Chapter 5
Kavya
Irritated, I slam my car door shut and head towards the small boutique near my house. Frustration and annoyance swirl through me as I dread the task ahead. The last thing I want to do is attend this party, let alone pick out a dress for it, but I have no choice. After breakfast, while I was spending some time with Nisha, Aunty dragged me into my room, rifled through my clothes and declared that none of them were suitable for tonight’s dinner. I tried to tell her I didn’t care and would wear anything, but she put her foot down, forcing me to go shopping. So here I am, begrudgingly searching for a dress for a dinner I have absolutely zero interest in attending.
My phone buzzes in my hand, and I glance down to see a message from Aunty. I read her text, reminding me not to come home without a dress, with a threat that if I do, she’ll go shopping herself to pick one out—something that’s even more terrifying than attending the party. The mere thought of her choosing something loud and attention-grabbing, especially after her recent lecture about needing to find someone and settle down, is even scarier, making me shudder. I’d much rather pick out my own dress than deal with her manipulative attempts.
Throwing my mobile into my purse, I reach the boutique and my eyes are immediately drawn to a dress in the storefront display —a gorgeous, floor-length, navy blue mermaid gown draped on a mannequin . A smile spreads across my face as I take in its understated elegance. It’s simple and classy without being too revealing. Normally, I don’t get excited about picking out clothes, but this dress has me wanting to try it on. With my heart set on the dress and my mind made up to try it on, I step inside and walk past the rows of clothes. I straightaway head to the counter at the back of the store.
“Hi, I am Myra. How can I assist you?” the young boutique owner greets me warmly.
“Hi, Myra. I was wondering if I could try on the navy-blue dress from the display, please?” I say with a smile, pointing towards the window where I spotted the dress.
She nods , returning my smile . “Of course, you can. That’s the latest addition to our collection, and I am proud to say it’s my design . In fact, that’s the only piece we have.”
“God, I hope it fits me. I need a dress right away, and I doubt I have time for alterations,” I exclaim, suddenly feeling deflated as the excitement of seeing the dress fades away, replaced by the worry of what if it doesn’t fit me.
Stepping around the counter, Myra gives me a thorough once-over. “It’s a size small, but I am confident it’ll fit you just right,” she reassures me. “And if it does need any alterations, I can have them done within an hour, tops.”
“That’s great,” I sigh with relief, a smile returning to my face .
She then walks up to the display and carefully removes the dress before bringing it to me. Up close, it’s even more breathtaking with its slimline, sleeveless design and tapered waistline that gathers to one side. It’s the perfect blend of sophistication and modesty.
“Why don’t you try it on?” she suggests, gesturing toward the changing room .
I nod, taking the dress as I slip into the small changing room in the corner.
My stomach somersaults as I remove my jeans and t-shirt and cautiously slip into the gown, silently hoping it fits me perfectly. With a deep breath, I look into the full-length mirror before me. Relief and excitement flood over me; it seems like my search is over without having to spend hours hunting for the right dress . Satisfied, I step out to show Myra.
“I told you it would fit you just right. You look beautiful in this,” Myra says warmly as she steps closer, examining the dress on me. “No alterations needed.”
I release a breath that I didn’t know I was holding. God, I never knew picking out a dress could be so stressful.
“Thank you, I’ll take this. Can you please bill it?” I say, smiling at her.
“Of course, why don’t you change while I get the bill ready,” she suggests as she heads behind the counter. I nod and walk back to the changing room to slip back into my clothes . When I come out, I hand her the dress, and she neatly packs it for me . After paying for the dress, I take the bag from her and make my way to my car , excited with my find .
As I pull the car out of the parking lot and head back home, I am lost in my thoughts, feeling anxious about how the dinner will unfold. When I stop at the red light, I suddenly realise I’ve taken a wrong turn and driven further away from home . Cursing under my breath, I quickly make a U-turn as soon as the signal turns green. Just then, a coffee shop tucked away in the corner catches my eye . “I could definitely use a cup of coffee to calm my nerves,” I murmur to myself as I park the car in front of the coffee shop.
Stepping into the coffee shop, I join the queue and let my eyes wander over the vintage decor , taking in the high wooden bar stool tables and the plush couches in the corner, giving it a cosy feel. Just as I am soaking it all in , my eyes suddenly collide with the intense stare of a stranger standing beside me. He’s undeniably handsome, dressed sharply in a black shirt and blue jeans. His dark hair and deep brown eyes form a striking contrast, and the intensity with which he’s staring at me sends a shiver down my spine . Quickly, I avert my gaze, pretending to study the menu, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling.
To my luck, the line moves quickly and it’s my turn to order. I hastily opt for a to-go caramel frappe with cream, eager to escape the awkwardness. After placing my order, I step into a corner to wait for my order, making sure to avoid glancing in the stranger’s direction . But fate seems to have other plans as he unexpectedly joins me, waiting for his order as well. His proximity makes me uneasy, and the scent of his cologne only adds to my discomfort. Desperate to distract myself, I pull out my phone and pretend to be engrossed in it.
A few minutes later, I hear my order number called out, along with his. He walks up to the counter alongside me, but I am too focused on grabbing my drink and getting out of there. Nervously, I grab my cup , eager to make a quick exit , but in my rush, disaster strikes. I fumble, knocking his drink to the floor and spilling mine all over his immaculate suit.
“Damn it,” he mutters as he brushes his hands over his now-stained suit. My heart races in my chest, anxiety swirling within me at my stupid clumsiness.
“I... I... I am so sorry,” I stammer as I lift my eyes to his, fully expecting to see annoyance . But to my surprise, a smile slowly spreads across his face . God, this man is really weird.
“It’s okay,” he says in his baritone, sexy voice.
Ignoring the butterflies fluttering in my stomach at the sound of his voice , I gather my nerves and offer . “Let me buy you another drink.”
He tilts his head to the side. “You’ve ruined my suit as well? What about that?”
I blink at him, feeling utterly embarrassed. “I am really sorry. I’ll pay for the dry cleaning.”
He shakes his head with a smirk. “I’d prefer if you made it up to me in another way.”
In an instant , all my embarrassment evaporates , replaced by a flash of anger . God! He’s one of those men. Pervert.
I narrow my eyes at him and regard him with a questioning gaze, asking sharply, “What do you mean?”
He gives me a crooked smile. “ How about this, let me buy you a coffee, and maybe you could join me? I’d really appreciate your company as I hate drinking my coffee alone. My friend was supposed to meet me, but he ditched me at the last minute.”
Damn, now I feel guilty for thinking the worst of him. This man is unwittingly stirring up a whirlwind of emotions in me, all within just a few minutes of meeting him.
“Sure, but I’ll have coffee with you on one condition,” I reply with a smile, ignoring the flutter in my stomach.
“And what’s that?” he asks, curious.
“I will pay for our drinks. And before you argue, this is non-negotiable,” I assert firmly.
“Have it your way,” he concedes, his grin widening.
We walk back to the cashier and place our orders. Grabbing our drinks, he gestures towards one of the empty tables by the window. As we settle in, I feel strangely comfortable with him.
“By the way, I am Reyansh,” he says, extending his hand.
“Kavya,” I reply, taking his hand. The moment our hands touch, a jolt of electricity shoots through me, catching me off guard . What is wrong with me? Abruptly, I pull my hand away, trying to shake off the strange sensation.
“Are you from around here, or just visiting?” he asks.
“I am from here,” I reply, settling into the conversation. “What about you?”
“I live here too,” he says, resting his elbow on the table and leaning in slightly. “It’s a shame we didn’t cross paths earlier.”
I shrug. “I suppose everything happens when it’s meant to be.”
“So, you believe in fate?” he asks, taking a sip of his coffee , his eyes never leaving mine.
“I guess you could say that. Fate sure has a way of surprising us when we least expect it,” I reply, raising my own cup. “What about you? Do you not believe in fate?”
“I didn’t believe in fate, at least not until now,” he says, his gaze locking with mine, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. “ But meeting you today has me rethinking that .”
I don’t answer; I just stare at him, unsure of what to make of his reply. Sensing my discomfort, he smoothly steers the conversation to safer ground . We chitchat about nothing in particular while we drink our coffee. I appreciate that he doesn’t pry for details, allowing me to feel comfortable and enjoy the company. He doesn’t even boast about himself. I am surprised by how effortless and smooth our conversation flows, especially considering we’re strangers. It’s pleasantly easy going and fun.
Glancing at my wristwatch, I realize it’s already four in the evening. Damn, I need to get home and get dressed for dinner.
“I am sorry, but I need to go,” I say, rising to my feet and grabbing my purse with an apologetic smile.
He nods, standing up from his chair.
“It was nice meeting you,” he says, his eyes softening .
With a smile and a quick goodbye, I walk out of the coffee shop. We don’t exchange numbers, as I was not comfortable with sharing my number with a total stranger, and thankfully, he doesn’t ask for mine either . I guess we both knew it was just a one-time thing, and now it’s come to an end. As I slip into my car, I can’t help but wonder if our paths will ever cross again.
???
“You look lost?” Akash’s voice from the driver’s seat snaps me out of my trance.
Darn it. Seated in the passenger seat beside him, I am trying my best to stay in the moment, but I find it difficult to focus. My mind is still consumed by the encounter with Reyansh. Even after I reached home, I couldn’t stop thinking about him . Aunty noticed my distraction and asked me what was wrong, but I brushed her off, claiming everything was fine. I hurried through a quick shower, got dressed, and spent a few moments with Nisha before Akash came to pick me up. There’s something magnetic about Reyansh, an allure I can’t quite explain , but I quickly shove the thought aside, reminding myself, ‘I can’t afford to get tangled in this mess and complicate my life further.’
“It’s nothing; just feeling a bit jittery about the party ,” I admit, which is partly true —I am anxious about it .
“You don’t have to be; I’ll be with you throughout,” Akash reassures me , giving me a quick glance before turning his attention back to the road. “ By the way, have I told you how stunning you look tonight? ”
I roll my eyes at him. “If you are telling that just to fish for compliments for yourself, then I am not in the mood to stroke your ego. I am still mad at you for forcing me to accompany you to this stupid party.”
He throws his head back and laughs. “You’ll get over it. And I wasn’t fishing for compliments. I genuinely meant you look good, though I wouldn’t mind a little boost to my ego.”
“Well, in that case, thank you for the compliment. You do look handsome yourself,” I say. No matter how mad I am at him, I can’t deny that Akash is rocking his black three-piece suit with a sophisticated charm and is looking effortlessly dashing.
“Thank you, princess,” he says, giving a slight bow in my direction.
We then slip into a light-hearted conversation for the rest of the drive, the earlier frustration settling down as we chat.
My heart picks up speed as Akash pulls up at the five-star hotel. The flashing cameras, the paparazzi, and elegantly dressed guests stepping out of luxury cars leave me momentarily speechless . So much so that I don’t even notice when Akash comes to my side and opens the door for me. He extends his hand to me, and I take it, giving it a gentle squeeze. He places a reassuring hand on my back, guiding me as we step into the venue .
My breath catches in my throat the moment we enter the huge banquet hall. The sheer grandeur of it all is overwhelming—the elegant lighting, exquisite flower arrangements, soft music, and luxurious silk drapes create a truly magical ambience.
We’re about to make our way further inside to greet the host when Akash’s phone rings. Pulling it out of his pocket, he glances at the screen and curses softly. Then, he looks at me apologetically. “Sorry, Kavya, I need to take this call. Will you be okay for a few minutes?”
Reluctantly, I give a nod as he promises to be quick and steps out.
With a deep sigh, I look around, suddenly feeling alone amid the lively party. This isn’t where I belong. I’ll never fit in here. It’s just not my world. Words that always linger at the back of my mind resurface once more.