One long, breaking breath.
And he kissed me again.
Hard.
Passionate.
Like something inside him had snapped—finally, finally giving in.
His hand cupped the back of my head, the other anchored at my waist, pulling me impossibly close. There was no hesitation in the way his lips moved against mine now—just want and fear and all the words he didn’t know how to say.
When he pulled back, just barely, his forehead resting against mine, his breath warm on my lips—“You’re coming to Mumbai.”
____________
“Dadi, he’s not a broker; he’s a businessman,” I corrected her for what felt like the seventeenth time since Manav and I joined her for breakfast.
We were at Dadi’s house—ShantiVan—sharing breakfast with her, who had unsurprisingly taken quite a liking to Manav. Actually, who wouldn’t? The man was now patiently teaching her how to use Instagram and block all the nosy relatives, earning him major brownie points.
“Any plans on becoming a farmer?” Dadi asked Manav as she waved at the staff to bring pudding.
Before I could interject, Manav gently pressed my hand—his calmness almost unnerving. “Sounds like an interesting idea.”
Dadi’s face lit up with excitement. “Well, when are you getting married?” she asked, her gaze shifting between us with a mischievous glint.
I choked on my water, coughing violently. Manav casually handed me the glass. He leaned back in his chair and smiled. “Whenever Kiara is ready…”
My jaw dropped, and I turned to him, wide-eyed, while he gave me a look that said,Play along.
Dadi beamed at his response, while I, on the other hand, was on the verge of an existentialcrisis.
Married?
To Manav Oberoi?
To his abs?
Is that even legal in this universe?
Stop it, Kiara. He’s just acting. This is for Dadi,I reminded myself, but my thoughts weren’t helping.
Dadi’s eyes sparkled mischievously as she turned to me. “She seems ready to me.”
“Dadi… it’s time for your medicine!” I managed to sputter, desperate to change the subject before I spontaneously combusted.
Manav, of course, was loving every second of my misery. His adorable smirk and the faint dimple on his cheek betrayed just how much fun he was having.
And yet, despite my humiliation, I couldn’t help but notice how perfectly he played along.
Damn him and that unfairly cute smile.
“Okay… you two… time for my nap. See you at my birthday dinner,” Dadi announced, attempting to stand. Manav was immediately by her side, assisting her with a steady hand as they strolled toward her room, casually discussing the side effects of chemical pesticides like it was the most natural conversation in the world.
I remained seated, staring at the now-empty table, my mind racing in circles. The warmth of his hand pressing mine earlier, his calm demeanor, the way he seamlessly fit into Dadi’s world—it all felt… too real.
This is fake,I reminded myself.
It’s all part of the plan.But deep down, my chest tightened.
