Page 13 of Always? Forever.
Well, that was convincing. Mom and Dad, you're about to meet my boyfriend – well, my fake boyfriend, Kartik.
I typed back, "Okay, tomorrow at Starbucks, 11 am. Don't be late." Satisfied with the arrangement, I powered off my phone and drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 10
Kartik
Honestly, I didn't anticipate her agreeing to this proposal. But now, I couldn't help but wonder what she might ask for in return. I sincerely hoped it wasn't something as drastic as making the fake marriage real; that was a door I wasn't ready to open. My heart was firmly closed off, and I had no intention of letting her or anyone else fall in love with me. That would spell trouble.
With a mix of curiosity and apprehension, I went to sleep with a hopeful smile on my face.
Next day, Starbucks
Oh, damn it! It was already 10:50 am, and I was still at home. The Starbucks that Samaira had suggested meeting at was a good 30 minutes away, considering the traffic. If Iwas any later, she might leave without giving me a chance to explain. I was in deep trouble.
I hailed a cab as quickly as possible, fortunate that I managed to get one promptly. I reached Starbucks at 11:05 and rushed inside. Scanning the cafe, I spotted her sitting in the corner. I approached her, praying she'd be willing to hear me out.
"Samaira," I began, my voice carrying a mix of anxiety and hope.
She looked at me and offered a hesitant smile. I smiled back, my nerves barely contained. I was here to make an unusual proposition to someone I barely knew, and I hoped she wouldn't take it the wrong way.
"Hey," I finally said as I took a seat in front of her.
"Hey," she replied quietly.
She was nervous too, which was somewhat reassuring. At least I wasn't the only one feeling this way.
"So," we both started at the same time, and we chuckled. Alright, Kartik, here goes – this is your one shot.
"What's your proposal? Are you really my prince charming, or are you a villain in disguise?" she asked, mischief twinkling in her eyes.
"I'm more of an anti-hero myself," I replied, prompting her to laugh and nod, urging me to get to the point.
"So, I need a favor, and in return, I'll be willing to do you a favor..." I began, and she raised an eyebrow in response.But before she could say anything, I quickly added, "Within limits, of course," which brought a smile to her face.
"Okay, let's hear it," she finally said after what felt like an eternity.
"I should get us some coffee because this is going to take a long time, as it's a long story. What will you be having, princess? A cup full of diabetes?" I teased, hoping to ease my nerves a bit.
She rolled her eyes and got up with me. "I don't trust you yet, which means I don't know if you might mix something in my cup. So, we both are going to get ourselves some coffee and actual coffee, not your black one, even though I'm sure it matches your soul," she retorted as she walked ahead of me to go to the register.
I was half impressed by the fact that she didn't easily trust people and half annoyed because her lack of trust could complicate things. I really needed her help right about now. Just as I silently appealed to the universe for assistance, someone shouted Samaira's name. Both of us turned toward the register where the person who had called her stood.
Samaira looked pale as a ghost, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of something bad about to go down.
Samaira
"What in the world?" I exclaimed internally. Hriday Mathur, of all people, was standing behind the cash register at this Starbucks.This was the same guy I had gone out with two years ago, and the very person who had broken my heart. Why, oh why, did the universe choose to put him here?
"Uh, hi, Hriday," I greeted hesitantly, praying that Kartik wouldn't ask any questions or say a word.
"What a small world! Are you alone here like always?What can I get you?" Hriday rattled off everything in one breath with a smile, not giving me a chance to respond. That jerk. I opened my mouth to say something, but before I could, Kartik stepped forward from behind me, his chest barely brushing my right shoulder. I shuddered.
"Hey, can you get us one hot cocoa with mini marshmallows and... what will you have, babe?" Kartik turned to me, anticipating my order. But I was too dumbfounded by his gesture, and all I could manage was a mumble of the same order. He responded with a kind smile that warmed my heart.
"So, that's two hot cocoas with mini marshmallows for me and my beautiful girlfriend," he said, with a wonderful smile while looking at me as he says the last three words, I nearly swoon at that, the way he emphasis on my girlfriend is everything even though it’s just an act which I didn’t ask him to do but now the least I can do is hear him out about his proposal without being a bitch.
I watched in surprise as Hriday fell uncharacteristically silent, seemingly at a loss for words. It was probably the first time in his existence that he had been silenced like that. Hriday clenched his jaw tightly before aggressively punching in the order on the cash register.
