Page 104 of Better Catch Up, Krishna Kumar

“So...” Amrit finally says, turning to me. “You and Rudra, huh?”

I smile mirthlessly. “I don’t think there’s going to be a me and Rudra. He vanished just as you appeared, probably to avoid me.”

“No, that’s not it. You didn’t see his face.” Amrit breathes heavily out his nose. “I didn’t realize it then, but after everything you’ve told me, it’s obvious he looked heartbroken.”

“Heartbroken? Why?”

“Because ofyou, Krishna,” Amrit says. “Because he thought you were going to get together withme.”

My mind takes me back to the moment with Rudra in the room earlier, when he asked me if I wanted to go ahead with my original plan, and I told him yes,Why wouldn’t I?

Ohfuck.

When Rudra saidoriginal plan, he meant my plan to kiss Amrit. The reason why we were on this road trip in the first place. He thought... HethinksI still want to kiss Amrit. After everything that happened between us last night.

He still thinks I’m in this for Amrit!

He thinks I’m getting together with Amritright now.

I’m so shocked that I let out a choked laugh. I want to go after Rudra and tell him that Amrit has literally been the last thing on my mind since the night of the trek. I want to ask Rudra how he could even think that after I had my first kiss withhim.

“Fuck me,” I say, incredulous. “I’m such an idiot.”

To think, this whole time, I let that boy believe I was...

“I don’t think you realize it, but you’re pretty easy to fall for,” Amrit says, laughing. “Take it from me.”

I shake my head. “Why are you being so sweet to me? I haven’t treated you right.”

“Look.” Amrit leans toward me. I expect my pulse to flutter, or my heart to race, or that adorable smile of his to make my stomach do cartwheels, but all I feel is warmth. Genuine warmth. “I know we’ve been kind of into each other since you arrived, and that we texted, but I knew that this,us, was only for the summer. And I don’t think I’m wrong to assume you thought the same?”

“No, you’re right,” I admit. “But after we kept texting, I was worried I led you on.”

“Hey, you can’t blame me for wanting to keep up with some casual texts with a girl I like. But you’re going to be in the US, and I have no idea how things are going to pan out for me over the course of the next year. Sometimes people are in your life forever and sometimes just for a moment. And I enjoyed our moment. Can’t say it wasn’t fun.”

I stare at him in disbelief and amazement. “You’re really setting a new standard for summer crushes everywhere, Amrit.”

How did I find not one but two emotionally mature eighteen-year-old boys in a row? If anything, it seems I have impeccable taste.

“Well, I will gladly take that compliment. Feel free to spread itaround,” Amrit says cheekily. “Now, after being surrounded by aunties the past few days, I can’t be held accountable for the meddling I’m about to commit. But Rudra Desai’s going to Juilliard, you said?”

I bite my lip. “Yeah, he is.”

“Good.” Amrit nudges me teasingly. “See? It works. You’re going to be hours from each other. And, Krishna, if I’m being honest, it looks like Rudra might be a lot more into you than you think. I don’t think this is new for him.”

My heart stutters. “What do you mean?”

“I think he’s been into you for a while. I’ve caught him looking at you over the summer. You didn’t notice. But I did. I just never pointed it out.”

His words make me heady with déjà vu because that’s the same thing Rudra told me about Amrit in the bookstore.I’ve seen the way he looks at you.

Then I’m reminded of what Priti has been telling me this whole while.

Rudra is not that kind of guy.

He’s not the sort of person to hook up or mess around.

More memories trickle in, things Rudra said that I didn’t fully register because I was so caught up in the moment.