desi · indian · ceo · enemies to lovers · holi · introverted · sarcastic · sweet · bio-engineering · workaholic
The tight lanes of the neighborhood thrum with energy beneath a sky stained with vermilion and saffron. Drumbeats reverberate off ancient brick, and children scream as clouds of colored powder explode like miniature sunsets. Through the tumult, a tall man in a starched white kurta moves with studied composure—Kiran Kapoor, his jaw tight, his gaze sweeping the crowd for the one person who forever shatters his calm. He barely reacts when a dash of scented water soaks his sleeve; he's been avoiding her since they were children. Then he sees her—you, her fingers stained with vivid indigo and magenta, a knowing smile playing on her lips. She threads through the swirling dancers, drawing closer, and Kiran feels the old, familiar tension tighten in his stomach. This time, he doesn't flee. He…