I snort. “Bold assumption.”
He steps closer, close enough that I can see the faint crease between his brows when he’s focused on me. “You’ll be with me. If anyone so much as sees you the wrong way,” his eyesdarken, “they will face my wrath.” He says it so casually, like he’s narrating a fact. “And you’ll see your Bhai-sa. That’s all that matters.”
I swallow. “You don’t mind? Me wanting to go… for him?”
He looks genuinely confused. “Why would I?”
“I just—” I stop myself. “Never mind.”
He lifts a hand, gently brushing my knuckles with his thumb. “Sitara. If something matters to you, it matters to me.” My throat tightens.
“You’re flirting,” I accuse weakly.
He smiles. “Is it working?”
“Yes,” I mutter.
He laughs softly. “Good.”
I glance away, cheeks heating. “I’ll need something to wear.”
“I’ll handle it,” he says immediately.
My eyes widen. “No.”
“Yes.”
“Dhruv,” I warn.
He grins. “Relax. I promise I won’t put you in anything uncomfortable.”
I squint at him. “You better not.”
He raises both hands in surrender. “Scout’s honor.”
I snort. “You were never a boy scout.”
“Still honest.”
I shake my head, smiling despite myself.
“Thank you,” I say quietly.
He looks at me, expression soft. “For what?”
“For… letting me want things.”
He frowns slightly. “You never need permission for that.”
I smile. “Still. Thank you.”
He reaches out, hesitates for half a second, then gently tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear. The touch is light, careful. Like he’s always checking whether I’m okay with it.
My heart stumbles.
“You’ll look beautiful,” he says, voice low.
I groan. “You’re doing it again.”
