A shiver runs down my spine at the voice, an uncomfortable feeling forming in my throat. I turn to see Jasmine's father standing a few feet away - his face stern and eyes cold. His hands at his back while he looks at me like I am an alien.

Veer looks almost like his father but comparatively, Veer looks way friendly.

I hop off the couch and stand up straight, my body suddenly feeling hot and I could feel the sweat forming on my forehead.

How long has he been standing here?

Did he see everything?

I wanted to make a good impression on Jasmine's family. Most importantly her parents - not the impression of me doing something with his daughter in the dark!

"Hm kuch nahi, papa" Jasmine mutters nervously. Her gaze flickers to me - holding the same scared expressions as mine.

[Translation - Hm nothing, dad]

I cleared my throat, trying to keep my voice normal "We were just about to join for dinner"

Her father looks at me and then at Jasmine, gesturing to her to come closer. She glances at me before walking away with her father. He doesn't say a word either which increases my anxiousness.

I exhale in relief or should I be just yet?

I quickly follow them to the dining hall. My heart racing against my chest almost threatening to pop out. I could stand against anyone but her father - both respectfully and also a bit terrifyingly.

The dining hall is lit up in royal lights, the aromatic fragrance of dinner filling the air. While everyone takes their seat, I quietly walk around the table to my usual place - beside Jasmine.

A hand on my shoulder stops me on my track. I turn around to see Jasmine's father smiling at me "Lucas, sit with me tonight" He says, giving my shoulder a tight squeeze which is a clear indication that I can't say 'no'

I force out a smile "Yes, of course"

We both sit down beside each other while Jasmine is sitting opposite to me across the table. I glance at her to see if she knows what's happening. To my surprise - she is eating peacefully while chatting with her grandmother.

Did she forget me?

How can she leave me alone with her father?

Okay not totally alone but still

"Lucas try this, you will love it" Her father says, serving a large portion of rice and a very dangerous looking curry onto my plate. I stare at the plate, my stomach already feeling full without even having a bite.

Oh God save me.

"Papa, He can't eat those. They are really spicy na" Jasmine says, almost pleading for me. He looks at her, his expressions softening. "This would be fine" She takes a rice dish from the waiter and places it in front of me.

Her father's eyes narrowed at the food, observing it keenly before he spoke up "Did you cook this for him?" His sentence wasn't a question, with a small glance he understood that Jasmine cooked it for me.

I am definitely doomed

Jasmine's hand freezes mid air while she was trying to grab an empty plate for me. Her eyes flicker to me and her father - thinking about her next words carefully.

"Hm yeah, he has only been eating these spicy dishes so I thought..." She trails off nervously, with a swift motion she sits back down on her seat.

"If he has been eating these then he can get used to it, right Lucas?" He asks, looking at me with a tight smile. The truth is, I wasn't eating these spicy dishes much. Jasmine would add a separate dish that wouldn't be too bad for me.

"You eat this" He orders sternly, gesturing towards my plate before reaching out for the dish Jasmine prepared for me "While I wanna try what my daughter made"

Jasmine looks at me with a sorrowful expression as she mouths an apology. I let out a sigh, it isn't even her fault. This wouldn't have happened if I wasn't too eager to kiss her!

How would I have known if her father was around!

But what's wrong with that? She is my girlfriend, I could kiss her whenever I want!

I pick up the spoon, mixing the red coloured non-veg curry with seasoned rice together. The red chillies were visible perfectly on it like a death sentence.

I take it to my mouth, inhaling once to gather courage but all I could smell was the spices before popping it in my mouth.

The first bite? Amazing. The mutton melting into my mouth, soft and filled with flavours

The second bite? My palate had a tingling sensation but I continued

I close my eyes praying it's not too spicy but today the universe isn't in my favour.

What I feel is pure hell at the third bite

Just a few bites puts my tongue on fire while I swallow it without even chewing it properly. While everyone is busy chatting and eating without difficulty - here I am trying not to choke.

Jasmine looks at me from across the table with a concerned look

"Do you like it Lucas? It's a very popular dish in Rajasthan, known for its flavours" Jasmine's father asks, his tone taunting. He has no idea what I am going through while he is eating the food Jasmine prepared.

"It's a bit unexpected" I manage to mutter out, it's not a lie nor a truth. My fist curls on my lap trying to hold my composer - maybe I should quit? Jasmine's father looks at my plate and back at me.

He raises his eyebrow with a skeptical "It's very disrespectful to not finish your food. Especially when an elder servers you"

I look back at the full plate, I have managed to somehow eat half of it and I am already tearing up. What will happen if I try to finish it up?

I feel him lean closer to me, squeezing my shoulder "You shouldn't have made my daughter do free labour for you. Hope you learnt your lesson" He mutters, his voice low and threatening. I gulp the fireball down my throat "Y-yes sir! This will never happen again" I swear, the sweat beating down my forehead.

Never ever

A flicker of satisfaction crosses his face as he releases me and leans back "Good. Finish your food"

"Papa, please" Jasmine calls out, her expressions scrunched in worry looking at my state. She gets up and leans forward to take my plate away.

"Jasmine" Her father lets out a sigh in an attempt to stop her. She silently serves me the food she prepared "Please papa, aisa mat karo aap. Uski tabiyat kharab ho jayegi"

[Translation - Please dad, don't do this. He could get sick]

Her father laughs while pouring me a glass of water "Kya? Mai baas dekhna chahta tha yeh kitna jhel sakta hai. Par koi baat nahi"

[Translation - what? I just wanted to see how much he can tolerate. But it's alright"]

He passes me a glass of water, his expressions unimpressed that makes my heart sink. I shake my head "It's alright, I will finish the food" I take the plate back from her hand.

"Lucas!" Jasmine exclaims in shock. I don't care if this is a test from her father or just a punishment for what happened earlier. Either way I need to prove myself.

She sits back on her seat and continues to eat, her expressions a bit sour.

I continue to eat the food. Trying to divert my mind by staring at her - the only distraction that could calm me during this situation.

The heat wasn't just in my mouth but it raised to my ears too. My ears were burning, my mouth was already on fire and my eyes were teary. Every few seconds I had to grab a tissue to wipe my face.

It takes sometime for me to finish the food, slowly eating and swallowing down the food. Jasmine glanced at me every few minutes - her expressions turning from angry to concern to guilt.

My heart raced at every worried look she gave me. While I don't wanna be the reason for her to worry about, it somehow makes me relieved that she cares even though it's not her fault at all. I would have reached out and assured her that I am fine and getting used to this - I can't due to her whole family being present here.

At last I take a sip of water, it wouldn't calm down the effect of chilly but suppress the dryness in my throat.

"Thank you for the dinner" I ris from my seat, by the time almost everyone has left and the staff was cleaning up the table.

Jasmine's father approaches me. I inhale sharply, gathering myself for a confrontation "My daughter doesn't like cooking and yet she did it for you. You should be very grateful" He says in an amused tone.

He seems to not like the idea of Jasmine cooking for me. I am not surprised by his protectiveness but by the fact that she doesn't like cooking? Yet she always did for me, without a complaint.

My lip curves up into a smile, I lift my gaze to look at him directly before responding "I am grateful for whatever she does for me, sir. But most importantly for her presence in my life and making me a part of her life"

A flicker of emotions crosses his face, he raises an eyebrow. I don't know if my words sounded sincere like my thoughts. "I haven't fully approved of you yet, I have talked to Jasmine about my concerns - good family, name, secure future and most importantly treating her right" He pauses, his eyes softened slightly.

I feel my breath tighten at his expectations from me, while I know I would do everything - except one of it. I swallow down the tightens, "I can't make you believe my words, sir. I wouldn't make anyone believe my words, they can be easily forgotten, changed even. But I will make sure my prove it from my actions, especially to her"

Jasmine's father looks at me, a subtle nod of approval makes me feel lighter - though I know it won't be enough "You know what surprised me the most at the end of our conversation? you both are seeking for my approval" he lets out a small huff of laughter

"Even praising each other. While you gave your words to prove yourself, she had this trust in her eyes. Requested me to make you feel at home. Tonight, I might have done something out of my character but at least I got to know about your thoughts" He raises his hand and pats my shoulder. My body tensed up, not in discomfort but at the gesture of approval.

While he walks away, leaving me with a whirlpool of thoughts. My mind rewinding back to his words - about Jasmine's requests.

The more I understand her feelings for me, the deeper I fall. I am patient about her embracing her feelings, I can't expect her to fall in love with me in just a few days after my confession. Yet, with every glance - I wish she does.

I walk back upstairs to my room, my head clouded with the events playing from today. I am happy that I got a bit of Jasmine's father's approval - there's still more.

"You are thinking so deeply" Her voice brings me back to reality. I look up to see Jasmine leaning against my door with a small smile. She tilts her head slightly "Did my father say something?" She asks, straightening up.

I move closer to her and shake my head, giving her a sheepish smile "We had a small conversation but I think I did well?"

Her expression softens yet concern etched on her face "Aw, I am so sorry you had to tolerate all that" She brings her hands to my face, cupping my cheeks gently. I let out a sigh of contentment, leaning into her touch "That was quite a test. I can't feel anything on my tongue anymore"

"You shouldn't have eaten it. I don't understand why you did that. There were already many dishes left-"

"Your father was testing me. How could I find the easy way out instead of scoring points in his eye?" I try to reason out but my mind is more at ease from her presence near me. She sighs, shaking her head in disapproval.

"There are many ways to do that. And you don't need to score any points" She says softly. I take her hand in mine, kissing her inner wrist, feeling her pulse fasten under my touch "Your father was very annoyed by the fact that I am making you do free labour. I appreciate your efforts towards me but I didn't know you didn't like cooking. You shouldn't be doing it for me-"

"It's not that I don't like cooking" She cuts me off, "I just never needed to cook? But I cook for you because I can and it's my choice. I know you never asked me, I just wanted you to feel comfortable here like I felt back in Sydney"

"And I am very grateful for what you did. However, I also agree with your father. Don't cook for me" I request, squeezing her hand gently. "Lucas! It's alright, don't mind his words much. He is protective over me, I will make him understand. You can't tolerate these foods and here the staff don't make exceptions in making food"

I smile at her concern mixed with scoldings "You don't need to worry. I can order or eat something light or cook for myself. Maybe we can cook together sometimes? But mostly, I will learn to tolerate it"

Her eyebrows furrow "You tried today and look how it affected you" she mutters "We will look for a better solution" her thumb brushing against my lower lip which is slightly swollen now.

A small chuckle escapes my mouth as I find her gaze drifting down to my lips instead of my eyes. My arms find their way to her waist, pulling her against me "Careful Milaya, I got in trouble just a few minutes ago because of this"

She hums softly, looking up at me "And both the times, you are the one pulling me" She points out, her voice dropping lower

"You were staring at my lips"

"I was just checking"

"Checking what? The probability of kissing me without any consequences?"

Her gaze narrows slightly, a smirk tugging on the side of her lips "Here I am worrying about you and you are thinking this?"

I shrug my shoulders nonchalantly, leaning backwards to check no one is around. This floor is occupied by her cousins so it wouldn't be a problem.

"I am really hurt" I say, feigning pain. Her frown deepens in worry "What? Where?"

The corner of my lip curves into a smirk, slowly leaning down to her lips. Her breath hinches at the sudden approximately "So shameless, you just got punished by my father yet-"

"I took the punishment greatly" I mutter, brushing my lips against her for a test "I think I earned some soothing from my girlfriend, right?"

She chuckles lightly, her hand caressing my cheek as she closes her eyes. Her lips found mine, blending into a slow kiss. My arms wraps around her waist while I find myself losing into the moment

Her hand caressed my jaw while her lips moved against mine. She takes the lead - her movements slow like savouring the moment.

She pulls back slightly, her breathing slightly heavy as she looks at me "Never do something for me that could hurt you, okay? That will hurt me even more. I don't want you to get anyone's approval, I don't want you to risk anything or prove to someone. For me, you are perfect the way you are. Everything about you, never doubt that"

My heart stills at her words - looking at her face and realizing how serious she is about this. I smile, my hand running down her hair "I didn't wanna worry you like this" I whisper, kissing her forehead "As you say, milaya"

Anything you say