The moment I landed, the salty breeze hit my face, and for the first time in days, I felt like I could breathe. No office, no endless scrolling through Reyansh's photos, no overthinking. Just me, the ocean, and a much-needed distraction.

"Welcome to Goa, Tara. New place, new mindset. No more Khurana." I muttered to myself as I dragged my suitcase out of the airport.

Of course, my brain didn't get the memo because the first thought that popped into my head was-What if Reyansh ever visited Goa? Would he like the beach or the nightlife?

I physically shook my head. "No. Stop. Focus on yourself, woman."

A whole week of relaxation, fresh air, and zero thoughts about him. That was the plan. And I was determined to make it work.

I checked into my hotel, and the moment I stepped onto the balcony, a warm breeze wrapped around me like an old friend. The sky was painted in soft hues of orange and pink, and the sound of waves crashing against the shore filled the air. The hotel manager-let's call him Mr. Frustration, was the type of guy who looked like he'd just been through a rollercoaster of emotions and lost every round. When I walked up to the counter, he barely looked up.

"Name?" he asked.

"Tara Mehra," I said, smiling a little too brightly, trying to make up for his general lack of enthusiasm.

He glanced at the computer screen, then back at me, and then sighed louder than I thought possible. "You're Tara Mehra? Aap?"

I blinked. "Uh, yeah... Is that a problem?"

He rolled his eyes so dramatically I half expected him to topple off his chair. "No, no. You already know, right? You're staying for five days?"

"Yes, I am."

"Fine, fine... Room 206. Second floor. Use the lift... but the buttons aren't exactly visible, so press them with some sense!" he said

Goa felt different. Free. Unapologetic. Like a place where no one cared about the past, only about the present.

The streets below buzzed with life-tourists in floral shirts, bikers zooming past, beachside cafes playing soft jazz. It was chaotic, yet somehow peaceful.

By evening, after settling into my room and sorting through my half-empty suitcase, I decided I'd had enough of the hotel walls. The hotel manager's frustration had rubbed off on me, and I needed fresh air, the sound of waves, and maybe a little distraction to get my mind off things.

I checked the time-4 PM. It was a beach o'clock.

I grabbed my bag, put on my hat (because sunburn is a thing), and walked out of the room. The moment I stepped outside, I could feel the tropical air on my face, and I almost laughed. Goa really had a whole different vibe.

I walked along the shore, my toes sinking into the warm sand. This is it, I thought, I'm finally relaxing.

That something as simple as the beach could make the world feel less suffocating.

And then, of course, my moment of peace had to be ruined.

"Are you serious? I don't have time for this," a deep, agitated voice cut through the quiet.

I sighed, rolling my eyes. "Bas isi ki kami thi," I muttered, my irritation bubbling up.

[ "That's exactly what was missing."]

The voice-whoever he was-kept going, sharp and commanding, as if the entire beach belonged to him.

I didn't bother looking up, just raised a hand dismissively. "Kripaya door jaake baat kare," I said, my tone firm.

["Please, go somewhere else to talk."]

And then...

He stopped talking. Curiosity got the best of me, and I finally turned my head, fully prepared to glare at the annoying stranger who had ruined my peaceful moment.

But the moment my eyes landed on him, my breath hitched.

Reyansh Khurana.

Sitting beside me. Dressed in a crisp white shirt with the top buttons undone, sleeves rolled up, and that effortless power oozing from every inch of him, he sat there, completely at ease.

"My bad if I ruined your mood," he said, his voice smoother than I remembered. "Sorry about that."

I was a bit surprised, his tone was oddly captivating in a way that left me confused but intrigued.

He looked at me when I didn't reply. "Hey, did I really ruin your mood that much?"

I blinked, still trying to process everything. "Nahi," [ No ] I said, trying to brush it off with a small smile.

He nodded with a smile. He looked out at the beach for a moment, his gaze drifting over the waves as if lost in thought. Then, turning to me with that same intense look, he asked, "What's your name?"

I blinked, suddenly aware of how weirdly calm he was, as if he hadn't just dropped a bombshell by sitting next to me.

"Tara," I replied, my voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions inside me. "Tara Mehra."

There was no chance in hell I was going to tell him about the crush thing for years.

He nodded, his expression softening just a little, as if genuinely acknowledging the awkwardness. "So, Tara... once again, sorry for the disturbance."

I sat there, a little lost in my thoughts, trying to figure out what to do next. Should I say something? Or just stay quiet and leave? The dilemma was real. I glanced at him, unsure whether to speak up or make a quick exit.

And as my eyes met his again, I couldn't help noticing how effortlessly he carried himself. Why, seriously? This guy is a walking, talking dream!

Suddenly, my feet decided they had enough of me sitting here like a confused mess. I started walking away, trying to look. like I was totally chill, but in reality, I was probably moving like a penguin on a mission.