Chapter 10: A Smile He Couldn't Ignore

A few days later,

At a café:

.

(The café buzzed with light chatter as Vikram and Naina sat by the window, sipping their cappuccinos.

The sunlight filtered through the glass, casting a warm glow on their table.

She glanced at Vikram, seated across the table, his fingers lightly drumming on the wooden surface.)

(Her eyes sparkled with affection as she reached into her bag and pulled out a small, elegantly wrapped box. She smoled and kept it in front of him)

Vikram: (curiously) Naina, kya hai yeh??

Naina: Khud dekh lijiye

(She slid the box across the table. Vikram hesitated for a moment before tearing off the wrapping paper.

As he opened the box, his jaw dropped. Inside was a sleek black jewelry box.

He shot Naina a questioning look, but she just gestured for him to open it.

When he did, a pair of exquisite gold cufflinks gleamed back at him.)

(His stunned expression turned towards Naina, disbelief written all over his face.)

Naina: (smiles) Happy birthday, Vikram ji.

Vikram: (surprised) Naina, iski kya zaroorat thi?

Naina: Kyun? Main aapko gift nahi de sakti? (Tone turns playful) Did it hurt your male ego?

(Vikram burst out laughing, shaking his head.)

Vikram: Arrey, no baba! Main generally keh raha tha!!!!

Naina: Toh phir, problem kya hai???

(He smiled and reached across the table, gently squeezing her hand.)

Vikram: Thank you, Naina. They’re perfect.

Naina: (grins) ab inn cufflinks ke saath, aap aur bhi zyada dashing lagoge, Vikram ji!!!

Vikram: (grins) Bas dashing??? Arrey, main toh  ek dum hero hi ban jaunga!!!!

Naina: Chalo... I am glad that you liked the gift!!! I just wanted to make your birthday even more special.

Vikram: (looks at her with gratitude) Special toh bana diya, Naina. Thank you so much!!!

(He paused for a moment, his eyes turn thoughtful.)

Vikram: You know.... Ab sochta hoon toh yaad aata hai... jab tumhaare paas kharche ke liye paise nahi hote thay, tab bhi tum meri birthdays ko bahut special banati thi!!! You've always treated me as a king!!! (Smiles) Mera favourite khaana banana… ghar ko itni beautifully decorate karna. You literally turned my birthday into a carnival kabhi-kabhi.... Thank you, for all of that also!!!

(Naina’s smile deepens, her eyes glistening with memories. Vikram squeezed her hand tightly and she held on to his.

For a moment, they sat quietly, the weight of their shared history filling the space between them.)

Naina: (sighs) Waise, you know that Kiara's race is coming soon, right?

Vikram: Haan... that is the topic of discussion at the dining table. She keeps talking about her practice sessions.

Naina: haan.... She's putting in a lot of effort!!! (she leans forward) Waise, iss baar, aap aa rahe ho naa? Race dekhne? Aapne toh kabhi bhi, Kiara ko live perform karte huay dekha tak nahi hai. Aur iss baar toh, Vajra Racing Circuit mein hi race hone waali hai. Bahut special hai uske liye.

(Vikram hesitated, he knew that his equation with Purab was not good, and he didn't want Kiara to get affected by all of that.

His expression faltered for a moment before he straightened up.)

Vikram: (after a pause) I really want to, but... ek surgery scheduled hai us din. Ek important case hai, cancel karna mushkil hoga.

(Naina's face fell slightly, but she quickly masked her disappointment with a small nod.)

Naina: Oh, okay. It's fine.

(Vikram gave her an apologetic look, his gaze dropping momentarily.)

.

.

.

Just then,

(Vikram's phone buzzed on the table. He picked it up, his brows furrowing slightly as he read the message.)

Vikram: Sorry, Naina. Mere colleague ne patient ke reports bheje hain. He needs a quick second opinion... do you mind if I take a quick look at my laptop?

(Naina shook her head, smiling reassuringly.)

Naina: Haan.. haan. No problem. Go on, take a look.

(Vikram gave her a small smile, reaching for his bag. He pulled out his laptop, placing it on the table as he logged into his email to access the reports.

Vikram focused on his work, and Naina returned to sipping her coffee, lost in thought.)

.

.

Suddenly,

(A cheerful voice broke through the background noise.)

Voice: NAINA?! is that you????

(Naina looked up, startled, and saw Ishaan, an old  friend, standing near her table.)

Naina: (smiling widely) Ishaan! Oh my God! Tum yahaan kaise?

(Naina looked up, her eyes lighting up instantly.

She rose from her chair, her smile widening as she recognized him.

Without hesitation, she stepped forward, and Ishaan wasted no time and pulled her into a friendly hug.

Vikram froze mid-typing. His fingers hovered over the keyboard, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene.

He watched the man's hand linger a moment too long on Naina's shoulder, and his jaw tightened.

The way Naina's laughter echoed, carefree and familiar, made his stomach churn.)

(Vikram leaned back in his chair, his gaze was sharp and unrelenting, as if he was willing the hug to end.

His lips pressed into a thin line, betraying the calm he usually exuded.

One hand reached for his coffee cup, but he didn't drink it; instead, he tapped the side of the mug impatiently.)

Ishaan: Itne saal ho gaye yaar!!!!

Naina: (laughing) I know! It's been so long.

Ishaan: Door se, mujhe lag raha tha, ki shayad tu hi hai.... but I was not sure!!!!

Naina: (smiling) even I cannot believe that I am meeting you!!!! by the way, where are you, now days?

Ishaan: Main abhi Chicago mein settled hoon. I came home for a month. Bas next week waapas jaa raha hoon. but girl!!! Look at you— still the same Naina, bas abhi thodi si aur khoobsoorat lag rahi ho.

(Vikram's head snapped up at that comment.

He closed his laptop, the faint click louder than necessary, and folded his arms. His stare, was now openly fixed on the two of them.

Every now and then, his gaze shifted to the man's hand movements, his posture, his tone.

The air around Vikram grew heavier, his silent presence commanding attention even if no words were spoken.)

Vikram: (trying to be calm) Naina.... mujhe introduce nahi karogi??? Ya sirf, tum dono hi baatein karte rahoge??

(Naina chuckled, stepping aside.)

Naina: Oh, sorry!!! Vikram ji, this is Ishaan, he was my tuition wala friend...... and Ishaan, this is Dr. Vikram. He is—

Vikram: (interrupts, extending his hands) I am her husband!!!!

Ishaan: (shakes his hands, smiles) Oh, so you're the lucky guy!!!! Well, Naina was a superstar, school time mein!!!! I mean aisa koi ladka nahi hoga, who didn't have a crush on her!!!! I was one of them too!!!

(Vikram glared at him, as they continued chatting. He crossed his arms, his patience wearing thin.)

Vikram: (interrupting) Tumhaari coffee thandi ho rahi hai, Naina. aao pee lo!!!!

Naina: (playfully) Arrey, koi tension nahi.... main thandi hi pee lungi. Aap aapna kaam karo naa, Vikram ji. You had to go through some patient documents, right?

Vikram: Nahi... main baad mein kar loonga!!!

Ishaan: (smiles) Haan, Naina, you carry on... main bhi apni coffee collect kar ke, jaldi nikalta hoon.

(Vikram forced a polite chuckle but couldn't help himself.)

Vikram: Haan.... I am sure you have a lot of work to do, before leaving for Chicago again. Right?

Ishaan: haan.... kaam toh kaafi hai!!!!

(Naina shot Vikram a look, biting her lip to suppress a smile. She knew he was getting jealous.)

Naina: Ishaan... waise it was nice bumping into you!!! ek dam se woh saare tution waale din yaad aagaye.... Kaise class ko bunk kar ke, picture dekhne jaate thay!!!!

Ishaan: I know!!! (smiling) Naina, can you share your number with me? We'll stay in touch.

Naina: yes... sure!!!!

(Naina waited for Ishaan to unlock his phone so that she could share her number with him.

Ishaan: (saving her contact) Well, it's great to see you, Naina! Aur Vikram, lucky man ho yaar. Take care of her.

.

Then,

(When the Ishaan said goodbye and walked away, Vikram's eyes followed him until he disappeared through the café door.

Only then did he exhale, picking up his cup and taking a slow sip, his eyes flickering to Naina, who was now looking at him with a knowing smile.

He said nothing, but the slight crease in his brow and the faint smirk tugging at his lips revealed what he wouldn't admit out loud: he had been jealous, and Naina had noticed every bit of it.)

Naina: (teasing) Ab itna serious kyun ho rahe ho? Woh toh sirf ek hug tha, Vikram ji.

Vikram: (raising an eyebrow) Ek hug? Woh toh aise hug kar raha tha jaise tum uski long-lost soulmate ho.

Naina: (rolling her eyes) Come on, Vikram ji! Purab aur Aryan bhi toh close hain mujhse. Par unse toh aapko kabhi problem nahi hoti.

Vikram: (scoffing) Purab aur Aryan alag hain. Ek bachpan ka dost hai, aur doosra... (he pauses, out of words) aur doosra bhi theek hai.

Naina: (mocking) 'Theek hai?' Wah, kya category mein daal diya hai, aapne Aryan ko!!!! (Smirks) Toh Ishaan ka kya phir??? (Laughs) Chill babba,  he's just a friend from tuition!!!

Vikram: (leaning forward, voice low) Friend? Uska tumhe 'khoobsoorat' bolna mere dictionary mein 'friend' category mein nahi aata.

Naina: (bursting out laughing) Arrey! Usne ek compliment diya, aur aap itna overreact kar rahe ho? Kitne cute lagte ho jab possessive hote ho.

Vikram: (grumbling) Cute? Yeh 'cute' bol- bol ke tum meri jealousy ko ignore kar rahi ho.

Naina: (smirking) Bilkul. Kyunki aapki jealousy bas ek baat prove karti hai— ki aapko mujhse kitna pyaar hai.

(Vikram sighed, shaking his head with a small smile as Naina's laughter echoed.)

Vikram: Theek hai, maan liya. Bas agli baar, mujhe thoda prep time de dena, agar kisi puraane dost ko hug karna ho.

Naina: Done! Aapko written notice de dungi.

(Their laughter filled the café, lightening the air as Vikram finally relaxed, though the faint glint in his eyes said he wasn't completely over it yet.)

.

Unbeknownst to them,

(Purab had just walked into the café with a friend. He paused at the entrance, his eyes scanning the room for an empty table and then his gaze landed on the scene unfolding in front of him.

There was Naina, her face alight with laughter, leaning slightly toward Vikram.

And Vikram, clearly rattled, sat there stiffly, his gaze glued to her with a mix of exasperation and helpless affection.

The remnants of tension between them hung in the air, but it was overshadowed by their easy companionship.

Purab's expression darkened as he took it all in.

His sharp eyes noticed everything—the slight flush on Naina's cheeks, Vikram's barely suppressed possessiveness, and the way the two seemed to exist in their own bubble, oblivious to the world around them.)

(Purab's jaw tightened, and his fists curled at his sides. Anger surged through him, unspoken and deep.

His protective instincts for Naina flared as he questioned what might have caused the tension between the two.

The sight of Naina laughing while Vikram sat there brooding only fueled his frustration further.)

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Author’s Note:

Vikram’s jealousy—did it catch you off guard, or was it kind of cute to see him care about Naina for once? Or was it all just drama to you? I’m dying to know what you think! Drop your thoughts in the comments.

And if you’re hooked and need more, don’t forget to hit that ⭐ vote button! It helps me bring more drama and twists your way faster. Can’t wait to hear your reactions—comment below, and I’ll try to reply to as many as I can! Keep the love coming! 💖