Die For Me Later
Peek A Boo
Jai is at his desk, brow furrowed, scribbling notes. His sharp jaw twitches slightly as he flips through a case file.
Aditya Vedantham / ML bro
(voice, from doorway):
You’re going on a blind date.
Jai Vedantham / ML
Did we go bankrupt while I wasn’t looking?
Aditya Vedantham / ML bro
(grinning):
No, but I’m considering auctioning you off if this doesn’t work.
Jai Vedantham / ML
Tell them I don’t come with warranty or returns.
Aditya Vedantham / ML bro
Just go. One dinner. Pretend to be charming. I’ll even iron your shirt.
Jai sighs, pinches the bridge of his nose.
Jai Vedantham / ML
(murmuring):
Fine. I’ll go. What’s her name again?
Aditya Vedantham / ML bro
Anvika Nair. Tomorrow night. Don’t forget.
POLICE STATION – NEXT DAY, LATE MORNING
Jai is midway through reporting the cas he solved yesterday when the station doors swing open with force. ANVIKA NAIR storms in, fire in her eyes, elegant but furious.
Anvika Nair / FL
Are you Jai Vedantham?
Jai blinks, pauses mid-sentence, dismisses the constable with head movement . He turns to her, standing slowly.
Jai Vedantham / ML
(deadpan):
Depends. Are you here to file a complaint or start a war?
Anvika Nair / FL
(sarcastic):
Maybe both. You forgot your blind date, Inspector. That’s not just rude—it’s criminal.
Jai Vedantham / ML
(calmly):
You stormed into a police station… for a date?
They stare. Silence. Something shifts in Anvika’s face. Her anger falters the moment she sees him up close—his tired eyes, faint scar near his temple, the way he carries sadness like second skin.
Anvika Nair / FL
(softly, surprised):
Oh.
Jai Vedantham / ML
(raising an eyebrow):
Oh?
Anvika Nair / FL
(clears throat):
No, I mean—just. You don’t look like someone who forgets things.
Jai Vedantham / ML
I’m excellent at forgetting things I didn’t want to remember.
Anvika Nair / FL
(challenging):
So you didn’t want to remember me?
Anvika still standing, arms folded, though her irritation is now edged with curiosity. Jai gestures toward the bench by his desk.
Jai Vedantham / ML
Sit, if you’re planning to yell at me longer.
She sits, clearly studying him now—his uniform slightly crumpled, eyes heavy with unslept nights, a subtle sadness beneath his sharp exterior. He catches her stare but doesn’t flinch.
Anvika Nair / FL
(gently, surprising even herself):
You look… tired.
Jai Vedantham / ML
(deadpan):
Wow. That’s a first-date compliment for the ages.
Anvika Nair / FL
(grinning):
It’s just—you’re a police officer, I get it. Life and death, and all that. But forgetting the date wasn’t cool.
Jai Vedantham / ML
Wasn’t intentional.
Anvika Nair / FL
You could’ve at least texted.
Jai Vedantham / ML
I don’t text strangers.
Anvika Nair / FL
You were supposed to marry this one, maybe.
Jai Vedantham / ML
(a long pause):
Maybe.
That hits differently. Anvika watches him closely now, something softening in her. She leans forward slightly.
Anvika Nair / FL
(carefully):
Is this how you deal with people? Push them away before they can leave?
He says nothing, but the flicker in his eyes answers for him. His walls are high, but transparent in moments like this. Anvika doesn’t press. She changes tactics.
Anvika Nair / FL
Fine. New deal. Start over. I won’t judge you for missing the date.
Jai Vedantham / ML
(after a beat):
Want tea?
Anvika Nair / FL
Only if it’s terrible.
Jai Vedantham / ML
(standing, with a smirk):
Perfect. We get terrible tea to stay awake and solve cases. Helps with catching criminals… and unexpected guests.
Jai Vedantham
IPS Officer, currently serving in the Hyderabad Police force
Anvika Nair
Public Relations & Corporate Affairs Director at ANV Media Group
COMING SOON: DIE FOR ME LATER
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