I smile, my cheeks warming. “It’s still early, Aunty, but I like spending time with him. He’s different. Patient. Kind. Caring.”
She nods knowingly. “He is. And you deserve someone like that.”
Her words make my chest tighten, but I don’t dare say anything. Not when a part of me still fears that even this happiness could easily slip from my fingers.
“I remember,” she continues, her eyes softening with nostalgia, “when Kavya first started going out with Reyansh. She used to try so hard to hide her smile, the one that gave away just how happy she was with him. Seeing you right now reminds me of that. Of her.” She pauses and cups my cheek with one hand. “She’d be so happy for you, Nisha.”
I swallow the lump in my throat and shake my head. “I don’t want to tell Kavya anything yet, Aunty. Not until I’m sure about what this is. It’s still new, and I don’t want to rush anything.”
She nods with understanding. “You’re allowed to take your time. I’m sure that whenever you’re ready to tell Kavya, she won’t hold it against you for keeping it a secret or not telling her sooner. Just promise me one thing?”
“What’s that?”
“Don’t be afraid to be happy, beta. You’ve been through so much. Just don’t let the past rob you of what’s waiting ahead.”
I nod slowly, holding her gaze. “I’ll try, Aunty. I really will.”
Just as she’s about to reply, the doorbell rings. She looks at me with a knowing grin.
“Go answer the door. Your man is here,” she says, her smile widening.
“Aunty…” I begin, flustered, heat rising to my cheeks.
But she cuts me off with a playful pat on the cheek. “Stop blushing and go already. Don’t keep him waiting. I’ll clean up the mess you’ve made in here.”
I glance around the room and wince at the clothes scattered across the bed, jewellery boxes left open, and the countless pairs of shoes lying around. The idea of going out with Sidharth made me so nervous that I was confused about what to wear. I must’ve tried on half my wardrobe, just wanting to look my best.
“I’m sorry for the mess, Aunty,” I say sheepishly, but she just waves me off.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got this. Go on. He’s probably just as excited to see you.”
With a grateful nod, I lean in and press a quick kiss to her cheek.
“Thank you,” I murmur, slipping into my ballet flats. I then grab my small purse from the bed and take a steadying breathbefore walking to the door, butterflies fluttering wildly in my stomach.
The moment I open it, my heart skips a beat. Sidharth stands there in a crisp black shirt tucked neatly into dark grey pants, a bouquet of red roses in his hands. His intense gaze sweeps over me slowly, deliberately, and when our eyes meet, my heart thunders in my chest.
“You look beautiful,” he says, his voice low and gravelly.
A shy smile tugs at my lips. “Thank you.”
“These are for you,” he adds, holding out the bouquet.
“They’re lovely. Thank you.” I take them and bury my nose in their sweet scent before looking up at him. “I’ll just put these in a vase, and then we can head out for dinner.”
He nods, and I turn, making my way to the kitchen with him close behind. Setting the flowers on the counter, I open the cabinet and pull out a glass vase, filling it halfway with water.
“I don’t like it,” he says suddenly from behind me.
“What?” I turn to face him, confused, and set the vase on the counter next to the flowers.
“That every guy out there is going to be gawking at you,” he grits out, his eyes darkening. “And I’ll have a really hard time not punching them.”
His words send a quiet tremor through my body.
“No one will stare at me,” I whisper, dropping my gaze.
He reaches out and places his index finger under my chin, lifting it until our eyes lock.
