REGRETS: An Unspoken Longings

ON THE CUP OF COFFEE.

**Suhani’s POV**

The coffee shop is warm and inviting, with soft music playing in the background and the smell of freshly brewed coffee lingering in the air. Normally, I’d find this place relaxing, but today I feel like I’m walking into a trap. As I wait for Veer, I can’t shake the unease that’s settled in my chest.

He arrives a few minutes after me, flashing that confident smile of his as he slides into the seat across from me. “Sorry I’m late,” he says, sounding like he couldn’t care less. “Had to charm the barista into giving me a discount.”

I force a smile, but inside, I’m already rolling my eyes. Typical Veer, always working the charm. “How did that go?”

He holds up his cup with a smug grin. “Free extra shot of espresso. Not bad, right?”

I nod, keeping my tone neutral. “Not bad.”

As he settles in, I can’t help but notice the way he’s watching me, like he’s trying to figure me out, to see if I’m falling for his act. I won’t give him the satisfaction. I’ve heard too much about Veer to let my guard down now.

“So,” he says, leaning forward, “you finally agreed to go out with me. What changed your mind?”

I meet his gaze, keeping my expression guarded. “Curiosity. I wanted to see if there’s more to you than just cheesy pick-up lines.”

His smile falters for a second, but then he laughs, that easy, confident sound that seems to come so naturally to him. “Fair enough. I guess I’ve earned that reputation.”

I nod, not letting him off the hook. “You have.”

There’s a brief silence, and I take a sip of my cappuccino, letting the warm liquid steady my nerves. I remind myself why I’m here. This isn’t a date—it’s a fact-finding mission. I need to know if there’s anything real behind Veer’s charm, or if he’s just as shallow as everyone says.

“So, tell me something real about yourself, Veer,” I say, deciding to test him. “Something that’s not part of the act.”

He looks a little taken aback, but he recovers quickly, leaning back in his chair as he considers my question. “Something real, huh? Well, I’m actually really into photography.”

Photography? That’s not what I expected. “Photography?” I repeat, skeptical. “What kind?”

“Street photography mostly,” he says, his voice softening slightly. “I like capturing moments, the way people are when they think no one’s watching.”

I study his face, searching for any sign that he’s lying, that this is just another part of his game. But he seems sincere. Still, I’m not convinced. “Why street photography?”

He shrugs, but there’s a hint of passion in his voice that surprises me. “Because it’s real. Life’s not posed or perfect, and I like the challenge of finding beauty in the chaos.”

I nod slowly, trying to process this new information. Maybe there is more to Veer than I thought. But I’m not about to let that change my mind. People can pretend to be anything they want for a while, and Veer is a master at pretending.

“What about you?” he asks, turning the conversation back to me. “What’s your escape?”

I hesitate, wondering if I should open up to him. But then I remind myself that this isn’t about bonding; it’s about figuring him out. “I love reading. It’s my way of escaping—losing myself in a good story.”

“Ah, a bookworm,” he says with a grin. “What kind of books?”

“Mostly mysteries,” I say, keeping my answers short. “I like trying to figure out the puzzle before the characters do.”