"I wish I had friends like you," Shivani says suddenly, looking between Siddhant and Aaryan.
Aaryan gasps dramatically, clutching his chest. "How could you say that, bhabhi?"
Siddhant and I shake our heads in disappointment at his dramatic performance. I wonder when he will grow up.
"We’ve changed sides now. Didn’t you hear? We’re your friends. Raksh is just the bonus," Aaryan says with a theatrical flair.
I shake my head, pretending to be annoyed—but honestly? I enjoy the banter.
Shivani giggles. "Oh, right, how could I forget? You two are my real friends, and he’s just… the bonus," she says, pointing at me.
I put a hand over my heart, pretending to be wounded. "I’m just a bonus? That hurts," I say with a mock pout.
"No, you’re not." Her voice is soft, but her eyes—god, her eyes—they shine as she looks at me. Her words hit me like a wave; I forget the rest of the room exists. It’s just her. Just me. I reach for her hand, bring it to my lips, and press a gentle kiss to her knuckles.
Aaryan clears his throat loudly. "Hey! No lovey-dovey stuff in front of us single people!"
I turn to glare at him. "Shut up," I growl, but there’s no bite in it.
Siddhant claps him on the back. "Don’t ruin the moment, man."
Aaryan throws his hands up. "I’m just saying, we single people are feeling a little left out here!" He pouts again as he exclaims and huffs aloud.
"Get over yourself," I mutter. "If you feel left out, go find a woman yourself."
Siddhant laughs. "Yeah, stop whining and start trying."
Aaryan looks scandalized. "Trying? Please. Women fall at my feet."
A snort escapes from my mouth on his words, "Yeah, only in your dreams."
Shivani laughs at our nonsense, her whole face glowing. Her cheeks are pink, her smile wide, and she looks like sunshine in the middle of this chaos.
I can't stop watching her. That laugh? That smile? Yeah. This is all I ever needed.
"So humble of you," I say, swatting Aaryan’s arm, and we laugh again.
39
SHIVANI
I saw this reel on Instagram where couples play rock, paper, scissors to decide where to go and what to do on their date night—and that’s exactly what I’m making Rudra do. Although he wasn’t very enthusiastic about the idea, he still agreed when I pouted and pretended to be mad at him. He won the first round, and that’s how we ended up at a restaurant, where we ate a boring salad.
“Hey, I won fair and square. Don’t make that face,” he calls out with a victorious grin, and I stick out my tongue at him. But he just laughs at my childish expression.
“Oh, come on, don’t be a sore loser,” he teases, poking me playfully in the side.
“Anyway, it’s my turn now,” I grin. “I’m going to win.”
Rudra rolls his eyes, clearly not convinced. “Yeah, sure you are,” he says sarcastically. “And pigs can fly.”
I huff, crossing my arms. “Hey, don’t underestimate me. I’m a master at this game.”
Rudra chuckles, raising an eyebrow. “You, a master? I find that hard to believe.”
I ignore his skepticism and give him a tight-lipped smile. “Just watch and be prepared to be humiliated.”
He raises an eyebrow at my words, amused by my confidence. “Alright, if you’re so sure, give it your best shot,” he says, teasing.
