Author's POV — The Walk Back & Teasing Kabir
The café incident had ended—or at least, the "official date" had. Rhea was safely dropped off, waving cheerfully at her friends who had, of course, followed the chaos like vultures.
Kabir, Neel, Samar, and Yuhan walked back together, the city streets echoing with their banter. And of course, the teasing began immediately.
Samar grinned wickedly. "So… how was it? Seeing her with someone else? Feeling a tiny pinch of jealousy, maybe?"
Neel laughed. "Oh yeah, Kabir! You should finally tell her how you feel. Who knows? Someone else might approach her next time. And what if they're not as nice as Ekanth?"
Kabir's jaw tightened slightly. "I… didn't—"
"Shhh," Yuhan cut in, his voice low, teasing but serious. "We're just saying… it's about time you step up. You like her, don't deny it. The world isn't waiting forever, you know."
Samar jumped in again, grinning. "Yeah! Or maybe you've already confessed in your head. That counts too, right?"
Kabir stayed silent, shoulders stiff, trying to look calm. But the quiet intensity radiating off him betrayed everything. Every word, every poke, every teasing comment from his friends made it painfully obvious: he cared. Too much.
They laughed, jeered, and nudged him, but Kabir's mind wasn't on the jokes. It was on her—the way she had smiled, the way she had twisted her words, the small spark of tension when their eyes met.
And as they continued walking, the city lights flickering above them, one thing became clear: the teasing could go on endlessly, the jokes could get darker, the warnings could pile up…
But Kabir's heart knew the truth.
It was only a matter of time before he'd have to say it. Before the chaos, the teasing, the laughter… before anything else—he'd have to confess.
And maybe, just maybe, he didn't want to wait any longer.
Kabir's POV — Confession Chaos
It was supposed to be simple.
Library visit. Quiet. Books. Maybe a café afterwards.
I had twisted it just enough that she'd think it was harmless. And she had agreed. Cute, innocent, unaware. She even dressed… adorable. Seriously, every little curl, the way her hair bounced when she walked, the soft colors of her outfit—it was enough to make my chest tighten and my brain go static.
The café should have been quiet. It should have been perfect.
And it was—except she kept insisting we call the others. I… didn't want to. Not today. I wanted to finally… finally confess.
Every time I tried to start, something interrupted. A ringing phone. A text. A waiter. Fate, apparently, was determined to torment me.
Finally, as the sun dipped low, I walked her home. Still far apart, just a few feet… then a motorbike roared past, too close. My instincts—automatic—kicked in.
I grabbed her, pulled her to the side, heart hammering. She froze, wide-eyed, caught completely off guard.
I exhaled. "Rhea… I…" My voice was low, hesitant. Hesitant because suddenly, all my emotions were raw, uncontrollable, and terrifying.
"I… I have loved you since the first day I met you." My throat tightened. "I didn't know how… at first I thought it was just a crush, but… slowly, I realized it wasn't. It's never been just a crush."
Her smile… her eyes… everything softened my tension. She was listening. And then, she hugged me tightly.
"I like you too," she whispered.
Relief, pure and overwhelming, surged through me. I pulled her closer, spinning her slightly as we laughed nervously, caught in that perfect, chaotic moment.
And then… they appeared.
Samar. Neel. Yuhan. Exactly where they came from, I had no idea. Somehow, they had been following us, probably hiding in shadows, probably laughing silently the whole time.
I froze. "How… how did you—?"
Samar just grinned and showed his phone. "Bro… you messaged in the group chat. Not her. You're doomed."
Neel added casually, "And her brother knows too."
The air went thick. The adrenaline from confessing mixed with instant panic.
I should have been angry. I should have yelled. I wanted to.
Instead… I laughed. A dry, slightly defeated laugh.
Rhea looked at me, wide-eyed. I shrugged. "Well… at least they know now?"
She giggled nervously.
Samar and Neel were still grinning, clearly enjoying the chaos they'd caused. Yuhan's expression was unreadable, but I could feel the silent judgment.
And yet… in the middle of all this, I realized something.
I had confessed.
She liked me.
Everything else… was just… noise.
I grabbed her hand instinctively, squeezing it lightly. "Ignore them," I muttered, almost to myself.
And maybe, just maybe, I couldn't stop laughing a little as chaos swirled around us. Because for the first time, I felt like… finally, something in my life was right.
Rhea's POV — Home Chaos, Kabir Absent, Only Brother Karthik
I walked into the house, still buzzing from the day's confession, only to be immediately ambushed by Karthik.
"Rhea! Rhea! Look at this!" he shouted, waving his phone like he had just uncovered a treasure map.
Mumma and Papa looked up. Of course. Nothing ever escaped their notice.
"What is it, beta?" Mumma asked, trying to sound calm but failing spectacularly. Her eyes were sparkling with amusement.
Papa leaned over, peering at the phone. "Kabir, huh? Good boy, good boy. Seems like someone has your heart!"
Karthik grinned wickedly. "Mumma, Papa… I've even started counting their children!"
I froze. "Wait… what?!"
He began wagging his fingers dramatically. "First one… Kabir Junior! Second one… Rhea Mini! Third… maybe twins! Haha!"
I groaned loudly, burying my face in my hands. Seriously? Indian parents. And Karthik—he thinks he's hilarious.
Mumma laughed and patted my head. "Beta… it's not that we don't trust you or Kabir, but you're still in school. Focus on your studies first, okay?"
Papa added, wagging a finger at me with mock severity, "Yes, yes. Studies first, love story second! Understand?"
Karthik wasn't done. He leaned closer, whispering loudly, "Just make sure he treats you well! And don't forget to bring the grandchildren on time!"
Dinner turned into complete chaos.
Mumma and Papa bickering softly about who cooked better, who ate faster, who didn't finish their raita.
Karthik counting invisible children, assigning ridiculous names like "Kabir Junior" and "Rhea Mini," and laughing hysterically.
Me, trying to eat and survive the teasing without exploding.
I glanced at the empty chair across the table. Kabir should have been here to witness this madness—but of course, he wasn't. Somehow, Karthik's antics felt even worse without Kabir's presence.
At one point, Karthik leaned toward me, whispering conspiratorially, "If Kabir messes up, I'll invent even more children and assign them to him!"
I groaned again, my parents chuckling, Karthik laughing, and me shaking my head, simultaneously embarrassed and amused.
And as the evening continued with ridiculous teasing, laughter, and family chaos, I realized…
Life was loud, messy, over-the-top, and utterly impossible.
But this circus—just Karthik, Mumma, Papa, and me—was mine.
Even without Kabir here, I couldn't stop smiling.
Because one day… he would have to survive all of this. And I knew I'd secretly enjoy watching him try.