Page 133 of Glass Jawed
Vikram’s eyebrows climb so high they nearly reach his hairline. “What the hell wasthat?”
I can’t stop grinning—my gaze locked on her. “I guess she likes iced tea.”
I watch her rejoin Ishika and both sets of parents, her greendupattaswaying behind her. There’s something light about her today. Her face looks a little less tired. Her eyes a little less guarded. And somehow, I feel a little less like the villain in this story.
Kashvi’s nowhere to be seen, which is a shame. I wanted to talk to her—thank her,maybe, or ask her what Aarohi’s not telling me. But also... because Liam’s not doing great.
And neither am I.
But right now? I have iced tea, laddoo breath, and the ghost of her lips on the rim of my glass. And I can rejoice in the fact that shecares. Just a bit, at least.
I’ll take the win.
I’m still riding the high from her little iced-tea taste test—when I miss the incoming threat.
Advik strolls over, casual as hell, and drops an arm around Vikram’s shoulder like we’re all old pals at a reunion.
“You’re Lucifer,” he says, eyeing me with a half-smile.
My grip tightens around the glass. I force a polite smile. “Apparently.”
I don’t mind Aarohi calling me that. Or even Ishika or Kashvi—whentheysay it, it’s teasing. Personal. But this guy?Hedoesn’t get to use it. Not when the way he says it makes me feel like I should grow horns and burn the farmhouse down.
Advik’s not even doing anything overtly threatening. Justexisting. Well... existing too close to Aarohi. Existing like he belongs in a way I no longer do.
The jealousy creeps in every time thischutiyais near my Ro—Aarohi. But I can’t do jack shit about it. It’s unreasonable. And useless.
Also yes! I’ve learnt a nice little Hindi cuss word—chutiya. I overheard Kashvi calling me that. And Vikram confirmed that it is indeed an insulting word—loosely translating to cunt. I’ll take it. But I’ll also pass itthe fuckon.
Vikram mentioned earlier that they’ve all known each other for almost a decade. Jesus. I can’t compete with that kind of history. I’ve only known her for a fraction of that time—and for some of it, I waslying.
“Thought you’d have taken off already,” Advik says. “Figured after that night in Delhi, you’d leave with your tail between your legs.”
I don’t flinch. I don’t even blink.
“Advik,” Vikram warns gently.
I stay calm. Controlled. I’ve rehearsed this kind of thing in my head a thousand times. It’s easier when I remember that Ididfuck up. Deserve some of the heat.
“When a man makes a mistake,” I say quietly, “he owes it to the person he hurt to apologize.Properly.”
I sip my iced tea. “And my tail’s staying right where it is, thanks.”
Advik raises a brow. “You think she’ll forgive you for what you did?”
The breath catches in my throat. My jaw locks.
She told him? Of course she did. It’sherstory. But still—knowing it came from her lips to his ears cuts deeper than I expected.
I answer anyway. “I’m not here for forgiveness. I’m here to—”
“You hear this guy?” Advik scoffs, turning to Vikram. “Hecheatedon her and now—”
“Stop,” Vikram’s voice is firm.
But my stomach drops.
Cheated.
