It Happened In Florida

6.Karan

"Unexpected is what changes life, trust the magic of new beginnings"

It was her eyes.

If you ask Karan what made him propose this charade to Tejasswi, that would be his answer. Her eyes, which held the same secret agony that Karan saw every day in his own. Those vulnerable eyes behind that happy facade.

He had smiled too many of those perfectly crafted smiles himself in the past year that he recognises one effortlessly now. He just wanted to be there for her somehow, like he wished someone was there for him a year ago.

So that's what he suggested. Just a quick game of pretend, a kiss on the cheek here and there, some hand holding, and voila! He walks away having some kind of kick, she gets back at her ex for cheating and then they each go back to their own ways.

He just didn't expect it to come with this bolt of excitement he was feeling right now. He's just holding her hands for fuck's sake. Why did he suddenly feel like fourteen again?

The elevator slowed to a stop at the ground floor and they stepped out together her hand still nestled in his strong grip. Making their way to the dining hall Karan could feel the anxiety radiating off her. Her breaths were uneven, her fingers constantly twitching in his hands and call him crazy but he could practically hear her heart beating out of her chest.

And just like that in the spur of the moment, he dragged her to the bar area. She needed some liquid energy. Unclasping their hands he put them on her shoulders and turned her towards him.

"Ok look at me."

"What happened?"

"You. You are basically shivering all over. Relax it's gonna be alright."

"Sorry, I just want to make sure everything goes perfectly." Her voice came out weak.

"Are you doubting my acting skills? Hey, I may not have been a fake boyfriend many times before but I can make a few people believe that we are together. Do you not know about my reputation at all"? He said jokingly trying to lighten the mood somehow.

At least she smiled a little.

"Shut up, It's not that," she said softly hitting his shoulders.

"I ... I just want him to believe I am happy."

"Are you not happy, Tejasswi?"

"Of course I am. I am very very happy." She said. Just a little too cheerfully. "I just want HIM to believe I am. That I am not broken and lonely just because of him. If he anyhow finds out about our arrangement, it will be so humiliating. Probably a million times worse than attending the wedding alone."

"Would you like something to drink, Sir, Ma'am?" And their attention shifted to the bartender hovering there.

"Two glasses of mimosas, please. That okay, baby?"

Baby.

"Yes sure. Thank you, erm... Thank you, boyfriend." She whispered, her cheeks red.

"You know," Karan started in a hushed tone when the bartender was gone, "you are worried about messing up and yet you overlook that calling me boyfriend will probably give it all away rather quickly sweetie," he said earning a shocked look from her.