Chapter 25

I made it back home in one piece.

Physically.

Mentally?

I was ruined.

Because Mehul had noticed.

Not just my presence. Not just the fact that we worked together.

But me.

And now, I couldn't stop replaying every second of that chai meet-up.

What did it mean?

Was it just casual?

Did he actually—?

No. Nope. Not going there.

I needed a distraction.

Unfortunately, I got one.

In the form of Arjun and Riya blowing up my phone.

Arjun (8:32 PM): Vihaan. Meet. Now.

Riya (8:32 PM): Yes. Emergency.

I sighed. This couldn't be good.

Thirty minutes later, I was at our usual café, already regretting my life choices.

Arjun leaned forward, eyes sharp. "Okay. Spill."

I frowned. "What?"

Riya crossed her arms. "Don't play dumb."

Arjun grinned. "How was your chai date?"

I choked. "Excuse me?"

Riya smirked. "You heard us."

Arjun tapped the table. "You've been in withdrawal mode since your project ended. And now, out of nowhere, Mehul calls you for chai?"

I hated how observant they were.

"It wasn't a date." I muttered, sipping my coffee. "It was just—"

Riya cut me off. "Oh? So when do you plan on telling Mehul that he's your emotional support chai?"

I glared. "I am leaving."

Arjun laughed. "No, you're not."

And I wasn't. Because they were right.

I had been waiting for an excuse to talk to Mehul.

And he had given me one first.

And I had no idea what to do about it.

Arjun leaned back. "Okay, serious question."

I raised an eyebrow. "Doubtful."

He ignored me. "If Mehul texts you again first, what's the plan?"

I blinked. Plan?

Riya sighed dramatically. "Oh my god. You haven't thought about it."

I frowned. "Why would I need a plan?"

Arjun snorted. "Vihaan. Buddy. We watched you lose your entire personality over this guy. And now he's noticing you back?"

Riya nodded. "If this continues, you're gonna self-destruct. We need damage control."

I groaned. "Nothing is happening. It was just chai!"

Riya shrugged. "For now."

Arjun smirked. "But what about next time?"

I opened my mouth. Closed it.

Because what if there was a next time?

And why the hell did I want there to be one?