New Delhi, India—
The sun blazed at its zenith, drenching the world in molten gold, revitalizing the earth. Birds chirped in frantic bursts, squirrels darted like brown lightning, and stray dogs sprawled lazily beneath the cool shade of lush green trees.
Under the benevolent gaze of the Mesha¹, the day had settled into that sweet spot of spring — when the heat hadn't yet turned vicious and the mornings still remembered how to be gentle: not yet cruelly hot, no longer sharp with winter's edge — just golden, breezy, and kind.
The air felt soft and forgiving, the kind of afternoon that makes you want to skip work and classes and lie on the grass forever: warm sunshine without sweat, a light breeze that actually feels gentle.
Some of that golden warmth slipped through the glass windows of a college cafeteria, spilling across chipped Formica tables where hungry students swarmed — fueling themselves on mild dal rice, spicy gossip, and the occasional overcooked samosa.
"Hey! Did you watch that movie?"
"What? Something like this really happened!?"
"OMG?! Did he really confess like that?!"
"Ugh, do we really have to go to the next class?"
"I really don't want to take that old fart's lectures. He is such a bum."
"What's on the menu for today's lunch?"
"Does that even matter? Everything here is super bland anyway."
"By the way, did you hear about the latest news?"
"Which one exactly?"
"About that famous J-pop star."
"Ah, the one who is receiving constant death threats from a creepy stalker?"
"Yaya!! That one."
"Really, no one is safe with men around. All men should die actually and the world will know peace again."
"I dare you to say that to your boyfriend."
"He is an exception obviously."
"Hypocrite."
Near the window sat two stunning girls, sunlight haloing their hair as they talked over their lunch.
"What?! Did he really say that?!" One of them exclaimed, disbelief sharp in her voice.
"Yes, he did," confirmed the other beauty.
"The moment I was about to tell Papa that I was lying and I don't really have any boyfriend, he said, 'Rest assured, Mr. Acharya. How could I refuse such trust placed in me, even if I feel unworthy?' " It was Aahana who mimicked Karan's solemn response to her father, recounting the recent events at her house to her friend June.
"No way! Does that mean he likes you?" June's curiosity peaked.
"Are you kidding me right now? I dare you to say the same thing after you feel the chills and death stares he was giving me the entire time. And above all, we don't even know each other. Do you think love is some kind of viral disease you can catch just by bumping into someone random on the road?" Aahana complained, pouring cold water on June's wild thoughts.
"But then again, why would he go out of his way to say something so reassuring?" June probed.
"What else? He was just being mindful of the situation. Playing the part he was forced into, reading the room. Nothing more." Aahana reasoned, exasperated.
"Hmm. It could be… but I'm still not convinced. I still believe he's got a thing for you." June, being herself, continued teasing her friend.
"Keep living in your delusions." Aahana responded dismissively.
"Yes, thank you~" June chuckled and continued her munching.
"Hey, tell me one thing."
"Ask."
"..." Looking at June devouring her food like a starving squirrel, Aahana asked, "How are you able to maintain your figure even after eating so much?" Aahana was genuinely curious.
"Don't know myself. Ask the author." Hmm, I don't know. Maybe because I like you?
"Oh, you jest."
"What are you mumbling about?" Aahana asked, clueless.
"Ah, don't mind me~" June shifted her focus back to her lunch, leaving Aahana confused.
Aahana sighed, not pestering her further. She knew she would never fully understand what is going on inside her best friend's mischievous little mind.
Peering out of the window, she gazed into the sky at the cotton clouds drifting gently with the warm breeze.
"I wonder what kind of man he really is… Why does Papa think so highly of him, and above all — what was he really thinking when he assured Papa?" Her tone softened as she voiced the worries clouding her mind.
"…" June stayed silent for a moment before replying, "From everything you've told me so far, he doesn't strike me as a bad guy. Considering how highly your father praised him, it's hard to imagine he's trying to take advantage of you when Uncle trusts him so completely. But well, you can't judge a book by its cover."
Listening to June, Aahana replied with a heavy sigh. "Yeah, you're right. I may be overthinking for no reason." Her mind drifted back to the piece of paper from that night:
Meet me at La Crépuscule the day after tomorrow at 9:30 AM with that friend of yours. Don't be late.
"Everything will become clear tomorrow, anyway," she murmured.
"What was the time and place again?" June inquired.
"Some café named La Crépuscule at 9:30 AM."
"Oh, how convenient. We don't have any class till eleven anyway, so we won't have any problem going there tomorrow." June remarked.
"Well, judging by his cold attitude and the way the text is phrased… it wasn't really a request that allowed our will to refuse. It was more of a command." Aahana voiced.
"Takes one to know one, doesn't it?" June muttered with a hint of sarcasm.
"You said something?" Aahana asked, narrowing her eyes.
"Nothing." June took a bite of her lunch as if nothing had happened.
"Hmm…" Aahana's doubt lingered, but before she could press further—
"Hey! Mind if I share the table with you guys?" Someone asked, interrupting them.
"Hm?" They both turned their heads and found a tall young man standing before their table. Without waiting for a response, he placed his plate down on their table, pulled out a chair, and made himself comfortable.
"Did we allow you to sit here?" Aahana showed her displeasure at his arrogant attitude.
"Hm? Were you going to reject me?" The young man asked playfully. He had a handsome chiseled face, an athletic build barely hidden by the white tank top he wore, contrasting with his tanned skin and complementing his grey baggy joggers. His hair was fashionably styled in a textured crop cut, his deep brown eyes hiding his intent perfectly.
He was the same boy who had met Aahana's gaze at the football ground when the two musketeers were out on their hunt.
"…" Aahana's eyes were cold as she assessed him. "No, we're almost done here. So you can have the table." She turned to June, whose mouth was still stuffed like a squirrel. "Let's go. The next class is about to start."
"Mmm? Mmm!!" June quickly swallowed. "But I still have my lunch left!"
"Can't you see? Some very 'important' person 'really' needs this table in particular, despite all the empty ones." Aahana didn't hide her disgust. She stood up, ready to leave, when the young man suddenly grabbed her wrist, stopping her.
Aahana turned around, cold fury burning in her eyes. "What do you think you're doing?"
The boy didn't answer. Instead, he kept staring into her chilly eyes with a soft, arrogant smile dancing on his lips, as if searching for something in their depths.
Before Aahana could react, "Oi, hero!" June rapped his hand sharply with her spoon. "Be in your limits."
He finally released Aahana's wrist. "Ah, sorry. I didn't mean to come off rude. I saw you two at my match yesterday and just wanted to chat… and invite you to my house party."
Picking up her plate, Aahana replied coolly, "Thanks for the invitation, but I don't like going to places full of rowdy crowds." She walked away without looking back.
"I don't know what you're trying to do, but keep your actions in check, Kartik." June stood up too, plate still half-full, leaving him with a piece of advice.
But instead of anger or disappointment, Kartik leaned back in his seat, a faint smile playing on his lips as he watched Aahana's departing back. "Playing hard to get, huh? Let's see how long you can keep ignoring me."
"Kartik!" A feminine voice called his name from a distance.
"Hm?" He looked up to see a girl rushing toward him. She had fair skin, a charming smile complemented by sharp eyes and a slim nose. Her partially bleached hair caught the sun, glinting gold against black.
Dressed in the most western and 'modern' getup possible, she plopped down at his table. "I was calling you for so long! Are you going deaf or something?" she joked.
"You were? Sorry, I didn't hear you." His voice was dry, his gaze already drifting back to the exit where Aahana had disappeared.
"So tell me — what's the plan for the house party? Theme? Timing? Oh god, I'm super excited!" Her eyes sparkled with uncontainable energy.
"Ah, about that," Kartik stood up, "Sorry Mahi, but the party is canceled. I've got some urgent work." He picked up his untouched plate and headed for the exit, dumping the food in the bin on his way out.
"Huh?" Mahi's excitement froze. Looking at Kartik's distant silhouette, she called out for him, "Kartik, wait! Listen!!"
Ignoring her, Kartik left the cafeteria, his mind still replaying the moment on the football ground when Aahana had looked into his eyes.
'Those eyes… I'm sure they had that spark.'
His smile stretched wider.
Let me tame those eyes.