Page 18 of Shattered

Chapter 8

Reyansh

What am I even doing here? Why the hell didn’t I tell just Mom that she doesn’t need to find anyone for me, especially when my heart has already made its choice? The moment I got home from Kavya’s, Mom was all over meabout this dinner that she’d planned for me witha ‘nice girl’ she wanted me to meet. I couldn’t bring myself to deflate her excitement as I thought, it’s just a matter of one dinner. But I know I really need to talk to her. I need to tell her that Kavya isthe onefor me.

A smile spreads across my face as I think of Kavya. She looked so adorable, even in those simple track pants and a t-shirt.Damn.The way she looked at me with those doe eyes, the way her face flushed when I got close to her—it all made my heart skip a beat. I know I affect her just as much as she affects me; she can’t hide the chemistry between us. She’s just too scared to accept it. I grin at the thought of the challenge.I’m going to make her see that this spark between us is real andundeniable.

“I still can’t believe our parents arranged for us to meet like this,” Ankita says with a flirty smile, leaning over the tabletowards me. “But I have to admit, they got it right—we’d make a fantastic couple.”

“I don’t think so,” I scoff, gulping down the whiskey, feeling my throat burn all the way down. Fuck. I’m so tempted to tell her this meeting is over, that I never want to see her face again, let alone marry her. But I promised my mom I’d get through this dinner without being a jerk, and I intend to keep that promise. Sure, I promised to be civil, but at the same time, I don’t want to say anything that will give Ankita the wrong idea and lead her to believe I am interested in her.

“I am sure I can change your mind,” she winks at me. “How about we book a hotel room for the night, and I can convince you that we’re good together?”

Did she really suggest that?I stare at the woman in front of me,wondering how my mom could ever think she was the one for me. Dressed in a tight red crochet dress, her short black hair streaked with light brown,and sharp, cat-like eyes accentuated by makeupmade her look striking, no doubt. However, despite her outer appearance, she lacks the inner beauty that my angel possesses.

“That’s not going to happen,” I retort sharply, fighting to maintain my cool at her ludicrous offer, which only infuriates me.

“You don’t need to play the gentleman,” she says with a smirk.“I’ve read the gossip columns and have met a few of the girls you’ve been with. I am sure I can give youexactly what you want.”

I tighten my grip on the glass of whiskey in my hand, sensing that it might crack at any moment. I am well aware of my reputation, and I won’t deny that I’ve had my share of fun in the past. But everything changed the moment I laid eyes on Kavya. Even now, my thoughts constantly gravitate towards her. She’s become my sole focus,occupying every corner of my mind.

“I don’t need to put on a gentlemanly act for you. Your offer has proven you are anything but innocent,” I reply coldly, my irritation evident. “And your assumptions based on gossip columns and past flings are irrelevant. I am not interested in you or what you’re offering, and I suggest you find someone else toindulge your fantasies. Because I am done here.” I throw my napkin on the table and am about to stand when Ankita places her hands on mine, stopping me. I abruptly pull my hand away from hers but remain seated.

“Hey, I am sorry. Can we start over, please?”she asks, her tone softer now.

I open my mouth to refuse, but she continues speaking as if sensing my denial. “If nothing else, can we finish dinner before parting ways? It will be really embarrassing to tell my parents that I am early because you walked out on me. I’d much rather tell them that we talked and our thoughts didn’t align. Please,” she pleads. “Just one dinner. And I promise I’ll say no to the proposal.”

I want to turn her down, but then think that one harmless dinner couldn’t hurt, especially since she agreed to decline the proposal.

“Fine. Just one dinner,” I say through gritted teeth, signalling the waiter to come and take our orders.

I order a chicken roll, but Ankitastarts bombarding the waiter with questions.My mind drifts, and I glance around the restaurant—only tofreeze when I see the one person who always manages to capture my undivided attention.Shit.Just my fucking luck to have Kavya and Akash show up here, of all places. Fuck. Panic grips me—I don’t want her to see me with Ankita.I scramble to figure out how to get out of here without being noticed, but it’s too late. Our eyes meet, and a sweet smile curves her lips, causing my chest to tighten.

“Reyansh,” Akash calls out as he walks over to me. I stand and shake his hand, then turn to Kavya.

“Hey,” she says softly. Despite the white bandage wrapped around her head, she looks gorgeous in her cute pink floral dress.

“It’s a pleasant surprise,” I say, taking her hand in mine.

“Yeah, Akash thought we should have dinner out tonight,” she replies, trying to pull her hand from my grip.I hesitate for a moment, not wanting to let go, but reluctantly, I release her hand.

Akash’s eyes narrow at me, almost as if he’s silently reminding me of our conversation at the hospital. He glances back and forth between Ankita and me, then asks, “Care to introduce us to your date?”

I feel Kavya tense beside him, and I want to lash out at him for making stupid assumptions, but I hold on to my anger andforce myself to stay calm.

“We are not...” I begin,but before I can finish, Ankitapushes back her chair to get up.

“Hi, I am Ankita. Nice to meet you both,” she says, linking her hands around my arm.

Akash gives me a hard look, while I struggle to decipher the emotions playing on Kavya’s face. Before I can push Ankita’s arm away from mine or clarify that we are not together, Kavya speaks up.

“Hi, I am Kavya. It’s nice meeting you as well,” she smiles politely.

“Why don’t you two join us?” Ankita suggests.

“I think we'll let you enjoy your dinner without crashing it any more than we already have,” Kavya says, and then turns to Akash. “Can we go home? I’m not feeling too well.”

I know she’s lying, but I don’t call her bluff. Instead, I just stand and watch as Akash nods his head at her, and they both walk out, before exchanging a quick and awkward goodbye.

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