Chapter Eighty-Seven: Operation Shreya-Mithun (The Teasing Intensifies)
The morning started like any other.
Jay walked into the kitchen to find Shreya and Mithun sitting together at the table, as usual. They were close—always close now. His hand rested on the back of her chair. Her shoulder brushed against his.
Jay smiled to herself.
Operation Shreya-Mithun was about to begin.
---
Akshi appeared beside her, bouncing slightly. "Is it time?"
Jay nodded. "It's time."
"FINALLY! I've been waiting for this!"
Chethan wandered in. "Waiting for what?"
"Operation Shreya-Mithun!"
He grinned. "I'm in."
---
The plan was simple.
Step one: Subtle comments. Just enough to make them squirm.
Jay sat across from Shreya. "You two are extra cozy this morning."
Shreya looked up. "We're sitting at a table."
Akshi leaned in. "His hand is on your chair. That's basically around your waist."
"It's on the CHAIR."
"Chair-waist. Same thing."
Shreya's face went pink.
Mithun, calm as ever, continued reading his book. But his ears were red, and he didn't move his hand.
---
Step two: Akshi's "accidental" observations.
Throughout breakfast, Akshi narrated.
"OH! Mithun just passed Shreya the jam! Without being asked! Because he KNOWS she likes jam! That's BOYFRIEND behavior!"
"Mithun looked at Shreya for 4.7 seconds! C.N., what's the romantic significance of that?"
C.N., on video call, played along. "Statistically, extended eye contact between established couples indicates continued high levels of romantic interest. 96% probability."
Shreya buried her face in her hands. "We're literally a couple. You don't need statistics."
"Statistics are ALWAYS needed."
---
Step three: Chethan's "helpful" observations.
"You know, Shreya, since you're already dating, you should be more affectionate."
"We're affectionate!"
"When? When are you affectionate?"
"Private times!"
"That doesn't count!"
Mithun, quietly, "She's very affectionate."
Shreya's face went crimson. "MIT HUN!"
"What? It's true."
Chethan pointed at them. "SEE? THAT'S WHAT WE WANT! MORE OF THAT!"
---
Step four: Keiran's innocent comments.
Keiran wandered in, Rex in hand. "Auntie Shreya, why is Uncle Mithun's hand on your chair?"
"Because... because chairs have backs?"
"Rex says it's because he wants to be close to you."
Rex nodded.
Shreya looked at Mithun. He was definitely blushing now.
"Rex is very observant," Mithun admitted.
"Rex knows everything."
---
Step five: The group text.
Jay started it.
Jay: Shreya and Mithun update: Hand on chair. Blushing. Denial of affection.
Akshi: I SAW! THE HAND! VERY ROMANTIC!
Chethan: Mithun admitted she's affectionate in private. I REPEAT. IN PRIVATE.
C.N.: Data point: Couple displays public restraint but private affection. Normal relationship behavior.
Rakii: I need photos of the blushing!
Percy: I'M COMING OVER! I NEED TO SEE THIS!
Honey: Percy, it's 9 AM.
Percy: ROMANCE HAS NO SCHEDULE!
---
Percy arrived within the hour.
He burst through the door. "WHERE ARE THEY? WHERE ARE THE BLUSHING LOVE BIRDS?"
Shreya looked up from the couch. "Percy, please."
"SHREYA! MIT HUN! I HEAR YOU'RE BEING AFFECTIONATE!"
"We're sitting on a couch!"
Percy grabbed Honey's hand. "HONEY! DEMONSTRATE!"
Honey sighed but played along. She sat beside Percy. He immediately pulled her close, kissing her cheek loudly.
"SEE? THAT'S COUPLE SITTING! YOU TWO NEED TO DO THAT!"
Shreya looked at Mithun. He raised an eyebrow.
"Should we?"
"Absolutely not."
"Chicken."
"I am NOT chicken. I just don't perform for Percy."
"Fair point."
---
That evening, Jay caught Shreya alone.
"How's it going?"
Shreya glared. "You're enjoying this too much."
"Absolutely. It's my new favorite hobby."
"You're evil."
"Your evil."
Shreya laughed despite herself. "He's... really good, you know. Mithun. He's the best thing that ever happened to me."
"I know."
"And I'm happy. So happy."
"I know that too."
"But the teasing—"
"Is never going to stop. Sorry."
Shreya sighed. "I know. I've accepted my fate."
---
Mithun found Jay later.
"Jay."
"Mithun."
"The teasing."
"Yes?"
He almost smiled. "Thank you."
"For?"
"Making her laugh. Making her comfortable. Making this... normal. She's happy. I'm happy. And the chaos helps."
Jay patted his arm. "You're welcome. Now go find your girlfriend. I think Akshi is trying to teach her a couples dance."
Mithun's eyes widened. He left quickly.
Jay smiled.
Operation Shreya-Mithun was working perfectly.
---
End of Chapter Eighty-Seven