𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 ( 𝐘𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐯𝐢 𝐉𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐰𝐚𝐥 )

7

"Come on Shreya, Going to the engagemeng party is already a bad thing but going to the party and be with her the whole time is a different level of pain".
Yashasvi said it to Shreya on the mobile as he parked his car in the basement.

"Yash, you are making it sound as if Jemi's going to kill you"

"She might as well. Besides Shrey, didn't we plan the first fake appearance after the IPL season begins."

"That's right, Yash, but the opportunity presented itself. You both got invited to this Kartik Tyagi's engagement party. Anyways it's not as if you both have to show some pda, only stay next to each other for majority of the evening as close friends, click some photos together and with others. Then leave the party together"

Yashasvi groaned as Shreya finished speaking

" Please don't argue like you'll did during the meeting, Atleast try to pretend you both like each other's company. I've explained the same to Jemi. Now get out there and break a leg. Bye!!!"

"More like break my head" Yashasvi muttered to himself as he cut the call and approached the party entrance knowing he was late by an hour.

As Yashasvi approached the party entrance, he spotted Jemimah standing near the bar, chatting animatedly with a group of friends. Her face tightened slightly when she noticed him, but she quickly masked her irritation with a bright, though strained, smile.

"Wow, look who decided to show up," Jemimah said, crossing her arms and forcing a cheerful tone as she walked over to him. Her smile was wide but lacked warmth.

Yashasvi rolled his eyes, his annoyance barely hidden, but he managed a forced grin. "Yeah, well, I almost did. But Shreya would’ve had my head if I didn’t show. So, here I am. What’s the plan, partner-in-crime?"

Jemimah’s smile widened as she shrugged dramatically. "Oh, you mean aside from pretending we actually like each other? Just stick close, smile, and act like we’re having the time of our lives. Easy enough, right?"

Yashasvi snorted, the smile on his face thin and unconvincing. "Sure, as long as your definition of ‘easy’ doesn’t involve me having to endure your so-called ‘hilarious’ jokes all evening."

Jemimah raised an eyebrow, her smile now a bit more forced. "Hilarious, you say? I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you had a PhD in comedy, Mr. Sunshine. Maybe you should give a lecture on ‘How to Survive Jemimah’s Jokes Without Losing Your Mind.’"

Yashasvi leaned in slightly, his posture rigid, and his smile strained. "Oh, I’ve already got a lecture planned. It’s called ‘How to Maintain Your Sanity While Pretending To Like Your Fake Girlfriend Who Is Absolutely Nuts.’"

Jemimah let out a snicker, shaking her head with an exaggerated motion. "You’re so full of yourself, Jaiswal. How do you manage to walk around without bumping into things because your head’s so inflated?"

Yashasvi gave a mock bow, his expression stiff. "Why, thank you, Rodrigues. It’s a skill I’ve perfected over the years."

Jemimah pretended to laugh, her chuckle coming out a bit too loud, as if trying to convince both him and herself. "Well, try not to trip over your ego while we’re at it. The last thing we need is for you to make a grand entrance by face-planting into the cake."