Chapter 33

Denial was easy.

As long as I could convince myself that Mehul's actions were just normal things, I could pretend they didn't mean anything.

But now?

Now, I was stuck with one dangerous thought.

What if he actually likes me back?

And that?

That was terrifying.

After the water bottle incident, I tried to move on.

Tried to act normal.

Tried to convince myself that I wasn't going to make this worse.

And then I caught myself staring at Mehul.

Again.

It wasn't my fault.

He was just… there.

Sitting at his desk, focused, sleeves rolled up, eyes locked on his screen like the rest of the world didn't exist.

And for some reason, I couldn't stop looking.

It wasn't just that he was annoyingly good-looking.

It was the way he worked.

The way his fingers moved over the keyboard, quick and precise.

The way his brow furrowed slightly when he was deep in thought.

The way his lips parted just a little when he was concentrating.

I barely realized I was doing it until—

He looked up.

And caught me.

For a split second, we just stared at each other.

I froze.

Because oh my god.

He had definitely noticed.

And then—his lips twitched.

Not a smirk.

Not a full smile.

Just a tiny, knowing smile.

Like he knew exactly what was happening.

Like he had caught me in the act.

I panicked. Immediately looked away.

Tried to pretend I wasn't just caught ogling him at work.

But it was too late.

Because when I glanced back—

He was still looking.

And this time?

He didn't break eye contact first.

By lunchtime, I had fully lost it.

And Arjun and Riya noticed.

Riya smirked. "So. How's your little crush?"

I groaned. "I don't have a crush."

Arjun gasped. "Oh my god, he's still lying."

Riya shook her head. "Vihaan. Honey. You literally stared at Mehul like he was the only source of oxygen on this planet."

I scowled. "I did not."

Arjun wiggled his eyebrows. "Oh? So if I say 'Mehul,' what's the first thing that comes to mind?"

I opened my mouth.

Closed it.

Riya gasped.

Arjun grinned. "Busted."

I buried my face in my hands. "I hate both of you."

Riya patted my shoulder. "We know."

Arjun smirked. "But hey. At least you're finally realizing it."

And the worst part?

They were right.