FIRST INTERACTION
"I don't even know when I fell asleep while writing my poem—shit…" Kavya muttered, stretching like a lazy cat and yawning dramatically.
She glanced at the clock… paused… blinked once… twice…
"SHIT. I'M FREAKING LATE. Mom is going to perform my final rites today."
With Olympic-level panic, she sprinted to the bathroom, nearly slipping on the way (classic Kavya move), somehow surviving, and got fresh in record time.
A few minutes later, she stood in front of the mirror—wearing jeans and a pink satin shirt that fit her perfectly. Her long, beautiful hair went into a neat ponytail… well, almost neat.
She did a little makeup.
"Of course, I have to look good… I'm just a girl," she said, nodding at her own reflection like it was giving her life advice.
Then came the most important ritual—mirror selfie.
One pose… two poses… twenty poses…
"Perfect. Instagram worthy. Nation proud."
She rushed downstairs and headed straight to the kitchen where her mother, Nandini Sharma, was busy making breakfast.
"GOOD MORNING, MUMMAAA!" Kavya sang, extra cheerful to compensate for being late.
"GOOD MORNING, BACHA," her mom replied with equal energy.
Kavya walked to the dining table with confidence… grace… elegance…
…and missed the chair completely.
THUD.
She landed straight on the floor.
"Wow. Kya amazing good morning hai, mummy. 10/10 experience, would fall again," she said, trying not to cry and laugh at the same time. 😭
Her mom didn't even look surprised.
"Beta, tujhe girne ka subscription mila hua hai kya?"
(Did you subscribe to falling or something?)
Kavya sighed. "Mummy, gravity and I have a very toxic relationship."
After somehow surviving breakfast (and almost choking twice because she was in a hurry), she grabbed her bag.
"Bye, Mumma! Pray for me!"
"Har roz karti hoon," her mom replied casually.
(I pray for you every day.)
Kavya rushed to her café—her safe place.
"Yes, I own a café," she thought proudly. "Independent woman vibes… ignore the fact that I can't even sit on a chair properly."
Standing in front of it, she smiled softly.
"This place… it just gives me peace," she whispered. "Also bills. A lot of bills."
She opened the café and started cleaning.
"Do I have workers? Yes. One."
Pause.
"My brother. Who is probably sleeping like a buffalo and will show up in the afternoon like he owns the place."
Soon, customers started coming in. Kavya got busy—taking orders, serving coffee, smiling like a professional…
And then suddenly…
She zoned out.
Just… blank.
Staring into space like she just unlocked the secrets of the universe.
A customer waved his hand in front of her face.
"Hello?"
Kavya blinked. "Yes! Sorry, I was just… thinking."
"About what?"
"…Nothing."
"Then why were you thinking so hard?"
"Because I'm talented like that."
Kavya was still standing there, pretending to clean the same already-clean table for the fifth time, while her brain casually took a vacation.
"Ma'am… my coffee?" the same customer reminded her again.
"Oh—YES! Coffee. Right. That's what we do here. We sell coffee," she said,
snapping back like she just returned from another dimension.
The customer blinked slowly. "Are you… okay?"
"Emotionally? No. Professionally? Also no. But coffee will be ready in two minutes," she smiled sweetly.
Just as she turned towards the counter—
BANG.
The café door slammed open dramatically.
Kavya jumped. "Oh my god—did someone die or—"
"No, but I almost did," her brother walked in, yawning like he just woke up after hibernation.
"WOW. Look who decided to show up. The employee of the year," Kavya crossed her arms.
Her brother ignored her and grabbed a biscuit from the counter. "Relax, I'm here now. Your café is saved."
"Saved? From what? My competence?"
"From your clumsiness. Customers come here for coffee, not live comedy shows."
Kavya gasped. "EXCUSE ME. My personality is part of the brand."
"Yeah, 'Free entertainment with every order.'"
Before she could throw a spoon at him—
The bell above the café door rang again.
But this time… it wasn't chaotic.
It was slow. Calm. Intentional.
Kavya didn't know why… but she turned.
And for a second—
Everything went quiet.
A tall man walked in. Around 6 feet, maybe more. Dressed simply, but the kind of simple that screams money and power. His eyes scanned the café like he owned not just the place… but the air inside it.
Kavya blinked.
"kon hai bey yeh??" ( who is he?) she whispered.
Her brother leaned closer. "Focus. Don't embarrass us."
"I am the embarrassment," she replied proudly.
The man walked up to the counter.
Kavya straightened up instantly, trying to act normal.
"Welcome to—"
Her hand slipped.
The menu card flew.
And hit him.
Right. On. His. Chest.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Kavya froze. Her brother slowly turned away like he didn't know her.
"Wow… kya mara hai , Kavya.
Very professional. Marry him at this point," she muttered to herself.
She quickly picked up the menu.
"I am SO sorry. That was not planned. I swear I don't attack customers regularly… only on special occasions."
The man looked at her…
And smirked.
Not laughed.
Smirked.
"Interesting way to greet people," he said, voice cold … slightly amused.
Kavya blinked again.
"Thank you… I like to keep things memorable," she replied without thinking.
Her brother whispered, "Bas kar. Please bas kar."
The man leaned slightly forward.
"One black coffee."
"That's it?"
"That's it."
"No sugar?"
"No."
"No drama?"
He raised an eyebrow. "you okay girl??."
Kavya placed her hand on her heart.
"Sir, we provide premium drama. Coffee is just a side business."
As she turned to make the coffee—
Her brother leaned in and whispered, "He's dangerous."
Kavya whispered back, "He's hot."
"Same thing."
Before her brother could respond—
One of the security officers walked in.
"Sir…"
The café atmosphere changed instantly.
Everyone went quiet.
Kavya stood there… stiff… like if she didn't move, maybe she'd become invisible.
The man—no, the CM—slowly stood up.
His presence felt heavier now. Not just attractive… but powerful. Dangerous.
He walked toward the counter again.
Kavya's heart was not okay.
"Chii ye sundar aadmi CM hai?," ( yukk this beautiful man is CM)she whispered to herself.
Pause.
"You're also the woman who assaulted the CM with a menu."
He stopped right in front of her.
"Your café?" he asked calmly.
Kavya swallowed. "Y-Yes."
"Interesting place."
"Thank you… we specialize in…
unexpected experiences."
Her brother facepalmed.
The CM looked at her properly this time.
Not just casually.
Like he was studying her.
Kavya blinked.
"BAAS KAR HARAMI KITNA DEKHEGA ,COFFEE KI MACHINE LE JA."(stop it man and go and even take the coffee machine).
A pause.
And then—
He chuckled.
Not loudly.
But enough.
Enough to shock everyone in the room.
And just like that—
He turned.
Walked out.
Security followed.
Cars left.
Silence returned.
Kavya stood there.
Still processing.
"…I think I flirted with the Chief Minister chiii."
Her brother looked at her.
"You didn't flirt."
"Then what did I do?"
"You survived."
The café finally returned to normal.
Or at least… it tried to.
Kavya was still standing behind the counter, staring at the door like it might open again and ruin her life one more time.
"I don't like him," she said suddenly.
Her brother choked on water. "You were just calling him hot."
"That was before I knew he runs the state. Now he runs my anxiety too."
Two days later.
Everything was normal.
Too normal.
Which meant—something was definitely about to go wrong.
And right on cue—
A black car stopped outside the café.
Kavya narrowed her eyes.
"NO. No no no. Not again. I refuse."
Her brother peeked outside and immediately stepped back.
"Stand straight."
"Why?"
"He's here."
The door opened.
This time—no chaos.
No noise.
Just silence.
He walked in. Calm. Cold. Untouchable.
The same man… but different.
No smirk.
No amusement.
Just a sharp, unreadable expression.
Kavya crossed her arms.
"Great. The eww government is back."
He stopped at the counter.
Looked at her.
No warmth.
No reaction.
"Coffee."
Kavya raised an eyebrow. "We also have 'hello' and 'good morning' on the menu."
"I'm not here for conversation."
"Good. Because I charge extra for attitude."
Her brother whispered, "Kavya, please—"
"Nahi tu ruk bhai,"( no you wait brother) she snapped.
She leaned slightly forward.
"What do you want?"
"Black coffee."
"Anything else?"
"No."
"Great. One personality-free coffee coming right up."
She turned, aggressively making the coffee like she was personally offended by the beans.
Under her breath—
"Who does he think he is? Walking in like he owns everything…"
Her brother whispered, "He kind of does."
"NOT MY CAFE."
She placed the cup in front of him. A little harder than necessary.
"Here."
He didn't even look at the cup.
Still looking at her.
"You talk too much."
Kavya laughed dryly. "And you don't talk enough. Balance, you see?"
A pause.
Tension.
Sharp.
Heavy.
"I don't entertain nonsense," he said coldly
.
"Good. Then you must be very bored with yourself."
Her brother almost dropped a tray.
For the first time—
His jaw tightened.
Just slightly.
But Kavya noticed.
"Ohhh… so the statue does have emotions," she smirked.
"You should learn your limits," he said, voice low.
Kavya stepped closer.
"And you should learn basic manners Mr CM sahab."
Silence.
Electric.
Dangerous.
"I don't like girls who talk back," he said bluntly.
Kavya didn't even blink.
"woh tum mard ho na isliye tumhari problem hai i can't do anything about it CM Sahab."
Their eyes locked.
Neither backing down.
Her brother whispered from behind, "Main naukri chhod raha hoon."
(I'm quitting this job.)
He finally picked up the coffee. Took a slow sip.
Still staring at her.
"You're arrogant."
Kavya smiled sweetly.
"You're rude."
Another pause.
Longer this time.
He placed the cup down.
"Careful, Kavya Sharma."
Her name.
From his mouth.
Low. Controlled.
Warning.
But Kavya?
She just tilted her head.
"Or what?"
That was it.
That tiny moment—
Something shifted.
Not soft.
Not romantic.
But dangerous.
He leaned slightly closer.
Close enough that his voice dropped—
"kyuki mein bilkul bhi acha aadmi nahi hu ."( I'm not at all a good man).
Kavya's heart skipped.
Just once.
But she didn't step back.
Didn't break eye contact.
"Politicians se or ummeed bhi kya ho sakti hai CM sahab," she said quietly.
A beat.
And then—
He straightened.
Picked up his cup.
And walked away to sit.
Like nothing happened.
Her brother rushed to her.
"Tu pagal hai?!"( are you mad? )
Kavya exhaled slowly.
"nhi chutiya ."
But as she watched him from a distance—
Cold. Silent. Dangerous.
She smiled slightly.
"Or ye pagal CM HUHH."