Awkward Run-In

...📖 Chapter 3 – Awkward Run-In #1...

The universe had a twisted sense of humor.

That was the only explanation Naina could come up with as she balanced her oversized tote bag on one shoulder and sprinted down the metro station stairs. She was late—again—and the train was about to leave.

“Hold the door!” she shouted, her flats slapping against the concrete.

The sliding doors dinged a warning. A kind stranger shoved a hand between them to stall, and Naina flung herself inside just as the train lurched forward. Victory.

Except her tote bag had other plans. With a dramatic clatter, it hit the floor and spilled half its contents—lipsticks rolling like confetti across the crowded aisle.

Naina groaned, crouching to gather them before a kid tried using one as a crayon.

A hand appeared in front of her. Holding one of her lipsticks.

She looked up, ready to say thanks—then froze.

Of course.

Aarav Mehta, in all his smirking glory, leaned casually against the pole like fate had hired him as her personal tormentor.

“Ten shades of red,” he said, holding up the lipstick tube. “Are you planning a home renovation or just an identity crisis?”

Naina snatched it back, cheeks heating. “They’re different shades. You wouldn’t understand.”

“Oh, I understand.” His lips twitched. “Each one says: ‘Please notice me but don’t ask my real age.’”

She gasped. “You’re impossible.”

“True.” He shifted to make room as more commuters pushed in. The crowd forced them closer, shoulder to shoulder.

Naina clutched her bag tighter. “Don’t tell me you take this train every day.”

“Why? You planning your future routes around avoiding me?”

“Yes!”

A woman nearby snorted. An uncle on the other side of the aisle looked at them with blatant curiosity. “Newlyweds?” he asked, in Hindi.

Naina’s eyes went wide. “What? No! We’re not—”

“Yes,” Aarav cut in smoothly, deadpan. “Honeymoon phase. She’s still deciding which lipstick matches my aura.”

The uncle chuckled, nodding approvingly. “Good match.”

Naina elbowed Aarav sharply in the ribs. He winced but grinned at her expression—half mortification, half fury.

When the train finally screeched to a halt, Naina darted out with a muttered, “Goodbye, forever.”

Behind her, Aarav called out just loud enough for her to hear:

“See you tomorrow, Mrs. Honeymoon!”

She didn’t look back, but the traitorous curve of her lips gave her away.

... Awkward Run-In #2...

Naina had promised herself two things before walking into Tanya’s birthday party:

She would not check her phone every five minutes for her mom’s latest “eligible boy” WhatsApp forwards.

She would absolutely, under no circumstances, think about that disastrous coffee date ever again.

She was halfway through a glass of mango mojito when the doorbell rang and Tanya squealed, “Finally, he’s here!”

Naina didn’t pay attention—until Tanya came back dragging someone in by the wrist.

Her mojito nearly sloshed onto the carpet.

Aarav Mehta.

Of course.

He looked just as startled to see her, but unlike Naina, he recovered instantly, flashing his annoyingly calm smile.

“Well,” he said, grabbing a soda. “If it isn’t Mrs. Honeymoon.”

Naina choked on her drink. “Don’t. You. Dare.”

Tanya’s eyes sparkled as she glanced between them. “Wait… you two know each other?”

Before Naina could answer, Aarav said, “We’ve… met.”

“Met?” Tanya squealed. “You mean dated?”

Both of them shouted “NO!” in unison, which only made everyone nearby turn and laugh.

“Sure, sure,” someone teased. “Classic denial.”

Naina’s cheeks burned. She ducked into the snack table, pretending to study chips like they held the secrets of the universe. Aarav followed, clearly enjoying himself.

“So,” he murmured, reaching for the same nacho bowl she was holding. Their fingers brushed. “Should we tell them the truth?”

“That you’re insufferable?” she snapped.

“That you spilled coffee on me like some avant-garde performance art,” he countered.

Her glare could’ve melted steel.

Unfortunately for her, Tanya had already roped them into a game of charades.

“Couples versus couples!” she announced cheerfully. “And you two—perfect team.”

Naina opened her mouth to protest, but the crowd cheered too loudly. Aarav, traitor that he was, just smirked and gestured for her to join him.

The first word was “Titanic.” Aarav immediately spread his arms wide and pretended to be on a ship deck.

Naina, rolling her eyes, muttered, “If you think I’m standing in front of you and saying ‘I’m flying, Jack,’ you’re delusional.”

The group howled with laughter anyway. Someone yelled, “Cutest Rose and Jack ever!”

By the end of the round, they’d won. Against her will, Naina felt her lips twitching as Aarav bowed dramatically like he’d just received an Oscar.

“Admit it,” he said under his breath. “We make a good team.”

Naina sipped her drink and sniffed. “Don’t get used to it.”

But later, when Tanya leaned over and whispered, “You guys are adorable together,” Naina couldn’t quite muster the energy to deny it.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***