I'd been waiting for this book for what felt like forever, and lucky me...I was the first one to get my hands on it. My inner self wouldn't stop giggling the moment I spotted my favorite series nestled among the shelves. I wanted to scream in sheer joy, but I had to contain myself. If I didn't, the library might actually ban me...and honestly, they're already on the verge of doing that, thanks to my constant bickering with the staff.
They just won't give me the books! I know...I know...that new releases don't magically appear the moment they're announced. But is it too much to ask for a timeframe? Just a hint? A morse code even? But no. Apparently, that's classified information.
Asking them for the information was just same as extracting the information from the secret agent one's caught.
And the worst part? They always acted surprised when I showed up every other day with hopeful eyes and a bag of cookies for bribery. I mean, if cookies don't work, what's the point of civilization?
Now, one of my friends worked there...and she would absolutely kill for a cookie, even a stale chunk of one. But the moment she stepped into that library? She transformed. I could offer her my entire property, three goats, and a Netflix subscription, she still wouldn't spill when the books were coming.
I once tried asking her outside the library...y'know, off the record...and she just said, dead serious: "That information is confidential."
Excuse me, ma'am. I'm not asking for the Coca-Cola formula or the launch codes. It's a book. Just tell me when it hits the shelf. But no...the dramatics. The secrecy. The betrayal.
And if she could kill me for a cookie… then honestly, I could kill her for the book.
I dramatically dropped the books on the table. One of the staff members, wearing square-rimmed glasses, lowered them and peered at me from over the frame. That judgy librarian look.
IGNORE.
Just like they ignored me the past twelve times I asked for this series.
Then my friend looked up...and boom, our eyes met. I gave her a grin that could melt glaciers. She laughed, rolled her eyes, and handed over the receipt. I snatched it like a trophy, raised it with exaggerated pride, and spun around.
And crash.
I bumped into someone so hard, I nearly dropped the universe. Balance lost and their goes my universe.
"Idiot," I muttered under my breath, bending down to rescue them. I opened my mouth to curse the clumsy human...and then froze.
Veer Mehra?
Am I not seeing this human everywhere? Literally everywhere and anywhere.
"Damn, I'm sorry," he said, rubbing his chest lightly. My face had basically collided with it. His voice was deep, husky...dangerously calm.
"No, I'm sorry," I mumbled, rubbing my temple, suddenly hyper-aware of how close we were. "I should've been more careful."
He knelt beside me, already helping pick up the books before I could even think straight. His fingers brushed mine as he handed one over. I nearly forgot to breathe.
His gaze lingered a second too long on the covers. His brows lifted just slightly. Was that… interest? Amusement?
But I didn't wait to find out. My brain had short-circuited, and the scent of him...something woody and sharp and warm...was messing with my already panicking nerves. I had already smelled this scent before.
"Thanks!" I squeaked, clutching the stack of books like a lifeline and bolting out of the library before I could embarrass myself further. My heart was racing like it had just run a marathon, and I was convinced my cheeks were giving off enough heat to start a fire.
God. His scent. That face. That tiny smile.I wasn't ready for that level of main character energy in the middle of a library.
And worst part? I ran. Like a literal idiot.
I rushed back home immediately. Throwing the books on my bed and opening the social media.
"Veer Mehra is supposedly to fly to our city by this morning. Apparently the deal which was supposed to take place in the previous city was postponed and shifted to the next one. We whole heartedly welcome him to our city."
Well aren't they coddling him up too much? Veer Mehra this Veer Mehra that.
One thing was for sure that he has not forgotten me. And I haven't forgotten him either.
Well I was busy searching up something very interesting that could ease the mind, something soothing that someone could enjoy.
"Dhruv it's me Anaira, so I have found this reasonable package that is offering a stable stay and good amount of enjoyment, so should I approve this one?"
"Of course, if it is reasonable and good, so why would I have complaints?" He spoke, somewhat excited.
"Done, well my begging changed your mind and I could not be more happier."
"Indeed, this shows how pushy you are, well I should hang up for now, I have some work to do."
Hanging up and rolling in my bed my phone buzzed again.
"Hello?"
"Anaira...listen, I'm in a rush so do one thing, I have this event to attend tomorrow, a competition basically, I won't be able to fill in for the place tomorrow and you do nothing but sit around and read your books, do me a favour and fill in the place for me...and I'm not asking but telling you. Some celebrities would be their, so you would also enjoy your time and I could also do this work of mine." Ritika blurted, well is this not an opportunity to grab?
"Date and time...of the books when they'll be available in the library." this deal seems fair.
"God Anaira...you dance on my nerves..."
"Well is this the librarian I am talking to or my friend?" I commented sarcastically.
"Fine...fine...I'll tell you everything and this is your friend talking, happy? Will you go now?"
"God, I'm loving this." I laughed. "Will do, but on one condition."
Pure silence and an eye roll I can sense.
"What now?"
"A crispy crunchy pancake and a chocolate shake on my table by tomorrow night."
"ANAIRA?"
God I forget sometimes she is elder then me.
"Fine...fine I'll go but I'll take this as my fees." I persuaded her and she was somewhat convinced.
"Fine...as long as you do not burn the place down." sarcasm I sensed.
"Oh please...I'm not that dramatic."
Click.
Little did I know, it would be chaotic tomorrow.
Everything was chaotically calm at the venue...No booming speakers, no screaming audience. Just a silent kind of rush...people slipping in and out of vanity vans, phones ringing in urgent whispers.
Maybe the event hadn't started yet.
"Miss Mathur?"
I turned on instinct. And of course, there he was.
Again.
Veer Mehra.
The Universe really needs to get a hobby.
"Surprised...aren't we?" His smirk was all teeth and confidence. The kind that knew it was charming.
"Mr. Mehra," I said with a sigh. "Aren't we bumping into each other a little too often? Starting to feel like it's not a coincidence."
His eyes lit up. "Or maybe coincidence knows a good match-up when it sees one."
Oh, please.
I crossed my arms. "You do realize not every girl is swooning over your alluring energy, right?"
"Alluring?"
"Look it up."
He chuckled softly, stepping a little closer...enough to make the air feel heavy with vanity and cologne. "Well, whether you like it or not, we're partners today. Just got the list from the organizers. You and me."
Wait. What?
"You're kidding."
"Nope." He pulled out his phone and flashed the pairing list. "Partners in crime. Or mime. Depending on how terrible you are at gestures, strength, stamina..."
I blinked. "There's got to be a mistake."
"There's not." His smirk grew. "You don't look like the type to back out."
I clenched my jaw. "Fine. But just so we're clear, I'm here under duress. Bribery was involved. Blackmail too, probably."
"Then...ready?" he said
"No." I said loud enough to make him hear clear.
"Okay then, let's win this together." He half jokingly said and gestured me to come inside.
"So we welcome you all here to see your favourite celebrities showcasing and flaunting their talent even more, the one who already had stole your heart will steal your heart even more, please welcome, the guest of tonight, Ira Singhal, the CEO of Beuotic, the cosmetic trusted company, Aarav Sethi the all time loved actor, Yuvaan Bedi the famous architect of our generation, Aarya Khanna, the national crush of our country and last but not the least, the all in one, only one, Veer Mehra."
Well now I knew why everything was so calm just some time before, because the storm that this anchor has brought by saying the celebs name is just too much to take.
I just stood their...my hands following the rhythm of clapping and I started clapping too. Flashy clothes, disco lights, loud music and last but not the least audience hooting, my ears were practically begging them to stop making so much, only if I could let my intrusive thoughts win and just grab anchor and shout at the top of my lungs to shut them up, but these were the intrusive thoughts I had, I could do nothing.
All the celebrities came up on the stage waving their hands and some even blowing kisses, little did I know, they all were very humble, but in front of camera only, the back story was whole lot different.
I kept clapping, half-heartedly now, trying not to let the flashing lights blind me. And then I saw Veer again...on stage...holding the mic, effortlessly stealing attention like he was born for it.
"Thank you for the warm welcome," he said, voice calm and collected. "We're thrilled to be here and can't wait to see the talent that's about to unfold. Also, shoutout to my partner today… Anaira Mathur."His eyes found mine in the crowd. I froze.What the—People actually turned to look at me. Some smiled, others whispered. A spotlight hovered dangerously close to my face.
"Kill me," I muttered. "Someone just kill me."
"Or I could push you on stage?" came a whisper beside me.
Ritika.She was smug. Very smug. And holding a giant chocolate shake."I brought your bribe," she smirked. "Now go be charming, partner of the hour."
Before I could throttle her, a crew member came running over with a clipboard. "Miss Mathur? You're up in ten minutes. Pair activity...coordinated performance. We've got the costumes ready backstage. This way."
Costumes? PERFORMANCE?
"Wait wait wait—what kind of performance?"
But she was already dragging me away by the elbow like I was her rag doll. I shot Ritika a death glare. She waved, sipping my shake.
A blur of foundation, sequins, and chaos surrounded me. Someone shoved a glittery jacket into my arms. Another person tied my hair back like I was about to enter a boxing ring instead of a talent event.
Then came Veer, in all his smug glory.He was already in costume...black shirt, rolled-up sleeves, and a look that said "I'm too hot to function.""You look... stunned," he said."Costume. Sparkles. Forced performance. Yeah, stunned is the word."
He chuckled. "Don't worry. We just fake confidence and pretend like we're in a music video.""Oh, perfect," I groaned. "What's the worst that could happen?"
And to my surprise, worse was about to happen.
Fifteen minutes later, on stage:
Turns out the was me almost slipping on stage and grabbing Veer's arm like it was a lifeline.The lights hit us. The music started.It was a synchronized game...gesture-based communication, kind of like dumb charades meets musical chairs on steroids. We had to act out prompts while the crowd guessed. Fun, right?
Either we both were dumb to act or audience was dumb to understand.
I got "heartbreak in a grocery store.""Are you serious?" I hissed."Come on, Anaira. Let's go," Veer whispered.So I mimed grabbing bread, then dramatically crying into a shopping cart.And he...he actually acted like the bread had rejected him.The crowd lost it.
Cheers, laughter, hooting everything mixed when we heard them, one thing was for sure that they were enjoying a little to much, I laughed out loud.
It was the time to announce the winner and every pair came on the stage, the voting was live and it was all on audience to decide. 15 minutes break and all votes were counted.
"The winner of this event is..." A damn full 5 minute pause "Veer Mehra and Anaira Mathur..."
A full blown confetti straight bombarded our face, cheers getting louder and louder by the minute and we both exchanged the looks, he was all smile, a warm one and this was the one I could actually endure it. We both moved closer and all of a sudden I felt his hands wrapping around me.
"I'm sorry, but it would be awkward if I wouldn't hug you." He said nestling his face in my shoulder.
Too stunned to speak I lightly patted his back.
As he pulled away from the hug, his hand lingered at my waist for a second too long, fingers brushing lightly against the sequins on my jacket. "You've got glitter in your hair," he murmured, gently tucking a strand behind my ear.
My heart might've skipped a beat. Or five.
Removing the confetti from his clothes, we all came to back stage.
The crowd was buzzing. Paparazzi flashes went off. Veer was pulled aside for photos. I stood to the side, finally breathing like a normal human again.
"You're trending," Ritika said, shoving her phone in my face."Excuse me?"
"Look."And there it was—#VeerAndMysteryGirlA video of our act. Zoomed in, slowed down, over-edited, and captioned like we were a thing."I. Will. Vanish," I whispered."Nope. Too late. You're a meme now. Look—someone added sparkles to your face and called you 'His Bookstore Muse.'"
I was halfway through deleting all my social media when a voice came from behind me.
"You did great," Veer said. "Didn't take you for a performer."
"I'm not. This was blackmail."
He smiled, softer this time. "Still... you handled it well. Even the bread heartbreak."
"Hahh" I laughed just to hide that I was embarrassed.
"Still... you handled it well. Even the bread heartbreak."
"You keep bringing that up and I swear, I'll throw a loaf at you next time."
He laughed again, that low, warm sound curling into my chest. "Deal. But only if you promise to sit beside me and explain your favorite book while you do."
My breath caught...just slightly. And maybe... just maybe, I didn't hate the idea.