Love Struck At The Wedding

17. AVNI

We stood in front of Chai & Chapters Café, a quaint little place that, coincidentally, belongs to my sister, Kaashi. It wasn’t just any café—it was a special spot for me, a place filled with warmth and memories.

When Shaurya suggested we go on a date here, I couldn’t help but wonder if Kaashi had something to do with it. She knew about our date, after all, and it wouldn’t surprise me if she orchestrated this.

Shrugging off my thoughts, I focused on Shaurya. It was our first official date, and I was a swirl of excitement and nerves. He told me he had planned something special, and the anticipation made my heart race.

As he slid his hand into mine, intertwining our fingers, my stomach fluttered with butterflies. I glanced at him, and his dashing smile only made the sensation stronger.

He looked effortlessly handsome in a casual shirt and pants, and when he pulled me into a warm hug, I could feel the sincerity in his touch.

"You look beautiful," he whispered, his voice filled with admiration. The way his eyes sparkled as he gazed at me made my pulse quicken.

It felt new—his touch, his presence—it all felt incredibly intimate, almost like we were discovering each other for the first time.

Stepping into the café, I took in the familiar atmosphere—the rich aroma of freshly brewed chai, the soft hum of conversations, and the shelves filled with books in multiple languages lining the walls. It was comforting, yet today everything felt heightened because I was here with him.

I noticed my sister, Kaashi, near one of the tables, looking radiant in her usual formal attire. Her hairline was adorned with vermillion, and a small nuptial chain rested against her neck—a symbol of her happiness post-marriage. She gave us a teasing smile before mouthing “all the best” and walking away to attend to a customer.

"Let’s order something first," Shaurya suggested, leading me to a cozy corner table by the window. His hand remained intertwined with mine, a silent reassurance that today was just about us.

As we settled down, my heart raced again, and I found myself nervously fidgeting with the menu. I couldn’t help but glance out the window, my fingers twisting together, betraying my nerves. Shaurya’s warm hand clasped mine again, making me look at him.

"Avni, relax," he said softly, his eyes filled with understanding. "It’s just us, enjoying each other’s company. No pressure, okay?"

I nodded, his words easing the tension in my body, and for the first time, I felt myself truly relaxing into the moment.

As we chatted over our meal, the conversation flowed naturally. We shared stories from our childhood, favorite books, and dreams for the future. I laughed more than I thought I would, and the anxious knots in my stomach slowly unwound.

After we finished eating, we wandered over to the bookshelves, perusing the titles together. I pointed out some of my favorite books, while Shaurya’s eyes remained fixed on me instead of the shelves. His gaze was intense, almost as if he was committing every detail of me to memory.

"What are you thinking?" I asked, raising an eyebrow as I caught him staring.

He hesitated for a moment, then smirked. "Just thinking."

"About what?" I pressed, folding my arms over my chest, pretending to be stern.

"You wouldn’t like it," he teased, his eyes darkening slightly.

"Why not?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me.

"Because," he said, his voice dropping to a husky tone, "my thoughts are a little explicit right now."

I swallowed hard, my cheeks flushing instantly. I should have known better than to ask. "And what, exactly, are these explicit thoughts about?" I stammered, immediately regretting my question.

His lips curved into a wicked grin as he took a slow step towards me. "They pretty much revolve around you," he whispered, the intensity in his gaze making me take a step back, my heart racing.

My back hit the wall, and before I could say anything, he leaned in, his breath hot against my skin. "What are you doing?" I asked, my voice a mere whisper, betraying the growing anticipation within me.

"I’m trying to romance you," he replied, his tone playful yet filled with a raw desire. His fingers traced a slow line down my neck, sending shivers down my spine.

"We might get caught," I stuttered, the heat between us palpable as his lips brushed against my ear.

"So?" He smirked, his lips now hovering near my jawline. "Isn’t that the thrill of dating in secret? The risk of being caught when no one’s watching?"

"But... we’re not officially dating," I protested weakly, my words losing power as his lips pressed gently against my skin.

"And yet, here we are. On a date," he murmured, his lips ghosting over mine before claiming them in a deep, fervent kiss. His hands rested firmly on my waist, pulling me closer as the world around us faded away.

I clung to his shoulders, my knees turning to jelly as the kiss deepened. His lips moved with a hunger that matched mine, and in that moment, all my worries about being caught vanished. It was just us, lost in each other, as our breaths mingled and our hearts beat in sync.

When we finally broke apart, both of us breathless, our foreheads rested against each other. The room seemed to spin, but it didn’t matter—nothing else mattered except the look in his eyes and the undeniable connection between us.

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