Chapter 41

A zoo date.

Of all the things Mehul could have suggested, he chose this.

And the worst part?

I wasn't mad about it.

In fact, I was way too excited.

Which was terrifying.

By the time we arrived, the zoo was already buzzing with people.

Families. Kids. Couples.

(Oh god, does this mean we're a couple now?)

I glanced at Mehul, who was completely unfazed.

As usual.

I cleared my throat. "So, uh… you actually like zoos?"

Mehul looked at me. "Not really."

I frowned. "Then why—?"

He tilted his head slightly. "You do."

…Oh.

Oh no.

My stomach did a stupid flip.

Because he noticed.

He actually noticed something so random about me.

I opened my mouth—but no words came out.

Mehul smirked. "Cat got your tongue?"

I scowled. "I hate you."

He hummed. "No, you don't."

…He was right. Again.

The first thirty minutes went mostly fine.

We saw the elephants. The deer. The crocodiles.

I was finally relaxing.

And then we reached the tiger enclosure.

There was a crowd, so I leaned forward, gripping the railing for a better look.

And then—I felt it.

The warmth of someone standing right behind me.

Close.

Way too close.

I didn't even have to turn around.

It was Mehul.

I froze.

Because he didn't move away.

If anything—he leaned in slightly.

And then—he spoke.

"Excited?"

Right next to my ear.

I forgot how to breathe.

Because nope. No. This was not normal.

This was dangerous.

I swallowed hard. "You—You don't have to stand so close."

Mehul hummed. "Don't I?"

I blinked rapidly. "What does that even mean?"

He didn't answer.

Just stayed there.

Like he knew exactly what he was doing.

Like he was waiting for me to react.

And the worst part?

I didn't move away either.

After walking around for an hour, we stopped for ice cream.

I was finally calming down.

Until—Mehul reached out.

And wiped something off the corner of my mouth.

With his thumb.

I completely froze.

Brain? Gone.

Heartbeat? Ruined.

Dignity? Shattered.

Mehul, completely unfazed, pulled back and took another bite of his ice cream.

"Messy eater," he murmured.

I wanted to throw myself into the nearest enclosure.

Instead, I just sat there, gripping my cup like it was a lifeline.

Because this was bad.

Mehul was not subtle.

And now?

Now, I had zero doubt.

This wasn't just a date.

This was him proving a point.

That I was in way too deep.

And the worst part?

I didn't even want to escape.