I wasn't subtle.
Not anymore.
I had spent years keeping my distance.
Years ignoring the pull.
Years convincing myself that Vihaan Malhotra was just a passing phase.
But now?
Now, I was done pretending.
It started the next morning.
I walked into the office earlier than usual.
Stopped by the cafeteria.
Ordered two cups of chai.
And without thinking too much about it—
I placed one on Vihaan's desk.
No note.
No explanation.
Just chai.
And then—I walked away.
Fifteen minutes later—Vihaan approached my desk.
Vihaan: Did I do something to deserve this?
I rolled my eyes.
Mehul: It'll help you function. Be grateful.
Vihaan: Damn, you're spoiling me now?
I stared at my screen.
Because he wasn't wrong.
This was not normal.
Not for me.
Not for us.
Not for someone who had spent years acting like he didn't exist.
But now?
Now, I was showing up.
And Vihaan noticed.
It became a routine.
Every morning—chai on his desk.
And every morning— him approaching my desk.
Vihaan: You're trying to get me addicted, aren't you?
Mehul: Clearly, I'm failing. You're already insufferable.
Vihaan: So mean. Can't believe you love me.
…I should have stopped.
Should have ignored his teasing.
Should have told myself it wasn't a big deal.
But the truth?
It was a big deal.
Because for the first time—it was me making the effort.
And Vihaan?
He was finally starting to take the hint.
One evening, as I was packing up my desk, I heard it.
A soft clink.
A cup of chai.
Placed on my table.
I looked up.
And there he was.
Vihaan.
Smirking. Looking at me like he had figured something out.
"Your turn."
…Shit.