Page 110 of Since You Stole My Heart

Before she could turn to Kashvi, Luv leaned ahead, covering for her. ‘Kashu doesn’t have any money either. We always steal from her, so she doesn’t keep cash anymore.’

Malini frowned. ‘What now?’

‘Call Lavanya and ask her to bring some money. It will take only a few minutes,’ the pandit suggested. ‘It’s crucial that we do this now, or else he won’t be able to meet the girl today.’

Luv moved instantly, getting out of the car. ‘We’re already running late, and if we wait too long, all the good stuff will be gone in the discount sale.’

Huh?

Before Kashvi could process it, Swayam slid into the passenger seat in one smooth motion. She became hyperaware of his proximity as his cologne filled her senses.

Malini grabbed his arm, trying to stop him. ‘Don’t be like that! At least wait until the pandit finishes the ritual.’

‘Maasi, you told me to be home on time. I’m just trying to follow your orders here. Mumbai traffic is not going to care about this,’ Swayam said.

Malini pointed a finger in warning. ‘If you leave like this, I won’t allow you to meet Aisha. Then don’t complain later.’

Swayam gave a soft, careless scoff. ‘That’s tragic, Maasi. I’m absolutely heartbroken, but I think I will survive. The world won’t end today if I don’t meet her.’

‘That’s not how it works. A lot has to go right and align for an auspicious day like today, so take it seriously,’ she scolded.

Swayam gave a satisfied smile and stole a glance at Kashvi. ‘Maybe that’s the point. Maybe this is just a sign that it’s not meant to be.’

Kashvi replayed the last few minutes in her mind, and it hit her that he was trying to get out of this match. Her ears rang as every nerve in her body screamed at her to take this easy way out. All it would take was her silence.

If Swayam didn’t go, she wouldn’t lose him.

But then Viraj’s arrangement would fall apart, and he would loom over their heads like a sword. If he could find something to use against her, what would stop him from exploiting his cousin’s vulnerabilities until he found something to use?

I can ruin his life too.

Kashvi couldn’t let that happen. If Swayam got together with that girl, Viraj would have no reason to drag him into it.

He would come for her instead, and she could handle it. But the thought of Swayam being caught in the same web made her want to fall to her knees and weep.

‘One minute,’ Kashvi said, retrieving his wallet from the glove compartment where Luv had stashed it.

Her pulse thundered in her ears as she slid out a five-hundred-rupee note.

When she finally met his gaze, the sheer force of it left a crack in her chest. ‘Don’t,’ he whispered under his breath.

Kashvi pressed her lips together to hold back her tears. She kept her eyes on him as she rotated the note over his head a few times, because looking away would make it easier and she did not deserve that.

She handed the note to Malini, who was beaming at her. ‘That’s how it’s done! Bless you, beta. You’ve saved the day.’

‘Glad to be of help,’ Kashvi murmured politely, though it sounded distant to her own ears.

Malini playfully smacked Swayam’s arm as she said, ‘Now you just wait and see. Your life is about to change.’

‘I like my life the way it is. I don’t want it to change,’ Swayam said, looking straight ahead.

The pandit shook his head in disapproval. ‘I’ve known Jay and Viru since they were kids, and you shouldn’t trust them to take care of anything. If you really want things done right, you should go with them, Malini.’

She hummed thoughtfully, considering it.

Swayam jumped in, a hint of urgency in his tone. ‘Maasi, you really don’t have to come. All this running around will get too hectic for you.’

Malini narrowed her eyes at his hesitation. ‘You know, Panditji is right. I can take out one or two hours from my day to make sure you don’t mess this up.’