Don't wait for the opportunity create it.

Ananya

I was ready by 7 o'clock, dressed in my black halter-neck skater dress, and made my way downstairs. As I reached the last step, I noticed all my cousins gathered in the living room, engaged in animated conversation and laughter. Their joy was infectious, and for a moment, I just stood there, taking it all in.

I walked into the living room and greeted them with a smile. One of my cousins, noticing my attire, raised an eyebrow and asked, "Wow, you’re all dressed up. Are you going somewhere?"

Before I could answer, my brother chimed in smoothly, "Yeah, Anu and I, along with my friends, are heading out for a drive. They haven’t seen Mumbai at night, so we thought we’d give them a little tour." He shot me a quick wink. I had to admit, my brother had become quite the master at spinning a story.

Before anyone could question further, he gently tugged me toward the door. "You lied to them," I said, raising an eyebrow, trying to sound stern.

"Seriously, Anu, are you going to lecture me like Mom now?" he shot back, his voice dripping with sarcasm. We both burst out laughing, the sound echoing in the cool evening air.

As our laughter subsided, I suddenly became aware that Arsh, Aman, Harsh, and Aakash were watching us, small smiles playing on their lips. My gaze lingered on Aakash, who looked effortlessly handsome in his crisp white shirt and blue jeans. How did this guy manage to look good in anything?
A sharp car horn startled me out of my thoughts. I blinked and quickly made my way to the car, sliding into the passenger seat next to my brother. Once we were on the main road, my brother turned to me, "So, did you pick a restaurant?"

"Yes, we’re going to Taj Lands End," I replied, my excitement bubbling over. I wasn’t usually one for five-star hotels, but tonight felt different. I had something important to share, and I knew my brother would be proud.

"I’m really looking forward to hearing this good news," he teased, his tone light and playful.

The ride was filled with easy conversation and laughter, a stark contrast to Aakash, who sat quietly, seemingly disinterested in our chatter. But I pushed that thought aside—tonight wasn’t about him.

We arrived at the restaurant before I even realized it. The time had flown by as we all enjoyed each other's company. Stepping into the grand lobby of Taj Lands End, I felt a sense of anticipation. I approached the receptionist, a young woman who greeted us with a warm smile. After checking our reservation, she led us through the restaurant.

As we stepped inside the Taj in Land restaurant, I was instantly enveloped by an air of elegance and opulence. The dim lighting created a warm, inviting atmosphere, while the soft glow of chandeliers cast a golden hue over the room. The walls were adorned with intricate artwork, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of India.
The seating was plush, with deep, comfortable chairs upholstered in rich fabrics, perfectly complementing the polished wooden tables set with fine china and crystal glassware. The fragrance of exotic spices filled the air, mingling with the scent of fresh flowers arranged tastefully around the room.

Large windows framed with heavy drapes offered glimpses of the bustling city outside, but within these walls, it felt like a world apart—calm, luxurious, and timeless. The soft murmur of conversation and the gentle clinking of cutlery added to the ambiance, making it feel like an experience rather than just a meal.

Every detail, from the beautifully crafted table settings to the attentive service, exuded sophistication. It was clear that this was not just a restaurant, but a place where memories were made. As we were led to our table, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation—this was going to be a night to remember.

We all took our seats, and I instinctively chose the spot beside my brother. Aakash, of course, sat directly across from me. As soon as I looked up, our eyes locked. His blue gaze held mine for a moment longer than necessary, and I realized he had been watching me. My heart gave an involuntary flutter, and I quickly looked away, only to be distracted by the arrival of our waiter.

"My name is Neil, and I'll be your waiter for tonight," the young man introduced himself with a charming smile, dimples forming on his cheeks. He was undeniably handsome, and those dimples? Oh, how I loved dimples—I had a real weakness for them.

But before I could even respond, Aakash's voice cut through the moment like a knife. "You can go now. We’ll call you when we’re ready to order," he said, his tone cold and dismissive, his gaze sharp as he looked at me. It was almost as if he had caught me admiring the waiter, and the way he was acting, you’d think he had some right to be jealous.

What was his problem? Just a few hours ago, he was ignoring me completely, and now he was suddenly acting protective. This guy was definitely bipolar.

"Okay, let’s order quickly so we can get to that good news you’ve been holding back," my brother said, bringing the focus back to the table.

We placed our orders swiftly, and once the waiter had left, I took a deep breath and gathered my thoughts. This was it. "So, the news I wanted to share is that I’m now a resident at Endenberk Hospital…" I began, but before I could finish, my brother jumped up and hugged me tightly.

"Congratulations, Anu! I’m so proud of you!" he exclaimed, his excitement infectious. The others chimed in with their congratulations, their smiles making me feel warm inside.

"Wait, let me finish," I said, smiling as I continued. "I’m not only a resident at Endenberk Hospital, but I’m also going to be working on Dr. Ramsey’s team."

The room fell silent, everyone’s eyes widening in shock. They all knew who Dr. Ramsey was—a world-renowned surgeon. Working under him was a dream come true, at least for me.

My brother was the first to break the silence. "That’s incredible, Anu. Dr. Ramsey is one of the best. Working with him will be an amazing experience for you."

"Thanks, bhai," I said, feeling a rush of pride. Even Aakash offered me a smile as he congratulated me, and my heart skipped a beat at the sight. His smile was rare, but when it appeared, it was impossible to ignore.

We settled into a comfortable rhythm of conversation, but I couldn’t help noticing that Aakash still seemed distant. Despite that, I was too caught up in the joy of the evening to dwell on it.

The food arrived shortly after. We had ordered a feast—garlic cheese bread, a chicken platter, and falafel for starters, followed by white sauce pasta, chicken spaghetti, dragon chicken sizzler, and fried rice for the main course. And, of course, we couldn’t skip dessert: Belgium chocolate cake and sizzling brownies with vanilla ice cream. The flavors were exquisite, each bite better than the last, and the lively conversation made the meal even more enjoyable.

But then my brother received a call and excused himself, leaving me alone with the four handsome devils across the table. Harsh broke the silence. "So, you’re officially a doctor now?"

"Yes," I replied, trying to sound casual, but the conversation felt awkward. It was like watching a boring movie—there was nothing engaging about it. I found myself only answering in monosyllables.
After what felt like an eternity, my brother returned, looking slightly tense. "What happened, bhai? Who was on the phone?" I asked, concerned.

"Nothing," he said quickly, but I narrowed my eyes at him, not buying it. He sighed and finally confessed, "Georgia’s coming tomorrow, and I don’t know what I’m going to tell Mom. I’m definitely not introducing her as my girlfriend."

"Relax, bro," I said, thinking quickly. "Let her come, and we’ll introduce her as my friend who came to see the Indian wedding. Simple."

A look of relief washed over his face. "Oh, that’s a great idea. Mom won’t be suspicious, and you’re a genius, my little sis."

If you’re wondering who Georgia is, she’s my brother’s current girlfriend. She’s an interior designer and the sweetest, kindest girl he’s ever dated. I genuinely liked her, and I was more than willing to help my brother out.

After paying the bill, we left the restaurant. As we exited, the waiter gave me another smile, and for a moment, I wondered if he liked me. But then I laughed at myself—sorry, Neil, but my heart’s already taken, even if it’s a hopeless case.

We got home around 11 o’clock. I quickly changed into my nightwear—a comfortable spaghetti top and cotton shorts. Tomorrow was going to be a long day. Georgia was arriving, and we had the engagement to attend. I just hoped everything would go according to plan.