Devansh's Pov:

It had been a long time since I had any leave, and now that I finally did, I planned to visit my parents. But just as luck would have it, they had already left to visit my grandparents.

With my plans disrupted, I found myself sitting idly at home, growing restless with boredom. That's when I decided to escape to my secret café.

I call it my secret café because very few people know about it. It's not that the place lacks good food or a beautiful interior on the contrary, it has the best of both.

But it's tucked away in one of the quietest corners of town, and perhaps that's why it remains undiscovered by the crowd.

For me, this café is a sanctuary where I can enjoy solitude, and a delicious meal.

As I arrived, I put on my glasses and mask, not because I had anything to hide, but because there were a few other patrons present, and I didn't want to draw attention or disturb the peaceful ambiance.

The staff recognized me immediately. I was a frequent visitor, after all.

One of them approached me, and with a simple nod, I placed my usual order before heading toward my favorite spot.

The balcony.

There were only two seats there, overlooking a lush garden. Trust me, it's one of the most peaceful places one could ever find.

The waiter opened the glass door for me, and as I stepped onto the balcony, my gaze instinctively landed on the lone figure seated there.

Wait-

Isn't she the same girl who gave me a bouquet at college yesterday?

What was her name again...?

Kaur... Aarvi Kaur. Yes, that's right.

Should I say hello?

But what if she thinks I'm a creep?

Wait, wait I'm one of the country's most famous cricketers. She wouldn't think that, right?

Ah, forget it. There's only one empty seat left, and it's right in front of her.

I walked toward the table, my steps measured and unhurried. She was completely lost in her novel, her eyes moving swiftly across the pages.

A reader.

A woman with high expectations, no doubt.

"Hey " I said while standing in front of her seat.

She lift her gaze from her book slowly and looked at me while wearing her glasses.

She is cute!

Her soft "Hie" was barely above a whisper, but it carried a certain warmth that made me smile.

She blinked up at me, her brown eyes curious yet cautious, as if unsure why I was standing there.

I motioned to the empty chair across from her. "Mind if I sit?"

She hesitated for a second, then gave a small nod. "Sure."

I placed my phone and sunglasses on the table before sitting down. For a moment, neither of us spoke. She returned to her book, flipping a page, while I took in the surroundings. The gentle breeze from the balcony, the faint hum of a song playing inside the café, and the subtle aroma of freshly brewed coffee it was the perfect setting for a quiet afternoon.

But I wasn't feeling quiet anymore.

"What are you reading?" I asked, tilting my head slightly to peek at the cover.

She glanced at me, then at the book in her hands. "It's a romance novel."

I smirked. "A romance novel? Let me guess, the brooding male lead who pushes everyone away but secretly has a heart of gold?"

Aarvi let out a soft chuckle. "That's... actually pretty accurate."

"Figures," I said, leaning back. "And let me guess again, you prefer book boyfriends over real ones?"

She raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think that?"

"Well," I grinned, "you were so absorbed in your book that you didn't even notice me staring."

Her cheeks turned the lightest shade of pink as she adjusted her glasses. "I did notice," she mumbled, her voice barely audible.

I leaned forward. "Come again?"

She cleared her throat. "I said I did notice you." Then, as if to change the topic, she took a sip of her coffee. "Anyway, why are you here?"

"Same reason as you, I guess." I shrugged. "A little peace, a little coffee, and maybe an interesting conversation."

She hummed in acknowledgment and turned a page. "So, did you come alone?"

I nodded. "Yeah. I was supposed to visit my parents, but they had other plans. So here I am."

She pursed her lips before glancing at me. "It's funny running into you here. You're quite famous, aren't you?"

I chuckled. "I guess so."

"You don't sound too sure."

"Well, being famous is weird sometimes. Like, right now, I'm talking to you, but I don't know if you see me as Devansh the guy who loves cricket or just Devansh the celebrity."

She tilted her head, studying me. "You're Devansh the guy who stole the only empty seat on the balcony."

I laughed at that. "Fair enough. Do you want me to leave?"

She shook her head with a small smile. "No. You can stay."

At that moment, the waiter arrived with my order a cappuccino and a slice of chocolate cake.

As he placed them in front of me, I noticed Aarvi eyeing the cake for a second before quickly looking away.

I smirked. "You want a bite?"

Her eyes widened. "What? No! It's your cake."

"I don't mind sharing," I offered, nudging the plate toward her.

She hesitated. "Are you always this nice, or is this just your way of getting me to talk to you?"

I feigned offense. "Wow. I offer you cake, and you question my intentions?"

She giggled. "Fine, just one bite."

She took a small forkful, and as soon as the chocolate melted in her mouth, her eyes lit up. "Oh wow, this is really good!"

"Told you," I said, grinning. "Now you owe me."

She gave me a skeptical look. "Owe you? For what?"

"For that bite of cake. I expect repayment."

She narrowed her eyes playfully. "And what exactly do you want?"

I tapped my chin as if deep in thought. "Hmm... how about you recommend a good book to me? One that even a non-reader like me would enjoy?"

She seemed to consider it before nodding. "Deal."

I leaned in slightly, eager now. "So? What's the first book on my new reading list?"

She hesitated for a moment before setting her book down on the table and sliding it toward me. "This one."

I raised an eyebrow. "You're letting me borrow it?"

"Only if you promise to actually read it," she teased.

I picked up the book, flipping through the pages before looking up at her with a grin. "Guess this means I have a reason to see you again, huh?"

Her lips curled into a smile, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of her coffee cup. "Maybe."

The thought of meeting her again made something stir inside me something unfamiliar but exciting.

This café had always been my escape, my sanctuary. But today, it felt like the start of something new, something I wasn't quite ready to name yet.

Hey yaa all,

Probably I will make next chapters for followers access. So you guys can easily follow and read!! Won't be setting price this sooner!! So enjoy reading ❤

Love from the author 🤍