Chapter 5: Unexpected 

Diya had had enough.

For the past two weeks, she had done absolutely nothing except attend fancy events, smile at cameras, and avoid strangling her insufferable husband.

She was bored out of her mind.

Which was why she was now standing in Parth's grand kitchen, rolling up her sleeves.

"Ma'am, you don't have to cook," the head chef, Ramesh Ji, said hesitantly.

Diya waved him off. "Relax. I won't burn the kitchen down."

The entire kitchen staff exchanged glances.

They didn't look convinced.

Diya grinned. "Just watch."

She started chopping, frying, and mixing like she was back in her tiny bakery.

Within an hour, the aroma of spices filled the mansion.

And within five minutes, Anjali Malhotra, Parth's mother, arrived, looking horrified.

"DIYA? What are you doing?"

Diya turned, flour on her nose. "Making lunch?"

Anjali blinked. "That's what the staff is for."

Diya shrugged. "I like cooking. Besides, do you know how hard it is to sit around doing nothing?"

Anjali opened her mouth, closed it, then turned to the staff. "Well? How is it?"

Ramesh Ji took a hesitant bite of Diya's dosa.

His eyes widened.

"Oh my God."

The other staff rushed to taste.

Then Parth's entire family joined.

And within minutes, everyone was stuffing their faces.

Diya smirked. "Told you I was good."

Just then, Parth walked in.

"What's going on here?"

His mother gestured to the food. "Your wife cooked."

Parth blinked. "Wait. She can cook?"

Diya glared. "Excuse me?"

Anjali sighed dramatically. "Parth, you must try this."

Parth raised an eyebrow but took a bite.

His expression shifted.

Diya crossed her arms. "Well?"

Parth swallowed. "It's... decent."

Diya gasped. "Decent?"

Parth smirked. "I've had better."

The staff collectively gasped.

Anjali shook her head. "Parth, you're impossible."

Diya huffed. "Fine. Next time, starve."

Parth chuckled. "Looking forward to it."

And for some reason, that annoying little chuckle made her heart do a weird thing.

Diya couldn't sleep.

Which meant it was time for midnight snacks.

She sneaked into the kitchen, determined to make instant noodles.

Simple, right?

Wrong.

Because the stupid gas stove was fancy, and somehow, she turned on the wrong burner.

Within seconds—

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP.

The fire alarm blared.

Diya froze.

Oh.

Oh no.

Seconds later, Parth stormed in, hair messy, wearing sweatpants and a half-buttoned shirt.

His eyes widened. "Diya, WHAT DID YOU DO?"

Diya held up her hands. "I CAN EXPLAIN."

Before she could, the security team rushed in, along with a very angry Anjali.

"What happened?" Anjali demanded.

Diya pointed to the tiny flame on the stove. "Um. Small accident?"

Parth covered his face. "You almost burned the house down?"

Diya scoffed. "It's barely a fire."

Just then, a sprinkler activated—drenching everyone.

Silence.

Then Parth started laughing.

Not his usual annoyed scoff.

But actual laughter.

Deep, uncontrollable laughter.

Diya stared. He was laughing?

Anjali huffed. "Unbelievable. I'm going back to sleep."

The security team left, and the sprinklers turned off.

Diya crossed her arms. "Glad you're enjoying this."

Parth grinned. "You should've seen your face."

Diya rolled her eyes. "Glad I amuse you, Mr. Perfect."

Parth smirked. "You do."

And that stupid smirk made her heart flip again.

The next morning, Parth and Diya were summoned.

Tanya grinned. "You two are going on a public date today."

Diya groaned. "Why?"

Tanya smirked. "Because the media wants proof that you're a real couple."

Parth sighed. "Where are we going?"

Tanya's grin widened. "An amusement park."

Diya perked up. "I love amusement parks!"

Parth scowled. "I hate them."

Tanya beamed. "Perfect!"

At the amusement park, Diya was having a blast.

Parth, however, looked like he'd rather be anywhere else.

Then Kabir showed up.

Because of course he did.

"Diya!" Kabir smiled brightly. "What a coincidence!"

Diya blinked. "Kabir?"

Parth's jaw clenched.

Kabir ignored Parth. "Wanna go on the Ferris wheel?"

Diya hesitated. "Uh—"

Parth grabbed her wrist. "She's busy."

Kabir raised an eyebrow. "Doing what?"

Parth smirked. "Going on roller coasters with me."

Diya's eyes widened. "Wait—"

But before she could protest, Parth was already dragging her toward the ride.

The moment they were strapped in, Diya narrowed her eyes.

"why did you do that, huh?"

Parth looked away. "we are in public place and go can't go around with other men"

Diya looked closely "Sure, but you shouldn't drap me when I'm talking with my friend."

Parth scowled. "Shut up."
The roller coaster dropped, and Diya screamed.Parth laughed. And somewhere between the chaos, she realized—She didn't hate this.

Later that evening when they came back home a press photography was waiting for magazine cover shoot.

Both parth and diya got ready for the shoot as soon as they came it was set up Tanya. And she had a wicked plan to bring this two together.

They made some post as per request for Tanya those were boring.

Tanya winked at the photographer and said "Time for a romantic pose."

Diya sighed. "What do you want us to do?"

Tanya smirked. "A kiss."

Diya froze.

Parth stiffened. "Excuse me?"

Tanya grinned. "Relax. It's just for the cameras."

Diya gulped. "Fine."

Parth hesitated.

Then, slowly, he leaned in.

Diya's heart raced.

His lips brushed hers.

And suddenly—

It wasn't fake anymore.

Parth didn't pull away.

Diya didn't stop him.

And when they finally did separate, Parth looked shaken.

Tanya beamed. "Perfect! The media will love this."

But Diya barely heard her.

Because her entire world had just shifted.

And she had no idea what to do next.

•°•°•°•°•°•°•°

Vote. Comment. Support.
.

List of Ongoing Stories.

1) Sunn Yaara (RagLak)
2) Falling For my Wife (RagLak)(os) ✓
3) You're The One For Me?(TeVin)✔️
4) BROKEN TRUTH (TeParth)✔️
5) Melody Of The Heart (TeParth)

Niha🖤