In the soft glow of the lights, the hall buzzed with the excitement of an engagement party. The chatter of the guests grew louder as the moment approached for the soon-to-be-wed couple to make their grand entrance.

Among them, I noticed that guy with a camera. His eyes kept darting towards me, and I felt the weight of his gaze every time I looked up from adjusting my dress or smoothing out a loose strand of hair. It was unnerving, but there was something about him that was hard to ignore.

Now, he's approaching the stage with a stride that's both confident and slightly awkward. His eyes are what really grab my attention, though. They were a piercing shade of brown, filled with curiosity and a hint of mischief. Each time our eyes met, I felt a strange jolt of electricity, and my cheeks would flush despite my best efforts to remain composed.

As Ruchi whispers to her fiance, the guy with the camera, makes his way closer. He's holding the camera up, pointing it in my direction, and I'm torn between smiling for the camera and giving him a stern look that says, 'Back off'.

Before I could decide what to say, he asked Jimin to pose, and the two of them exchange a few words in hushed tones. They laugh, and Jimin nods, giving him a knowing smile. That's when it dawns on me. He's not just a photographer; he's part of the groom's inner circle. The way they interact is familiar, comfortable. It's clear that they share a bond that goes beyond mere acquaintance.

Ruchi, noticing the tension in the air, quickly introduces us. "Jungkook, this is my friend, Ishika." She says with a bright smile, trying to ease the awkwardness.

Jungkook looks at me, the camera still hanging around his neck, and extends his hand. "Nice to meet you, Ishika." He says, his smile warm and genuine.

I reluctantly shake it, my eyes never leaving the camera. "Yeah, you too." I reply, trying to keep my tone even.

Ruchi, oblivious to my discomfort, goes on to tell me more about Jungkook. "His dad's company is like, the next big thing in tech. They're totally going to take over the market." She says this with a mix of admiration and awe, but all I can think about are the photos he took without my permission.

"I don't drink coffee." I reply firmly, hoping that would be the end as he asked me to grab a cup of coffee with him. But instead, he counters with a grin, "How about a glass of water, then?" His persistence is both annoying and endearing.

"Why?" I ask, my curiosity piqued despite my initial hesitation.

Jungkook shrugs, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Because I want to talk to you. Plus, everything comes at a price."

I was about to reply when Ruchi comes back, her cheeks flushed from running around, ensuring the party runs smoothly. She squeezes in between Jungkook and me, her eyes wide with excitement. "What's going on here?" She asks, glancing back and forth between us.

"Jungkook was just asking me out for a glass of water," I say, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

Ruchi's eyes widen even more. "Oh, really?" She asks, a knowing smile playing on her lips.

Jungkook nods, unfazed by my sarcasm. "Yeah, just to get to know each other better."

But before he could say more, Ruchi cuts in, her voice a mix of excitement and mischief. "Oh, Jungkook, you should know she's off limits.Ishika is engaged."

My heart skips a beat. I shoot her a look, surprised by her sudden revelation. Jungkook's smile falters for a moment before recovering. "Is that so?" He asks, turning his gaze to me.

I nod, trying to keep my cool. "It's just an understanding between our families," I clarify, hoping to downplay the seriousness of the situation. "But it's nothing official yet."

Jungkook's eyes don't leave mine as he processes this information. His grip on the camera tightens, and I can see the wheels turning in his head. "Well, in that case," he says with a smirk, "a glass of water is just a glass of water."

Ruchi claps her hands together. "Oh, that's wonderful! You two can still be friends!" She says, beaming at us.

Jungkook's eyes don't leave mine as he nods. "Of course. Friends." He repeats, his voice sounding slightly forced.

Ruchi, satisfied with her meddling, excuses herself to attend to other guests. Jungkook and I are left standing there, alone again.

"So, it's a plan." I say to Jungkook, trying to sound nonchalant. "A glass of water."

He nods, his smile never leaving his face. "Tomorrow evening?" He suggests, his eyes searching mine for any sign of hesitation.

I force a casual shrug. "Sure. Why not?"

Jungkook's eyes light up, and he quickly pulls out his phone. "Great! What's your number? I'll send you the address."

I hesitate for a moment, then decide to play along. "Well, it's not that easy," I say with a smile. "You've got to work for it."

Jungkook raises an eyebrow, intrigued by the challenge. "Okay, I'm listening."

I rattle off the first few digits, leaving the last two unspoken. "If you can guess them by tomorrow evening, I'll consider our glass of water date still on. If not," I add with a mischievous glint, "you have to delete all the pictures you've taken of me."

Jungkook's eyes narrow slightly, but the playful smile on his face suggests he's enjoying this game. "Alright, I'll take that bet," he says, his voice filled with determination.

As the evening progresses, I can't help but feel his gaze on me from time to time. It's like a silent dance of curiosity and challenge between us, and it's surprisingly thrilling. Despite my initial annoyance, I find myself looking forward to the 'glass of water' meeting.

The next day unfolds in a blur of wedding preparations and endless chatter with Ruchi. We sit in her room, surrounded by fabric swatches and wedding magazines, discussing every minute detail of her upcoming events. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and it's easy to get lost in her whirlwind of excitement. She's so absorbed in her own world that she doesn't even notice the occasional glances I steal at my phone.

My mind wanders back to Jungkook and his mysterious game of numbers. Did he guess them correctly? Would he really delete those pictures? I can't decide if I'm hoping for or dreading his message. Each time my phone buzzes, I jump, expecting... I don't know what.

Ruchi's voice snaps me out of my thoughts. "Ishika, are you even listening?" She asks, holding up a dupatta. "What do you think about this one?"

"It's beautiful," I murmur, not really paying attention to the fabric. My mind is racing with scenarios of what tomorrow might bring.

As the shadows outside Ruchi's window grow longer, the anticipation becomes unbearable. The clock ticks away the minutes, each one feeling like an eternity. The room is filled with the sound of our laughter and the rustling of pages, but my ears are tuned to the silence of my phone.

Suddenly, at 4:23 PM, it vibrates in my pocket, the sound jolting through the room. I pull it out, my heart racing. An unknown number stares back at me, and for a moment, I hesitate. Is this it? Did Jungkook really guess my number?

With bated breath, I swipe to answer. "Hello?" I say, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Ishika?" Jungkook's voice comes through the line, sounding as smooth and confident as he did at the party.

My heart skips a beat. "Yeah, it's me," I reply, trying to keep my voice even.

"So, I think I've cracked the code," Jungkook says with a hint of excitement in his voice. "Is your number 86?"

My eyes widen. He got it right. "How did you guess?" I ask, trying to keep the surprise out of my voice.

Jungkook chuckles on the other end of the line. "I didn't guess, Ishika. I called every combination starting from 10."

I'm stunned into silence for a moment, the reality of his determination setting in. He called every number from 00 to 99? "But that would take forever!" I exclaim, my mind racing at the thought of his relentless pursuit.

"It's a good thing I had the time," Jungkook says, his voice filled with a hint of smugness that's somehow endearing. "So, about that glass of water?"

I roll my eyes, though I can't help but smile. "Fine. You win. What's the plan?"

"I'll text you the adress," Jungkook says, his voice filled with satisfaction. "Just bring an open mind, and I'll bring the water."

I hang up the phone, feeling a mix of annoyance and intrigue. What does he mean by an open mind? I ask myself as I sit there, surrounded by the chaos of wedding preparations. I've always been a straightforward person, not one for cryptic messages or games. But there's something about Jungkook that makes me want to play along.

The next evening arrives, and I find myself dressed and ready to meet him, feeling a strange mix of excitement and anxiety. I sneak a peek at the address he sent me, a quiet café tucked away in a corner of the city.

I don't know the city well, so Ruchi insists on lending me her car along with her trusty driver, Ramsevak. "You can't get lost with him," she says, waving me off with a knowing smile. I nod, trying to ignore the flutter in my stomach as I step into the luxurious vehicle.

The drive to the café is surprisingly smooth, despite the usual evening traffic. Ramsevak navigates the streets with a calm confidence that soothes my nerves. I watch the city lights blur past the tinted windows, the neon signs and honking cars a stark contrast to the serene silence inside the car. It's like a bubble of peace in the chaos.

As we pull up in front of the café, I feel a rush of excitement mixed with nerves. This isn't like me, going out with a guy I barely know, especially not when my own engagement is looming over my head. But something about Jungkook is different, and I can't put my finger on it. Maybe it's the way he looked at me with those piercing brown eyes, or the way he put efforts to get my phone number.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart, and step out of the car.

As I approach the café, I spot Jungkook through the window. He's sitting at a corner table, the dim light casting shadows across his face. He's dressed casually, yet there's something about him that seems so put together, so at ease. He looks up from his phone, catches my eye, and waves enthusiastically.

My heart skips a beat as I enter the cozy space, the jingle of the bell above the door announcing my arrival. The scent of freshly brewed coffee fills my nose, and I wonder if I've made a mistake. What if I don't like this place? What if we don't have anything to talk about? But as I see Jungkook's smile widen, all those thoughts flee my mind.

We sit down at the table, and he pushes a glass of water towards me with a cheeky grin. "I figured you'd prefer this."

I laugh, the tension in the air dissipating. "You're right," I admit, taking a sip. The cold water is refreshing, and I'm surprised to find myself relaxing in his presence.

Jungkook leans back in his chair, his eyes still on me. "So, tell me about this fiancé of yours," he says, his tone casual yet probing.

"Huh?"

My heart skipped a beat as I realized what he'd said. "What do you mean by that?" I ask, trying to keep the defensiveness out of my voice.

Jungkook's smile softens, his eyes studying me intently. "I just want to know more about the person you're going to spend the rest of your life with," he says, leaning in slightly. "You know, make sure he's worthy of the woman who's got me so intrigued."

The question hangs in the air between us, and I feel a sudden urge to defend my decision to marry someone I've never met. But before I can say anything, Jungkook holds up a hand. "I'm just teasing," he says, his voice soothing. "But seriously, what's the story?"

"Well... for the story, you need to delete those picture." I declared.

Jungkook's smile faded, replaced by a look of surprise. "Really?" He leaned back in his chair, considering my words. His thumb hovered over the screen of his phone, which I assumed contained the pictures he'd taken without my consent.

"You drive a hard bargain, Ishika," he said finally, his voice a low murmur. He tapped his screen a few times, then held it out to show me. "They're gone."

"But do you have any backups?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

Jungkook's eyes flickered with surprise, then a hint of amusement. "What makes you think I'd have backups?" He replied, his voice playful.

I leaned forward, my gaze unwavering. "Because you seem like the type who would."

Jungkook chuckled, his eyes never leaving mine. "And what type is that?"

I shrugged, taking another sip of my water. "The type that's always prepared for anything. The type that doesn't let things go that easily."

Jungkook's smile grew, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "You've got me all figured out, don't you?" He leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxed but his gaze remained sharp. "Okay, fine. I don't have a backup. Happy now?"

"I'll take your word for it," I replied, raising an eyebrow. His playfulness was disarming, and I found myself smiling despite my initial annoyance. "Now, tell me, why are you so interested in my engagement?"

Jungkook's expression grew serious, his eyes searching mine. "I just want to make sure you're happy, Ishika," he said sincerely. "It's not every day you meet someone like you. So what's the story?"

I take a deep breath and decide to be honest. "It's an arranged marriage," I admit, looking down at the condensation on my glass. "My dad made an alliance with his family. They decided we'd be a good match, and I said yes."

Jungkook's expression turns thoughtful. "But do you love him?"

I hesitate, my eyes darting around the café before settling back on Jungkook's. "I haven't met him yet," I confess, my voice barely above a whisper.

Jungkook's eyebrows shoot up in surprise. "You haven't even met him?" He asks, his voice filled with disbelief.

I shake my head, feeling a sudden vulnerability wash over me. "It's not like that," I explain quickly. "It's an arranged marriage, but my dad knows what's best for me. And love... it's just a feeling. It'll come with time... and if it doesn't, I don't care either."

Jungkook nods slowly, his eyes still on me, his gaze intense. "But what if you fall in love with someone else?" He asks gently, and I can feel my heart racing at the thought.

I look up, meeting his gaze, and shrug. "Then I guess I'll deal with it," I say with a nonchalance I don't entirely feel. "But I don't believe in love at first sight, or any of that romantic nonsense. So the chances are ignorable."

Jungkook's smile is knowing, as if he sees through my facade. "And what do you believe in, Ishika?"

"I believe in what I can see, what I can feel," I reply, trying to sound firm. "Love is just a chemical reaction in the brain. A fancy way of saying we're programmed to procreate."

Jungkook's smile widens, and he nods. "I've never heard it put quite like that, but I see your point," he says, leaning back in his chair. "I've never been one for the whole love at first sight thing either. Relationships are about compatibility, understanding, and growth."

His words resonate with me, and I find myself nodding along. "Exactly," I say, feeling a strange kinship with this stranger. "Love is just a social construct we're all forced to buy into."

Jungkook takes a sip of his own water, his eyes never leaving mine. "I've had my fair share of relationships," he admits, "but none of them lasted more than a couple of months."

"Why's that?" I ask, genuinely curious.

"Because I'm always looking for someone who sees the world the way I do," Jungkook confesses, his eyes searching mine.

"And what way is that?"

Jungkook's eyes twinkled as he leaned in closer.  his voice dropping to a whisper. "Someone like you."

The comment sends a strange warmth through me, and I can't help but feel flattered. "What do you mean by that?" I ask, my curiosity piqued.

Jungkook shrugs, a small smile playing on his lips. "I mean, if I had met you sooner, maybe things would be different," he says, his eyes holding a hint of something unspoken.

My heart skips a beat. "What do you mean by that?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.

Jungkook takes a deep breath, his eyes never leaving mine. "I mean, if I had met you sooner, maybe we could have seen where this goes," he says, his voice filled with a mix of regret and hope. "But I guess it's all about timing."

I swallow hard, his words echoing in my mind. "Yeah," I murmur, my thoughts racing. "Timing is everything."

Jungkook's smile doesn't waver, his gaze never leaving mine. "So, since we're both here, and we both know where we stand with this whole 'love' thing," he says, drawing invisible quotes around the word, "How about we play a game?"

I furrow my brow, feeling both confused and intrigued. "What kind of game?"

Jungkook leans closer, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "A dating game," he whispers, his voice filled with mischief. "You know, like a pretend relationship. We go out, get to know each other, have fun. No strings attached, no love, no drama. Just two friends seeing how it would be like."

I blink at him, surprised by his proposal. "A dating game?" I repeat, feeling a mix of confusion and intrigue.

"But my engagement is fixed.. "

"It's just a game," Jungkook insists, his smile widening. "A chance to live a bit, to see what it's like before you settle down. No strings attached, I promise."

I sit there, the idea swirling around in my head. A part of me is screaming to run, to leave this crazy situation behind. But another part is drawn to the excitement, the thrill of the unknown. "What's the game?" I ask, my curiosity getting the better of me.

Jungkook's eyes light up, and he leans in even closer, his voice low and conspiratorial. "We pretend to be boyfriend and girlfriend for two days a week, every week, until you leave." He explains, his eyes searching mine for any hint of agreement. "But here's the twist - we do everything that a real couple would do."

I stare at him, my mind racing. "Everything?" I echo, not quite sure I've heard him correctly.

Jungkook nods, his eyes never leaving mine. "Everything. Dates, hand-holding, the works. But only for two days a week," he emphasizes. "The rest of the time, we're just friends."

My heart thuds in my chest as I consider his proposal. It's crazy, but the thrill of it all is undeniable. I've never been one for games, but something about Jungkook makes me want to throw caution to the wind. "But what's the point?" I ask, trying to make sense of his words.

"The point is to enjoy life," Jungkook replies, his voice earnest. "To experience what it's like to be with someone without the pressure of forever."

*****
And the story begins.

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