Page 112 of Since You Stole My Heart

Kashvi could feel his burning gaze on her back, but she didn’t turn around. ‘No, Auntyji.’

‘Are you seeing someone then?’ she asked next.

‘No. I mean… no, I’m not,’ Kashvi managed, skirting too close to the truth. ‘I don’t think I’m really marriage material anyway. I’d probably just end up torturing the poor guy.’

Malini made a soft, disapproving sound. ‘Arrey, what is this way of talking about yourself? You’re such a lovely girl, and so beautiful too. The man who gets you will be very lucky.’

Kashvi glanced down, waving it off.

Swayam spoke then. ‘No arguments there.’

Her chest clenched, and she almost stumbled at the threshold of the glass doors. Rows of elevators stood ahead.

Kashvi pressed the call button. The elevator doors opened with a soft chime, revealing a few people already inside.

Swayam stepped in first, making room for them to follow.

It was a tight fit, and Kashvi found herself pushed towards the back corner as more people squeezed in.

She stepped on someone’s shoe and turned to apologise, but the words died on her tongue. Swayam stood behind her, his back pressed against the steel wall.

Kashvi kept herself rigidly upright, trying to create space, but there was barely any room. If she leaned back even slightly, she would touch him.

Without warning, Swayam wrapped an arm firmly around her waist, pulling her flush against him. His palm pressed flat against her stomach, anchoring her there.

The heat of him surrounded her so completely that Kashvi could almost swear she was on fire. Then he rested his forehead against the side of her head, inhaling deeply as he whispered into her ear, ‘I miss you, baby.’

The ache in his voice cut straight through her, enough to drag a broken sob from deep in her chest. She bit hard on her lower lip, tears burning in her eyes as she tried to force it back down.

‘Swayam…’ she whispered, curling her fingers tighter around his arm, because even though it hurt, it was also the only place she could breathe.

‘Don’t,’ he said, his voice strained. ‘Please. I can’t do this. This is torture, Kash.’

Her knuckles turned pale with how tightly she held onto him, never wanting to let go.

The elevator chimed, and the doors slid open, shattering the moment.

His arm slipped away, and the loss of it left her off balance.

Kashvi sniffled and stepped forward, walking out with the slow shuffle of the crowd.

Malini had wandered into the jewellery store beside the elevators, but Luv stood there watching her with sharp concern. ‘Kashu, are you okay?’

She nodded quickly, brushing at the corner of her eye. ‘I’m fine. Just… a little claustrophobic, I think.’

The slight tilt of his head made it clear he wasn’t fooled. ‘Yeah, that must be it.’

Kashvi turned away from him and caught sight of Swayam standing a few feet away. The faint sheen in his eyes mirrored hers, and unable to bear it, she walked ahead to where Malini stood.

She pointed towards an ethnic store. ‘You know, Swayam may not be entirely wrong about me spoiling my kids. Last time I came here with Lavanya to get one saree for her, I ended up buying six.’

Kashvi smiled, matching her pace as they explored.

‘And you? Who all are in your family?’ Malini asked, glancing at her curiously.

‘I have an elder sister and brother-in-law. She’s just like you. She loves to spoil me,’ she answered.

Malini nodded. ‘Oh, that’s nice. Elder sisters are always a blessing. Mine used to boss me around all the time, but I don’t know what I’d have done without her.’