Chapter 28

At first, I told myself it was nothing.

Mehul saving my seat? Just convenience.

Getting me chai? Probably just a one-time thing.

Standing too close in the elevator? Coincidence.

But now?

Now, I wasn't so sure anymore.

Because it kept happening.

Little things.

Small moments.

Things that felt deliberate.

And the worst part?

I had no idea if he was doing it on purpose.

I had barely stepped into the office when it happened again.

I made my way to my desk, placed my bag down, and was about to head to the breakroom when—

A cup of chai was already sitting on my desk.

I blinked. Paused.

And then—slowly turned toward Mehul's desk.

He was focused on his screen, typing away, like he hadn't just casually gotten me tea. Again.

I cleared my throat. "You, uh… You keep doing this."

Mehul didn't look up. "You keep forgetting."

I narrowed my eyes. "I did not forget. I was literally on my way to—"

Mehul finally glanced at me, expression unreadable.

I forgot how to finish my sentence.

Because something about the way he was looking at me made my stomach feel weird.

Not in a bad way.

Just… different.

I swallowed. "Uh. Thanks."

Mehul just hummed, going back to work.

Meanwhile, I sat there, holding the cup like it was a goddamn love letter.

I was still overthinking the chai situation when Arjun and Riya ambushed me.

Riya: "So. How's the slow emotional breakdown going?"

Arjun: "Did Mehul stare at you like a lovesick drama hero yet?"

I groaned. "I am ignoring both of you."

Arjun grinned. "That means yes."

Riya smirked. "Come on. Give us an update."

I huffed. "Nothing's happening."

Arjun snorted. "Buddy. He saved your seat yesterday."

"I—That wasn't—"

Riya cut in. "And today?"

I hesitated.

Which was the worst thing I could have done.

Because Riya immediately caught it.

She gasped. "Oh my god. What did he do?"

Arjun leaned in. "Was it soft? Was it subtle? Did you combust internally?"

I groaned. "I hate you both."

But before they could continue, something far worse happened.

I felt a presence.

And then—Mehul pulled out the chair next to me.

I froze.

Because he had never sat with us before.

Never.

Arjun and Riya's eyes widened in pure evil delight.

Mehul, meanwhile, was completely unfazed.

He took a sip of his coffee. "Problem?"

I blinked. "You—You're sitting here?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Do you want me to move?"

I absolutely did not.

But my brain was not functioning.

Arjun coughed to hide his laughter. "No, no. Stay. Please."

Riya, the menace, kicked me under the table.

I glared at her.

She just wiggled her eyebrows.

I wanted to die.

Mehul, meanwhile, simply ate his food.

Like this wasn't a big deal.

Like he wasn't completely throwing me off my game.

And I had the sudden, horrifying realization that—

Maybe he knew exactly what he was doing.