Chapter 74

Vihaan Malhotra was a problem.

Not just because he was loud, annoying, and completely oblivious to personal space.

Not just because he had somehow forced his way into my life without permission.

But because, somewhere along the way—

I got used to him.

And I didn't even realize it.

It started small.

Subtle things I shouldn't have paid attention to.

Like how I'd look up from my desk during lunch, expecting him to be there.

Like how my tea breaks felt off whenever he wasn't around to make some dumb comment.

Like how I caught myself waiting for his texts—only to tell myself I didn't care.

And then, one day—

It hit me.

Vihaan had become a routine.

A habit.

Something I unconsciously expected, even though I never asked for it.

And the worst part?

I didn't even know when it happened.

I convinced myself it wasn't a big deal.

That this was temporary.

That Vihaan would get bored and move on.

But then—he didn't.

He was still there.

Still showing up at my table during lunch.

Still texting me like we were long-time friends.

Still talking to me like I wasn't the same person who spent years avoiding him.

And suddenly, I wasn't sure if I wanted him to stop.

That was the real problem.

Not him.

Me.

It was just another day.

Another exhausting morning.

I barely had time to breathe between meetings.

By the time lunch rolled around, I was ready for silence.

I grabbed my food, walked toward my usual table, ready to finally get a break—

Only to find Vihaan already sitting there.

Waiting.

Like he belonged there.

Like this was his table too.

I stopped.

Stared.

He grinned. "What took you so long?"

I inhaled sharply.

Then—instead of telling him to leave…

I sat down.

Like this was normal.

Like this wasn't completely ruining me.

And the worst part?

Vihaan acted like he knew exactly what he was doing.

And maybe he did.