Lucky To Have You

True self

After a moment, he looked at me, his eyes serious but kind. “Look, Ananya, I know this situation is… odd, and I’m not trying to make it harder on you.

I just want to make sure we’re both on the same page. This month… it doesn’t have to be just for me to get to know you. I want you to feel like you have a say too.”

I looked up at him, surprised by his sincerity. “Thank you, Varun. That actually means a lot to me. I wasn’t sure if you’d care.”

He shook his head slightly. “Of course, I care. If we’re going to decide on something as big as this, I want us both to feel sure.”

I took a deep breath, letting his words sink in. This was a side of him I hadn’t expected—a side that made me think maybe there was more to him than just “Mr. Attitude.”

And maybe, just maybe, this month wouldn’t be so bad after all.

With a small smile, I looked up at him. “Maybe we’ll survive this month.”

His smirk returned. “Oh, you’ll survive. Whether I will with you calling me Mr. Attitude every chance you get? That’s another story.”

We shared a smile, a hint of a challenge dancing between us. As he walked me back to my room, I realized this might be the beginning of something more than just a month-long arrangement.

The next morning,

I woke up to the smell of fresh coffee and something sizzling in the kitchen. For a second, I had to remind myself where I was—not in my own room, not in my parents’ home, but here, in Varun’s family house.

I got dressed quickly, taking a deep breath as I went downstairs, wondering if I’d run into Varun after our little midnight conversation.

As I reached the kitchen, I found Shweta and Varun’s mother, Nitika, moving around the stove, chatting easily as they prepared breakfast.

They looked up as I entered, Nitika greeting me with a warm smile.

“Good morning, Ananya! I hope you slept well,” she said, handing me a mug of tea.

I returned her smile. “I did, thank you. The room is lovely.”

“Oh, I’m so glad,” she said, giving me a motherly pat on the shoulder.

“And don’t worry, we won’t let you feel like a guest for too long. You’ll be part of the family in no time.”

Her words comforted me, but at the same time, they reminded me of the pressure of this entire arrangement.

I couldn’t let myself get too swept away just yet. But as I sipped my tea, I realized I was enjoying being here more than I’d expected.

---

Later that day, Varun and I found ourselves in the living room with his nephew, Kiyansh, who was eagerly trying to drag us both outside.

Apparently, the little bundle of energy had decided we were going to play hide-and-seek, and there was no talking him out of it.

“Come on, Dii! You have to hide with me, so Varun Bhaiya can’t find us!” he declared, tugging at my hand with an infectious grin.

Varun crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow at me. “You’re taking Kiyansh’s side already?”

I laughed. “He’s more convincing than you are, Mr. Attitude.”

Varun shot me a playful glare, but I noticed the hint of a smile on his face. “Alright, go hide. But you two don’t stand a chance against me.”

With a giggle, Kiyansh pulled me towards the backyard, and we quickly ducked behind a large tree. The moment felt carefree, lighthearted, like something I hadn’t felt in a long time.

I peeked around the tree, watching Varun pretend to search for us with exaggerated slowness.

“There’s no way you’re getting away from me,” he called out, his tone playful. “I know all the hiding spots.”

Kiyansh squealed, and I had to cover his mouth to keep him from giving us away. The little boy’s eyes sparkled with excitement, and I couldn’t help but laugh with him.

When Varun finally “found” us, he lifted Kiyansh up in his arms, making him laugh even harder. Then he turned his gaze on me, his eyes warm and a little mischievous.

“Looks like I found both of you.”

Something about the way he looked at me, his usual guarded expression softened, made my heart skip a beat. I quickly looked away, not wanting to read too much into it.