Chapter 36

I could deal with chai deliveries.

I could deal with saved seats and stolen glances.

I could even deal with the casual, lingering touches.

But this?

This was too much.

Because today, Mehul made it impossible for me to ignore him.

It was late.

Most people had already left, but I was stuck finishing some last-minute reports.

I wasn't the only one.

Mehul was still here too.

Across the room. Typing away. Looking annoyingly calm, as usual.

And then, suddenly—

The AC kicked in.

Cold. Sharp. Way too strong.

I shivered, rubbing my hands together.

Mehul noticed.

Because of course he did.

Before I could even process it, he stood up.

Crossed the room.

And placed his jacket over my shoulders.

I froze.

Completely, utterly froze.

Because what the hell?

I looked up. Met his eyes.

Calm. Steady. Like this was nothing.

Like he hadn't just destroyed me.

His fingers brushed against my shoulder. Lingered.

And then, just to ruin me completely—

He murmured, "You should take better care of yourself."

…I was gone.

Brain? Fried.

Heart? Destroyed.

Everything? Ruined.

I opened my mouth. Nothing came out.

Because what was I supposed to say to that?

Mehul held my gaze for a second longer.

And then—he just walked away.

Like he hadn't just completely ended me.

I sat there.

In his damn jacket.

Still feeling the warmth of it.

Still smelling the faint scent of his cologne.

Still not breathing properly.

And that was when it hit me.

This wasn't one-sided.

It had never been one-sided.

And the worst part?

Mehul had been waiting for me to figure it out.

…Well.

Now I had.

And tomorrow?

I was going to do something about it.