Riyan still had his doubts about Simran, but he didn't say anything further.
Simran, too, turned her face toward the window, avoiding eye contact.
Just then, the flight attendant arrived to take their dinner orders.
Riyan ordered everything non-veg, while Simran chose pure vegetarian food.
Soon, the food arrived. Both ate quietly, but Simran kept glancing at Riyan's plate every now and then, which Riyan couldn't help but notice.
When he couldn't take it anymore, Riyan looked at her and asked, "Is this the first time you're seeing this kind of food? Why do you keep staring at my plate?"
Simran got flustered. With an innocent expression, she replied, "Sorry, it's not what you think. I was just observing how you eat with a knife and fork like an Englishman. I've only seen this in movies… this is my first time seeing it in real life."
Riyan raised one of his eyebrows — this was new to him. He had been using a knife and fork since childhood, but for Simran, it was something completely new.
Now you must have understood — these two come from very different worlds.
Looking at her, Riyan asked, "Do you want to learn how to eat with a knife and fork?"
A sweet smile spread across Simran's face. She nodded innocently and said, "Yes, I want to learn."
"But what will I get in return?" Riyan said, winking at her.
Simran looked at him in surprise. "But what could I possibly give you? I don't have anything worth offering."
Riyan paused for a second, thinking, and then said, "Okay, I'll teach you today. But if fate brings us together again, then whatever I ask from you at that time — you'll have to give it. Consider it my guru-dakshina (a gift for the teacher). Promise?"
"Promise! When we meet again, I'll give you your guru-dakshina. But hey— don't ask for anything weird!", she warned him, raising her finger playfully.
Riyan first stared at her, then at her raised finger. His eyes hardened. He quickly grabbed her finger and said in a low, threatening voice, "Babes, don't force me to do something. Gentleman promise — I won't make any inappropriate demand. But never raise this finger at me again."
Saying this, Riyan abruptly let go of her finger.
Simran winced in pain as her fingers ached from his grip. Her eyes welled up with tears.
"I don't want to learn anything from you. I'll ask my friend to teach me. You're a brute! Ugh." she muttered and began eating her food again.
Riyan shrugged casually. "O.K. As you wish," he said, and continued his meal.
After dinner, Riyan slid his seat down to make a flatbed, wore his eye mask, and went to sleep.
Simran, meanwhile, put on her headphones and started watching a Hindi movie.
It was an emotional one — the hero dies while defeating the villain at the end. Watching it made Simran cry silently. Her soft sobs began reaching Riyan's ears.
He had been trying to sleep for a while but was now irritated. Sitting up, he looked at her and snapped,
"What's your problem? Why do you keep crying like a child? You don't sleep, and you won't let others sleep either."
Hearing his annoyed tone, Simran wiped her nose with a tissue and replied, "The hero died… the villain killed him… I don't like such endings. He was my favorite hero."
Riyan, however, was fixated on something else — that used tissue.
He had OCD. Cleanliness was a compulsion for him, and even a bit of messiness bothered him.
Unable to hold back, he snatched the tissue from Simran's hand, called a crew member, and had it thrown into the dustbin.
Simran pouted and looked at him.
Taking a deep breath to compose himself, Riyan said in a firm but calm voice,
"Look, it's late. You're disturbing me. If I wanted, I could throw you out of this flight right now. Go fly in the air and meet your hero up there. If I hear one more sound, I swear I'll make that villain seem kind in comparison. Now shut up and sleep. And let me sleep too."
Seeing Riyan that angry, Simran got scared. She quickly put a finger over her lips, just like little kids do in front of their teacher.
Riyan nodded, and for some strange reason, he found her childish behavior endearing.
He wasn't actually angry — he just wanted her to quiet down.
Still trying to act stern, he signaled her to sleep.
Simran, genuinely scared by his stern tone and expression, obediently slid her chair back, wore her eye mask, and went to sleep.
Seeing this, a faint smile crept onto Riyan's face — a rare sight for him.
Even he was surprised by it.
Because Riyan Rishikesh Raichand, the mafia boss known for his emotionless attitude and ruthless behavior — was, for the first time, letting a complete stranger girl affect his cold demeanor.
Normally, he wasn't the type to tolerate a girl's endless chatter.
And yet… here he was… sleeping next to Simran.
The flight landed.
Will they meet again? And how?
To find out, stay connected with this story.
And don't forget to share your thoughts in the comments below!