Vihaan was too easy to read.
Everyone thought he was just loud, reckless, and always having fun.
But I had been watching him for years.
I knew what he never said out loud.
He loved the zoo, but never invited anyone because he thought it wasn't "cool."
He read books late at night, but never talked about it because no one expected him to.
And so, when he asked me, "So, what's our first date?"
I already knew.
Vihaan didn't even question it.
The second I said, "We're going to the zoo," his face lit up.
Like he was actually excited.
Like he had been waiting for an excuse to go.
But instead of admitting it—he smirked.
"Oh? You think animals will impress me?"
I rolled my eyes. "No. I just think you'll be too busy running around to be annoying."
He grinned. "We'll see about that."
I should have recorded it.
The way Vihaan dragged me to every single enclosure.
The way he stood there, completely fascinated.
The way he was too excited to pretend he was 'cool' anymore.
At one point, I caught him staring at the penguins.
Just watching them.
Not talking.
Not joking.
Just... smiling to himself.
Something in my chest tightened.
Because I knew.
I knew that no one else saw him like this.
I cleared my throat. "You're staring too hard."
Vihaan glanced at me, blinking.
Then—his face changed.
Like he realized I had caught him.
And just like that, his usual grin returned.
"What? Can't I admire some well-dressed birds?"
…Why was I dating him again?
If the zoo had been for fun, then this?
This was personal.
Vihaan never talked about books.
But I had seen it.
I had seen the way he lingered near bookshelves at the office.
I had seen the way he scrolled through e-books on his phone when he thought no one was looking.
I had seen the way he carried a book in his bag, but never took it out.
So when I said, "We're going to a bookstore,"
He blinked.
Looked at me a little too carefully.
Then—slowly smirked.
"Huh. Didn't think you'd pick a bookstore for our date."
I shrugged. "You could use some intelligence."
He laughed.
But I noticed.
I noticed the way his fingers twitched like he wanted to ask something.
Like he wanted to say more.
But he didn't.
Instead—he just followed me inside.
Vihaan wasn't used to this.
To people choosing things for him.
To people knowing him beyond what he showed.
He walked around, pretending not to care.
But I saw it.
I saw the way his gaze lingered on certain books.
I saw the way his fingers hovered over the covers like he wasn't sure if he should pick them up.
So I beat him to it.
I grabbed a book. Held it out.
"This one. You'll like it."
Vihaan raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? And what makes you think that?"
I didn't answer.
Just looked at him.
And he?
He looked back.
Like he was realizing something.
Like he was starting to see how much I actually knew.
Slowly, he took it.
Flipped through the pages.
Then—softly:
"You really pay attention, huh?"
My fingers twitched.
I exhaled. "Someone has to."
He smiled.
But this time—it wasn't his usual smirk.
This time, it was softer.
And then—before he could say something stupid—
I grabbed another book.
Walked to the counter.
And paid.
For his books.
Without looking at him.
Because if I did—
I wasn't sure I'd be able to handle the way he was looking at me.
As we walked out, Vihaan was still holding the bag of books.
Still watching me like I had done something irreversible.
And finally, he spoke.
"No one's ever done that for me before."
I shouldn't have asked.
But I did.
"Done what?"
Vihaan smiled.
Not teasing.
Not playful.
Just… real.
"Seen me."
I swallowed.
Looked away.
Because in that moment—I knew.
I had never stood a chance against him.