Devil's Bride

The Inner Conflicts

The afternoon sun bathed the garden in a golden glow, and Maya was sitting cross-legged on the grass, scribbling notes into her biology textbook. Ayaan lounged nearby on a patio chair, sipping his coffee and scrolling through his phone, stealing occasional glances at her.

“Why are you always studying?” he asked suddenly, setting his phone aside.

Maya looked up, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Because I want to become a doctor. It’s not like I have time to waste.”

Ayaan smirked. “You’re making me feel lazy just sitting here.”

“Well, maybe you should study too,” she teased.

“I’m past that stage, Maya.”

She tilted her head curiously. “By the way, how old are you?”

Ayaan raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by the sudden question. “Why do you want to know?”

“I’m just curious,” she said with a grin. “You seem so... grown-up.”

He hesitated for a moment before replying, “I’m thirty.”

Maya’s eyes widened in mock surprise, and then she burst into laughter. “Thirty?! That’s ancient!”

Ayaan’s brow furrowed. “Excuse me?”

“You’re almost double my age! Should I start calling you ‘uncle’ now?” she teased, her laughter ringing out like bells.

“Uncle?” he repeated, narrowing his eyes. “You’ve got some nerve, Maya.”

She stuck out her tongue playfully and sprang to her feet. “Come on, admit it. You’re old!”

Ayaan stood, his expression shifting into a mischievous grin. “You’re going to regret that.”

Maya squealed and took off running as Ayaan advanced toward her. “I was just joking!” she called over her shoulder, but her giggles betrayed her delight.

Ayaan was fast, though, and it wasn’t long before he closed the distance between them. “Got you now, Maya,” he said, his hand brushing her arm.

“Not yet!” she cried, twisting away and darting around the garden. Her laughter echoed in the air as Ayaan followed, his frustration turning into amusement.

“You’re only making this harder for yourself,” he warned, but he was smiling now, caught up in the moment.

Just as he reached out to grab her, they both froze at the sound of a loud voice.

“Stop this nonsense, you two!”

Ayaan turned to see his grandfather standing by the porch, his cane in one hand and an amused but stern expression on his face.

Maya quickly stepped back, her cheeks flushed from running and embarrassment. “I’m sorry, Grandpa,” she said, lowering her head.

Ayaan, however, folded his arms and shot his grandfather a look. “She called me ‘uncle.’ What was I supposed to do?”

His grandfather chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re thirty, Ayaan, not sixty. Don’t let her tease you.”

Maya grinned, emboldened by the old man’s words. “Thank you, Grandpa. See? Even he agrees!”

Ayaan groaned, but the corners of his mouth twitched. “You’re lucky he’s here, Maya. Otherwise, I wouldn’t let you off so easily.”

“Sure, Uncle,” she replied sweetly, skipping toward the porch.