I smirk, feeling a rush of determination. “I will—and you can start preparing your humble pie.”
With that, we ready our hands, eyes locked in a dramatic stare-down.
“For someone who didn’t want to do this, you’re very excited, Mr. Malhotra!” I exclaim.
“I had watched TV shopping channels with you, and it would be interesting,” he says. “It’s you who’s interesting, not the stupid game.” This man knows how to use his words to melt a girl’s heart.
And then we finally throw out our hands. He goes with paper; I do scissors.
Rudra’s eyes widen in mock surprise. “What? No way, I definitely won that round.”
I grin, holding up my fingers, doing actions of cutting paper. “Sorry, but I’m the winner this time.”
He pouts like a kid, pretending to be upset. “Not fair, you cheated.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at his dramatic behavior. “How could I have cheated? We went at the same time!”
I love how he’s so free with me—this big, ruthless man who’s anything but scary when he’s with me. This version of him, the unfiltered, playful Rudra… he’s my favorite.
“Okay, fine. Where do you want to go now?” He asks after a moment, as a small smile dances on his lips.
“Can we eat pani puri?” I whisper. My appetite has definitely increased, but I still find it odd to eat that much—I need a gentle push. Reassurance — that’s what I actually need.
“Hey, you never have to ask me. We are definitely going to eat pani puri,” he agrees, grabbing my hand and intertwining our fingers. “More specifically, you’re going to eat it.” His voice deepens, and I don’t argue.
He doesn’t like it, and I don’t want to force him to eat something he doesn’t enjoy. I know he would, if I asked, no matter what. But that wouldn’t be fair to him.
Rudra grins, clearly amused by my excitement. “You have a weakness for pani puri, don’t you?”
I pout. “It’s not a weakness—it’s a preference.”
He squeezes my hand, laughing. Warmth fills me as his laughter rumbles. “Whatever you say, darling. Come on, let’s go find some good pani puri.”
We walk through the city streets, hand in hand. There’s something so comforting about being with him—surrounded by his strength, his presence. I glance up at him, and the streetlights cast a soft glow on his sharp features. He catches me staring and gives me a cocky smirk. Smug as ever.
“See something you like?” He teases, that arrogance lacing his voice.
“Yeah,” I admit without hesitation, red blooming on my cheeks. “You’re very handsome. Not my fault.”
“Thanks for inflating my ego, darling.” He smirks, and I shake my head at his arrogance.
When we reach the pani puri stall, there’s a small crowd around it. Rudra asks me to wait and walks over to the vendor. I watch their short exchange, and suddenly the vendor starts shooing people away as Rudra returns to me.
“Let’s go,” he says, his hand reaching out to me as he drags me to the stall.
“What happened? Why did everyone leave?” I ask, confused, as I step beside him while walking towards the stall.
“I bought the stall,” he replies casually, with a small shrug of his shoulder.
A moment, and then realization hits me. He bought the stall. Rudra bought the stall.
What?!
My eyes widen, and I let out the question. My voice rising with disbelief. “What?!”
Before I can protest, he adds, “Don’t. It won’t cost me anything. I’m really doing the vendor a favor.”
“Now you can enjoy the pani puri without thinking too much,” he says, standing beside me like my personal bodyguard.
