I woke up early—I don’t know what’s so special about today, but I’m so excited. After so long, I woke up and saw Yushra still sleeping beside me. So, I let her sleep because she needs and deserves it. After finishing my exercise and yoga, I checked some files, and when the alarm rang, I looked at my phone—it was eight o'clock now. I grinned like a fool, jumped off the couch, and went to take a shower.

While showering, I couldn’t help but think about the text I got last night. God, I giggled, spinning around in the shower. He’d asked me out—and the way he asked me... Dude, I never thought I’d be feeling this shy. I’ve had guys in the past who asked me out, and most of them would offer to go to the club. Of course, I’m not dumb, so I knew exactly what their intentions were.

But this guy, Mr. Neil ‘Annoying’ Malhotra, had texted me last night:

> "Sorry for disturbing you, but tomorrow is Rakshabandhan. I was wondering if you'd like to come to the ISKCON temple with me because I know you don’t have any brother of your own, and you tie rakhi to Lord Krishna every year. So, I was thinking, you know, that He’s your brother. And since we’re going to get married, it would be good to take permission and blessings from Him. No problem if you’re not comfortable with it. I’ll go alone, and seek blessings for both of us.

Now tell me—how am I supposed to deny a request like that? I know I say I hate him, and I’m not denying it, but it’s just been a day since I met him, and this guy’s already on my mind 24/7.

I got ready, wearing the sky-blue suit he sent me this morning. And me being a picky person, liking an outfit someone else picked for me is rare, like really rare. Maybe my pride won’t let me admit it, but I liked this suit. I mean, the color, the design—everything was perfect. The only minus point? That organza dupatta. God, how am I supposed to fix this now?

I was in a dilemma, but then I felt soft hands fixing it for me.

Yushra, of course.

“Still don’t know how to fix this?” she asked, and I pouted.

“It’s his fault for sending me this kind of fit. He should’ve known,” I said, blaming Neil—knowing fully well it wasn’t his fault. But it is, because I’m just a girl who can never be wrong.

“He knows,” Yushra said quietly.

“Huh?” I asked, thinking that I misheard her.

“He knows your preferences better than you,” she repeated, finishing her sentence while placing a bindi on my forehead.

“You know, being a girl is so tough. At least I don’t have to do housework wearing this,” I said dramatically, gazing at the suit I wore.

I can’t even imagine how girls wear sarees and still do house chores seamlessly. Whereas I can’t even take care of a simple dupatta. Those women are superheroes.

“At what time did he say he’d come?” Yushii asked.

“Well, I told him to come around 10 o’clock.”

“Have you bought the rakhi?” she asked again.

“Yes, it’s in my purse. I also got some chocolates to gift Krishna.”

Then I started scrolling through my phone, watching reels—which were filled with Neil’s fan edits. I don’t know what’s wrong with my Instagram. Ever since the day I met Neil, my feed has been all about him. The edits were hot though. Not gonna lie.

I kept glancing at the clock, desperately wanting it to strike 10. God, why’s the time running so slow today??

I decided to read a bit to avoid thinking about him. No no, not like I’m thinking about him or anything. I hate him, so why would I think about him, right?

Also, the other reason was Yushra—who was sitting on the bed doing some hospital work but kept glancing at me suspiciously. I didn’t want to give myself away—not at any cost.

My phone buzzed—it was the alarm I’d set for 10:00 AM. I quickly got up from the couch, checked my bag, hugged Yushra, and was heading downstairs when I bumped into Naira.

“You’re still here? Didn’t you say you had a date today with your fiancé?” she asked, her eyes narrowing.

“Yes, I’m just leaving.”

“Now?” she asked, voice laced with confusion.

“Yes, I had given him the time of 10 o’clock,” I replied.

“But he’s been waiting outside in his car for the past three hours,” she said, glancing at the door.

“WHAT?” I asked, shocked.

“Yes, when I went for my morning walk, I saw him outside. I even greeted him. I thought you’d already left.”

I hugged her, still shocked, and ran outside. He was standing there, leaning back against his car, wearing a soft pastel sky-blue kurta matching my suit, arms crossed over his chest, sunglasses on.

When he saw me, he gave a soft smile. I returned it, descending the stairs.

“Did I make you wait?” I asked, hoping he’d say the truth.

“No, in fact, I just came,” he replied. So, I didn’t press further. He opened the passenger seat's door, and I slid in. He closed it softly and got into the driver’s seat.

We drove to the temple. The whole time I looked out of the window—because of course, I couldn’t let him think I’m into him or anything. But I could feel his eyes on me.

We reached ISKCON temple, and before I could even unbuckle my seatbelt, he was already there, opening the door for me. He even took my bag from me—without asking. And the whole time, that ridiculously charming smile never left his face.

I got out, and we climbed the temple stairs. We’d removed our footwears and left them in the car. We walked toward the Krishna statue at the center of the temple. Neil handed everything we’d brought to the pandit.

“Umm… can I get my purse back?” I asked, eyes darting away from his.

He chuckled and handed me the purse. I quickly searched for the rakhi and took it out—but it fell. I knelt down to pick it up, but before I could, Neil was already kneeling, picking it up for me. Then he looked up—still kneeling—his soft oceanic blue eyes meeting mine.

I don’t know why, but I felt déjà vu. He smiled and offered me the rakhi before getting up. I took it from him when he said,

“Remember back in school? You were so clumsy—always dropping or losing things—and I used to pick them up for you? You still haven’t changed, not even a bit.”

Wait… did we go to the same school? Then why don’t I remember him?

As if reading my mind, he said, “You must be thinking why you don’t remember me, right?”

I nodded absentmindedly.

“Well, I didn’t have any friends in school. I was a silent kid.”

“I-I’m sorry,” I said, not even knowing what I was apologizing for.

He shook his head, a soft smile on his lips. “No need to apologize for things that aren’t in your control.”

“Go tie the rakhi to your brother. He’ll get mad if he doesn’t get his chocolates on time.” That made me smile as I handed the rakhi to the pandit ji.

After the puja, we moved to the temple’s backyard. The weather was stormy—my favorite. But the relief was short-lived. My heels started giving me a hard time. I tried my best to hide my discomfort from Neil’s sharp gaze, but suddenly he handed me my purse, which he’d been carrying all this time, while walking behind me.

I was confused when he removed his flats and knelt in front of me. There were people around, and this man unclasped my heels, removed them, and replaced them with his flats. They were too big for my feets ofcourse, but far more comfortable. Then he stood up, holding my heels in one hand, my purse in the other.

“I-I could’ve walked barefoot,” I said, dumbfounded.

“And gotten your feet burned? This concrete floor is hot—it’s not good for your feet,” he said, looking at me like he wasn’t giving me a cardiac arrest.

“And what about your feet? They could burn too.”

“As long as you’re fine, I can endure a little pain. But if you even get a scratch, I’d die. Because what’s the point of my existence if you get hurt while I'm still alive?”

I forgot how to breathe. Dude—I’m trying to hate this guy with all the strength I’ve got, and he’s out here trying to kill me with sweetness. God, I’ll become diabetic if he keeps this up.

“Umm... I-I’m hungry,” I said, quickly changing the topic.

“Let’s go,” he said. I followed him. He took me to the car, opened the door, and once I got in, he placed my bag on my lap.

“Comfortable?” he asked. I nodded.

“I’ll keep your heels in the backseat,” he said.

But I stopped him. “No, it’s fine. I’ll wear them, and return your flats. Your feet are getting dirty.”

“No, you can keep them. Forever.”

“B-But they’re yours—how could I?”

> “मैं भी तो आपका ही हूँ ना।”

[I’m also yours, right?]

God—what is wrong with this guy? Why is he unintentionally so sweet?

He smiled, closed the door, and after placing my heels in the backseat, got into the driver’s seat and started driving.

I tried my best to look unaffected—but the way my eyes kept darting to his face gave me away.

He stopped the car in front of a restaurant and again opened the door for me. I got out, still wearing his flats, while he walked barefoot.

“Welcome, Neil sir. Everything has been arranged as per your instructions,” the manager said.

Neil sir? What?

Did he say arranged as per your instructions? He planned to bring me here all along...

“Let’s go,” Neil said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Everything okay?” he asked, eyebrow raised.

“Yes, of course. Nothing’s wrong. Let’s go,” I said with a tight smile as we followed the manager to the private corner Neil had booked for us.

He pulled out my chair—I sat—and then he sat across from me.

The table was full of my favorite food. How did he know?

“Stop using your tiny brain and eat. You look like you’ve been starved for ages,” he said before I could ask anything. He even served me himself.

“Tell me if it’s too spicy,” he added,not looking at me, and before I could retort he continued. “I know you love spicy food, but too much spice has already made you stubborn. So much so that even when someone tries to care, you think they’re trying to use you.”

I had no reply to that. So I focused on my food and started eating.

“I know you’ve been wronged almost all your life—but that doesn’t mean there aren’t people who love you without asking for anything in return,” he said, lifting his head, eyes meeting mine.

And just like that—I was speechless again.

The rest of the meal went silently. When we finished and I pulled out my card, he looked confused.

“We’ll do fifty-fifty,” I said.

He laughed. Like a menace. I narrowed my eyes. “What’s so funny?”

“N-Nothing. I’m just thinking—you’re so dumb and still one of the sharpest minds in the country,” he said, trying not to laugh.

“What do you mean by that?” I asked suspiciously.

“What I mean is—you’re cute when you’re mad. And stop using your silly brain. I own this restaurant. This is my treat. So, you don’t have to pay,” he said, getting up and taking my purse—again, God what kind of obsession does this man has with my purse??...

“Let’s go. I’ll drop you home,” he said, still laughing.

And I got up following him silently I'll take my revenge for sure just wait Mr. Neil annoying Malhotra.