Rhea's POV — Lunch Chaos & The Unexpected "Date"
I should have known lunch would never be calm.
Samar and Neel were already talking nonsense—arguing over which snacks were superior, loudly enough to make the juniors laugh and teachers glare. I tried to focus on my sandwich and Social Studies notes, thinking maybe today, just maybe, I can survive.
Then… they came.
A group of seniors—tall, confident, radiating don't-mess-with-me energy. And the tallest among them… yeah, that one. Ekanth. Famous. Terrifying. The kind of guy whose smile could disarm half the school.
He walked straight up to our table. Looked at me. Smiled. And asked,
"Hey… are you single?"
The world slowed down for a second. My fork froze mid-air. My heartbeat? Definitely audible.
I stole a glance at Kabir. He was quiet, staring somewhere else, expression unreadable—but I could feel it—that tension.
I shook my head slightly.
Ekanth's smile widened. Mission accomplished, apparently.
Then he asked… the unthinkable.
"Perhaps… shall we go on a date?"
The cafeteria felt like it had gone silent. Everyone was staring. My friends were frozen mid-chew. The lunch trays suddenly seemed too heavy to lift.
I had no idea what to do. If I refused outright, he would be embarrassed. And I didn't want that… because, obviously, my life isn't stressful enough already.
So, I did the only thing that seemed safe.
I nodded slightly.
"Sunday morning, 10:30 at Sunrise Cafe," he said, then walked away. Smooth. Too smooth.
Samar and Neel immediately exploded.
"You did WHAT?" Neel shrieked, almost spilling his juice.
"I didn't—he didn't give me a choice!" I protested, waving my sandwich for emphasis.
Samar laughed. "Sunday… huh? You're so doomed."
Yuhan, unusually quiet until now, leaned closer to Kabir. His look was terrifying. Like a predator measuring a threat. Kabir noticed and stiffened slightly.
I shook my head, trying to ignore the mini-drama around me. It's fine, I thought. It's not like he ever confessed to me. One date is harmless.
But my stomach refused to agree.
Samar kept poking me. Neel kept whispering ridiculous strategies: "Plan an escape!" "Or make him pay for snacks!" "Do a dramatic faint!"
And somewhere, in the back of my mind, Kabir's silent, steady presence hovered. Watching. Quiet. Serious. And maybe a little… protective.
I sighed, took another bite of sandwich, and tried to act normal.
Sunday 10:30.
Sunrise Cafe.
I wasn't ready. But apparently… life didn't care.
Rhea's POV — The Café That Wasn't Private At All
Sunday morning.
10:30.
Sunrise Café.
I reached early because nervous people are always early. I kept telling myself it's just a normal conversation, relax, while my eyes kept scanning the road.
Ekanth arrived exactly on time. Polite. Calm. Smiled like this was just… easy for him.
And honestly?
He was nice.
We ordered coffee. He didn't invade my space. Didn't try anything awkward. Just walked with me, talking about random things—school, competitions, how ridiculous school rumours get. He listened. Like, actually listened.
That's when I noticed it.
A reflection in the café glass.
Too many familiar silhouettes.
I nearly choked on my coffee.
Those idiots.
Samar was "pretending" to check his phone… upside down.
Neel was hiding behind a menu board that clearly did not hide him.
Yuhan stood at a distance, arms crossed, looking like he was guarding national secrets.
And then—
Kabir.
Leaning against a pole. Too still. Too alert. Definitely eavesdropping.
I sighed.
Of course.
Ekanth noticed my distraction. "Something wrong?"
I stopped walking.
Actually stopped.
"I need to tell you something," I said.
He waited. Patient. No pressure.
"There's someone I really like," I admitted. "But… I did enjoy today. Truly."
For a second, I worried he'd be offended.
Instead, he laughed.
"So just like that, I get rejected?" he said lightly.
Then he added, "It's okay. Thanks for not refusing me in front of everyone that day."
"I'm sorry," I said quickly.
He shook his head. "You're a good person. And honestly? This was nice."
I smiled, relieved.
"If you want," I said, "you can tell people you rejected me. It'll make things easier for you."
He looked at me like I'd suggested something illegal.
"Nah," he said. "That's boring."
Then, casually, he patted my head.
I froze.
And then he glanced past me.
"The one glaring at me like I stole something important… is he the one you like?"
I didn't even pretend.
I nodded.
Ekanth smiled—soft, understanding—and waved in Kabir's direction.
"Bye, junior," he said cheerfully, then walked away like this was the most normal ending ever.
I stood there for a second. Let the moment settle.
Then I turned.
To face the chaos squad.
Samar tried to hide behind Neel.
Neel waved awkwardly.
Yuhan looked away like he'd done nothing wrong.
Kabir stood there. Silent. Tense. Eyes fixed on me.
I crossed my arms.
"So," I said sweetly, "anyone want to explain why my private date turned into a school picnic?"
No one answered.
Kabir looked at me for a long second.
And in that silence, I realized something very clearly—
The date was fine.
The senior was kind.
But the tension I felt all morning?
That wasn't about the café at all.
Kabir's POV — The Café Surveillance Mission
I didn't plan to come.
But I knew.
Rhea had gone out with that senior—the tall, polite, obviously competent guy—and I couldn't just… not know. I wasn't being dramatic. I was… vigilant.
So I stationed myself near the café. Out of sight. Kind of.
And yes, I admit it—I eavesdropped.
She walked in, laughing lightly, hair bouncing, eyes sharp but relaxed. And somehow, my chest tightened. Not jealousy. Not really. Concern, maybe. And… pride. She looked good. Confident.
The senior was polite. Gentlemanly. Gave her space. Didn't try anything stupid. That was fine. That was very fine.
But then… the moment came. She stopped. I watched her stop mid-step.
"Someone I really like…" she said.
I froze. My stomach flipped.
Wait. She said it out loud?
I could feel the corner of my lips twitching. Not smiling. Not angry. Just… processing.
The senior laughed lightly. She apologized. She explained. And he patted her head.
Patted her head.
I clenched my fists. Calm. Calm, Kabir. Not…reacting.
And then he looked at me. His smile? Direct. Unafraid. "The one glaring at me… is he the one you like?"
Yeah. That one.
I couldn't move. Couldn't speak. Couldn't… not stare.
She nodded.
My hands curled into fists at my sides. Inside, my brain screamed: what the hell do I do now?
He waved. Walked away. Left her. Alive. Smiling.
I exhaled. Slowly.
The chaos squad—Samar, Neel, Yuhan—were still there, far enough to make me feel slightly less murderous but close enough to mock me silently.
I turned my eyes back to her.
She looked at me. Arms crossed. Unamused.
I swallowed. She had no idea. Not fully.
But… I had seen.
And that was enough. For now.
Because sometimes, being silent and observing… was the only way to survive when your heart was this much in danger.
And trust me—it was very much in danger.