The next morning dawned with the arrogance of a sun that had no idea someone had lost their mind overnight.
Vanya Singhania. stood in her penthouse kitchen, staring into her coffee cup like it held the meaning of life. It didn’t. It held the ghost of Ira’s voice, low and casual in the wind:
“You are kind of person people want to catch you.”
The words played on loop in her mind like a background score. That, and the vivid memory of Ira’s hand resting firmly on her waist, her face so close, her breath warm against Vanya’s cheek as she said—
“You, okay? You don’t seem like it.”
She didn’t seem like it because she wasn’t.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgRUvhIaVR
She was ruined. Fully. Beautifully.
Vanya placed her mug down carefully and called out, “Dev.”
Dev poked his head in from the hallway, already mid-scroll on his phone. “Morning. You look... disturbed. Did Ira text you that she’s joining a convent?”
“No,” Vanya muttered. “Worse. She texted ‘thanks’ with a smile emoji.”
Dev blinked. “You... wanted more?”
“I wanted at least a full sentence. Maybe a compliment. Or a clue that she realized it was a date.”
Dev snorted and leaned against the counter. “Vanya, she gave you her jacket, cradled you in her arms, and called you her favorite dinner companion. What do you want?”
“Clarity,” Vanya muttered. “I want her to know it was a date.”
“Then tell her it was.”
“No.”
Dev rolled his eyes. “Then tell her it’s going to be.”
Vanya turned slowly toward him, and for the first time since last night, her expression shifted. From flustered to focused. From yearning to strategy.
CEO mode: activated.
Step One: Operation Second Date
“Fine. We’re doing this again,” Vanya declared. “And this time, no ambiguity. No mutual ‘just dinner’ assumptions. No calling it a networking opportunity.”
“Music to my ears,” Dev muttered. “What’s the plan?”
“Something casual,” she said. “But intentional. No rooftop mystery. I’ll text her an actual ‘date’ invite. Clear. Unmistakable.”
“And when she says yes thinking it’s another coding mentorship session?”
“That’s why I’m sending clothes too.”
Dev blinked. “I’m sorry... what?”
“Ira wears chains and hacker boots like she’s infiltrating MI6. If I want this to feel like a date to her, she needs to be dressed like she’s on one.”
“Vanya. You can’t send clothes. She’ll think she’s been kidnapped.”
“I’ll say it’s a styling suggestion. A soft ‘wear-this-if-you-trust-me’ vibe.”
“So, exactly like a kidnapping.”
“Dev.”
“Okay, okay. You’re the captain of this shipwreck.”
Step Two: The Invite
Vanya picked up her phone. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard. For the first time in a long time, she felt... uncertain. And she hated it.
But when she thought about Ira—her relaxed posture, that deep voice, the way she wore confidence like it was built into her bones—Vanya’s chest softened.
She wasn’t planning this for power.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHv5HpP4Pz5
She was planning it for possibility.
Text drafted:
“I had a good time last night. If you did too, let me take you out again. This time: no accidental interviews. No work talk. Just me, you, and whatever dessert you said might buy your loyalty. Saturday night. You in?”
She stared at the screen.
Then added:
P.S. If you need outfit ideas, I may or may not have a harmless, completely optional fashion suggestion coming your way. No pressure. (Mild pressure.)
And hit send.
Step Three: Waiting... With Help
By midafternoon, Vanya sat cross-legged on her couch with Trisha and Arav flanking her like cats drawn to emotional chaos.
“She hasn’t replied yet?” Trisha asked, peering at her screen.
“She’s probably in a meeting,” Vanya said quickly. “Or building a drone. Or hacking something for fun.”
Arav scrolled through Ira’s social media. “She posted a photo of her coffee with the caption ‘recharging.’ That was two minutes ago.”
“She’s ignoring me,” Vanya whispered.
“She’s not ignoring you,” Trisha said, fighting a laugh. “She’s probably Googling whether coffee on a second date means long-term commitment.”
“She’s not that clueless.”
“You said she thought last night was a friendly debriefing.”
Fair point.
Later That Evening
The text finally came.
Ira:
“Sounds good. I liked dessert. I like you. I like not talking about servers while I eat. I’m in.”
P.S. If you actually send me clothes, I’m think about wearing them but If I look like I’ve been kidnapped, you’re responsible.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLnQgiIyFz
(Also — thank you for not making it weird. This is new. I’m trying.)
Vanya reread it three times. Her heart did a little twist.
“She likes me,” she whispered.
Dev, passing by: “We all like you. But yes, hers matters more right now.”
“She’s trying.”
“And you’re helping her try. That’s the difference.”
Vanya nodded to herself.
Closing Line
Somewhere, a box was being prepared with a note, a soft silk shirt in midnight blue, a discreet perfume, and a pair of earrings she thought might catch the light just right.
Vanya Singhania. wasn’t a woman who usually hoped.
But for Ira Rathore... she was willing to break every rule.
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLTeLFpkBfh
Scene: Rooftop Lounge – 7:32 PM
Vanya sat at the reserved table, heels crossed, nerves tightly leashed. She wore deep wine silk — soft waves in her hair, fingers tracing the rim of her glass as jazz played low in the background. The city below twinkled like a love letter.
Dev had helped with the setup — string lights, flickering candles, even a private violinist waiting by.
All she needed was Ira.
And then—
Boots. Combat. Stride. Absolute annihilation.
Vanya looked up — and nearly dropped her phone.
There she was.
Ira.
Hair slightly tousled, hands tucked casually into the pockets of black tactical pants. The crop top fit like sin and the black leather jacket was unzipped just enough to keep hearts thudding. She looked like she’d walked out of an action film, possibly after punching a man through a wall. And she didn’t even blink.
“Sorry,” Ira said as she approached, “I had a call that ran along. I didn't get time to wear the clothes you send. Was this... too much? My wardrobe’s limited and this is technically clean.”
Vanya blinked.
Twice.
Her voice failed her.
“It's better, you look…” Like a fever dream. Like a problem I want to have. “...great. No — perfect. That’s perfect.”
Ira smiled, amused. “You clean up well too. Less... executive, more seductive war goddess tonight.”
Vanya short-circuited on the spot.
Seductive war goddess? That was flirting. Right? Right??
“You... you noticed?”
Ira pulled out the chair across from her, sat down with a soft grunt, and took a sip of the offered drink. “Hard not to. You radiate effort tonight.”
Effort. She said effort like it was a compliment. And it somehow was.
“This place is too fancy for boots,” Ira added casually, crossing one leg over the other. “Should’ve warned me. I’d have worn my less intimidating footwear.”
“No—don’t. Please. I... like the boots,” Vanya said quickly, trying not to stare at the way Ira’s toned stomach showed when she leaned forward.
“Most people don’t,” Ira replied flatly. “Makes them nervous. You didn’t flinch. That’s rare.”
Vanya sipped her drink just to stay conscious.
Meanwhile—
Behind a curtain, the trio and Vanya’s siblings were peeking in like spies.
Yes, they come again, it's their definition of privacy.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlSZKHoaEN8
“Is that a crop top?” Trisha whispered.
“Is that her abs?” Arav muttered. “Ira’s got ABS?? Why are we not all collectively screaming??”
“She just called her a goddess and doesn’t even know it,” Dev hissed. “I’m writing this down for future use. This is art.”
Scene: Mid-Dinner – Vanya’s Brain in Shambles
Ira was chatting — genuinely, softly — about books, world economics, and why she thinks most dating apps were coded to crush hope.
“Algorithms favor dopamine bursts,” she said, chewing on grilled asparagus. “Not connection. Like slot machines with bios.”
“So... you’ve used them?” Vanya asked, trying to sound normal.
“Once. Got ghosted by a marine biologist.”
“You?”
“Apparently I sounded too intense. Can’t imagine why.” She looked at Vanya with unreadable eyes, then casually leaned back and stretched — her jacket shifting open just a bit.
Vanya lost track of the conversation entirely.
“You’re staring again,” Ira noted, like she was observing wildlife.
“I’m appreciating. Huge difference.”
“Appreciate away. I put zero effort in tonight. Might as well get credit.”
Zero effort? You just broke the Geneva convention of hot.
Scene: As Dessert Arrives
Ira set her fork down and leaned her elbows on the table.
“So... is this your idea of a normal evening?”
“Only if the company’s this interesting,” Vanya smiled.
“Interesting?” Ira tilted her head. “You asked me here alone. Twice. Complimented me four times. Your friends are hiding behind that curtain — poorly. And you haven’t stopped smiling since I arrived.”
Vanya froze.
“So... you do know this is a date?”
Ira blinked.
Paused.
“Wait—this is a date date?” she asked, stunned. “Like... romance? Flirting? That kind of date?”
The three behind the curtain face palmed in union.
Vanya just stared, nodding slowly.
“Oh...” Ira sat back. “I thought you were networking. Maybe offering a project pitch. Or investing in my brother’s side hustle.”
“I—what?”
“To be fair, you do look like a CEO. Even when you’re trying to dress casually.”
“So you dressed like... this... for a business meeting?”
Ira shrugged. “Comfort is power.”
“You’re going to kill me one day, you know that?”
Ira smirked.
“Not unless you ask nicely.”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPEwidTrURG
Scene: Ira’s Room – Late Night
Ira shut the door behind her, pulled off her boots with a tired grunt, and tossed her jacket on the back of a chair. She was still in that same black crop top and cargo pants, hair slightly windswept, cheeks dusted from the breeze on the rooftop.
Her hostel matés – were already gathered in the common space with popcorn, snacks, and expressions that screamed “SPILL IT.”
“So?” Rhea asked, lifting a brow.
“How was it?” Sana chimed in.
“Did she finally kiss you or do I still owe Neelam a hundred bucks?” Neelam asked, not even looking up from her phone.
Ira blinked.
“It was... nice,” she said, walking in and grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge.
“Nice?” Rhea repeated. “Girl, you came back looking like you won a duel and seduced a demigod all in one night.”
“I had mushroom risotto. And she ordered something... red. No idea what. Looked spicy though.”
“Focus, Ira,” Sana said. “Details. Who sat where? Did she hold your hand? Did she flirt?”
“She did smile a lot,” Ira mused, leaning against the counter. “And she kept looking at me funny when I stretched. Think she’s iron-deficient. Her cheeks were red the whole time.”
The three girls groaned.
“Did she flirt?” Neelam pressed.
“I mean... she said I looked great. And that my boots were intimidating in a good way. She also got flustered when I told her she cleaned up well—wait... was that flirting?”
The room fell dead silent.
Sana dropped her bowl of popcorn.
“YOU TOLD HER SHE LOOKED LIKE A GODDESS.”
“War goddess,” Ira corrected calmly. “Accuracy matters.”
“IRA,” Rhea said, holding her own head. “That is literally romance novel level flirting.”
“Is it?” Ira asked, genuinely curious. “Huh. I just thought she looked... nice. And powerful. Like she could command a boardroom or a battlefield.”
The girls stared.
Ira blinked again, thoughtful.
Sana walked away.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4lIMwdEBCc
Rhea screamed into a pillow.
Neelam muttered, “We’re living in a slow-burn fanfic, and the main character doesn’t know she’s in love.”
“Anyway,” Ira said, pulling off her crop top and grabbing her hoodie. “She said she’ll text. So I guess we’re doing this again.”
“You think it’s still a networking dinner?” Rhea asked, deadpan.
Ira paused.
“...well, she does say this is date, so?”
The scream that followed shook the hostel.
Scene: Vanya’s House – Midnight
Vanya was lying face-first on the couch, clutching a pillow like it was the only thing tethering her to this earth.
Her trio — Dev, Trisha, and Arav — sat around her with ice cream, multiple devices, and no chill whatsoever.
“She didn’t know it was a date,” Vanya groaned. “How do you flirt like a poet and not know it’s a date?!”
“To be fair,” Arav said, “she thought you were offering her a project pitch.”
“A pitch doesn’t involve candlelight and compliments about her jawline!” Vanya barked.
Dev scrolled through his camera roll. “To be fair, the way she said ‘you clean up like a seductive war goddess’ was kind of epic. I saved the audio.”
“She wore a combat outfit. To a rooftop lounge.” Trisha shook her head in wonder. “She looked like a Bond villain who moonlights as a runway model.”314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAMYA17Mb5W
“That’s called being gay and in love,” Arav said helpfully.314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCcarYyr0ym
314Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHqbx7wBqdJ
“She’s not even trying and you’re one more smile away from writing wedding vows.”
“What do I do?” Vanya whispered. “She didn’t even know it was a date.”
Arav leaned in. “Then make her fall so hard next time, she Googles what a crush feels like.”
Dev smirked. “We plan date three. Full charm. Maximum clarity. No escape.”
“And if she still doesn’t get it?” Vanya asked.
The trio answered in unison:
“Then we tell her we’ll kidnap her until she understands.”
Later that night Vanya think to herself - "Why whenever I think about you, my heart at peace, I kind one I never felt. Whenever you are around, I fell in explicable pull, my mind, my body even my soul, all want to get close to you, feal you absurd your warmth."
"What are you doing to me Ira, I don't know what it is all I know I don't want to stop."
ns216.73.216.64da2
and then Add to home screen.