Chapter 4: The Dinner Party Disaster
The Malhotra household was a sensory overload of marigolds, the smell of slow-cooked biryani, and the high-pitched chatter of neighborhood "Aunties."
Meera stood in front of her mirror, debating between a simple kurti and the fancy silk dress her mother had practically shoved her into.
"It's just Ishaan," she told her reflection, aggressively applying kajal. "The same Ishaan who once put a lizard in your pencil box. You are not dressing up for him."
She ended up wearing the silk dress.
When she walked across the shared lawn to the Malhotras', the first person she saw was Ishaan. He was standing by the drinks table, looking infuriatingly handsome in a navy blue Nehru jacket.
He caught her eye and stopped mid-sentence. His gaze traveled from her toes to her pinned-back hair, and for a second, the bustling room went silent in Meera's head.
"Meeru," he breathed, walking over. "You look... you don't look like a bird's nest today."
"And you don't look like a sweaty gym rat," she snapped back, though her cheeks were heating up. "Is that cologne? Trying to impress the Aunties, Doctor Sahab?"
"Just one in particular," he teased, leaning down so his lips were inches from her ear. "But she's too busy insulting my fashion sense to notice."
Before Meera could retort, Mrs. Khanna (Ananya's mom) clapped her hands for attention.
"Attention, everyone! Since our Ananya is back from London to start her massive tech project, I thought we should have a toast!"
Meera looked at Ananya, who was standing in the corner looking like she wanted the earth to swallow her whole. The lie was about to explode.
"Wait!" Meera shouted, a little too loudly. Everyone turned. Ishaan grabbed a glass of juice and stood beside her, his hand subtly resting on the small of her back—a warm, grounding weight.
"Actually," Meera scrambled for a cover-up, "Ananya can't talk about the project yet. Non-disclosure agreements! Very high-level London stuff. If she speaks, she could... get sued for billions."
Ananya shot Meera a look of pure gratitude. Ishaan squeezed Meera's waist slightly, a silent 'nice save' that sent a million butterflies riotously through her stomach.
"Billions?" Mrs. Sharma whispered, impressed.
"Trillions, actually," Ishaan added smoothly, jumping into the lie. "In fact, she's so busy, she probably needs a personal architect to help design the secret headquarters. Right, Meera?"
Meera choked on her drink. Was Ishaan seriously trying to get her a job while saving Ananya's reputation?
"Oh! A collaboration!" the Aunties squealed.
Under the table, away from the prying eyes of their parents, Ishaan's hand found Meera's. He laced his fingers through hers, his grip firm and protective.
"We're in this together now, Meeru," he whispered. "The trio is back."
[Author's Note: OMG the hand-holding! 😭 Is Ishaan just being a good friend, or is he finally making a move? And will the "NDA" lie hold up? Don't forget to vote and comment! ⭐]