Page 114 of Since You Stole My Heart

‘I am,’ he argued.

‘All you’re doing is being a menace,’ Malini retorted, swatting his shoulder.

‘Maybe you should just accept me for who I am then. It will make your life easier.’

Kashvi heard the soft thwack and glanced over her shoulder to see Malini swat him again.

‘Don’t get clever with me,’ Malini warned.

Luv chuckled. ‘He has a point, Aunty. This is his personality.’

Malini pointed a finger at him. ‘Don’t encourage him. You’re just like him. I didn’t think two people could be this devilishly similar.’

‘I take that as a compliment,’ Swayam replied easily.

Kashvi moved to the last rack, where a deep blue kurta caught her eye. The rich velvet fabric had silver beads scattered across it like a midnight sky. Along the collar and down the front ran vines in silver threadwork, studded with zardozi sequins.

Only one thought surfaced as she held it.

He would look devastatingly handsome in this.

‘I know what will make my life easier, and that’s handing you over to your wife so I can finally retire in peace. I’m telling you, I’m done running behind you like this.’

Malini’s words knocked the air out of her lungs. Kashvi pressed the edge of the hanger into her palm, scolding herself for forgetting why they were here.

Behind her, Swayam had gone silent. She could only guess his illusion had broken, just like hers.

She closed her eyes, drawing in a slow breath that did nothing to steady the storm rising inside her.

Let’s get this over with.

She pulled the kurta off the rack and turned around. The ease on his face faltered when he saw her walking towards them, holding it.

Kashvi stopped in front of him and, with shaking fingers, held the kurta up against his shoulder.

Malini’s eyes lit up. ‘Oh, Kashvi, this is exactly what he should wear. See, finally someone has sense.’

Swayam shook his head, a silent plea in his eyes locking onto hers.

The lump in her throat made it hard to speak, so she only nodded once, then pointed towards the trial rooms.

He briefly shut his eyes. When he opened them again, resignation and something close to betrayal shimmered in their depths.

Swayam didn’t speak. He simply took the kurta from her and walked away.

‘At least he agreed to try one. I was starting to think we would leave with nothing,’ Malini said with a relieved sigh. Her focus drifted towards the back racks. ‘Let me see if there’s something else to try.’

The moment she was out of reach, Kashvi finally leaned against the counter, unable to keep herself upright anymore. She lowered her head, wiping at her eyes before the tears could fall.

She exhaled slowly, then looked up to find Luv standing a few feet away. He came to stand beside her, bending to rest his elbows on the counter. The quiet understanding in his gaze made her stomach knot.

‘You still know what you’re doing?’

All she could do was shake her head.

The soft click of the trial room latch cut through the moment, and whatever composure she had managed slipped away.

Kashvi gave a small, helpless smile as the sight of him undid her all over again.