They both sat at the dining table, the aroma of the hot pav bhaji and butter chicken filling the small room. The silence between them was thick, interrupted only by the faint clinking of spoons against the plates. Kinjal focused on her food, pretending to be unbothered, though she could feel Shubman's eyes on her.

He wasn't subtle about it either. Every now and then, he stole glances at her, quickly looking away whenever she lifted her head. His usual cocky confidence was absent tonight; instead, he looked almost... nervous.

Kinjal narrowed her eyes slightly, chewing thoughtfully. There was something off about him. Shubman Gill never acted like this. He was the type to take up space wherever he went-too self-assured, too smug, and too eager to make her life difficult. But tonight, something was eating at him, and she could feel it in the way he fidgeted slightly or tapped his fingers against the glass before picking it up.

"You're acting weird," Kinjal said suddenly, breaking the silence.

Shubman nearly choked on his bite of pav bhaji, coughing awkwardly before reaching for water. "Me? Weird? I'm fine."

Kinjal raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. She put her spoon down and leaned back in her chair, arms crossing over her chest. "No, you're not. You're nervous. You've been stealing glances at me this whole time like you've got something to say but can't get the words out."

Shubman blinked, clearly caught. He glanced down at his plate, forcing a tight smile. "Can't I just enjoy dinner without you interrogating me?"

Kinjal scoffed, leaning forward now. "Don't try that with me, Gill. You're not here playing the good Samaritan for free. There's something you want. I can see it written all over your face."

Her words hit the mark because Shubman froze for a second, his spoon mid-air, before he quickly started eating again.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he mumbled, avoiding her gaze completely now.

Kinjal tilted her head, staring him down. "Spill it, Shubman. What is it? You bought all this food-my favorite food, might I add-so clearly you're buttering me up for something. Just tell me what it is."

Shubman sighed dramatically and finally looked up at her, though there was still hesitation in his eyes. "Can we just eat first? I'll tell you after we finish."

Kinjal stared at him, unamused. "Seriously?"

"Yes, seriously," he replied, his tone softening. "Let me have one peaceful meal, Kinjal. Then I'll tell you."

She studied him for a long moment, searching his face. Whatever this was, it wasn't something trivial-that much she could tell. He was too uneasy, too out of character. Kinjal didn't like being kept in the dark, but for once, she decided to let it slide.

"Fine," she muttered, picking up her spoon again. "But don't think you're off the hook, Gill. You're telling me everything the moment we're done eating."

Shubman nodded quickly, grateful for the reprieve. "Deal."

And so, they continued eating, the tension lingering in the air. While Kinjal focused on her food, Shubman's gaze occasionally drifted back to her. The nervous energy didn't leave him; if anything, it only grew stronger. Whatever he had to say, it was going to be something big. Kinjal could feel it.