Between blind dates and tailored suits, the truth hides in the folds of betrayal and forbidden love."
That day, when I reached college, I saw Anvi standing near the gate. She looked tired, her eyes still heavy.
(Me): "Are you okay? Did Uncle… do something to you last night?"
Anvi gave me a sarcastic smile.
(Anvi): "Last night… you really want to know?"
(Me): "Yes…"
(Anvi): "He did everything, Samira. Every posture, the whole night continuously. I even fainted once, and now my neck… it's covered with love bites. It hurts so much."
I widened my eyes. (Me): "Didn't you want that? Why are you making a fuss now?"
(Anvi): "I wanted to… but not that cruelly."
I couldn't help but laugh at her innocence, though my heart felt heavy for her.
(Me): "Anyway, didn't you promise me that you'd join me for a date with your cousin today?"
(Anvi): "Yeah, of course. Why not?"
We booked a cab and headed straight to the café.
At the Café
Anvi's cousin, Jai, was already there, sitting at a corner table. He hadn't even ordered anything, just waited patiently.
(Me): "Hey, Jai, how are you?"
(Anvi): "Hi, bro. What's up?"
(Jai): "I'm good. Samira… Anvi. Please sit."
We joined him.
(Me): "Sorry I'm late. Did you wait long?"
(Jai): "No, it's fine. Your home is far, and you had college too."
(Me): "Thanks. Let's order something."
(Anvi): "Yeah, I'm starving."
(Jai): "You're always hungry."
(Anvi, rolling her eyes): "Excuse me? I'm the one who helped you get this date."
(Jai, chuckling): "Okay, okay. Sorry. Waiter?"
The waiter came with menus. We placed our orders—
Jai: black coffee with risotto.
Anvi: hot chocolate with a croissant.
Me: a latte with lasagna, but with oat milk instead of regular.
The waiter noted it down and left.
(Jai): "You're allergic to milk?"
(Me): "Yes. If I drink it, I faint."
(Anvi): "It's her last chance. If she drinks it one more time, she might die."
(Jai's eyes widened): "What? That serious?"
(Anvi): "She's so careless. She drank it so many times that now her body just can't take it anymore."
(Jai): "It's okay. Even if something happens, she's already beautiful on her own."
I froze, then blushed.
(Anvi, gasping): "Are you flirting with her?"
(Jai, smirking): "Why can't I?"
(Me, shyly): "I… like it."
My cheeks turned crimson. Anvi was about to tease me more when suddenly her smile vanished. She looked past me and whispered urgently—
(Anvi): "Sammy… turn around. Look."
I turned slowly. My heart stopped.
Sarthak.
He was walking in, sharp in his suit, with a client beside him. My whole body stiffened.
(Me, whispering): "Why… why is he here?"
(Jai): "What happened?"
(Anvi, muttering): "Her devil brother is here."
(Jai): "Sarthak? Wait—you mean… you're related to him?"
(Me): "How do you know him?"
(Jai): "Our parents know each other."
Before I could process, a deep voice cut through the air.
(Sarthak): "Who will kill you, Samira?"
I turned fully now. His piercing eyes were locked on me. My voice trembled.
(Me): "Brother… you."
My fear was visible to everyone.
At Home
Later, Anvi and I stood awkwardly in the living room while Sarthak sat with Abhinav, both glaring at us as though we had committed a crime.
At that moment, Mom came down the stairs.
(Mom): "What did they do now?"
(Abhinav): "Aunty, Anvi took Samira on a blind date with our cousin."
Mom glanced at me, then at Sarthak.
(Mom): "I sent them. Sammy never had a boyfriend, and because of you boys, she'll never have one in the future. I thought she deserved at least a chance."
Sarthak's jaw clenched.
(Sarthak): "Aunty, if you sent them, I'll let it go. But can I talk to you privately?"
He left with Maa into the kitchen.
In the Kitchen
(Sarthak): "How could you send her on a blind date? Don't you know… I love her so much?"
Mom froze.
(Mom): "If she keeps waiting for you like this, she'll go mad. She won't control herself, she'll cry every night."
(Sarthak, desperate): "But I will—"
(Mom, stern): "Nothing more to say. Just trust her. She will never say yes to anyone else."
She walked out, leaving him in silence.
At the Dining Table
Anvi and I sat eating—half pretending we weren't nervous, half trying to forget the café fiasco.
Suddenly, Sarthak stormed out of the kitchen. His voice cut through the room.
(Sarthak): "Samira, do you want to come with me to buy my engagement outfit?"
Everyone went dead silent. The shock was clear—how could he ask me of all people?
(Anirudh): "Bro, are you insane?"
(Sarthak): "Why?"
(Anirudh): "Isn't your assistant supposed to do this?"
(Sarthak): "His wife is pregnant, so he can't. So I asked Samira."
I hesitated, then softly: "Yes."
His eyes softened for a split second, and we left together.
At the Shop
While Anvi and I browsed ties, he stepped out of the trial room in a royal blue suit—perfectly matching Aarne's engagement dress.
He looked devastatingly handsome. My heart skipped.
(Sarthak): "How do I look, Samira?"
I swallowed hard.
(Me): "Very good. Take it."
He ordered it immediately, but I could still feel his eyes on me.
Back at Home
(Sarthak): "I'm going to my study."
(Me): "Wait, brother, take your clothes—"
But he was already gone.
Mom took the package from me instead.
(Mom): "Wow, so beautiful. I love it. Your and Anvi's choice is really good."
(Me, forcing a smile): "Thanks, Maa. I'll go to my room. By the way, where are Grandpa and Grandma?"
(Mom): "They went to the cemetery to visit Grandpa Charles."
I nodded and went upstairs.
In My Room
I collapsed on the couch and called Manya.
(Manya): "Hi, Sammy."
(Me): "Hi, Manya."
(Manya): "What happened now?"
(Me): "Today I went on that blind date with Jai… and brother caught me. He scolded me like I had committed a crime, then dragged me to buy his engagement suit."
(Manya): "It's okay. Don't be sad."
(Me, whispering): "Do you know… I saw a dream last night. In it, we were kissing. It felt so real."
(Manya, gently): "Of course it felt real. Dreams sometimes do. Anyway, I have to go—my conference is about to start. Bye, Sammy."
(Me): "Bye, Manya."
I hung up, showered quickly, and crawled into bed.
But sleep didn't come easily. My mind kept circling one thought—
Why does he get so angry whenever another man comes near me?