It was night by the time Naina stepped out of the airport. Her feet ached after back-to-back shift and her hair was starting to escape the tight bun she had pinned so carefully twelve hours ago.

Just as she was about to call a cab, a familiar car pulled up before her. The window rolled down, revealing Kartik.

"Aapki taxi haazir hai madam."

(Your taxi is here madam.)

He said, his eyes gleaming with mischief. Naina looked around nervously, checking if any of her crew members were nearby.

"Aap yaha kya kr rhe hai? Kisi ne dekh lia toh?"

(What are you doing here? What if someone sees?)

"Let them see. I am here to take my fiancee on a dinner. That's not a crime."

He replied and leaned forward to open the passenger door for her. Naina hesitated a little before getting inside.

As they drove away, the tension in her body started to melt away.

"Hum jaa kaha rhe hai? Please don't tell me we're going to a five star restaurant."

(Where are we going?)

Naina asked and looked at her wrinkled uniform and unkept form.

"Mai taiyar nhi hu, Kartik."

(I am not ready, Kartik.)

"Relax. Hum kisi 5-star mai nhi jaa rhe."

(We are not going to any 5-star.)

He said and took a sharp turn into a narrow lane. They arrived at a small, old cafe. It smelled of freshly baked Maska Bun and brewing tea.

"Yaha?"

(Here?)

Naina looked around, surprised.

"Mai chhota tha tab apne mama ke saath yaha aaya karta tha. Yaha ka bun maska aur chai world ke best hai."

(I used to come here with my uncle when I was young. The bun maska and tea here is the best.)

Kartik said, pulling out a chair for her. Naina smiled and looked at him.

"I like this place. It's so cozy."

She reached across the table and lightly touched his hand. Kartik flipped his hand over to catch her fingers, squeezing them gently.

"I'm glad you liked it."

Kartik was really happy. He told her stories about his childhood. About how once he tried to bake a bun maska but ended up almost burning the kitchen.

Naina laughed until her sides ached, her shyness slowly evaporating. She playfully hit his arm when he made a joke about her being a bossy senior crew member.

"You know what Naina?"

Kartik said suddenly, his tone turning soft.

"Everyone thinks I have everything. Money, power, everything. But I've always seen my parents wait for each other aur unhe dekh ke lagta tha ki mujhe bhi aise hi koi chahiye. Someone to go home for. Ab tumse milne ke baad...I think I've finally found that someone."

(And seeing them I feel that I also want something like that….And after meeting you…)

Naina felt a lump in her throat. She took his hand again and whispered.

"Mai hu na ab. Hamesha."

(I am here now. Forever.)

Their eyes met and he smiled, caressing her knuckles with his thumb.

"Hamesha."

(Forever.)

He repeated and kissed her knuckles. The moment was broken by the sound of giggling near the entrance. Naina's eyes widened as she looked toward the door.

A group of junior airhostesses from Aura Air, still in their ground uniforms, walked in, chatting loudly about their latest flight.

"Oh God! Kartik! Wo mere juniors hai! Agar unhone mujhe yahan dekha, aur woh bhi tumhare saath... toh kal tak poori airline ko pata chal jayega!"

(They are my juniors! If they see me here, that too with you…the entire airline will know by tomorrow!)

Naina hissed, her face turning pale with panic. Kartik looked at the group, then back at Naina's panicked face. A mischievous glint returned to his eyes.

"Toh kya hua? Thodi badnaami hogi na. Hone do."

(So what happened? We will be scandalised a little. Let it happen.)

He teased and she looked at him with wide, panicked eyes.

"Kartik, please! Mazaak mat kriye!"

(Don’t joke!)

Naina pleaded, looking for a place to hide. The girls were heading straight for a table near them. Naina quickly ducked under the table, but her head bumped into the wood with a soft thud.

"Oww!"

She whispered.

"Naina, kya kr rhi ho? Bahar aao waha se."

(Naina, what are you doing? Come out from there.)

Kartik whispered loudly, trying to suppress his laughter.

"Chup rahiye! Unhe jaane dijiye."

(Keep quiet! Let them go.)

 She whispered back from under the table. The girls sat at the very next table. Kartik sat back, looking perfectly relaxed.

He picked up the large, laminated menu card and opened it wide, holding it in a way that blocked Naina from the girls' view if she decided to come up for air.

"Aapka order kya hai, mam?"

(What is your order, mam?)

Kartik said in a fake, deep voice, pretending to read the menu to Naina who was crouching near his feet.

"Kartik, please do something. Hume jana padega yaha se."

(We have to leave from here.)

Naina whispered, her voice muffled.

"Nahi, mujhe toh abhi Maska Bun khana hai. Tum niche hi raho, main tumhe niche hi khila dunga."

(No, I have to eat Maska Bun. You stay there, I will feed you there only.)

He teased and patted her head. Naina pinched his leg, making him jump on his seat.

"Ah! Oyee! CEO ko hurt krne ki punishment milti hai."

(You will be punished for hurting the CEO.)

He chuckled. Just then, one of the girls at the next table looked over.

"Guys...is that-"

Naina froze. Kartik immediately raised the menu even higher, covering his own face too.

"Nahi, main koi aur hoon!"

(No, I am someone else!)

He said in a weird accent. Naina couldn't help it. She started giggling uncontrollably under the table.

"Aap pagal ho."

(You’re crazy.)

She whispered through her laughter.

"Aapke liye haan."

(For you, yes.)

He replied and she blushed. Eventually, the girls got busy with their own food.

"Chalo, raasta saaf hai ab. Dheere se bahar aao, chalte hai yaha se."

(Come on, the way is clear. Come out slowly, let’s go from here.)

He directed. Naina crawled out, staying low, and they both practically sprinted out of the door like two teenagers who had just pulled a prank.

When they reached the car, they were both breathless and laughing so hard that people on the street were staring.

"This has to be the weirdest date in the history of dates."

Naina said, leaning against the car door, wiping tears of laughter from her eyes.

"But the best, right?"

Kartik asked, stepping closer to her. Naina looked up at him, the laughter fading into a soft, glowing smile.

"Haan. Sabse best."

(Yes. The best.)

Kartik leaned in and kissed her forehead gently.

"I'll drop you home."

He whispered and she realized she was slowly falling for this man. Hard.