The Diamond Code

Rhea

Mumbai was alive at night.

The city never truly slept—cars honked, neon billboards flashed, and the scent of fried street food mixed with the crisp sea air. Somewhere in the distance, waves crashed against Marine Drive’s stone barriers, muffled beneath the endless hum of the metropolis.

But at this moment, as Rhea Mehta sat in the backseat of a cab stuck in traffic, she wished she could disappear into the chaos.

“This is a terrible idea,” she muttered under her breath.

The driver glanced at her in the rearview mirror. “Madam?”

“Nothing,” she sighed, sinking into her seat.
Her phone vibrated in her lap—another message from Nisha.

Nisha: Have fun! And don’t mess this up. He looks HOT.

Rhea rolled her eyes.

She wasn’t here for “fun.” She was here because Nisha had forced her into it.

With a groan, she tapped open the dating app.

Her phone screen glowed in the dim light, illuminating the dating app she had stubbornly refused to use—until Nisha got her hands on it.

Aryan Khanna.

His profile picture showed a tall, broad-shouldered man leaning casually against the railing of Marine Drive, the golden hues of a sunset behind him. His hair was messy in a way that looked effortlessly stylish, and his sharp jawline added to his undeniable appeal.

His bio was annoyingly vague:

Consultant. Foodie. Believer in chai over coffee.

That was it. No exaggeration. No dramatic declarations.

Nisha had practically shoved her phone in Rhea’s face and swiped right before she could argue.

“Come on, Rhea! You need to live a little,” Nisha had insisted, her bangles jingling as she dramatically waved her hands. “You work all day, binge-watch TV all night, and your idea of fun is reorganizing your closet. This is a crime against womanhood!”

Rhea had rolled her eyes, fully intending to ignore the match.

But then Aryan had messaged first. And despite herself, Rhea had responded.

Now, here she was, heading to a fancy rooftop restaurant to meet a complete stranger.

As the cab pulled up to Aangan Bistro, she hesitated. The place looked expensive, with fairy lights twinkling across the open-air terrace, casting a golden glow over elegantly dressed patrons.

Rhea glanced down at her pastel pink kurta and jeans, suddenly feeling out of place among the silk gowns and tailored suits.

Too late to back out now.

With a deep breath, she stepped out of the cab, squared her shoulders, and walked inside.

To be continued...
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Finally, Rhea has arrived for the date —thanks to Nisha ;⁠)

Will Aryan come? Or their first date is going to be unsuccessful?

Stay tuned to know.

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