---

Janvi's POV:

I took a day off today. My boss-who also happens to be my best friend-granted it without asking a single question. Sweet, right?

So, here I am, making rotis for lunch. And let me tell you, I'm exhausted. Erotisly tired. Feels like I've been in the kitchen for centuries. Ugh, warthing!

But my mind hasn't been in the kitchen. It's been stuck on one message since morning.

> "Would you let me steal a bit of your evening for a quiet coffee? I promise good conversation."

- Rishi Menta

He asked so politely. And here I am, confused as hell.

I don't know when or how to tell someone about it. If I mention it to my mom or anyone, they'll definitely push me to go. And I don't want to be forced into this.

Should I ask Ashwad?

No... he's with his mom, and aunty is unwell. I shouldn't disturb them.

Then the best idea struck me-and just in time. I was done with the rotis, so I walked into my room and called my savior for this sitch.

I paced the room, nervous, until I heard her voice.

"Hello?" she said.

Her voice. After two years.

"Abe saali! Tu zinda hai?"

("You alive, you witch?!")

"Zinda hoon haan... thodi confused, thodi pagal."

("Yes, I'm alive... a little confused, a little crazy.")

"Tu mujhe call kar rahi hai - ab soch!"

("You're calling me - imagine how bad it is!")

"Break-up hua kya kisi se?"

("Did you break up with someone or what?")

"Koi tha hi nahi, toh break-up kahan se hoga?"

("There was no one in the first place to break up with.")

"Point pe aa. Bina reason ke tu call nahi karti. Bol, kya bakchodi chal rahi hai?"

("Get to the point. You never call without a reason. What nonsense is happening now?")

"Okay... so I got a message today. From this guy-Rishi."

"Kaun?"

("Who?")

"He's from a well-known family, a rishta had come from them earlier. But today, he messaged me directly."

"Aur kya bola usne? Mujhse shaadi karlo?"

("And what did he say? Marry me?")

"Almost. He said-'Let's catch up for coffee.'"

"Bhai saab! Coffee?! Ab coffee pe log rishta fix karte hain kya?"

("Wow. Coffee now seals marriage proposals, huh?")

I chuckled.

"Kya chutiyaapa hai yeh? Tu clearly shaadi ke mood mein nahi hai toh milne ka kya matlab?"

("What nonsense is this? If you're not ready for marriage, what's the point of meeting?")

"Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha. Na main haan keh paa rahi hoon, na naa. I'm just confused, yaar."

("I don't understand. I can't say yes, but I can't say no either.")

"Dekh Janvi, ek baat bolun? Kisi aur ko khush karne ke liye apne peace ko sacrifice mat kar. Shaadi koi chai peene ka plan nahi hai. Agar tu ready hai, toh bas clearly bol de. Aur agar bas coffee pe jaana hai, curiosity ke liye-then own it. Par guilt mein mat jaana."

("Listen Janvi, don't sacrifice your peace to make someone else happy. Marriage isn't a coffee date. If you're ready, say it straight. If you're just curious, then go-but don't carry guilt.")

Talking to her lightened my heart.

"I missed your gaali-wali philosophy," I sighed.

"Meri gaali mein bhi pyaar chhupa hai, madam."

("Even my cursing hides love, madam.")

"I miss you when I need to make maggi at night... or when I have emotional breakdowns."

"Abe teri! Bata kaunsa ramen bhej doon drone se? Delhi se bhejti hoon!"

("You idiot! Tell me which ramen you want, I'll send it by drone from Delhi.")

"Red one. Always the red one."

"Good choice. Waise-coffee ke liye jayegi?"

("Good choice. So-will you go for coffee?")

"Haven't decided yet. But if I do, I'm going with your no-nonsense attitude."

"Very good, girl."

"Okay bye, doctor bakchodi."

"Next time two saal baad mat call karna!"

("Don't call again after another two years!")

"Pakki baat. I missed you, Shashi."

"Same here, idiot. Bye."

---

Author's POV:

Janvi sat on the edge of her bed, her legs swinging restlessly. She stared at her phone, the message glowing on the screen.

"Go for it, Janvi," she whispered to herself.

She took a long breath, left her room, and walked into the living room. Everyone turned to look at her.

"I got a message... from that guy-Rishi Menta."

All eyes sparkled. Everyone leaned in.

"He wants to meet... today evening," she mumbled.

"So... should I reply?" she asked nervously.

Jay grinned. "You should go."

"Yes, beta," said her mom, smiling warmly.

That smile stunned her. The same family that only offered restrictions was now allowing her to meet a guy?

She huffed and walked back to her room.

Sitting on the bed, legs folded, she stared at her phone. She opened the chat.

Deep breath.

Her fingers danced over the keypad:

"Sure."

Almost immediately, a reply came through. A location link. A famous café.

She reacted with a thumbs-up and exited the chat.

But peace doesn't last long in her house.

Knock knock.

She opened the door to see her three younger sisters grinning ear to ear.

"Kya chahiye tum logon ko?"

("What do you guys want now?")

"Socha jiju se milne ja rahi ho toh thodi tips de dein," Trisha said cheekily.

("Thought since you're going to meet your future husband, we'd give you some tips.")

"Aye teen inch, jiju confirm kisne bola?"

("Oi, who said he's confirmed husband material?")

"Arre dekhte hi phisal jaogi, hume pata hai!"

("You'll fall for him the moment you see him. We just know!")

They barged in. Trisha and Ashna flopped onto the bed. Ovi went straight to the cupboard.

"Oye wahan kya kar rahi hai?"

("What are you doing over there?")

"Aapke liye outfit dhundh rahi hoon!"

("Looking for an outfit for you!")

"Didi pe kaunsa colour jyaada accha lagega?"

("What color suits didi the best?")

"BLACK!"

All three said in unison.

After a little chaos, Ovi finally found the one and handed it to Janvi.

"Fine, I'll get ready. But clean up this mess."

"OCD!"

They all yelled and began tidying up.

---

Hope you all liked the chapter

Please have a little patience 🙏 because the upcoming romance and mistery is gonna win your heart

Please check out my other book too

Which is uploaded on Wattpad as well as stck.me

📖~love beyond the contract

This book has already completed its 40 chapter and its pretty interesting with a lot of spicy romance 😉