Chapter 40

Confessing was one thing.

Going on an actual date was another.

Because now, I had no idea how to act.

What do I even talk about?

Do I compliment him?

Do I hold his hand? (No, Vihaan, calm down.)

And worst of all—

What if I mess this up?

Spoiler: I absolutely did.

Mehul, the menace that he is, didn't even let me overthink.

Because he was the one who planned it.

On Friday night, he texted me.

Mehul: Breakfast. 8 AM. We'll go somewhere after.

I stared at my phone.

Then, just to confirm that this was actually happening—

Vihaan: Are you asking me out on a date?

His reply came instantly.

Mehul: You already confessed. Why are you acting surprised?

…Fair point.

But still.

I sat there, staring at my phone like an idiot, while my heart did stupid things.

Then, finally, I exhaled.

Vihaan: Fine. See you there.

By the time I arrived, Mehul was already there.

Sitting at a table outside.

Looking exactly the same as always.

Like this was just another morning.

Like we weren't about to have our first date.

I exhaled, trying to calm my nerves.

Then, very casually (not at all), I sat down.

Mehul glanced at me. "You're nervous."

I scoffed. "No, I'm not."

He just looked at me.

I sighed. "Okay. Maybe a little."

Mehul hummed, sipping his chai. "Why?"

I frowned. Why?

Wasn't it obvious?

Because I have no idea how to do this.

Because I don't know how to act now that I know you like me too.

Because you're sitting there looking ridiculously calm, and it's completely unfair.

I opened my mouth. Closed it.

Then, finally, I muttered, "Because it's different now."

Mehul set his glass down. "No, it's not."

I blinked. "What?"

He tilted his head slightly. "It's still us, Vihaan."

I froze.

Because—oh.

He was right.

Nothing about this felt forced.

Nothing about this felt unnatural.

It was still him and me.

The only thing that had changed?

Now, I didn't have to pretend I wasn't falling for him.

My chest felt weirdly warm.

I looked down at my plate, hiding my smile. "You're annoyingly good at this."

Mehul smirked. "You'll get used to it."

…God, I was doomed.

Breakfast went surprisingly well.

I didn't say anything embarrassing.

I didn't spill anything on myself.

I didn't run away in panic.

It was… nice.

Until—Mehul suggested something ridiculous.

"We should go to the zoo."

I blinked. "What?"

Mehul shrugged. "We have time. Let's go."

I frowned. "You want to see animals?"

Mehul took a sip of his drink. "You like them, don't you?"

I froze.

Because how the hell did he know that?

I opened my mouth. Closed it.

Then, slowly, I nodded. "Yeah, I do."

Mehul smirked. "Then let's go."

…I was in so much trouble.