•| NINE |•
Krish stepped out of his car with a quiet sigh, locking it absentmindedly as he stared up at the massive glass structure of the shopping mall.
He had left the office earlier than planned.
Not because he wanted to.
But because guilt had been sitting heavy on his chest ever since he cut his mother’s call.
He knew her.
She must have been excited… emotional even… shopping for his wedding without him there.
He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly.
“What all has to be done for mother’s love…” he muttered under his breath, shaking his head at himself before walking inside.
The mall buzzed with life—families, couples, kids running around—but Krish walked through it all with his usual composed, distant aura, hands tucked into his pockets, expression unreadable.
He reached the bridal boutique entrance soon enough.
For a second, he paused outside.
The word bridal written in golden letters made his jaw tighten slightly.
“This is ridiculous,” he murmured.
Still… he pushed the door open and walked in.
Krish scanned the area, eyes searching for his mother’s familiar figure.
“Where are they…” he muttered, walking deeper inside.
He passed racks of heavy lehengas, his expression growing more impatient with each step.
He had already decided—
He’d show his face… make his mother happy… and leave.
Simple.
As he turned toward the inner section of the boutique—
He stopped near the trial room corridor.
Rows of curtained doors lined the wall, each occupied.
He frowned slightly, looking around again.
---
Whereas inside the trial room—
You were struggling.
Badly.
The bridal dress looked breathtaking on the hanger… but wearing it alone was another story entirely.
Heavy fabric pooled around your feet, the embroidered dupatta kept slipping, and the back knots—
God.
The back knots refused to cooperate.
You twisted your arm behind awkwardly, trying to reach the strings again.
“Ugh…” you groaned softly. “Why do they make dresses this complicated?”
You tried once more—
Failed again.
Finally, sighing in defeat, you walked toward the trial room door and opened it just a little—only enough to stretch your hand outside without revealing yourself.
“Mom… can you please help me?” you called softly, assuming she was nearby.
Outside—
Krish, who had been standing a few steps away, glanced up at the sudden movement.
He raised an eyebrow seeing a delicate hand stretching out from the trial room curtain.
“Crazy woman…” he muttered under his breath, turning slightly, planning to ignore it and walk away.
But before he could even take a step—
Your hand grabbed his wrist.
Firmly.
And in one swift pull—
You dragged him inside.
“Mom help me na—” you said hurriedly, back still facing him as you struggled with the knots.
Krish froze.
Completely froze.
His eyes widened so much they almost popped out of their sockets.
Because right in front of him—
Was your bare back.
Soft skin… delicate shoulders… the half-tied bridal dress hanging dangerously loose as you tried to hold it in place.
His brain short-circuited.
“Wha—ahh… umm—” he stammered, instantly turning his face sideways in panic.
You waited for your “mom” to help tie the knots.
But when nothing happened—
You frowned slightly.
“Mom?”
Still silence.
Confused, you turned around—
And your breath hitched violently.
Your eyes widened in pure shock seeing the same arrogant roadside man standing inside the trial room with you.
You were about to scream—
But before a sound could escape—
His palm clamped over your mouth.
“Shhh!” he hushed urgently, eyes sharp. “Are you insane?!”
Your eyes locked.
His face was inches from yours now.
So close you could feel his breath fanning against your cheek.
So close you could see the tiny crease between his brows…
The faint stubble along his jaw…
The intensity in his eyes.
For a strange second—
Your stomach fluttered.
Ticklish.
Unfamiliar.
You blinked rapidly, trying to shake the feeling away.
“You again?” he whispered in disbelief, recognizing you fully now. “Angry bird.” your brows furrowed instantly at the nickname.
And without thinking—
You bit his palm.
Hard.
“Ow—shit!” he hissed, jerking his hand back immediately.
“Are you mad?!” he whispered angrily, shaking his hand.
“You came inside!” you whisper-shouted back, clutching your dress tightly to your chest.
“You pulled me!” he shot back.
“I thought you were my mom!”
“And I thought you had basic eyesight!” you glared at each other in the tiny enclosed space, breathing slightly uneven from the sudden chaos.
“Dumb kid.” he muttered.
Your mouth fell open in outrage.
“What?! Dumb kid?!” you whisper-shouted. “Who are you then, old uncle?!” his jaw clenched instantly.
You literally saw the muscle tick near his temple as his eyes narrowed dangerously at you.
For a split second—
You gulped.
Maybe you went too far.
But your pride didn’t let you back down, so you lifted your chin stubbornly.
Before he could fire back—
His phone rang loudly in the silent trial room.
Both of you flinched.
He quickly pulled it out, answering in a hushed tone.
“Yes… hmm… okay.” he cut the call just as quickly and turned to leave, clearly wanting to escape this absurd situation.
But the moment he stepped past you—
“Ah—ack… ahh!” you groaned in sudden pain, jerking backward.
Krish stopped instantly.
“What now?” he muttered, turning around.
Your face was scrunched up in discomfort.
“My hair!” you winced.
He followed your gaze—
And froze.
A strand of your long hair had gotten tangled tightly into the metal clasp of his wristwatch.
“Shit…” he cursed under his breath.
You tried to pull away instinctively—
“Don’t move!” he whispered urgently. “You’ll rip it.”
You froze immediately, eyes wide.
He stepped closer again, carefully lifting your hair, trying to untangle it without hurting you.
The proximity returned…
Closer than before.
You could feel his fingers brushing lightly against your neck as he worked the strands free.
Your breath hitched unconsciously.
“Stay still,” he murmured, focused.
After a few careful seconds—
He finally released the strand.
“There,” he said.
You exhaled in relief.
But before you could thank him—
“It’s all because of you… dumbo.” he muttered, your eyes widened again.
“Excuse me?!” you glared up at him furiously.
“I didn’t ask you to wear a watch with thorns!”
“It’s a Rolex,” he corrected flatly.
“I don’t care if it’s a spaceship!” you whisper-yelled.
He stared at you like you were unbelievable.
But before your bickering could continue—
A voice came from outside.
“Samira? Are you okay? Come out already!” Your mom called out.
Your eyes went wide instantly, Panic shot through you.
And before you could even react—
Another voice followed—
“Samira, come out dear,” Mrs. Mehra called warmly.
Krish stiffened beside you.
“Mom,” he whispered under his breath, eyes widening slightly.
Your brain froze.
Mom…?
Your gaze snapped toward him slowly.
His eyes were already on you.
Silence fell.
Realization hit.
Hard.
Your lips parted.
His brows furrowed.
And at the exact same moment—
“So it’s you?!”You both said together.