The cabin of the airplane was buzzing with the low hum of the air conditioning and chatter of people. It was a routine morning flight from Mumbai to Delhi, but for Naina, everything felt different.

Her heart was doing a nervous dance against her chest. She knew he was coming, but she didn't know where he would be.

As a senior cabin crew member, she stood at the entrance, greeting passengers with her practiced, sweet smile. She looked for him in Business Class, but the cabin filled up, and there was no sign of Kartik.

'Kaam aa gaya hoga koi. He is the CEO, itne free thodi na honge.'

(There might be some work. He is the CEO, he won’t be so free.)

She thought to herself, feeling a tiny pang of disappointment. 

She turned to help a lady with her toddler, completely missing the man who just entered in a simple hoodie and baseball cap, slipping into Seat 14B in the Economy class.

He sat in his seat and looked up at his beautiful fiancee working with an effortless grace. He had intentionally booked an Economy seat. He watched her from behind his dark sunglasses.

Beside him, a middle-aged man was already grumbling.

"Ye log hamesha late krte hai. Koi flight kabhi time pr nhi hoti inki. Aur paani manglo toh sunenge bhi nhi."

(This people are always late. No flight is ever one time. They won’t even listen if I ask for water.)

The man muttered. Kartik's jaw tightened. He wanted to tell the man that the flight was exactly on time, but he stayed quiet.

Ten minutes into the flight, the grumbling man pressed the call button repeatedly. Naina appeared within seconds.

"Ji sir, how may I help you?"

She asked, her voice calm and steady.

"Mujhe thanda paani chahiye. Kitni baar bulana padega? Aur ye table itna ganda kyu hai?"

(I want some cold water. How many times do I have to call? And why is this table so dirty?)

The man snapped, pointing to a tiny, almost invisible speck of dust on the tray table.

Kartik felt his protective instincts flare up. He was ready to stand up and throw the man out of his plane, but then he saw Naina. She leaned in slightly, her expression genuinely apologetic.

"I'm really sorry sir. Mai abhi paani laati hu aur ye table bhi saaf krwati hu. Bas ek minute dijiye, sir."

(I will get the water right now and clean this table. Give me just one minute sir.)

She said, before moving to the galley. She returned with a bottle of water and a wet wipe. She cleaned the table with such care and genuinity that the man actually looked a bit embarrassed.

As she stood up, her gaze fell on his seat. She froze. Behind the hoodie and the glasses, she recognized those eyes and that face.

Kartik lowered his glasses just an inch and winked at her. It was a small gesture but it sent a flush of heat straight to Naina's cheeks.

She quickly looked away, her heart hammering.

'Ye yaha kya kr rhe hai? Economy class mai?'

(What is he doing here? In Economy class?)

She wondered, her hands trembling slightly as she moved to the next row.

In the galley, Naina's best friend and colleague, Reema, was prepping the tea trolley. She nudged Naina with her elbow.

"Naina...tune dekha...wo 14B wala passenger. Bhai kitna hot hai wo. But thoda sa weird hai. Tab se bas idhar hi dekhe jaa rha hai. Kahin koi criminal toh nhi hai?"

(Naina…did you see…the passenger in 14B. He is so hot. But a little weird. He has been looking here continuously. Is he a criminal?)

Reema whispered, looking through the curtain. Naina's face went redder.

"Nahi...aisa kuch nhi hai. Tu kaam pr dhyan de."

(No... nothing like that. You focus on work.)

"Arre nhi sach mai. Dekh toh sahi. Jabse tu waha se aayi, yahi dekh ke smile kiye jaa rhi hai. Pakka koi pyscho obsessed stalker hai. Par kitna handsome hai na. Bilkul novel wale villians vibe."

(No really. Look. Since you’ve come from there, he is smiling while looking here. He is definitely some pyscho obsessed stalker. But he is so handsome. Just novel villain’s vibes.)

Reema giggled. Naina tried to stay professional, but it was impossible. Every time she walked past Row 14, Kartik found a way to tease her.

Once, when she was checking seatbelts, he intentionally left his unbuckled.

"Sir please apni seatbelt pehen lijiye."

(Sir please wear your seatbelt.)

She said, trying to sound like she didn't know him.

"I can't do it. Please help me?"

Kartik whispered, his voice deep and playful. Naina bit her lip to keep from smiling. She leaned over to click the belt into place. As she did, he whispered so only she could hear.

"You look so cute and beautiful in this uniform."

Naina practically ran back to the galley.

Finally, it was time for the tea and coffee service. Naina took a deep breath. She knew how he liked his tea. She had heard him place a very specific order the first time they met.

She prepared it herself in a porcelain cup she found in the Business Class stash. When she reached 14B, she didn't ask him what he wanted. She simply placed the cup on his tray.

"Aapki chai, sir."

(Your tea, sir.)

She said softly. Kartik looked at the cup, then at her. He took a sip. His eyes widened in surprise. It was perfect.

Exactly how he had described it during their meeting at the cafe. He looked up at her, and for a moment, the teasing was gone. His eyes were full of silent admiration.

He saw the sweat on her forehead and the way she still maintained her grace even after hours of standing.

"Thank you, Naina."

He said, his voice sincere. She nodded and moved on to the next row, but she couldn't stop the small, shy smile from forming on her lips.

By now, the other crew members were definitely suspicious.

"Naina? Tune usse Business Class ka cup kyu dia? And how did you know what he wanted?"

(Why did you give him Business Class cup?)

Reema cornered her at the galley.

"Wo...family friend hai. Mai jaanti hu."

(He…he is a family friend. I know him.)

Naina lied poorly, her eyes darting around.

"Family friend? Aisa ek hot family friend toh mujhe bhi chahiye yaar!"

(I also want such hot family friends!)

Reema teased and pouted.

As the plane got closer to its destination, Naina went around to collect the trash. When she reached Kartik, he handed her the empty cup.

"I hope you liked the services, sir."

She said formally, noticing Reema watching them from the front.

"Services toh achhi hai, but the best part was the beautiful airhostess. Mera mann kar raha hai har flight isi mein book kar loon."

(The services were good, but the best part was the beautiful airhostess. I want to book every flight here only.)

Kartik replied, his eyes dancing with mischief.

"Kartik! Koi sun lega."

(Someone will listen.)

She hissed, blushing furiously. He just grinned and handed her the saucer. As she took it, she felt a small piece of paper tucked underneath.

Once the flight landed and the passengers began to get down, Naina stood at the door, saying her goodbyes. Kartik was one of the last to leave.

He didn't say anything as he walked past, he just tipped his cap and gave her one last look that made her knees feel weak.

In the crew lounge later, while changing out of her uniform, Naina finally opened the note.

You're even better at your work than I heard around. I was going to give a speech at the headquarters about Customer Satisfaction, but I think I'll just describe you instead.

Naina pressed the note to her heart, a giggle escaping her lips.

"Kya baat hai? Chithi aayi hai?"

(What happened? Got a letter?)

Reema asked, popping up behind her.

"Wahi 14B wala hai na?"

(It is that 14B one, right?)

"Shut up Reema!"

Naina blushed, tucking the note safely into her bag. She looked out the window at the Aura Air planes lined up. For the first time, she didn't just see them as her workplace.

She saw them as the world belonging to the man who was slowly becoming a part of her life. She knew then that she could never say no to this man. He was strict with the world, but he was hers to tease.