Ira knew she was in trouble the moment Aarav stopped joking around her.
Because Aarav Malhotra was always playful.
Always teasing.
Always smiling.
But today?
He was quiet.
And that was far more dangerous.
“You’ve been avoiding me,” he said, blocking her path.
“I’ve been busy.”
“Liar.”
She tried to walk past him—
But he caught her wrist.
Not harsh.
Just enough to stop her.
But he didn’t let go.
Her heart started acting weird again.
That annoying, fast, uncontrollable beating.
“Ira,” he said softly.
She hated that tone.
Because it wasn’t teasing.
It was real.
“Leave my hand.”
“Make me.”
She looked up—
Big mistake.
He was already looking at her.
Not casually.
Not playfully.
But like…
He was trying to understand something.
Or maybe…
Feel something.
“Why are you like this?” she whispered.
“Like what?”
“Different.”
Aarav stepped closer.
Her breath caught instantly.
“Maybe,” he said quietly, “because you make me like this.”
Her brain stopped working.
Completely.
“Stop saying things like that.”
“Why?”
“Because…”
She couldn’t finish.
Because he was closer now.
Too close.
“Ira,” he murmured.
Her back slowly hit the wall behind her.
No escape.
No space.
Just him.
“Tell me something honestly,” he said.
“What?”
“Why do you look at me like you’re about to run…”
His hand lifted—
Fingers gently brushing her cheek.
“…but never do?”
Her heart.
Gone.
Finished.
Over.
“I don’t—”
“You do.”
His thumb lingered near her lips.
Not touching.
Just… there.
And somehow that was worse.
“Say you don’t feel anything,” he whispered.
Silence.
Her hands tightened into fists.
“Say it,” he repeated.
“I…”
Nothing came out.
Aarav exhaled slowly.
Like he already knew.
“That’s what I thought.”
And then—
He leaned in.
Not fully.
Not yet.
Just close enough that she could feel his breath.
Warm.
Dangerous.
“If I kiss you right now…” he murmured, barely inches away,
“…will you stop me?”
Her brain screamed yes.
Her heart?
Stayed silent.
“…no,” she whispered.
That was it.
He didn’t rush.
Didn’t grab.
Didn’t force.
He closed the distance slowly.
Giving her time.
Letting her feel every second.
Every inch.
Every heartbeat.
And when his lips finally touched hers—
It wasn’t explosive.
It wasn’t dramatic.
It was worse.
It was soft.
Gentle.
Like he was asking a question.
And when she didn’t pull away—
His hand moved to her waist, pulling her just a little closer.
Not enough to trap her.
Just enough to keep her there.
Her fingers clutched his shirt.
And that tiny reaction?
Changed everything.
The kiss deepened.
Slowly.
Like he was memorizing her.
Like he didn’t want to miss a single second of it.
Her heart was racing so fast it hurt.
Her mind completely blank.
Everything felt…
Too much.
Too real.
When he finally pulled away—
He didn’t go far.
Their foreheads rested together.
Breathing uneven.
“Still nothing?” he whispered.
She let out a shaky breath.
“You’re… really annoying.”
He smiled.
“That’s not what I asked.”
Her eyes dropped to his lips.
Then back to his eyes.
“…I felt it.”
Aarav’s grip on her tightened slightly.
“Yeah?”
She nodded slowly.
Heart still out of control.
“Good,” he murmured.
And before she could react—
He kissed her again.
This time?
No hesitation.
No questions.
Just want.
And THAT…
That was the moment Ira realized—
She was completely, hopelessly gone.
For him.
