Aurous Charms

21| Keeping up the Promise

Published on 30th September 2024.
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The chapter is unedited.
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♡ Tere nazara mila, roshan sitaara mila
Takdeer ka jaise koi ishaara mila ♡

– S H L O K –

I stood outside the construction site, leaning against my car, feeling like an absolute idiot. My reflection stared back at me from the car’s side mirror, and I sighed for the hundredth time.

Why was I so nervous?

It was just dinner — friendly, casual, no big deal.

So why was I practicing my lines like I was about to propose?

"Akriti, want to grab dinner?" I muttered under my breath, trying to sound smooth. Then I immediately winced. "No, too casual. Sounds like I’m asking her to a food truck."

I ran a hand through my hair, glancing at the mirror again. I had to nail this. But not look like I was trying too hard. Cool, confident, but not over the top. "How about dinner tonight? I owe you one." I raised an eyebrow at my reflection. "Yeah, that sounds... desperate."

I groaned and turned away, pacing in front of the car like a guy rehearsing for a bad rom-com scene. "Shlok, you’re just asking her to dinner. You’ve done this before. Get a grip." I muttered to myself. But the more I thought about it, the more ridiculous I felt.

It’s not like I hadn’t taken people to dinner before. But Akriti was... well, she was Akriti. She was confident, sharp, and somehow always in control of her world, while I was standing here talking to a car.

I glanced at my watch, any minute now, she'd walk out of the construction site, and I still hadn’t figured out what to say. I quickly leaned back into the mirror again, fixing my hair one last time and straightening my shirt.

As soon as I heard footsteps, I bolted back to my car, trying to act casual. I folded my arms across my chest, leaning against the car door like I hadn’t just been talking to myself for the last ten minutes.

"Shlok?"

I looked up and saw Akriti standing a few feet away, her eyebrows raised, with an amused smile creeping onto her face. She had that look like she’d caught me doing something ridiculous, and honestly, she probably wasn’t far off.

"Hey!" I stood up quickly, a little too quickly, but I tried to recover by shoving my hands into my pockets. "I... uh... figured you’d be done soon, so I thought I’d... you know... fulfill my promise."

Her eyebrows lifted higher. "Promise?"

"Dinner. I promised you dinner two days ago, remember?" I grinned, trying to look casual. "Thought today might be a good day for it."

She crossed her arms, giving me a teasing look. "You came all the way here just to remind me about dinner?"

"Yep," I replied, trying not to sound too eager. "I know you’ve been working hard lately, and… well, I’d really like to take you out. I mean, it’s my turn to treat you."

She shook her head, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Sure." I grinned back.

She tilted her head, still smiling but clearly a little suspicious. "So, where are you taking me?"