Kaira’s POV
We were cramped inside Raj’s car, and Aaru had been shouting non-stop for the last half hour. To be fair, she wasn’t wrong. Today was my brother’s mehndi, and instead of being home, we were sneaking off to the market.
The reason? My bangles.
I had forgotten to pack the matching ones for my wedding-day outfit, and since we were in Jaipur, we couldn’t risk waiting till tomorrow. Tomorrow was the wedding itself—no chance of slipping away. My bhabhi was Raj’s elder sister, which meant Raj was stuck with us. He was furious, but he still drove, because both Aaru and I had henna on our hands and… well, let’s just say our driving skills weren’t exactly trustworthy.
The scariest part? Bhaiya had no idea about this. If he found out, Raj and Aaru were dead. Not me, of course. I was safe. He could never actually scold me. Luckily, for now, Bhaiya was too busy with Bhabhi to notice our absence.
After a ten-minute ride, we finally reached Tripolia Market, Jaipur’s most famous lane for bangles. Aaru hurried off to buy something Mumma had asked her to bring, while I started searching for my bangles.
I finally spotted them on a small stall. The exact match to my lehenga. Relief washed over me—until I saw someone else holding them.
Not just someone.
A tall man in formals—blue shirt, sleeves rolled to his elbows, veins running down his strong hands. Grey trousers, a Rolex glinting on his wrist, brown curls catching the fading sunlight. He looked nothing like a shopkeeper. He looked… unreal.
And he was holding my bangles.
I reached out at the same time, my hand brushing his.
“Excuse me,” a deep, husky voice said.
“You’re excused,” I muttered, still staring at the bangles. But the moment I lifted my eyes, I froze.
It was him.
Reyansh’s POV
It was 6 p.m. by the time my meeting with Mr. Singhania ended. Since I had my school friend’s wedding tomorrow, I wanted to clear my schedule today. My baby sister had asked me to pick up some bangles from Tripolia Market, so I drove straight there.
I found a stall and spotted the exact bangles she wanted. I paid the shopkeeper, but he went off to get change, leaving me holding them.
That’s when I felt another hand reaching for the same pair.
“Excuse me,” I said firmly.
Then my eyes met hers.
And just like that, everything else faded—the noise, the crowd, the honking traffic. All of it went silent, as if the world itself had paused to let me take her in.
I had seen beautiful women before, but none of them had ever made my heartbeat stumble like this. She wasn’t just pretty—she was breathtaking.
She wore a bright green lehenga, heavily embroidered, her hands painted with mehndi. Small golden earrings glimmered under the lights, her soft curls framed her delicate face, and her glossy pink lips curved into the faintest smile. A tiny bindi sat perfectly between her brows. She wasn’t trying to draw attention, but she did anyway—effortlessly.
I wasn’t someone who cared much for women, but her… she was different.
Then her voice cut through my thoughts, soft and sweet: “You’re excused.”
Our eyes locked. Big, brown, enchanting eyes that made my world still. I could’ve stared forever. But she broke the moment with one word that nearly killed me.
“Bhaiya.”
Bhaiya?
Of all the words in the world, she had to call me that? I almost choked. Me—bhaiya? If it were anyone else, I’d let it go. But coming from her? No.
“I think you—” I started, but she interrupted.
“Bhaiya, ye chudiya dedo. Jaldi se. Mujhe late ho raha hai.”
(Brother, give me these bangles fast. I’m getting late.)
I tried again. “But listen—”
“Bhaiya! Kya kar rahe ho? Jaldi karo. Ek kaam karo—mujhe pehna do. Waise bhi main haathon mein le ja nahi paungi.”
(Brother! What are you doing? Hurry up. Do one thing—make me wear them. Anyway, I can’t carry them with mehndi on my hands.)
Her request should have irritated me. But instead, I welcomed it. I didn’t want to miss the chance. Carefully, one by one, I slipped the bangles onto her wrists, my fingers brushing her soft skin. She looked away shyly, and for a moment, it felt like the world belonged only to us.
Until a voice cut in, snapping the spell.
“Kii, let’s go. Jiju is calling. Aaru is already in the car.”
Some guy had walked up and placed his hand on her shoulder. My chest tightened instantly, an ugly wave of irritation rising inside me. Who was he? And why was he touching her like that? I didn’t like it. Not one bit.
Kaira’s POV
He was still making me wear the bangles when Raj appeared, ruining everything.
“Kii, let’s go! Bhaiya is calling. Aaru is already in the car,” Raj said, tugging my arm.
“Okay, but pay him for the bangles first,” I said, pointing towards him.
Raj glanced at him and muttered, half in disbelief, “This guy? The shopkeeper?” He looked almost stunned that someone so handsome could be selling bangles.
“Yes, him.”
Raj shrugged, pulled out cash, and handed it over before dragging me away.
As we walked, I could feel his eyes on me. I didn’t need to turn to know he was watching. But I did anyway.
And when I glanced back, I caught him staring—his face unreadable, serious, almost tense. My heart skipped. I didn’t know why, but the moment felt heavy, like it meant something.
I slipped into the car, and Raj started the engine. Still, I could feel it—the weight of his gaze lingering even as we drove away.
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