat as much as I had claimed his.
oh God—his touch. It wasn't just hands-on skin. It was a jolt to my core, a punch of heat straight to my stomach, and I felt it everywhere.
I swallowed hard, heartbeat rioting in my chest, in my throat, between my legs.
He was just staring at me, like he wanted to devour me whole.
And I—I was burning for him.
So I did the only thing that made sense in that burning moment.
I slammed my lips on his.
and kissed him.
Hard.
Was I going to regret it?
Maybe. Probably. Definitely.
But let's think about it later.
Let me enjoy this moment first.
His lips were warm, unyielding, and he tasted like sin, midnight, and every mistake I was willing to make tonight.
His grip tightened.
And just like that, the room disappeared.
There was no music. No crowd. No chaos.
Just the fire I'd willingly walked into.
The devil I just kissed.
And the hell I was about to fall into.
Flashback End
"What?" They all exclaim in unison.
Their voice shot up a whole octave, making me wince.
I could feel eyes turning in our direction.
Wonderful. Just what I needed. A public breakdown of my already questionable life decisions.
I sank a little lower into my chair. "Can you not scream like I just committed murder?"
"Nirved Singhania?" Vishu asked, her eyes practically leaping out of their sockets. "Do you even know who he is?"
I blinked. Shook my head. Innocent. Clueless. Caught.
Sam leaned in like he was whispering national secrets.
"Ruhh, are you serious? Nirved Singhania? The Nirved Singhania? The one who runs all those damn 'businesses'?"
He shook his head, eyes wide. "That man...he's not just any rich guy. He's powerful. Cold. Ruthless. And did I mention—dangerous?"
Dhanu gasped. "Oh my God, Ruhii! You kissed him. In. The. Face! What were you thinking?"
I blinked again.
Uh...I mean, yeah? A kiss is usually on the face, right? You want me to kiss his elbow instead? Hehehe...
The room went silent again.
Not because they agreed. But because they were trying to process the fact that Hruta Salvi—the girl who once cried because her ice cream fell—had kissed Nirved freakin' Singhania in a pub like it was a scene from a rom-com.
I bit my lip, feeling my face flush again at the memory. The music. The lights. His stupidly intense face.
"I... I didn't know he was that Nirved Singhania," I mumbled. "He just looked so... I don't know, intense and attractive and..."
My voice trailed off as I realized how ridiculous it sounded now.
Cue all three of them staring at me like I'd confessed to liking pineapple on pizza.
Which—by the way—is not that bad.
Pineapple on pizza? Yum yum. Don't hate me. Appreciate me.
Sam shook his head, rubbing his forehead. "You've outdone yourself this time, Ruhh. You might have kissed a guy who could make people disappear with a snap of his fingers."
I snorted. "Oh, please. What is he? Thanos?"
They didn't laugh.
"Bro, you will always remain in my memories," Sam said dramatically, fake-wiping imaginary tears from the corners of his eyes.
"We will miss you a lot," Dhanu added, pulling me into a side hug.
"What are you guys saying?" I asked, confused.
"Kyunki abhi tu marne waali hai na," Vishu explained with a deadpan expression.
["Because you're about to die, right?"]
I stared at them, wondering if they'd all lost their damn minds.
"Tum log mere dost ho ya dushman?" I asked, completely scandalized, halfway offended, and fully betrayed.
Seriously, I need better friends. Or a therapist. Or both.
Dhanu shrugged, chipper as ever. "Dost hai, isliye toh sach bata rahe hai."
"Guys, come on! It was just one kiss! It's not a big deal," I tried defending myself, flailing my hands for emphasis. "I didn't know who he was!"
"But he is Nirved Singhani—"
"Oye chup karo yaar!" I snapped, fed up, my frustration bubbling, "Kab se laga rakha hai Nirved Singhania, Nirved Singhania... Hoga voh bada businessman aur kya kya...lekin main bhi koi aayra gayra nathu ghaira nahi hoon, okay?"
I huffed, standing up like I was about to give a revolutionary speech."The great one and only Hruta Salvi hoon main! Aane do uss Nirved ke bacche ko... uski aisi ki taisi kar dungi!"
["Shut up, yaar!" I snapped, totally fed up, my frustration bubbling. "All I've been hearing is 'Nirved Singhania, Nirved Singhania'... Yeah, he's this huge businessman, but I'm not some random side character either, alright?" "I'm the one and only Hruta Salvi! Let that Nirved come here... I'll show him who's boss!"]
I said that with the confidence of someone expecting a round of applause.
Silence.
Not the "wow-she ''s-so-courageous" kind.
More like the "let's call someone before she sets something on fire" kind.
What is the big deal anyway? I wasn't even in my senses that night. And excuse me, I'm not some mind-reading magician who could predict the man would turn out to be my brothers' so-called best friend.
Ugh.
And these people are sitting here acting like I committed a crime against humanity.
Sam blinked. "Main bas yeh keh raha tha ki tu uska naam galat le rahi hai... it's Singhania, not Singhani..."
["I was just saying that you're saying his name wrong... It's Singhania, not Singhani..."]
"Bhaad mein jao tum sab."
I declared and grabbed a pillow to throw at him.
Vishu rolled her eyes, arms crossed. "tu kiti idiot ahes? Tujhe pata hai pine ke baad tu pagal ho jaati hai toh itna piti kyun hai, haan?"
["How much of an idiot are you? You know you go crazy after drinking, so why the hell are you drinking so much, huh?"]
I groaned, flopping onto the couch like someone had doubled the weight of my regrets. "Fine! I get it, okay? I messed up. But yeh sab tumlog ki galti hai! Mujhe chhodke bhaag gaye wahan se!"
["Fine! I get it, alright? I messed up. But this is all your fault! You just left me and ran away from there!"]
"Tu hi gayab ho gayi thi!" Dhanu shot back. "We thought you must have gone home! We searched for you everywhere, but you were nowhere to be found!"
I slapped my forehead, rubbing it, at least that would massage the frustration away.
These people. These chaotic clowns I call friends.
Pain. In. My. Ass.
Sam gave a mock serious look, putting a hand on his heart. "So, when they write your life story, can I be the friend who warned you to be careful and didn't take you seriously?"
"Instead of planning my funeral," I snap, "how about someone gives me a solution?"
Because seriously, at this point, I didn't need judgment.
I needed divine intervention—or a miracle—or maybe just some duct tape to seal myself inside a suitcase.
Dhanu shrugs. "Idea? Hmm... you could go apologize... but then again, he might consider that an insult."
Wow. Thanks for that gem of a plan, Dhanu.
Truly, if sarcasm were a sport, she'd have Olympic gold by now.
"Pretend you don't know him." Vishu chimed in like it was the easiest thing in the world. "Act like nothing happened."
I stared at her.
Maybe I'll also pretend I don't know myself. Start fresh. New name. New life. How hard could it be? I'd dye my hair, change my voice, maybe fake a British accent.
Boom. New woman.
But before I could mentally pack my fake passport and escape plan, Sam raised an eyebrow, clearly enjoying my slow descent into madness.
"Oh sure, act like you don't know him. Because a guy like Nirved Singhania won't notice the girl who kissed him in a packed pub."
"Exactly!" Vishu nodded, proud of her master plan. "We just need to avoid any direct contact. Maybe he'll forget about you. I mean, he must meet a hundred people every day, right?"
Why is she so smart and so dumb at the same time?
Dhanu snorts loudly, "Right, because it's so easy to forget the one person who dared to kiss him."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Dhanu," I muttered, rolling my eyes.
Sam leans forward. "You know what? I think you should go apologize."
"WHAT?!" I shrieked, looking at him with my eyes wide. "Are you crazy?"
"No, hear me out," he continued. "You walk up to him, all sincere-like, and say, 'Mr. Singhania, I'm sorry about what happened. I was drunk and stupid.' He might respect your guts."
Dhanu nodded thoughtfully. "He's got a point, Bro. If you act scared or guilty, he'll have the upper hand. But if you own up to it, he might be intrigued."
Intrigued?
Then she turned toward me with a glint in her eye and added, "But again, why should you feel guilty? Tell us... did you enjoy the kiss? Was he a good kisser?"
Before I could even begin to process that wildly inappropriate question, Vishu jumped in, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Yes yes! Tell us what happened next. Did you... you know... do that thing too?" she asked, wiggling her eyebrows shamelessly.
I blinked. Once. Twice.
These people. These monsters. These shameless lunatics.
"Are you guys serious right now?" I asked, completely scandalized. But they were already leaning in, waiting for tea like this was an episode of Koffee with Hruta.
How are these my friends?
I need to reevaluate my entire life.
Maybe meditate.
Maybe join a monastery.
I sighed and finally gave them what they wanted.
"I don't remember," I muttered, dragging my hand down my face. "Because after that... I don't know what happened next. When I woke up, I found myself in bed—fit and fine and well dressed." I shrugged, trying to sound casual but honestly just digging my own grave.
They stared at me.
Not just stared—scanned me. Like I was a suspicious document, and they were about to check me for forged signatures.
Sam leaned in, narrowing his eyes. "You mean... You passed out after kissing him?"
Vishu gasped, clapping her hands. "Maybe he carried you home like in the movies!"
Dhanu's mouth dropped open. "Or maybe he tucked you into bed. Omg, Ruhi, this is romance in the making!"
And then, both girls hugged each other, squealing like teenage fangirls, completely lost in their delusional rom-com universe.Probably imagining me in slow-mo with wind in my hair while Nirved played Prince Charming with six-pack abs.
Meanwhile, I slapped my forehead. Hard.
These monkeys? Out of their damn minds.
Please ignore them.
"I swear," I groaned, "if you guys don't stop fantasizing about my half-memory night, I'm going to block all of you in real life."
They, of course, took that as a challenge.
"Okay, but if he did carry you, was it bridal style or fireman carry? Asking for research purposes," Sam asked, absolutely not ashamed.
"Research for what?!" I exploded.
"Our future biography of you," Vishu grinned. "Title: The Girl Who Kissed Danger."
And that was it.I was officially disowning all of them.
Time to move to the mountains to start a new life with goats and bad Wi-Fi.
Vishu patted my back. "Don't worry. Whatever happens, we've got your back. Even if you have to face the big bad wolf himself."
"Yeah," Sam added with a wicked grin, "We'll be right there... from a safe distance. With popcorn."
I sighed, trying to look serious, but my friends were being anything but.
Dhanu stepped closer, her hands dramatically landing on my shoulders. placed her hands on my shoulders, her eyes mock-serious.
"Listen, babe," she began "you are not the universe's magnet, okay? You won't see him again unless destiny herself books the Uber for him straight to your doorstep. And destiny, sweetie, is lazy."
Vishu nodded in solemn agreement. "Bahut zyada. Ekdum kaamchor."
I narrowed my eyes. They were clearly giving me the most jhoota dilasa in the history of fake consolations.
And then, Dhanu cradled my face with both her hands, her tone dead serious.
"Sunn... tujhe lagta hai tu usse roj-roj milegi? Arey pagal hai kya? Tujhe lagta coincidence hamesha hota hai? Ye sab coincidence nahi hota re, ye toh brain ka glitch hota hai!"
["Listen... you really think you're going to see him every day? Are you crazy? You think coincidences happen all the time? This isn't some magical fate, babe—this is just your brain glitching!"]
I blinked, trying to process. "Kya?!"
["What?"]
Dhanu nodded furiously, "Haan! Dekh, kabhi kabhi na... dimaag ko ek hi chehra baar-baar dikhayi deta hai. Like... visual lag ya mental buffering samajh le. Bas wahi ho raha hai tere saath! matalb tu bhote Jayda soch rahi hai"
["Yeah! See, sometimes... your brain just keeps showing you the same face over and over. Like... a visual lag or mental buffering, you know? That's exactly what's happening to you. Basically, you're just overthinking way too much!"]
Vishu bites her lips, trying not to laugh, "Iska matlab ye banda reality mein ek baar mila tha, baaki baar tu repeat telecast dekh rahi hai?"
["So you're saying this guy only showed up once in real life, and the rest of the time you've just been watching the repeat telecast?"]
Sam jumped in, grinning,"Brooo, like those YouTube ads that keep showing up again and again for no reason!"
Dhanshree ignored both of them, staying in her zone.
"Tu tension mat le. Kal se tulsi ka paani pee, ek spoon hajmola kha, aur apne mirror se 'main usse nahi milungi' teen baar bol... sab theek ho jaayega."
["Don't stress. Starting tomorrow, drink tulsi water, eat one spoonful of Hajmola, and say 'I will not meet him' three times in front of your mirror... everything will be fine."]
I stared at her, deadpan. "Tu serious hai?"
She didn't even blink. "100% bro!"
Vishu amuzed, "Tu toh tantrik nikli yaar!"
["Dude, are you secretly a spiritual guru or what?"]
And right then, Dhanu dramatically flipped her hair over her shoulder and declared with a smirk—
"Kya karein... gyaan toh mujhe bachpan se hi chhalak ke mila hai."
["What can I say... wisdom has been overflowing in me since childhood."]
And... she had a point.
I'm just overthinking.
It's not like I'm bumping into him every other day.
He has his high-profile business.
I have my work to do.
So logically, no need to stress. No need to spiral.
Take a chill pill, Hruta.
Easy, right?
I smiled, a little reassured. "Thanks a lot for the encouragement."
Sam leans in with a grin. "Ruhh, you're going to need more than encouragement. Maybe running shoes?"
I glare at him, but the thought of running doesn't seem so bad right now.
Dhanu nodded, still laughing. "But I think the only thing crazy here is you and your five cups of tea!"
Sam raised his hand like he was making a toast. "To Ruhh and her daring tea-fueled escape plan!"
We all laugh, the tension breaking for a moment. But deep down, I know this is just the beginning.
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