Celestial Bond

3

Sita🌻

I sat in the café, my heart pounding as I waited for the stranger I had texted to meet me at Steamy Beans. My leg bounced restlessly under the table, and I glanced at my watch—5:30, right on time. A quick look across the room showed Arjun and our friends sitting at a distance.

Arjun caught my eye, silently reassuring me that everything would be fine. He wanted me to face this situation alone, but he promised to step in the second things went sideways.

I glanced at Divya, my best friend, and her boyfriend, who is also Satish's girlfriend. They were trying to stay inconspicuous—one hiding behind sunglasses, the other buried in a book. The rest of the group sat with their backs to me, pretending not to watch.

Suddenly, my phone lit up. I answered, and Arjun's voice came through, calm but firm.

"Don't be scared. He'll show up. Keep the call on, place it face down on the table."

"Okay," I whispered.

"If anything happens, I'll be in front of you before you even blink."

I nodded, stealing another glance in his direction. Then I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned to see a man standing there, hazel eyes gleaming and a wide smile on his face.

I placed the phone on the table without ending the call.

"Didn't expect you'd show up, honey," the guy said smoothly, sliding into the seat across from me.

I shot him a glare at the word "honey."

"Don't call me that, Mr.—" I paused, waiting for him to fill in the blank.

"Siddharth to most people, but you can call me Sid," he replied with a sly grin.

I rolled my eyes, unwilling to engage in his games. "Alright Siddharth," I stressed his full name, making it clear I wasn't interested in his familiarity. "Let's skip the small talk. How did you get my number, and why on earth did you send me those creepy messages?"

A smirk tugged at his lips as he stared at me, unblinking, despite my raised voice.

"I sent out a Google form in your class group for a guest lecture," he said calmly as if that explained everything. "That's how I got your number and name. And as for those messages, they weren't creepy. They were just my honest feelings for you. I've missed you these last three days, and it feels amazing to finally talk to you after craving it for a month."

I froze, completely speechless. This guy had been watching me for a month, and I had no clue.

He reached out, attempting to touch my hand, but I pulled back instantly before he could.

"Hey, Situ," he said softly, as if trying to calm me. "Don't be scared. I'm not dangerous. This is why I haven't shown you my face. You know, you looked so beautiful at the fresher's party. I couldn't take my eyes off you—when you were laughing with your friends, sneaking cake and sweets from the buffet, and giving them to the kids outside. I fell for you right then."

"But I didn't fall for you," I said firmly, my voice cold. "And I don't know you at all. It would be best if you stopped contacting me. I'd appreciate it if you stopped following me, too."

"That won't be an issue at all. You'll get to know me, and I'm sure you'll fall for me once you do. Just go on a few dates with me, and decide then," Siddharth said, sounding more desperate than confident. "I'm leaving college soon for a program abroad, but we can make it work—long distance or whatever. I know you're not in a relationship, Sita. All I'm asking for is one chance."

"Who told you I'm not in a relationship?" I asked, crossing my arms.

He leaned back casually like he already had an answer ready. "I've been watching you for a month. All you do is go to class, head back to your hostel, and sometimes hang out with friends. I haven't seen you talking to any other guys, except your friends, and they're all in relationships. So, that makes you single."