SOBIYA~

I woke up early this morning, stirred from my sleep by the noises outside the hostel. It was 7:15 AM, and I began getting ready for college.

After brushing my teeth and washing my face, I slipped into my top and cargo pants. I didn’t feel like eating today, so I decided to skip breakfast.

As I entered the college campus and walked through the corridor, I spotted Inaaya. But she wasn’t alone she was with a guy. I was still observing them when Inaaya noticed me and called out my name.

"Hey Sobii, how are you?" she asked with a bright smile.

"I'm good, how are you?" I replied, walking toward them.

"Good" She replied back

She gestured toward the guy beside her. "Meet Vansh, my boyfriend."

"Hello, pretty lady," he greeted warmly.

"Hi, I’m Sobiya," I said, returning the smile. We exchanged pleasantries before he excused himself and walked away.

Inaaya turned to me, her tone a little more excited now. "He works with Zavian Veer Malhotra ever heard of him? He’s his personal assistant and his best friend too. You know, the topmost billionaire right now?"

"I’ve heard the name, but I’ve never seen him," I replied honestly.

"Oh, he’s also my best friend," she said, a playful twinkle in her eyes. "We’re really close."

I couldn't help but smile as Inaaya spoke about Zavian like he was just another guy next door. It was kind of surreal. A billionaire? As a best friend?

It felt like something out of a drama series.

“I mean, you’ll probably meet him someday,” she said casually, like it was inevitable.

I chuckled. “I seriously doubt that. He’s a billionaire. I’m a student.”

Inaaya grinned, her tone playful. “Well, this billionaire does make surprise appearances. Especially when I’m around.”

I just shook my head, amused. It was still hard to believe, but I didn’t want to press further. If she was telling the truth, that was pretty cool.

We reached our class and parted ways for different sessions. As I sat down, my mind kept going back to what she said. Zavian Veer Malhotra.

I want to meet him—What the hell Sobiya why are you thinking about him my subconsious mind mocked me.

By the time the lectures ended, my head was buzzing with ideas. Fabrics, cuts, silhouettes it was all so new and exciting.

I bid gudbye to Inaaya and ran towards my hostel.

Back in the hostel, I tossed my bag on the chair and opened the window. The Mumbai air was sticky, but it carried a strange sort of comfort now.

I pulled out my sketchbook and pencil, curling up on the edge of the bed.

Soon, a design started taking shape on the page. A flowy dress with soft curves

By the time I was done with my sketch my phone buzzed and it was unknown number, I ignored but my phone buzzed again so I picked up and It was Inaaya.

“Come with me,” she said without giving much context.

I blinked. “Wait, how did you even get my number?”

She giggled. “I have my ways.”

“Listen, I’m kind of tired. I think I’ll just stay in tonight,” I replied, already stretching out on the bed.

“Nope, not happening,” she said immediately.

“Inaaya—”

“No arguments. Be ready in fifteen minutes, or I’m dragging you out in your pajamas. Your choice.”

I groaned but laughed at the same time. She wasn’t going to let this go. She is crazy but a good girl and I can go with her like I am already getting bored in this hostel.

I slipped into my light blue kurti and a pair of jeans. Simple, comfortable. I added a pair of small silver hoops and a thin bracelet just enough to feel put together. A  touch of eye liner, a touch of lip tint, and I was good to go.

I wasn’t sure why Inaaya was being so secretive about this sudden dinner plan, but I figured it wouldn’t hurt to get out for a while. I tied my hair loosely and headed downstairs.

The moment I stepped out of the hostel gate, I spotted a sleek black SUV parked outside. I slowed down, my eyebrows furrowing. Inaaya was inside but she wasn’t alone.

The passenger seat was occupied by Vansh, her boyfriend, and the driver, I didn’t recognize him.

Inaaya rolled down the window and waved. “Sobii! Come, come!”

I hesitated. My legs actually paused mid step.

Something felt off. Fancy SUV, unknown driver where were we going?

But then I saw Inaaya’s bright smile, and before I could think of a polite excuse to turn back, I walked over. She opened the door and practically pulled me inside.

The moment I sat next to her in the backseat, she hugged me tightly. “You look so pretty!”

I smiled, still slightly unsure. “Thanks”

Vansh turned slightly from the front seat and greeted me, “Hey again, Sobiya.”

“Hi,” I said, returning the smile.

Just as I was about to ask who was driving, Inaaya leaned toward me with that mischievous glint in her eyes and whispered, “Sobi you remember how you were saying you’ve never seen Zavian Veer Malhotra?”

I nodded slowly.

“Well…” she tilted her head slightly toward the driver, “He is Zavian Veer Malhotra.”

My mouth fell open.

Wait. What? Is she mad Or What?

I blinked and looked properly at the man behind the wheel.

Sharp jawline, perfectly styled hair, intense eyes focused on the road. He looked like he’d just stepped out of a fashion editorial.

I was sitting in a billionaire’s car.

I turned to Inaaya, whispering under my breath, “You didn’t tell me they were coming. And why are they even coming?”

Inaaya just grinned like a fox and said, “It was my plan.”

I stared at her, stunned. My brain was still catching up to the fact that Zavian freaking Veer Malhotra was inches away from me, and I looked like this.

“Relax,” she mouthed, nudging my side playfully.

Easy for her to say.

The SUV pulled up in front of a stunning, glass walled restaurant. Warm yellow lights glowed from inside, the kind you usually see in movies or Instagram stories from people who don’t check the price column on a menu.

A valet opened my door before I could even reach for the handle. I stepped out, adjusting my kurti awkwardly as Inaaya joined me.

She linked her arm with mine like everything was normal. Like we weren't about to dine with Zavian freaking Veer Malhotra.

Inside, the place was breathtaking. Plush seats, low lighting, and a soft instrumental playing in the background. The kind of place where people spoke in hushed tones and waiters moved like shadows.

We were led to a reserved corner booth. Vansh and Zavian walked ahead, and I tried not to stare at his back the entire time. But it was hard. His presence was just intense. Confident, quiet and intimidating.

As we settled into our seats Inaaya and I on one side, Vansh and Zavian on the other Inaaya cleared her throat dramatically.

“Sobi,” she said with a smug smile, “Meet Zavian Veer Malhotra.”

Zavian turned slightly, his gaze meeting mine for the first time since we got in the car. His eyes were sharp, but not unkind. Observant.

“Hi,” he said simply, with a nod.

I almost forgot how to breathe for a second.

“H–Hi,” I managed, my voice a little lower than usual.

“This is my best friend I was talking about,” Inaaya added, nudging me with her elbow. “The one who didn’t believe I knew you.”

I closed my eyes for half a second, embarrassed. God, Inaaya please stop talking.

Zavian’s lips curved into the faintest smile. “Well, now She does.”

I could feel my heart in my throat. Why did he have to be this calm, this charming, this impossible?

I glanced down at the menu just to escape his gaze, but I couldn’t focus on a single dish. My brain was still reeling.

I was in a five star restaurant. Sitting across from India’s most talked about billionaire. Wearing jeans and a kurti.

I quietly leaned toward Inaaya and whispered, “I hate you right now.”

She laughed under her breath. “You’re welcome.”

Vansh leaned back slightly, his fingers tapping the edge of the table as he looked at me.

“So, Sobiya,” he began, “tell me about your family. Who all are there back home?”

I shifted a bit in my seat, still hyper aware of the man sitting directly across from me. I could feel Zavian’s gaze flicker in my direction even though he hadn’t spoken much since we sat down.

“Well,” I said, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, “It’s just my brother and his wife, mostly. My parents… passed away a few years ago.”

Inaaya reached out and touched my hand lightly, offering a soft, silent kind of comfort.

Vansh nodded, his expression warm and genuine. “That must’ve been tough. But it looks like you’ve handled things pretty well.”

I smiled, grateful that he didn’t turn it into a pity conversation. “Yeah, I mean, it’s just life, right? You figure it out as you go.”

Zavian took a sip of water, his eyes still calmly studying me like he was taking in every word without interruption.

“And what made you choose fashion designing?” Vansh continued, clearly making an effort to keep the mood light.

My face lit up a little. “I’ve always loved observing how clothes make people feel. Confident, powerful, beautiful. I wanted to be the person who creates that feeling.”

Inaaya grinned beside me. “See? I told you she’s passionate.”

Vansh smiled. “I get it. There’s something powerful about creating something from nothing.”

Zavian’s deep voice cut in then low and smooth.

“And do you plan to stay in Mumbai after you finish college?”

My heart gave a jolt. He was talking to me directly now.

I met his gaze, steady as I could. “Yes. Hopefully. It has more opportunities, especially in fashion. And I kind of love the chaos.”

His lips quirked into a small, almost imperceptible smile. “Then you’ve chosen the right city.”

I nodded slowly, my pulse drumming louder in my ears.

The conversation drifted after that mostly between Inaaya and Vansh but I kept catching Zavian watching me in those quiet moments. Not in a weird way, just curious. Intent.

It felt like he was reading something written on my face that even I hadn’t noticed.

And that thought alone made me feel even more exposed than ever.

I was just starting to relax a little, I took a bite of the pasta in front of me, nodding along as Vansh talked about some funny incident at work.

Inaaya was laughing beside me, her voice echoing like a chime.

I smiled, but just as I was about to laugh, I swallowed at the wrong time.

A piece of pasta got lodged in my throat.

I coughed once.

Then again, harder.

And again.

My eyes began to water as I reached for my glass, but it was empty.

Panic started to rise in my chest. I could feel my face heating up not just from choking, but from sheer embarrassment.

I tried to wave it off, coughed again, clutching the edge of the table now.

And then

A glass of water appeared in front of me, and a strong hand rested on my shoulder.

“Easy,” a calm, steady voice said beside me. “Drink this.”

I turned my head slightly, still coughing, and

It was Zavian.

Standing beside me.

Holding the glass like it was the most natural thing in the world.

I stared at him, completely stunned, even as I took the glass with shaky hands and sipped, finally easing the blockage in my throat.

A few seconds later, I could breathe properly again.

Inaaya rubbed my back gently. “You okay, Sobi?”

I nodded quickly, my voice hoarse. “Y-Yeah. Sorry. I just, wrong pipe.”

Vansh looked concerned but relieved. “That scared me for a second.”

But I wasn’t listening to him.

I was still looking at Zavian, who had returned to his seat like it was no big deal.

But it was a big deal.

He hadn’t hesitated. Not for a second. No blank staring, no awkward “oh no” he’d moved instantly, quietly, like he’d done this a hundred times before.

That was what shocked me the most, Not the choking, not the water but him.

He looked up once and caught me staring. His brows lifted slightly, like he was silently asking, "All good now"?

I nodded once, awkwardly.

But deep inside… something had shifted.

And I didn’t know what it was yet.

Only that I couldn’t stop thinking about the way Zavian stood up for me, so effortlessly.

Literally

Dinner had gone back to normal after the whole choking incident at least on the surface.

And now that I had fully processed what happened I wanted to disappear under the table.

When we stepped out of the restaurant, the night air had turned cooler, but my face still felt warm.

A sleek black SUV was waiting at the curb, and I noticed a couple of men bodyguards standing by it, opening the door as soon as they saw Zavian.

Bodyguards.

It hit me again.

How powerful he really was.

He nodded at them casually, barely acknowledging the formality, and slipped inside like it was nothing.

Inaaya tugged at Vansh’s arm. “Babe, my feet are killing me. Come sit in the back with me and massage them, please?”

Vansh grinned, teasing, “I’m not your massage therapist madam.”

“But you are my boyfriend,” she smirked, pulling him toward the back seat anyway. “Now come on, act like it.”

And then she turned to me.

With that expression.

“Sobii, you sit in the passenger seat na,” she said casually. “It’s too cramped in the back.”

I froze. “Wait what?”

But she was already pushing me toward the front door. “Go, go."

My feet didn’t move. “Inaaya…”

“Now,” she whispered through her teeth.

What the hell is wrong with her???

I was about to sit next to Zavian Veer Malhotra while he drove.In his billion-dollar car with bodyguards following us, Casual and totally normal. Is it normal? Hell no.

I opened the passenger door, swallowing down the million thoughts running through my brain, and slid inside.

Zavian didn’t look at me immediately his gaze was still on the side mirror, talking briefly to one of his men.

But I could feel the air change. It was heavier in here. Or maybe that was just me.

He glanced at me once as he adjusted the steering. “Comfortable?”

I nodded, too quickly. “Yeah”

He started the car smoothly, and the SUV glided into motion like a dream. Inaaya and Vansh were laughing in the back, already lost in their own world.

And I?

I sat stiffly in the passenger seat of a billionaire’s car, trying not to fidget, trying not to stare, trying not to breathe too loudly.

The silence between us was strange.

Not awkward, but  loaded.

Like he didn’t talk much, but when he did it would matter.

And for some reason, I had a feeling he was noticing everything I wasn’t saying.

Everything I was.

The ride back was quiet.

Inaaya and Vansh were giggling in the backseat. I sat in the passenger seat, painfully aware of Zavian right next to me, driving with calm focus.

He didn’t speak much. Just kept his eyes on the road, one hand on the wheel. But even in silence, his presence filled the car.

When we reached the hostel gate, the SUV came to a soft stop.

Inaaya leaned forward and hugged me. “Bye, Sobii! Love you!”

Vansh smiled. “Take care, Sobiya.”

“Bye,” I mumbled and stepped out quickly, my heart thudding in my chest.

I didn’t dare look at Zavian again. Just shut the door and watched the car pull away.

Once inside my room, I locked the door and stood there for a second.

Then I whispered to myself, “I met a billionaire today.”

Zavian Veer Malhotra.

The name echoed in my head.

I rushed to my bed, grabbed my phone, and opened Instagram.

Typed his name slowly almost nervously.

@zavianvmalhotra

Blue tick. A clean, classy profile. Just a few posts.

350 million followers, Damm!!

I stared at the number. My breath caught.

I tapped his profile. His photos were rare but powerful. Business events, luxury, elegance. One picture with our PM.

In the few where his face showed he looked unreal. Just like tonight.

My cheeks grew warm. I locked my phone and flopped onto the bed.

What even was this night?

I should've taken a selfie with him to tell everyone I met a Zavian Veer Malhotra.

Whats wrong with me? Behave sobiya behave— my mind mocked me.

A/N

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