Almost Yours - Part 1

The music was too loud for his liking. Aaditya had never been a fan of these engagement parties. The forced smiles, the relatives scanning you up and down, the food that always looked better than it tasted. But Karan had dragged him here, and now he was stuck.

He stood near the corner table, swirling his drink absentmindedly, his eyes scanning the crowd. That’s when he noticed her.

She wasn’t trying too hard. Navy blue saree. Simple earrings. Hair tied loosely, almost like she didn’t care, but cared just enough. She was staring at the desserts, not like someone craving them, but more like someone pretending to be busy to avoid conversations.

Aaditya smiled. He understood that move.

He hesitated for a second. Then walked up.

“Big fan of gulab jamuns or just hiding from the aunties?” he asked, standing beside her.

She looked at him, surprised, but then smiled.

“Both,” she said. “And you?”

“Mostly hiding. The gulab jamun is just for moral support.”

They shared a small laugh. The kind that makes the air lighter.

Before he could say anything else, the emcee’s voice boomed from the stage.

“A big thank you to Rhea and her team for managing this beautiful catering arrangement!”

Aaditya turned to her, slightly confused. “Oh, you’re with the catering team?” he asked.

Rhea laughed, shaking her head. “Nope. I’m just here for the food and free drama.”

He chuckled, feeling slightly embarrassed. “Well, that went well.”

“It’s okay,” she said, still smiling. “Happens more often than you think. People either think I’m the caterer, the photographer, or the wedding planner. Never just a guest.”

He extended his hand. “Aaditya. Definitely not part of the catering team.”

“Rhea. Professional guest,” she said, shaking his hand.

The handshake lingered for half a second longer than necessary. It was warm. Comfortable. Easy.

They ended up talking for the rest of the evening. About work, movies, travel, and how both of them had mastered the art of nodding at relatives without actually listening.

Before leaving, Aaditya asked, “Would it be too soon to say I want to see you again?”

Rhea smiled. “Depends. Are you planning to attend another engagement party soon?”

“Hopefully not. But I can arrange coffee.”

“Coffee sounds better than more gulab jamuns.”

She typed her number into his phone and as a small inside joke, he typed ‘Reha - Caterer’ as her name. She playfully hit his arm when she saw it.

Later that night, as Aaditya sat on his bed scrolling through his phone, Karan’s message popped up.

“Bro, you won’t believe who I bumped into today after years…”

Aaditya smiled as he read the message.

The next line made him sit up straight.

“It was Rhea.”

His thumb hovered over the screen. His heart skipped a beat.

Which Rhea?

to be continued...

#romance #comedy #flashfiction #shortstories