I smiled, looking at my recipe video which got millions of views on social media. It was a collab of a media house with the hotel I worked for. As I was the head chef there, I was asked to make a recipe for the video. And it was a massive hit.

I continued to look at those positive comments. But I paused and frowned seeing a weird comment.

"Chaya, brown isn't your shade, you'll look good in red lipstick."

The comment was a day old, making it a new comment.

Weird. He didn't say anything about my cooking skill but this? I sighed as I shook my head. There were many weirdos in this world. He was one of them. I closed the app and about to lay down when I got a dm on insta.

"Who is messaging me now, at 11 pm?" I thought as I took the phone again.

" Chaya. You looked so Beautiful in the video. Just like old days."

I frowned, my eyes on the message. "Old days?" I thought. This person knows me? I didn't talk to strangers on insta. I decided to leave it, not giving much attention to it. But then another message popped which got me more irritated.

This time, it was a reply to my insta story where I was hugging one of my junior chefs.

"Who is that? How dare you hug him!?"

"How dare this person order me!?" I thought as I wasted no time and blocked the account. God knew from where I get such weirdos. I laid down on my bed again.

Next day.....

"So you're determined about your decision?" Dadu sighed with irritated eyes. I nodded with lowered eyes. Dadu sighed again as he said, "Fine. Do whatever you want."

"Dadu. Please trust me. I'll make sure this plan succeed." I shuttered.

"You better be. You've always done what you wanted. You're doing same now. So mind it." Dadu said while playing chess with his friend as I nodded.

Time skipped....

I took a long breath as I came out of the old age home. Dadu used to live here. At least he used to get company here and he didn't get bore in his house alone. After my job, I asked Dadu to move in with me. But he didn't agree. The house I bought was located at a peaceful location of Mumbai detached from the noisy city. So, I used to live alone, it was peaceful.

Today was weekend. More likely the foundation day of my Hotel! So! No work today!

Which means hoping on roads with this grumpy panda again. I wore a blue, baggy denim with a white crop top. My hair was a messy bun. I took a taxi and headed to the mall.

I was talking the lazy city landscape when my phone buzzed. I looked down at it as I smiled. Divansh texted, "Where are you? I'm at the mall."

Me: Then have some air of AC.

He : Are you joking? Where are you? You're the reason I came to watch cinema or else I would have been resting at home today.

Me: Resting or Working? You think I don't know what you do on holidays? Weekdays and weekend are same for you. Only work and work. And you don't even have anyone to take you out. So, leaving no choice I have to take the responsibility to make you socialize with the world. ( I texted sarcastically)

He : Funny. Where are you?

I smirked as I took his brief reply. He didn't have anything else to say after my masterstroke.

Me : 10 mins. Get the Pepsi ready. I'm coming.

Time skipped....

"Yeh. Yeh. Yeh. Yeh!" I cheered with others on Ravikumar's entry on screen.

Divansh stayed silent with his judgemental face as he rolled his eyes. "You seriously took me here, early in the morning, to watch this?" He asked in annoyance and amusement.

"Don't! Just don't! Let me enjoy!" I snapped.

"As you wish Ms. Radio. Your wish is my command." Divansh sighed as I gave him a glare.

"Sorry." He mouthed.

After the movie....

"Dil ke taj mahal mai! Dil ke taj mahal mai! Mere mumtaz mahal mai! Dil ke taj mahal mai!" I sang lowly as both of came out of movie theater.

"What the fuck just happened in the movie?" Divansh asked in disbelief as he was still taking the story.

"That's why it's called a Brain rot movie!" I said in excitement. "Brain rot? Sure. Your fav genre. No wonder." He scoffed, crossing his arms as I gave him a death glare,"Don't tell me you didn't enjoy! It was better than your plan about staying home! Burying your face in documents! You should be thankful that I'm the reason you still have entertainment in your life!"

"Ok! Meri maa! You won! What have I done without you!?" He clapped his hands as namaste as he touched it to his head. I gave him a satisfied smile.

"Sudhar ja nahi to guzar jayega." I said as he looked at with a smirk," I'm delighted that I have your blessing on me."

"You'll always have my blessing, my boy. But now. I'm hungry. Let's go and eat something!" I said as I was about to enter a cafe in the mall but Divansh stopped me by my arm," Wait meri maa. Ghar chal. Dad ghar pe hai. Lunch aur dinner waha kar lena." ( Let's go my home . Dad is at home. Have the lunch and dinner at my place.)

"Divansh! How could you think I'll say no to uncle's food!?" I said in fake anger.

I turned to face the exit gate of the mall. "Halla bol!" I yelled as I ran towards it. "Always hyper!" Divansh sighed with done face before following me out.

At night.....

"Uncle give me more curry! And a big chicken piece too!" I said while stuffing my mouth with jeera rice and chicken curry.

"Sure beta." He chuckled as he gave me chicken and curry. "How is it ?" Uncle asked as I said," Best as always! Can your food ever be bad? "

"You and your buttery tongue." He chuckled.

"Don't talk while eating." Divansh said with a grumpy tone as he ate in silence.

Both of Uncle and I made a face as we gave each other a done face before we said together, "Grumpy ."

Divansh stopped eating and looked up. His eyes were filled with annoyance. "Now I'm grumpy for being cautious?"

"Can't help if you sound like this." Uncle scoffed.

"Stop leg pulling me." Divansh snapped, his annoyance, reaching up. Uncle sighed as he said, "See beta? Only you and I know how to handle him! I wonder how his wife will deal with him ."

"Sad. I'm already feeling bad for her." I chuckled. Divansh frowned as he grunted, "Not funny." Both uncle and me burst out in laughing like we inhaled laughing gas.

"Uncle! I'm done. I'll go now. It's already 8 o'clock." I said as I got up. I went to wash my hand when I heard Divansh, "Let me drop you."

"No. No. It's okay. I'll get a cab. I'll manage. You eat peacefully." I said looking at his half full plate.

Maybe he was slow eater or I was fast eater.

"You're sure?" Divansh asked in concern which I chuckled. "I'll let you know once I take a cab and reach my home. Okay?" I asked which he nodded. His face still tensed. I knew, how hard he tries to be grumpy,but he was still a softie for the people he cherished.

"Bye uncle. Take care." I said as I took my bag and touched his feet. "Go safely." Uncle smiled. I waved at them for the last time before I got out of their house.

Time skipped....

After getting freshen up, I came to my balcony as I saw the stars. It was so peaceful as only insects sound could be heard in the bush at a distance. This place had a few houses but those were at distance. It was a boon to me. Like most nights I used play soft music while sitting in the balcony, looking at the sky. None were there to disturb me. I was a queen in my two storied house.

I continued to look up today as well when my phone vibrated.

Thinking it would be Divansh, I opened my phone. But to surprise, it an insta id with no dp and info. It dmed me saying.

"Seems like you enjoyed today a lot. Blue looked good on you. But you're still with a guy? Divansh and you something? But he is no good."

I frowned as awkwardness crept in my spine. How did he know Divansh? Why did this person talked so casually?

I went to my insta stories where I posted about my movie date and the id couldn't be seen in the viewers list.

I didn't think much as I blocked it. I went to the bed as I sat down, feeling uneasy. I tried to brush it off but I failed. I was lost in my thought when my phone buzzed again. I opened it with shaky hands but my body relaxed as I saw it was none other than Divansh.

"You forgot to text me. You reached home?" He texted. "Um. I'll go to bed now." I typed.

"Fine. Take rest." He typed.

"Oi!" I typed. "Yes!?" He immediately responded.

"We're meeting tomorrow. Yeah?" I asked.

"Did any day pass when we didn't meet?" He asked. "Fine. No need to be grumpy." I pouted while typing.

"I'm not grumpy. Stop gluing the word with me all the time!" He texted.

"Okay baba! Sorry!" I typed.

"Grumpy!" I typed before I let out an evil laugh and went offline.