Chapter 8
Reyansh
I hope she doesn’t mind this place for our first real conversation.
She’d quietly approved of the location I sent her, but I still want to make sure it doesn’t feel overwhelming. I felt a twinge of disappointment when she declined my offer to pick her up, though I can’t blame her, not with the constant media spotlight on the Bajajs and Thakurs.
Besides, she must have felt awkward meeting me when our families are yet to accept the new situation.
Oh, Rey, Aditi hasn’t even given you an answer yet. Stop feeding your assumptions.
I keep tossing my wristwatch to kill time until a Bajaj car pulls up beside me.
A wave of nerves hits, my heartbeat thundering in my chest, and I draw a few quick breaths to steady myself.
You’ll be fine. Didn’t Ames say it would be good news? Have a little faith.
Then she steps out. Aditi in a red maxi, everything around me stills, the world slowing into a blur of awe.
What I admire most about her is that effortless mix of prettiness, grace, and quiet beauty.
Her pale skin, big eyes, a delicate nose, soft lips, wavy dark hair, and fluffy cheeks.
God, how can someone look this stunning, like she was born to model?
And her eye, that innocence laced with determination, pulls me in every single time.
How did I get so lucky to be with her?
“Reyansh!” Her whisper pushes me out of my reverie, and I break into a genuine, happy smile for her.
“Good to see you here, Aditi,” I reply in a gentle voice while she nods in response.
“Let's move.”
“Sure. This way.”
We step into the café together, me holding the door open and guiding her toward the farthest corner of the place. It’s a lakeside café, the tables and chairs neatly lined beside the serene view, cool drafts of air brushing softly against our skin.
“Please!” I pull the chair for her, and she thanks me in a murmur. I take a seat opposite her, watching as she quietly takes in the beauty around us.
“I hope you find this place pleasant.”
“Of course, the place fits all the qualities I have mentioned. Thanks for selecting this.” She flashes a broad smile, and I take that as my little win.
“So Reyansh–”
“Before you give your answer, I would like to say something, Aditi.”
“Okay.”
“I don’t know how you took my proposal in front of the whole family, but I don’t think that alone is enough. I want to be clearer about my feelings for you.” I clear my throat, watching her visibly stiffen, her gaze still fixed on me.
“You probably already know this is my first time feeling something so real for someone. No one has ever caught my attention the way you did. Like I said that day, it’s been two years since I started seeing you differently, and a year since I finally named what I feel.”
I pause, drawing a deep breath to compose myself, relieved that her eyes haven’t left mine.
“Aditi, I like you so much that I want to date you, get to know you better, and see if we can turn this into something meaningful…something lasting. Will you give me that chance?” My words come out calm and sure, though my pulse pounds beneath the surface.
She stares at me speechless before finally speaking. “So, Reyansh…I usually like to stay grounded in reality, so I want to share what I used to think about you.”
My brows knit, but I stay silent, urging her to go on.
“Like everyone in our families, I assumed something was going on between you and Amyra Di. I thought you two would eventually become a couple, especially after what you once said in childhood—”
“Oh God! I never expected this from you,” I cut in, panic flashing through me.
“Amyra and I have always shared a pure friendship. Why does everyone think otherwise?” The frustration rises as questions flood my mind.
We’ve always been just friends—why did the world twist it into something else?
Why couldn’t they see it for what it was?
“I wasn’t done, Reyansh.”
“Right, go on,” I say, forcing myself to relax.
“Maybe it’s the way you two were always together, or how you seemed to prioritize each other.
But let’s not dwell on that, because I don’t care anymore.
I live in the present, and I believe what you feel for me is real.
And…I’m ready to give us a chance.” Her last words come with a shy smile, and goosebumps race down my arms.
“Is that a yes?” I ask, just to be sure.
“Yes.” Her voice is soft but steady, her eyes shining with quiet certainty. I can’t help but grin, my heart soaring in happiness.
“Thanks for making me the happiest man today, my girlfriend.” I add the last word teasingly, earning an easy laugh from her.
“This feels exciting, Reyansh,” she says with a grin. “Let’s make memories that last a lifetime.”
“Trust me, I feel the same. Now, let’s take a food break while we continue exploring our new relationship.”
She agrees, and we order a few beverages and snacks to celebrate the moment.
“What are your plans for the future?” I ask while sipping my drink, noticing her thoughtful silence.
“I’ve always dreamed of pursuing my master’s abroad,” she admits softly. “But I’ll need my aunt and uncle’s approval first.”
“That’s not even a problem. You just need to tell them, and they’ll agree to anything.” I respond too quickly, though the thought of her leaving the country stings a little.
“I know…” she trails off, her eyes locking onto mine as if she’s reading my thoughts. A strange unease rises in me.
Is this that jittery feeling you get when your girl looks at you?
“I still have time to figure things out,” she adds with a light chuckle. “And I can try a long-distance relationship if it comes to that.” Her laughter rings like soft music, and I instantly understand what she’s hinting at.
“Well, I don’t mind either,” I grin, and she lowers her head with a shy smile. Is she blushing?
“You look beautiful when you smile.”
There, I said it.
Her reaction is priceless, eyes widening in surprise, almost questioning if she heard me right.
“Ah…t-thank you.” She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear, and the reality of having a girlfriend suddenly feels exhilarating.
“So, Reyansh…c-can I call you Rey?” Her sudden question catches me off guard.
Rey?
The name echoes in my mind, Amyra’s voice lacing every syllable. She was the one who coined that nickname, and I’d never let anyone else use it.
But now, my girlfriend wants to.
Should I let her?
Every time I hear that name, Amyra’s face flashes before me, her smile, her tone, and it’s hard to separate the two. Why does everything linked to her feel so heavy to let go of?
“Hey, Reyansh! It’s okay, I’ll just call you by your full name,” Aditi says quickly, sensing my discomfort.
“I’m sorry,” I mumble, guilt creeping into my tone. “It’s just…that nickname belongs to Amyra. I hate that I can’t move past it, but I genuinely mean no disrespect.”
Disappointment flickers in her eyes, and it twists something inside me.
“It’s fine,” she says after a pause, forcing a small smile. “Some things never change.” The words hit harder than I expected.
It’s just a nickname so why does it feel impossible to let go?
“You can call me Reyu, as my mom does. Or maybe Reyan or–”
“Leave it, Reyansh. It’s okay.” Her tone is gentle, but the distance in it feels louder than any silence.
“So why can’t I see people around us?” she asks, glancing around curiously.
“I booked the whole café for us.” Her eyes widen, surprise flickering across her face.
“But what’s the need for that?”
“A private conversation helps us avoid attention, especially from the media.” I can’t risk Reyansh Thakur dating a woman turning into a headline. The last thing I want is for Aditi to deal with unwanted scrutiny. It’s better to keep things quiet until we know where this relationship is headed.
“You’re right,” she says with a teasing smile. “People go crazy over B&T Corp’s heirs, especially you, the city’s most eligible bachelor.”I chuckle, shaking my head.
“That must be an outdated joke. I just want to protect your peace, Aditi. We need to be careful of prying eyes.” I roll a tissue between my fingers, wipe my mouth, and look back at her.
“Thank you,” she says softly.
I check my watch. “Shall we leave?”
“Yes, it’s been a while.”
I push back my chair and step aside to help her up, but she moves toward the railing instead, her gaze drifting to the lake shimmering under soft evening light.
I walk up beside her, following her line of sight.
Our hands are close, almost touching. The quiet hum of water and wind fills the space between us, and the urge to reach out becomes impossible to resist.
“If you don’t mind,” I murmur, “can I hold your hand?” She nods silently. I slip my hand into hers, gently clasping her warm palm. She interlaces our fingers, and a chill runs through me, the kind that feels like everything is right in the world.
My girl. My girlfriend. My woman.
“This is my first time choosing something for myself, so I only expect a few things from this relationship, Reyansh,” she says after a pause.
“Loyalty, responsibility, and genuineness. And if a day comes when you can’t give me that…
just let me know.” Her tone is calm but firm, and I can feel the weight of her words sink in.
I silently promise myself to remember them.
“I’ll give my best to keep our relationship alive,” I vow quietly. She smiles, and in that simple curve of her lips, I find something I never knew I’d been missing.
I just hope I don’t mess up this new phase of my life.