Page 69

Lakshmi smiled. “You are on time today. Grandpa has been rehearsing his list of complaints since breakfast.”

Shaurya rolled his eyes and gave a wry smile. “Of course he is.”

Mentally bracing himself for another round of Grandpa’s theatrical drama, he made his way towards the guest bedroom. He hadn’t seen Nandini yet, and that fact irked him more than he cared to admit.

As if reading his thoughts, Lakshmi added casually, “Nandini’s out with Priya. You know… shopping for the pizza party this weekend.”

Shaurya instantly remembered. The infamous party Nandini had to host because she lost a bet during the New Year’s Eve event—the one where she had confidently declared that he wouldn’t show up.

He had, of course. She’d lost. And now, the weekend celebration was her penalty.

“Everyone’s coming,” Lakshmi went on. “Even Varun.”

That did it. A frown darkened Shaurya’s face like thunderclouds rolling in as he stopped at Grandpa’s door and turned behind. So, the old man could hand out invitations like ladoos at the wedding, but not to the person massaging his joints and managing his tantrums?

“Varun?” he repeated.

Lakshmi nodded. Inside the room, Grandpa was waiting—perched dramatically in his recliner. One look at Shaurya’s expression and the old man smirked.

“Why do you sound surprised?” he asked, pretending to inspect his fingernails. “He’s charming, entertaining, and so respectful. Obviously, he’s invited.”

Shaurya’s jaw flexed. “Interesting guest list,” he muttered.

Grandpa narrowed his eyes. “Are you… jealous, Mr. Ahuja? That the invite is not extended to you.”

Shaurya narrowed his eyes.

“Why do I need an invite? I’m your full-time male nurse who pushes your wheelchair and sacrifices his dignity daily until youfully recover, which obviously you won’t be until this weekend. That means I’m part of this party, whether you like it or not.”

Grandpa waved him off, but at that very moment, Nandini walked in.

Her hair was a little windblown, and her cheeks were flushed with a rosy glow from the afternoon sun. Also, something about the way the light caught her eyes made Shaurya forget everything— Grandpa’s endless sarcasm, his annoyance that Varun was on the pizza party guest list and he wasn’t, and even the mental checklist of things he’d come here to do today. It all blurred into nothingness, irrelevant.

He looked up… and stared.

Just stared.

And Nandini, catching that look, immediately felt her heart do that annoying flip-flop thing again.

Why did he have to look like that?

Relaxed and maddeningly handsome in his rolled-up sleeves and half-smirk, like he’d walked straight out of a romance novel and into her already complicated life. Or maybe hewasputting in extra effort lately, ever since he’d started showing up at the villa every day. Was that why he looked so… unfairly irresistible?

As her gaze met his, her cheeks betrayed her again, warming instantly.

And he noticed. Of course he did.

Grandpa, oblivious to the charged silence, asked her, “Did you get everything for the party? Cheese? Toppings? That fancy sauce with a name I can’t ever remember?”

Nandini blinked, turning her attention to her grandpa. “Actually, no. I didn’t get time to go to the store today. I’ll go this evening with Lakshmi Aunty or maybe tomorrow.”

“You’re not planning to make all those pizzas at home, right?” Shaurya cut in, crossing his arms.

“Well, that was the plan—”

“No,” Shaurya interrupted firmly. “You’re not baking those pizzas at home. Order them.”

Nandini stared. Grandpa looked equally baffled.