The moment they reached her building, Aakrati stepped off the bike, stretching her arms dramatically.
"I'm tired," she complained.
Arsh took off his helmet slowly, watching her.
"From sitting?" he asked, amused.
Aakrati rolled her eyes. "From existing."
He chuckled softly.
She turned to go—
But didn't get far.
Because suddenly—
Her wrist was caught.
Again.
She turned back, already smiling.
"What now?"
Arsh didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he pulled her slightly closer.
Not rushed.
Not forceful.
Just… intentional.
"You leave too fast," he said.
Aakrati raised an eyebrow. "You were the one saying 'let's go' five minutes ago."
"That was outside."
"And now?"
His gaze dropped to her lips for a second.
Then back to her eyes.
"Now I'm not in a hurry."
Aakrati's smile faltered—just a little.
Not out of discomfort.
But because she knew that look.
Dangerous.
Playful.
Very him.
"Arsh…" she said, trying to sound normal.
"Hmm?"
"You're acting weird."
He stepped closer.
Now there was barely any space left.
"I think you're just noticing more."
Her breath hitched slightly.
But she didn't step back.
Didn't even try.
Without warning—
He reached up.
Tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.
But his fingers didn't leave immediately.
They lingered.
Lightly brushing against her cheek.
Aakrati blinked.
"Why do you do that?" she whispered.
"Do what?"
"This…" she gestured vaguely, "…things."
He smirked.
"Because you react like this."
"Like what?"
"Like you don't know what's happening."
Aakrati scoffed, trying to regain control.
"I know exactly what's happening."
"Oh?" he leaned in slightly. "Then say it."
She froze.
"Say what?"
"What I'm doing."
A pause.
Aakrati swallowed.
"You're… being annoying."
Arsh laughed softly.
"Wrong answer."
Before she could react—
His hand moved to her waist.
Pulling her closer again.
This time—
Closer than before.
Her hands instinctively went to his chest.
Not pushing him away.
Just… there.
Balancing.
Feeling.
"Try again," he murmured.
Aakrati looked up at him.
Her cheeks slightly warm now.
"You're… not letting me go."
"Better."
His thumb brushed lightly against her waist.
Slow.
Absent-minded.
But intentional enough to make her breath uneven.
"Arsh," she whispered again.
"Hm?"
"We're literally outside."
"And?"
"Anyone can see."
He glanced around once.
Casually.
Then looked back at her.
"I don't see anyone important."
Aakrati laughed under her breath.
"You're impossible."
"And you're still here."
That shut her up.
For a second, neither of them spoke.
The air between them felt… different.
Not heavy.
Not tense.
Just charged.
Arsh looked at her again.
Carefully.
Like he was deciding something.
Then—
Very softly—
"Come here."
Aakrati frowned slightly.
"I'm already here."
"Closer."
"I can't—"
But before she could finish—
He pulled her in.
Completely.
Now there was no space left at all.
Her breath caught.
"Arsh…"
But this time—
She didn't finish his name.
Because his face was closer now.
Too close.
Her heart started racing.
And she hated how obvious it felt.
"You get quiet at the wrong moments," he said softly.
"I'm not—"
"You are."
His hand moved slightly upward from her waist.
Not inappropriate.
But enough to make her aware of every inch of distance disappearing.
"You talk a lot," he added.
"And then suddenly…"
He leaned closer.
"…nothing."
Aakrati couldn't look away now.
"I don't like you right now," she whispered.
"Liar."
"Seriously."
"Then move."
She didn't.
And he noticed.
Of course he did.
A slow smile appeared on his lips.
"Exactly."
Before she could process that—
He leaned in—
And placed a soft kiss on her cheek.
But didn't move away.
Instead—
His lips brushed lightly again.
Closer to her ear this time.
"I missed this," he murmured.
Aakrati froze.
Not pulling away.
Not reacting.
Just… feeling.
When he finally pulled back—
She looked completely flustered.
Eyes slightly wide.
Cheeks warm.
Hair messy from earlier.
"You do this on purpose," she said.
"Obviously."
"I hate you."
"No, you don't."
She tried to step away this time.
And he let her.
But only for a second.
Because just as she turned—
He caught her again.
From behind.
Lightly.
His hand around her wrist, pulling her back.
"Arsh!"
"Relax."
She turned again, half annoyed, half smiling.
"What now??"
He looked at her.
That same look.
Playful.
Sharp.
Unfairly confident.
"You're leaving without saying goodnight properly."
"I said bye!"
"That's not enough."
"Then what do you want?"
There was a pause.
Just one second.
Then he said quietly—
"You know."
Aakrati stared at him.
"Arsh…"
"Hmm?"
"You're shameless."
"Only with you."
That hit differently.
Aakrati looked at him for a long moment.
Then—
Without overthinking.
Without planning.
Without hesitation.
She stepped closer.
Held his face lightly.
And gave him a quick peck on his lips.
Soft.
Fast.
Real.
Before she could move back—
He caught her again.
This time faster.
"Too quick," he said.
"Take it or leave it," she shot back, trying to act normal.
Arsh smiled.
"Oh, I'm definitely not leaving it."
Before she could react—
He leaned in again.
Not rushing.
Not forcing.
Just slow enough to make her aware.
And placed a slightly longer kiss on her cheek.
Close to her lips.
Very close.
"Goodnight," he said softly.
Aakrati stepped back this time.
Actually stepping back.
Her face warm.
Her mind blank.
"You're… impossible," she muttered.
"And you're still here."
She rolled her eyes.
But smiled.
Then finally turned and ran inside.
Arsh stood there for a moment.
Watching her go.
That same small smile still on his face.
Unbothered.
Certain.
Like he already knew—
She wasn't going anywhere.