Our Secret Love

6. A Glimpse Beyond the Facade

Aarav Kapoor couldn’t remember the last time he felt this out of his element. He was used to structure, to knowing what came next. But as he drove home that night, he found his mind constantly drifting back to Kiara—her laughter, her confidence, the spark in her eyes when she talked about her favorite books. She was nothing like the women he’d dated before; with her, there was no pretense, no airs, no games. Just pure, unapologetic energy.

When he got home, Aarav slumped onto his couch, running a hand through his hair as he replayed their day together. She was a walking contradiction—one moment soft and thoughtful, the next, feisty and challenging. And that bookstore… Aarav smirked at the memory of her trying to keep a straight face while explaining her choice of romance novels.

"Who would've thought she’d have such a bold side?" he muttered to himself, chuckling.

Grabbing his phone, he opened their chat, scrolling up through their previous messages. They hadn’t talked much before today, just the usual pleasantries exchanged when they’d run into each other. But tonight, he felt the urge to reach out, to keep the conversation going.

But what would he even say? Part of him wanted to tease her about the book she’d bought, while another part—a part he wasn’t sure he wanted to acknowledge—was genuinely curious to know what it was that made her love those stories so much.

Finally, he typed out a message, letting his fingers do the thinking.

Aarav: So, how’s the book?

He hit send, feeling a bit foolish, but his phone buzzed almost immediately.

Kiara: Already trying to steal my reading list? Thought you’d be too serious for this kind of story.

Aarav: Who said I wasn’t serious about romance?

Kiara: Ha! Right. Maybe there’s a romantic hidden behind all that brooding energy.

Aarav couldn’t help but laugh. He was aware of his reputation for being reserved and a little too serious, especially when it came to relationships. But Kiara… well, she seemed to bring out a different side of him, one that he wasn’t used to but found himself enjoying.

The conversation continued well into the night, with her sharing bits about her favorite books and him trying to match her sass. Somewhere between the teasing, the flirtation, and the honest exchange, he realized he was genuinely invested. It wasn’t just a passing interest anymore—he wanted to know more about her, to uncover the layers she kept guarded beneath her playful demeanor.

---

The next morning, Aarav’s alarm jolted him awake far too early, a stark reminder that he was still a lawyer with a packed day ahead. As he showered and dressed, he caught himself thinking about Kiara’s laughter, her eyes lighting up when she talked about her favorite characters, the soft blush that crept onto her cheeks when she’d held up that book in the bookstore.

When he arrived at his office, his best friend and colleague, Arjun, was already at his desk, casually scrolling through his phone. Arjun looked up as Aarav walked in, raising an eyebrow.

“Late night, huh?” Arjun remarked with a grin. “I bet it has something to do with Kiara?”

Aarav rolled his eyes but couldn’t entirely keep the smile off his face. “Don’t start, Arjun.”

“Oh, come on!” Arjun leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “I haven’t seen you this distracted since law school. So… tell me—what’s going on with you and Kiara?

Aarav tried to brush it off, but he could see the amusement in Arjun’s face as he continued.

"Just admit it, yaar," Arjun teased, leaning back in his chair with a knowing smirk. "I can practically see you replaying yesterday in your head. So? What’s happening with you two?”

Aarav hesitated, unsure how much he wanted to share, but he knew Arjun wouldn’t let it go. “Honestly? I’m not even sure myself,” Aarav finally admitted. “She’s just… different. I've never met anyone like her."

Arjun grinned, leaning back in his chair with a look of satisfaction. “Different? As in…?”

“As in… she’s not interested in the whole ‘serious businessman’ image,” Aarav admitted, feeling an unusual vulnerability creep in. “She’s the opposite of that. She’s spontaneous, a bit wild, and… she loves romance novels.”

“Romance novels?” Arjun laughed, clearly amused. “Wow. So she’s a dreamer, huh? You, my friend, are in deep.”

Aarav couldn’t argue with that. “Maybe. She’s just… interesting,” he said, struggling to put his feelings into words. “I don’t know. I feel like there’s something there.”

Arjun smirked, clearly enjoying every bit of Aarav’s discomfort. “Well, my advice? Don’t let her slip through your fingers. Someone like that… you don’t find every day.”

Aarav knew Arjun was right. And as the day went on, between meetings and stacks of paperwork, he found his mind wandering back to her—to the laughter, the bookstore, the way she challenged him without even trying.

---

Later that evening, Aarav found himself at his family’s house for dinner. As expected, his mother, Meera Mehta, wasted no time in bringing up her favorite topic: his future.

“Aarav beta, it’s high time you settle down,” she said as they sat around the table, passing dishes and sharing stories. “You’re not getting any younger, and I’ve already told the aunties that I’ll have news to share soon!”

Aarav rolled his eyes, but a small smile tugged at his lips. “Maa, I’m not exactly ancient.”

“That’s not the point,” she insisted, her tone gentle but firm. “You need a good partner, someone who understands you.”

He hesitated, Kiara’s face flashing through his mind. “Actually… there is someone,” he said slowly, surprising even himself with the confession.

The table fell silent, and his sister, Maya, who’d been quietly observing, broke into a grin. “Oh, really? Who is she?”

He cleared his throat, feeling uncharacteristically shy under their curious gazes. “Her name is Kiara. She’s a friend… someone I met recently. She’s different, but I think I like her.”

His mother’s eyes softened, and she reached across the table to squeeze his hand. “Aarav, you’ve always done things your own way, and I’m proud of that. If she makes you happy, that’s all that matters.”

Maya chimed in with a playful smile. “Bring her over sometime, bhai. We’ll give her the Mehta family welcome.”

Aarav chuckled, though he felt a nervous thrill at the thought of introducing Kiara to his family. But something told him she’d be able to handle it, maybe even charm them in her own way.

As the night wore on, Aarav felt a growing sense of excitement and anticipation. He couldn’t deny that he wanted Kiara to be a part of his world, to share his life with her. And for the first time, he felt ready to let someone in—to take a chance on love.