𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 ( 𝐘𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐯𝐢 𝐉𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐰𝐚𝐥 )

8

Yashasvi Jaiswal took another sip of his coffee, letting the warmth of the drink soothe his nerves. The serene view of Jaipur spread out before him, but his mind was anything but calm. The memory of the chaotic evening at the engagement party still played on a loop in his head, particularly his heated exchange with Jemimah. He couldn't quite figure out what bothered him more—their bickering or the way it lingered in his thoughts, like an unresolved argument that kept tugging at the edges of his mind.

Lost in his thoughts, Yashasvi almost didn't hear the doorbell buzz. It rang again, louder and more insistent this time, jolting him out of his reverie. He set down his coffee cup and walked over to the door, running a hand through his hair in an attempt to shake off the unease.

When he opened the door, Dhruv Jurel and Riyan Parag stood on the other side, their expressions a mix of curiosity and amusement. Yashasvi's heart sank; he knew exactly what they were here for.

"Finally!" Riyan said, pushing past Yashasvi and making himself at home on the plush sofa. "We were wondering if you'd ever answer the door. Got a secret meeting with someone? Maybe Jemimah?"

Dhruv, still lingering by the door with a skeptical look on his face, raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, you've been acting weird lately, Jaiswal. What's up with all these rumors about you and Jemimah Rodrigues? Last time I checked, you two couldn't stand each other."

Yashasvi's mind raced. He couldn't exactly tell them about the fake dating arrangement—after all, it was supposed to stay under wraps. But he couldn't deny the rumors outright either. So, he decided to play along, albeit carefully.

"Well...," Yashasvi began, leaning against the doorframe and crossing his arms, trying to look nonchalant. "It's...complicated."

Riyan perked up, his eyes wide with interest. "Complicated how? Are you actually dating her?"

Yashasvi hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Maybe. I mean, I might be...dating her. You know how these things go."

Dhruv narrowed his eyes, clearly not buying it. "You? Dating Jemimah? Come on, Jaiswal. Last I remember, you two were bickering like an old divorced couple. And now you're telling me you might actually like her?"

Yashasvi shrugged, trying to keep his cool. "People change, Dhruv. Sometimes, you get to know someone better and... things just happen."

Riyan burst out laughing, slapping his knee. "Oh man, this is gold! Yashasvi Jaiswal, the guy who once called sweet Jemimah the 'Queen of Irritation,' is now smitten by her. You've got to be kidding me!"

Dhruv, still unconvinced, leaned in closer, studying Yashasvi's face. "This doesn't make sense. Didn't you both hate each other just two months ago. Now you're telling me you suddenly started liking her? Just like that?"

Yashasvi scratched the back of his neck, feeling the pressure. "Look, it's not that sudden, okay? Maybe I've always kind of liked her, but I didn't realize it until recently."

Dhruv crossed his arms, his skepticism not fading. "And when did this grand realization happen? Before or after the media started linking your names together?"

Yashasvi shot him a glare. "Does it matter? The point is, I might be into her, alright? Just drop it."

But Dhruv wasn't letting it go that easily. "This doesn't add up. You've never shown any interest in her or dating before, and now, out of the blue, you're saying you might be dating her? I'm not buying it, Jaiswal."