Chapter 34: Secrets by the Kebab Shop

A few days later,

In the market area:

(The bustling market buzzed with life— vendors shouting to attract customers, children running around with balloons, and the smoky aroma of grilled kebabs filling the air.

Amidst this lively chaos, Kiaan and Mihika found themselves at a quaint little roadside eatery.

They stood by a small counter, sharing a plate of juicy kebabs and soft roomali rotis. Kiaan tore a piece of roti and handed it to Mihika.)

Mihika: (chewing) Oh my God, Kiaan, these kebabs are seriously the best!!! The taste is so heavenly!!! Seriously, tumne pehle kyun nahi bataya, iss jagah ke baare mein?

Kiaan: (grinning) Main kya karoon? Aise gems toh sirf special logon ke saath share karte hain.

(Mihika rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. She reached out to pick up a kebab skewer but paused when she noticed Kiaan's expression.)

Mihika: (playfully) Kya hua? Tumhaare mooh mein paani kyun aa raha hai? Khud kha lo na!

(Kiaan laughed and grabbed a skewer for himself. As he bit into the kebab, a dollop of sauce accidentally smeared on the corner of his lips.)

Mihika: Kiaan!!! Theek se nahi khaa sakte ho kya???

(Kiaan looked at her sheepishly, trying to swipe at the sauce with his hand, but Mihika stopped him.)

Mihika: (rolling her eyes) Ruko! Tum aur zyaada messy kar rahe ho!!

(She leaned closer, pulling a tissue from the counter. Instead of handing it to him, she gently wiped the sauce off his face, her touch lingering just a little longer than necessary.

Her fingers brushed against his cheek, and their eyes met.

For a brief moment, the bustling sounds of the market seemed to fade away.

There was only the slight cool breeze and the warmth of the moment between them. Mihika's cheeks turned pink as she realized how close they were.)

Kiaan: (breaking the silence with a teasing grin) Thanks, but agar main dhang se khaata... toh tumhe yeh karne ka mauka nahi milta!

Mihika: (pretending to glare) Oh please, tumhaare messy eating ka credit toh mat lo. Yeh tumhaare liye nahi, public ke liye kiya hai. Tumhaare chehre pe kebab ki painting dekh ke log chaunk jaate!!

(They both burst out laughing, the awkwardness of the moment replaced by their usual banter.

Kiaan looked up and noticed Mihika struggling with a stray strand of hair that kept falling onto her face.

It was getting in her way as she tried to take another bite.)

Kiaan: (softly) Ek minute.

(Mihika froze as Kiaan reached out and gently tucked the strand behind her ear.

His fingers lingered for just a second longer than necessary, and Mihika felt her cheeks grow warm.

Mihika: (looking away, trying to act casual) Ahem, um, thanks.

Kiaan: (smiling) Tumhaare hair ko bhi kebab ka taste chahiye tha kya?

(Mihika burst out laughing, the moment of awkwardness passing as quickly as it had come.

They continued enjoying their food, laughing and teasing each other. Kiaan grabbed another kebab skewer, smirking as he exaggerated his effort to eat carefully this time.

Kiaan: (dramatically) Dekho, ab perfect hoon. Na sauce gira, na tumhe tissue ka stress lena pada. Happy?

Mihika: (rolling her eyes, smiling) Happy toh tab hoti jab tum mujhe last kebab de dete. But selfish ho, toh rehne do.

Kiaan: (smiles) chalo... iske baad ice cream khaane chalte hain. theek hai?

(Mihika gave him a smile as Kiaan wiped his hands on a napkin. He then reached for his phone from his jeans pocket to pay the bill for the delicious meal they had just enjoyed.)

.

.

.

Then,

(Just as Kiaan scanned the QR code displayed in front of him, a familiar voice interrupted, one that made his heart skip a beat.)

Lady: Ruko, beta. Payment, main kar deti hoon.

(He turned around and was startled to see Tanvi standing there. She looked elegant as always, holding a couple of shopping bags in her hands.

Tanvi looked at Kiaan with a warm smile and a mischievous glint in her eyes.)

Kiaan: (wide-eyed) Bhua?! Aap yahaan?!

(Ignoring his surprise, Tanvi took out her wallet and handed the money to the vendor before he could protest.)

Kiaan: rehne dijiye, Bhua. Main kar doonga!!!

Tanvi: Payment tum karo... ya main karun, farak kya padta hai?? Tum, apne paise, future ke liye save kar lo!!!

(Kiaan groaned softly, knowing there was no point arguing. Mihika, sensing his unease, stepped forward with a polite smile.)

Mihika: Namaste, aunty! Main Mihika hoon. Kiaan ki school friend.

(Tanvi's sharp gaze shifted between Mihika and Kiaan, her smile growing wider. She noticed Kiaan's red ears and couldn't resist teasing him.

Tanvi: sirf school friend?? Ya phir tum iski special friend ho?? (teasing them) itna special treatment toh kisi special friend ko hi milta hai... hai naa, Kiaan?

(Kiaan nearly choked on his own breath, coughing awkwardly as he fumbled for words. Mihika covered her mouth to hide her laughter, watching Kiaan squirm under Tanvi's mischievous gaze.)

Kiaan: nahi bhua... bas aise hi... market explore kar rahe thay.

Tanvi: (raises an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced) beta ji... mere saamne toh aisi baatein mat karo!!! Main bhi kabhi tumhaari age ki thi.

(Kiaan looked like he wanted to disappear into the ground, but Tanvi wasn't done yet.

She turned her attention to Mihika, her tone softening as she smiled warmly.)

Tanvi: Waise beta, Kiaan tumhe bore toh nahi karta na? Ghar pe toh yeh sirf padhaai ki baatein karta rehta hai!

Mihika: nahi aunty.... Kiaan ke saath Kabhi bore hone ka chance hi nahi milta.... woh toh full entertainer hai!

Kiaan: (lets out a small groan, rubbing the back of his neck) Bhua, ab toh bas bhi karo...

(Tanvi laughed, clearly delighted by Mihika's easygoing charm and Kiaan's embarrassment.

she finally decided to ease up, and patted Kiaan's shoulder affectionately.)

Tanvi: Main chalti hoon. Tum dono apni evening enjoy karo. Waise yahaan ka ice cream try karna mat bhoolna—bahut famous hai!

Mihika: (enthusiastically) Actually, main abhi Kiaan se keh rahi thi, ki ice cream khaane chalte hain.

Tanvi: Perfect! Tum dono jao aur enjoy karo.

Mihika: aunty... aap bhi join kariye, hamaare saath!!!

Tanvi: phir kabhi, beta!! Main toh doston ke saath shopping karne aayi thi, unke paas waapas ja rahi hoon.... actually... Gaurav ji, Bangalore waapas chale gaye hain... and I was free now, so I thought ki thoda apne friends ke saath catching up kar loon

Mihika: (smiling politely) That's nice, aunty. Kabhi- kabhi apne liye time nikalna zaroori hota hai.

Tanvi: Bilkul, beta!

(Tanvi patted Kiaan's shoulder affectionately and leaned in, whispering with a playful tone.)

Tanvi: chalo, I'll make a move!!!! (smiles) Mihika, acchi ladki hai, Kiaan. Take care of her.

(Kiaan's ears turned crimson again as Tanvi winked at him. Turning to Mihika, she said warmly—)

Tanvi: It was nice meeting you, beta. phir kabhi, baith ke aaram se baatein karenge.

Mihika: (smiling) Of course, aunty!

(As Tanvi walked away, she glanced over her shoulder one last time, her knowing smile still in place. Kiaan let out a small sigh of relief, though his face was still flushed. Mihika gave him a teasing nudge.)

Mihika: Toh, Mr. Foodie, ice cream khaane chalein?

(Kiaan grinned, shaking his head as they turned toward the ice cream stall, their laughter mingling with the lively chatter of the market.)

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Author's Note

Hey, lovely readers! 💕

I hope you enjoyed this fun, flirty, and food-filled chapter! 🍢🍦 Kiaan and Mihika’s banter always makes me smile, and let’s be honest—who doesn’t love a little accidental romance over kebabs? 😏🔥

And then enters Tanvi Bhua… the queen of teasing and embarrassing nephews 😂🎭 Her timing is impeccable, and let’s just say, Kiaan is not catching a break anytime soon! 😆

So tell me—what was your favorite moment? The kebab sauce mishap? The hair-tucking moment? Or Kiaan turning beet red in front of his Bhua? 🤭💖 Drop your thoughts in the comments—I love reading them! 🥰

Stay tuned for more drama, more fun, and of course… more Kiaan-Mihika moments! 😍🔥

Until next time, keep smiling and keep reading! 📖