Chapter 1
I was sitting at a roadside café, completely buried in my medical school assignment, while Reena sipped her coffee and scrolled on her phone. On the big screen inside, local news was covering some celebrity’s arrival, but I was far too focused to care.
Reena suddenly gasped. “He finally came to our city! I’m so excited—everyone’s been waiting for him. I’m definitely getting his autograph.”
“Have you finished your assignment yet?” I asked without looking up from my laptop. “I’m leaving as soon as I wrap mine up.”
“Uh-huh, I will...” She sighed dramatically. “I can’t even chill for a second. Oh, and I booked tickets for the fan sign—you’re coming with me.”
I stopped typing and deadpanned. “Why would I? Don’t drag me into this.”
“You are so rude,” she pouted.
Glancing at my watch, my eyes widened. “Oh, shoot—Reena, we’re running late!” I frantically packed my things, but as I turned, my hand knocked into my cup. Hot coffee splashed straight onto my jacket.
Right on queue, the headline banner on the café TV flashed: EKANSH OBEROI ARRIVES.
Here comes the bad luck.
Ekansh Oberoi. My older brother’s best friend, my parents’ dream ‘second son,’ and Bollywood’s ultimate “King of Romance.” To the world, he was a Forbes celebrity. To me, he was a walking jinx who ruined my life every time he set foot in the city.
Fast forward through four hours of clinicals—and a lingering coffee stain—and all I wanted was to crawl into bed. But as I turned down my lane, a figure stood near the edge of the street, wrapped head-to-toe in a dark hoodie and mask.
I stiffened, walking past him as quickly as possible without making eye contact. Heavy footsteps followed closely behind. Unzipping my bag, I slipped my hand around my pepper spray.
The moment his shadow overlapped mine, I spun around, closed my eyes, and sprayed directly into his face.
The man stumbled back with a sharp groan, clutching his eyes. “Damn it... Aaru, it stings!”
Only a few people ever called me Aaru.
Before I could process what I’d just done, my brother came sprinting down the driveway, clutching his stomach in laughter. “Jeez, Aaru! You actually used it? Best birthday gift I ever bought you!”
I sigh looking at the mess i created
