[Clack clack]

The soft, rhythmic sound of pages flipping filled the old library. Dust motes floated lazily through the shafts of golden afternoon light, and somewhere in the back, a ceiling fan spun with a faint, tired [whirr].

Aanya tapped her fingers against the wooden desk, her sneakers bouncing lightly against the floor. Her nerves were practically buzzing—an energy she was trying to mask with fake calm.

Across from her, Pradeep scribbled formulas into his notebook, the pen gliding with a [scratch scratch] sound. His face was set in complete focus, a slight crease forming between his brows.

Finally, Aanya couldn't take it anymore.

"You want me to what?" Pradeep said, looking up, his pen frozen midair like he wasn't sure if he heard her correctly.

"Just pretend," Aanya whispered urgently, leaning closer. "One evening. Sit next to me. Look charming. Laugh at my jokes even if they're awful."

He leaned back in his chair with a [creak], studying her like she was suggesting a felony.
"Define pretend," he said cautiously. "Like... holding hands? Posting fake couple selfies? Planning baby names?"

Aanya rolled her eyes dramatically. "Please. Just basic stuff. Laugh. Smile. Be your mildly tolerable self."

He smirked—that smirk—the one that made people underestimate how sharp he actually was.
"You're asking me to lie for you."

"I'm asking you to act," she corrected with mock seriousness. "It's for the plot."

Pradeep drummed his fingers against the desk, pretending to weigh his options.
"Payment?"

Aanya blinked. "Excuse me?"

He shrugged casually. "Nobody fakes boyfriend duties for free these days."

From the corner, Mira—Aanya's sister and full-time troublemaker—snorted loudly. [Pop!] Her chewing gum snapped like a firecracker.

Aanya turned and glared at her. Mira just grinned and said, "Offer him snacks! Works every time."

Aanya groaned but faced Pradeep again, putting on her best bargaining face. "Okay. Coffee and a muffin. My treat."

Pradeep tapped his chin, milking the moment. "Two muffins. Final offer."

She narrowed her eyes. "You drive a hard bargain, Sharma."

He leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping just enough to make her heartbeat hitch. "I'm worth it."

Before her brain could short-circuit, she stuck out her hand. [Shake shake]
"Deal."

He shook it, his touch warm and steady—nothing extraordinary, and yet somehow, the room felt a few degrees warmer.

[Ping]

Aanya's phone buzzed violently on the desk. She flipped it over to see a message from Satiya:

Can't wait to meet you and your BOYFRIEND!! 💖

Pradeep caught a glimpse of the text and let out a low laugh, the kind that always made it feel like they were in on a joke nobody else understood.

"Guess I'm officially hired," he said, throwing his notebook into his bag with a loud [zip].

"For the muffins," Aanya teased, stuffing her books into her backpack with one hand.

"For the chaos," he corrected under his breath.

As they moved toward the exit, Mira couldn't resist tossing another grenade. "Good luck surviving her!" she called out, [snicker snicker] muffled behind her hand.

"Thanks," Pradeep said dryly. "I'll need it."

The heavy library doors groaned as they pushed them open. [Creak clank]

Outside, the late afternoon sun poured over everything in a soft, honeyed glow. The city hummed around them—distant horns, hawkers shouting, the occasional [chirp] of birds hidden among trees.

Aanya pulled out her phone.

[Ping]

Another text from Satiya:

When and where?

Without hesitating, Aanya typed:

Tomorrow. Café Vibe. 6 PM. Be ready to see the happiest fake couple ever.

She shoved her phone into her pocket, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness battling in her chest. She snuck a glance at Pradeep walking beside her, hands casually tucked into his pockets, completely at ease.

"So," he said, cocking an eyebrow. "We have rules, right?"

"Rules?" she echoed.

"No real feelings. No jealousy. No... weird clinginess," he said, counting them off on his fingers.

She laughed. [Ha!]
"You're safe, Sharma. I don't get attached to temporary things."

For a split second, something flickered across his face—something almost unrecognizable—but then it was gone, buried under his usual cool demeanor.

[Ping]

Mira, of course.

Bet you five bucks you catch real feelings first. 😂😂😂

Aanya turned her phone off completely this time, stuffing it deep into her backpack.

"No turning back now," she said, offering him a mock-serious nod.

He grinned sideways. "I'm ready. Bring on the bad acting."

She bumped her shoulder lightly against his, feeling lighter than she had in days.
Maybe this was exactly what she needed—a little distraction. A harmless, well-planned disaster.

Except... as they walked down the golden-lit street, their shadows stretching side by side, a tiny, traitorous thought whispered in her mind:

What if it doesn't stay fake?

The question lodged itself deep, stubborn and dangerous.

[Thud-thud]

Her heart answered before she could stop it.

TO BE CONTINUED...
(Next: "Chapter Three: Mission Café Vibe—Where Rules Are Made to Be Broken")