chapter 2

The waiter arrived with two cups of coffee and placed them on the table before quietly walking away.

Shreya wrapped both her hands around the warm cup and looked at the man sitting across from her. He was calm, composed, and unusually quiet.

"So..." she began with a smile, "our parents have already decided everything. But I think we should at least get to know each other before the wedding."

Karthik looked at her for a brief moment before replying, "There's not much to know."

She chuckled softly.

"I don't believe that. Everyone has something to share."

He remained silent.

Trying to keep the conversation alive, she asked, "What do you like to do in your free time?"

"I usually work."

"Only work?" she asked in surprise.

He nodded.

"No movies? No travelling? No hobbies?"

"Not really."

Shreya sighed dramatically before laughing.

"You must be a very boring person."

For the first time since they met, the corners of Karthik's lips lifted into a faint smile.

"I've heard that before."

His smile disappeared almost instantly, but Shreya had already noticed it.

At least he smiled, she thought happily.

The silence between them no longer felt uncomfortable.

She took a sip of her coffee before asking another question.

"Can I ask you something personal?"

"If you want."

"What kind of wife do you expect?"

Karthik's fingers tightened slightly around his coffee cup.

"I've never thought about it."

His answer surprised her.

"I have."

His eyes slowly met hers.

"I don't expect a perfect husband," she said with a gentle smile. "I just want someone who respects me, trusts me, and stands by me no matter what happens."

She paused for a moment before continuing.

"I've always believed that love doesn't have to happen before marriage. Sometimes, it grows slowly after two people start understanding each other."

There was a sincerity in her voice that Karthik couldn't ignore.

She wasn't trying to impress him.

She was simply speaking from her heart.

"I know we're strangers today," she said softly, "but I hope one day we'll become friends... and maybe even each other's safe place."

Karthik looked away.

For reasons he couldn't explain, her words made his heart feel strangely heavy.

"I hope so too," he replied quietly.

A smile instantly appeared on Shreya's face.

She had no idea that while she was dreaming about a future together, Karthik was silently carrying a burden he couldn't share with her.

After finishing their coffee, they both stood up.

"I'll drop you home," Karthik said.

"Oh, no. It's okay. I came here by cab."

"I insisted."

Without waiting for her response, he walked toward the exit.

Shreya quickly followed him, unable to stop smiling.

Maybe he wasn't as cold as he seemed.

Maybe he simply needed time.

As they walked out of the café together, neither of them realized that fate had already begun writing a story that would change both their lives forever.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***