The words sent warmth through the bitter chill of his heart. No Kashyap…The casual words meant more than anything in this world.
“Well then,” he slung an arm over Kimi’s shoulder. “I guess we’re going shopping. But can we have lunch first?”
“Chinese!” she squealed.
“No.” He rubbed his knuckles on the top of her head, destroying her carefully styled hair. “I want Indian food please. I’m done with all other cuisines for a while.”
“Bah!” Kimi dug her elbow into his gut and freed herself from his clutches. “You’re as bad as Tani. The two of you are so boring.”
Boring. His heart stuttered painfully.
He wished he could be asboringas Tani. As good. As steady.
Instead, he was just…bad. The bad choice. The one who’d broken her heart. And his own, right along with it.
CHAPTER 16
TANISHA
He was here.
Of course, he was here. There was no universe in which Kabir and she could avoid each other indefinitely.
She stood on the sidewalk, looking through the window that framed the entire length of the restaurant. He was laughing, that gorgeous, mobile mouth of his tipping up into a smile, teeth flashing, head thrown back as he chuckled. Whatever story Kimi and Rehan were feeding him, it was tickling his funny bone.
Fifteen days since the night at the farmhouse when she’d told him she wanted him gone. Fifteen days since she’d last seen him. Fifteen days since she’d breathed the same air as him.
She’d had fifteen Kabir free days and she should be grateful for it. Instead, when she walked in to the restaurant, she felt like she was taking her first full breath in days. Fifteen days to be exact.
She walked in, the maître d taking down her name and leading her into the cordoned off VIP section they were sitting in. Bodyguards lined the little gap that led to the table, ensuring the fans and fanatics couldn’t get too close. All around her peoplewhispered, snuck glances and took surreptitious photos and videos of him.
His head lifted the minute she walked in, turning to watch her enter. Sunglasses shaded his face. His stubble had grown into a full beard, his shaggy hair lay mussed and chaotic, looking like it needed a trim. The tight, faded denims and the plain black t-shirt that accentuated his muscles did nothing to dim his aura.
This was Kabir Kashyap, the rockstar.
And somewhere behind those sexy sunglasses was her Kabir. The boy who’d drank watery tea from miniature tea cups at every stupid tea party of hers, the one who’d bandaged her grazed knees, who’d fought her childish battles, who’d stood between her and the world, every single time. The boy who’d convinced her parents to let her move to New York, telling them that he was there. He’d keep her safe. He’d ensure she never missed home. And he had.
The man who’d held her so gently, so tenderly, who’d kissed her like she was the answer to his every prayer and pushed her away like she was his eternal damnation.
Her Kabir. And yet, not hers.
She reached the table and allowed herself to be enveloped in hugs and squealed greetings. She slipped into a chair beside Kimi, forcing herself to take a seat at the other end of the table to Kabir.
His eyes tracked her every move until Rehan said something to draw his attention away.
“What do you want to order, Tan Tan?” Aayushi asked, sliding the menu over to her.
“Just a little of whatever everyone has ordered is fine,” she said, still feeling hot and flustered. “I’m not really hungry.”
“No butter naan and laal maas?” Rehan asked, sounding shocked. “Who are you and what have you done with my sister?”
Tani rolled her eyes at him, ignoring his antics. Kabir was watching her again. As was she…watching him. His phone rang and he pulled it out. She saw the corners of his mouth tighten at whatever he saw on the display before he slipped it back into his pocket. She looked away, forcing herself to speak to Maya Maasi who sat directly opposite her.
The waiter appeared with a tray laden with dishes, setting them out before starting to serve them. The noise around their table was wild, chaotic and joyful. As she soaked it all in, Tani felt her heart expanding in her chest, slowly healing from the stress of the past few days.
“Tani?” Ved said quietly from next to her.
“Ya Chachu?” Tani scooped up some paneer makhani with a piece of her roti and shoved it in her mouth. Her favourite cuisine in the whole, wide world was Indian.
