Sameera's POV:
"If you think I'm letting you go to Thane alone, you're delusional."
I folded my arms, staring at Saharsh from across the room. "And if you think I'm letting you drive two hours after being up half the night, you're delusional too."
He scoffed. "I'm perfectly fine."
"You were literally yawning five minutes ago."
"That was not a yawn."
I rolled my eyes. "Saharsh."
He stepped closer, voice dropping slightly. "Sameera. I'm dropping you home."
"No," I said firmly. "You worked late, you barely slept, and you have to be at college again. I can manage a bus ride."
His jaw clenched, eyes soft but stubborn. "I know you can manage without me but I don't want you to."
I paused.
He sighed dramatically, placing a hand on his chest. "I'll be here physically, haan. But my heart? My heart is going with you. My soul too. Maybe even my brain."
I snorted despite myself. "Stop being dramatic."
"I'm being honest."
I tilted my head, lips twitching. "Anyway… you won't even miss me that much."
His brows knitted. "What do you mean?"
I shrugged casually. "You have Gauri with you. Such great company."
The sarcasm was subtle—but sharp.
Arre
He blinked once. Then smiled.
Oh no. That smile meant trouble.
"So that's what this is," he murmured, stepping closer until I had to tilt my head up to look at him. "Madam is jealous."
"I'm not," I said instantly. "Don't flatter yourself."
He leaned in, lowering his voice. "You just said I won't need you because I have someone else."
"That's a fact," I insisted. "You said yourself you have to show her around."
"And you think," he whispered, "anyone's company comes even close to yours?"
I looked away. "You're twisting my words."
He reached out, gently catching my wrist, thumb brushing over my pulse.
"Listen to me."
I met his eyes again.
"Gauri is my friend," he said softly.
"You're… you."
A pause. "There's no replacement for that."
Before I could respond, he leaned in suddenly—quick, warm, unmistakable—and pressed a soft kiss to my lips.
Just a second.
Barely enough.
But enough to make my heart stutter.
He pulled back before I could react, forehead resting lightly against mine, eyes amused.
"That," he murmured, "was to shut you up."
My cheeks were on fire. "You—! That was unfair."
He grinned. "You started it."
I tried to stay annoyed, but my lips betrayed me, curving into a smile.
"I'll call you when I reach," I said quietly.
"And text me when you board," he added immediately. "And when you get down. And when you reach home."
I laughed. "Overprotective much?"
"Boyfriend duties," he said shamelessly. "Deal with it."
I shook my head, stepping back toward the door. "Go sleep, Saharsh."
He watched me like he was memorizing my face.
"Come back soon," he said softly.
"I will."
And as I turned to leave, I felt his presence linger—like even if I was going home, a part of him was already walking with me.
---
The moment I unlocked the door, the familiar smell of home hit me—aai's cooking, incense, and that quiet comfort I didn't know I'd missed this much.
"Aai?" I called out, slipping my shoes off.
"Kitchen," she replied, and before I could step in—
"SURPRISEEE!"
I froze.
"WHAT—"
A blur collided into me, arms wrapping tight around my waist.
"RISHI?!"
She laughed, pulling back just enough for me to see her face. "Missed me or what?"
My brain took a second to catch up. "You—you were in Jaipur!"
"I was," she said smugly. "And now I'm not."
I stared at her, then squealed, hugging her again. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because," she sang, "it's called a surprise."
Aai appeared at the doorway, smiling. "We wanted to see your reaction."
Baba looked up from his newspaper. "You look thinner."
"I JUST GOT HOME," I protested, then laughed when Rishi nudged me. "See? Still the same."
Dinner was loud—Rishi filling everyone in on Jaipur, aai fussing over us, baba pretending not to listen while absolutely listening.
But I didn't miss the way Rishi kept looking at me.
The grin.
The curiosity.
The moment dinner ended, she grabbed my wrist. "Come. Room. Now."
"Rishi—"
"No excuses."
She shut the door behind us and flopped onto my bed. "Okay. Start talking."
"Talking about what?" I asked innocently.
She narrowed her eyes. "Sameera Gayaki, I missed half your life because of exams. You think I won't notice the glow?"
I groaned, falling beside her. "There is no glow."
"Oh please," she scoffed. "You're smiling like you've cracked some life secret. Now spill."
I stared at the ceiling for a second. Then sighed.
"Saharsh."
Her eyes widened. "WAIT. SAHARSH WANKHADE?"
"Don't say his full name like that," I muttered.
She screamed into a pillow. "YOU'RE DATING SAHARSH?!"
"Lower your voice!" I hissed, panicking.
"Do you want my parents to hear?"
She whispered loudly, "YOU'RE DATING SAHARSH."
I laughed despite myself, covering my face. "It just… happened."
"Uh-huh," she said, crossing her arms.
"Explain."
And I did.
About the library.
The panic attack.
Him being there.
Him being patient.
Him being him.
"How did he make you fall?" she asked softly.
I swallowed. "By not trying to."
She smiled. "That's dangerous."
"He's… caring," I continued. "Annoyingly protective. Makes bad jokes. Notices small things. Makes me feel safe without asking for anything in return."
Rishi sighed dramatically. "God. You're gone."
I nudged her. "Shut up."
She grinned. "So… when are you telling your parents?"
My stomach dropped instantly. "Never."
She blinked. "Sameera."
"They'll freak out," I said quickly.
"Dating? In final year? They'll think I've lost focus."
"And have you?"
I shook my head. "No. But they won't see it like that. It's better if they don't know."
She studied me for a moment, then nodded. "Okay. Your call."
Then she smirked. "But I'm telling you right now—this boy isn't temporary."
I smiled despite the fear curling in my chest.
"I know."
And somewhere, miles away, my phone buzzed.
A text from him.
Reached home?
I smiled into my pillow.
---
The next morning didn't feel like a holiday at all.
My laptop was open on the bed, sticky notes everywhere, résumé versions scattered like I'd fought a paper battle and lost. I was rereading the job description for the Bangalore company for the fifth time when Rishi plopped down beside me with a dramatic sigh.
"So let me get this straight," she said. "I come all the way from Jaipur, to surprise you, and you're already married to your laptop?"
"I'm not married," I muttered, highlighting a line. "It's just an interview."
She snorted. "You're preparing like it's UPSC."
"It's hard to get selected," I said, chewing on my lip. "Even reaching the technical round would be a big deal."
Rishi flopped back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. "You're here for two days and I've barely gotten you."
I finally looked at her. "I am here. Just… this is important."
She turned her head, eyes softening. "I know. I'm just messing. I'm proud of you, idiot."
That smile barely settled on my face when my phone buzzed.
Saharsh calling.
Rishi shot upright. "OH. Speak of the devil."
"Shut up," I whispered, already smiling as I answered.
"Good morning," his voice came through, warm and lazy.
"How do you know it's morning?" I asked.
"Because you'd be panicking by now," he said easily. "And you sound calm."
I rolled my eyes. "Barely."
"What are you revising?"
"DSA. Again."
"As expected," he chuckled. "You'll do great. Even if you don't crack it, you'll still scare half the panel."
I laughed softly. "That's not comforting."
"It is," he insisted. "Confidence matters."
Behind me, Rishi was pretending to scroll on her phone while very obviously listening.
"Are you eating properly?" he asked.
"Yes, Sir."
"Good. And don't overthink. You already know more than you think you do."
I hesitated. "I wish you were here."
There was a pause. Then, softly, "Same."
Rishi made a gagging noise.
"Who is that?" Saharsh asked suspiciously.
I groaned. "Rishi. She's back."
"Oh," he said, then louder, "Hi Rishi."
She leaned close to the phone. "Hi, Sameer-who-stole-my-best-friend-from-me."
He laughed. "Guilty."
"I'm watching you," she warned. "If you break her heart—"
"I won't," he said, without hesitation.
Something about the certainty in his voice made my chest feel warm.
"Okay, enough," I cut in quickly. "Go work. You were up late."
"And you study," he replied. "Call me after?"
I nodded, even though he couldn't see it. "Yeah."
After I hung up, Rishi stared at me.
"What?" I asked.
She smiled. "You look… safe."
Rishi and I lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, our shoulders brushing. The comfort of her presence kept me grounded, even though my thoughts were still tangled in everything I hadn't said out loud.
That's when Mom's voice echoed from the living room.
"Sameera… Rishi… come here."
Something about her tone made my stomach twist.
Rishi sat up immediately. "That sounded serious."
"Yeah," I whispered, already getting off the bed. "I don't like this."
We walked out together and stood in front of my parents. Dad was seated on the sofa, calm but unreadable. Mom stood with her arms crossed, like she had already made up her mind.
"Sit," she said.
I didn't.
"There's a family we know," Mom began.
"Very decent people. The boy is settled, from a good background. His parents spoke to us."
My heart skipped.
"They've asked for your hand."
For a moment, I couldn't breathe.
I felt my fingers start shaking, my throat tightening like someone had tied a knot there. Twenty-two. I was only twenty-two.
Rishi slipped her hand into mine, squeezing gently.
"Aunty," she said before I could speak, "isn't this too early? She's just twenty-two."
Mom shot her a sharp look. "This is not your matter, Rishi."
I finally found my voice. "I'm not ready to get married."
Mom frowned. "Why not? It's a very good match. Do you know how rare such proposals are these days?"
"I want to work," I said, my voice trembling but firm. "I want to build a career first. At least for a few years."
"Work can come later," she snapped. "If I let this go and nothing better comes along, I'll be the fool."
The word hurt more than I expected.
Rishi stepped closer to me. "Aunty, please. She's worked so hard. She deserves at least one chance."
Mom shook her head. "You people only think about careers. Marriage is also part of life."
I turned to Dad, desperation flooding my chest. "Dad… I have an interview. A Bangalore-based company. Let me try for that."
Both of them looked at me.
"If I don't get selected," I continued quickly, "then we can talk about this. I promise."
The room fell silent.
Mom immediately turned to Dad. "Don't encourage this."
Dad sighed, rubbing his forehead. "It's just one interview."
"For me, it matters," I said softly.
"Please."
Rishi nodded. "Uncle, please. Just this one opportunity."
Dad looked at me for a long moment before finally speaking.
"Fine. One interview. That's it."
Mom clearly wasn't happy, but she didn't argue further.
"Remember," she said sharply, "if this doesn't work out, I won't listen to any more excuses."
As they walked away, Rishi let out a breath. "That was… intense."
I sank back onto the bed, my heart still racing. "I thought my life was about to end."
She wrapped her arm around me. "You stood up for yourself. That's huge."
But when I picked up my phone and saw Saharsh's name staring back at me from the screen, my chest tightened again.
What if I don't crack the interview?
And what if… I lose him too?