Chapter 34
I don't remember the last time I smiled this much after a maths class.
She looked completely dazed when I kissed her. Like she couldn't decide whether to scold me, kiss me back again, or melt into a puddle of shy chaos right in front of me. And God... her reaction? Priceless.
Who knew my little troublemaker would be this adorable when flustered?
The whole ride back home, I kept replaying her expression in my head. The way her eyes widened, her breath hitchedβlike I'd just solved her toughest equation.
I parked my car and walked into the mansion. Simbaβyes, the fluffy traitorβran straight to me, wagging his tail with zero sense of shame for abandoning me last night and sleeping on my pillow like he owned the place.
"Move," I muttered as he jumped and tried licking my face.
"Rudra!" came my mother's voice before I could even fully enter the house.
I exhaled, already guessing where this was heading.
"Maa, mujhe fresh hone do at leastβ" (Mom, at least let me freshen upβ)
"No time. Look at this." She shoved a photo album in my face. Another one.
I closed my eyes, trying not to lose my sanity. "What is it this time?"
"Girls! Rishtas! What else?" she said, with that same hopeful glint in her eyes.
I deadpan stared at her. "Maa, please. Again?"
She tsked, flipping the album open like she was presenting a research project. "This one is a doctor. This one's father owns a hospital. And this oneβ"
"Not interested," I cut her off.
Her face dropped. "But you're 29! People will think something is wrong with you!"
"There is something wrong with me," I said dryly, walking past her. "I teach math for a living."
Simba barked like he agreed.
But as I walked to my room, her voice chased after me, "Rudra! At least meet one girl!"
I sighed, closing the door behind me.
If only Maa knew...
I've already met someone.
A chaos-wrapped, chai-loving, math-hating little hurricane named Maya Raichand.
And she's already messing with my head, heartβand schedule.
I changed into a black T-shirt and track pants, ran a hand through my hair, and finally sat on the edge of my bed, thinking I'd get a moment of peace.
But peace and I? We don't get along these daysβespecially not in this house.
Because two minutes later...
Knock knock.
"Maa," I said without looking. "I said I don't want to see any more rishta photos."
She entered anyway. "Bas ek last. Last, Rudra, I promise. This one you'll actually like!"
I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. "That's what you said about the last five."
She waved a glossy picture in front of me, face glowing like she'd just cracked the code to my cold, impenetrable heart.
"She's beautiful, smart, from a good family... final year student," Maa said with dramatic flair.
I looked everywhere but at the picture. I didn't need to. My heart was already occupied.
"I already told you, I'm not interested in marrying anyone right now," I muttered.
Maa clicked her tongue. "Tumhare liye hi toh kar rahi hoon! (I'm doing this for you!)"
And then she sighed, "Anyway, just keep it here. Dekh lena jab mann kare. (Look at it whenever you feel like.)"
She placed the picture face-down on my nightstand and walked out, muttering something about "ziddi beta" and "Shaadi ke din bhi mana kar dega."
I picked up the picture absently, debating whether to toss it into the drawer or straight into the trash... but something about the edges felt familiar.
I flipped it over casuallyβ
βand froze.
My breath caught in my throat.
The girl in the picture?
Maya.
Wearing a pink saree I've never seen her in. Probably some wedding or function. Her smile was soft, her eyes twinkling.
My Maya. My chaos.
My mother... had a picture of her?
I stared at it in disbelief.
"What theβ?"
How the hell did she get this?
Simba barked as if sensing the cosmic joke playing out in my room.
I chuckled under my breath, shaking my head. "Of course. Of all the girls in the world..."
The universe had an odd sense of humor. And for once, I didn't mind being the punchline.
Still holding the picture, I leaned back on the bed, unable to stop the smile tugging at my lips.
She's everywhere.
In my class, in my mind, on my phone, and now... even in the damn rishta pile.
I was fuming.
Like, actual steam-coming-out-of-my-ears level furious.
"How could you do this without even asking me!?" I shouted, arms crossed as I stood in the living room, glaring at Bua.
Bua gave me her signature fake innocent look. "Arrey beta, I just sent a few pictures. What's the harm? You're 22 now. Achhe rishtedaar se rishta aaya hai, socha baat kar loon."
I almost choked on air. "You sent my pictures! For marriage?!"
Raj walked by with a toast in his mouth and muttered, "Bas dekh lena, kisi buddhe ke saath fix na ho jaaye. (Just hope it's not with some old guy.)"
I threw a cushion at him, which he expertly dodged.
"Mujhe abhi shaadi nahi karni, Bua!" I shouted again.
She waved me off. "Toh abhi thodi bol rahi hoon shaadi karne ko! Sirf photo bheji hai! Ladke wale dekh rahe hain. Professor hai, badi achhi job pe hai, well-settledβ"
I cut her off, eyes wide. "Professor?"
She raised a brow. "Haan toh kya hua? Aaj kal ke ladke young professors bhi hote hain. Ekdum gentleman types."
I huffed, storming back into my room and slamming the door shut behind me.
What the hell!?
Marriage? Professors? This is why I don't leave my phone unlocked around relatives!
I threw myself onto the bed and groaned into the pillow.
I had no idea who this so-called professor was, and I didn't care. Whoever he was, I wasn't going to marry a stranger. My life was complicated enough with Mr. Khadoos giving me butterflies on a daily basis.
Just the thought of him made my heart flip.
I turned to look at my phone, debating whether I should text him about this nonsense. But what would I even say? "Hey, my Bua's trying to sell me off. Can we make this secret relationship public now?"
Ugh.
I buried my face into my blanket.
Little did I know... the very rishta photo my Bua had sentβ
Was sitting on his nightstand.
And destiny... was busy giggling.
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