Chapter 1
It was Rachna’s twenty-fifth, and as the guest of honor, the day’s itinerary was her command. When she announced we were heading to the Mysore zoo, the rest of the group cheered. I, however, felt a familiar sink in my stomach.
I’ve never been a "zoo person." The heat, the crowds, the endless walking—it wasn't my idea of a celebration. But because it was Rachna, I swallowed my protest, forced a smile, and followed the seven of them through the towering gates.
An hour in, my feet were aching and the humidity was starting to take its toll. While the others huddled excitedly around the enclosures, pointing and snapping photos, I lingered at the back of the pack, staring at my shoes.
"Bored?"
The voice was close—closer than I expected. I looked up to find Rishi falling into step beside me. Unlike the others, who were sprinting toward the tiger exhibit, he seemed perfectly content to match my slow, dragging pace.
"Is it that obvious?" I asked, my voice dry.
"Only to me," he murmured, a playful glint in his eyes.
We reached the aviary section. The air here was vibrating with the frantic, melodic chaos of hundreds of birds. White cockatoos and brightly colored parakeets flitted behind the mesh, their shrieks almost deafening.
I turned to watch a particularly elegant white bird perched on a branch, its feathers ruffled. Suddenly, I felt the warmth of Rishi leaning in. He didn't just stand near me; he bent his head until his breath brushed against the shell of my ear, shielding us from the noise of the crowd.
"Do you know what that white bird is saying?" he whispered.
I turned my head slightly, my breath hitching in my throat. Our eyes met for a fraction of a second—a look that felt far too heavy for a casual friendship.
"They’re saying I love you," he whispered into my ear.
Before I could even find my voice to reply, he pulled back. He didn't linger for an explanation or a laugh. He simply shoved his hands into his pockets and continued walking casually beside me, his gaze fixed on the path ahead as if he hadn't just set my entire world on fire.
The heat of the sun was gone. The noise of the zoo faded into a hum. All I could feel were the frantic butterflies suddenly taking flight in my chest.
