29. Unfiltered feelings

"Come on" Abhir muttered, peeling her off him and guiding her toward the elevator.

Just as they reached it, Charu gasped dramatically again.

"Noooo! I want adventure!" she insisted, pouting at him.

"Adventure?" He raised an eyebrow, already regretting asking.

"Yes!" She snapped her fingers like she had just figured out the meaning of life. "Let’s go swimming!"

Abhir’s jaw dropped. "Swimming?! At this hour?!"

"Yes!" She nodded, pulling at his sleeve. "I wanna float like a mermaid."

"You'll drown like a rock!"

She gasped in offense. "Are you calling me heavy again?!"

He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Uff, Charu, tu mujhe pagal kardo gi!"

She suddenly giggled, poking his cheek. "You already are, Abhir Billa Boy."

He sighed, realizing she was beyond reasoning. "Fine, but no swimming. Let’s just go from here away from prying eyes."

"Then I wanna talk!" she declared, now clinging onto his arm.

He smirked. "That’s new. Usually, you just argue with me."

She hummed in agreement. "Maybe... but I feel like talking today. You always get so much attention... but no one listens to me."

Something in her voice made him pause.

He looked at her, really looked at her—her drunken state had loosened her carefully guarded walls.

For the first time, Charu seemed vulnerable.

"Okay," he said softly.

"I'll always listen I promise "

"but  please give up now and come with me." He added.

"Okay, I'll be a good girl" Charu kept a finger on her lips

The elevator doors opened, and he quickly shoved her inside before she could come up with another ridiculous issue.

The ride up to her room was not peaceful.

Charu found the buttons fascinating. She pressed every single one. "Oooh, what does this one do?"

"It lights up."

"And this one?"

"Still lights up."

She gasped. "This technology is amazing."

Abhir chuckled despite himself. "Charu, if you don’t behave, I swear I’ll lock you in the closet."

She leaned in, whispering conspiratorially, "I think you also like me misbehaving, Mr. Rockstar."

Abhir rolled his eyes. "Yeah, that’s it. Babysitting a drunk banshee is like my dream come true."

The elevator doors finally opened. Abhir quickly pulled her out before she could hit another button.

"Okay, where’s your key card?" he asked.

She blinked. "My what?"

"Your room key card, Charu."

She patted her imaginary pockets. "Oh no. I think… I think I lost it."

Abhir groaned. "Great. Hota toh bhi hosh mey bhi kahaan use karna aata hai isse"

Charu giggled. "Maine sab sunna, take me to your room now!"

He let out a long-suffering sigh. "I hate my life."

She gasped dramatically, clutching his arm like he’d just broken her heart. "Abhir Sharma! You take that back right now!"

He blinked at her. "What—?"

"You don’t hate your life," she declared, wagging a finger at him. "You have a great voice, success loved by millions,supportive family, and… and me!" She poked his chest for emphasis and laughed.

He stopped for a second, caught off guard.

She was giggling not in her senses, but there was something so authentic about her words.

Abhir pressed his lips together, suppressing a genuine smile, then he dragged her toward his room and swiped his card.

The moment they stepped inside, Charu collapsed dramatically onto his bed. "Ah, yes. This is my bed now."

"No, it is not."

"Yes, it is." She snuggled into the pillow. "Smells nice."

Abhir rubbed his temples. "Of course it does. Because it's my bed."

She stretched out her arms. "Soooo comfy. I’m sleeping here."

Abhir sighed. "No you can't  stay here let me figure out something and if you puke, I'm throwing you out."

Charu lifted her head and grinned. "You're so mean.."

"Unbelievable."

She sighed, gazing up at the ceiling. "You know… I don’t usually drink."

"I figured."

"It makes me honest." She turned her head to look at him, her brown eyes slightly hazy but sincere. "And I don’t like being honest."

Abhir raised an eyebrow. "Why not?"

"Because honesty gets you hurt," she murmured.

Something about the quiet sadness in her voice made his chest tighten.

He didn't know what to say to that, so he stayed silent.

"Can I be honest with you?"She asked with a faint smile.

He nodded looking at her.

After a moment, she turned onto her side, facing him. "I don’t like Sira being so close to you."

Abhir blinked. "Wait. What Sira?"

Charu frowned slightly, as if even she wasn’t sure why she had said that. "Yes I just… don’t like it. I don’t like the way she looks at you."

He turned to look at her, bewildered. "Why does it matter to you?"

Charu groaned and threw her hands up. "Ugh! I don’t know! It just... annoys me. She flirts with you so much, and you just let her!"

Abhir smirked, suddenly enjoying this conversation. "Wait, wait... Charu, are you jealous?"

"No!" she quickly denied, but her red cheeks said otherwise.

He chuckled. "You are jealous!"

She huffed, crossing her arms. "I just don’t like any woman touching you, that’s all."

"And that bothers you because...?"

"Because it does!" she said stubbornly, avoiding his gaze.

Abhir stared at her his eyes widened.

This was new.

Charu had always been a puzzle to him—sarcastic, witty, always ready to argue.

But tonight, she was different. Vulnerable.

And for some reason, it made his heart race.

"Hey, Abhir?" she murmured after a moment.

"Hmm?"

She yawned, curling up. "You’re not that bad. Annoying, yes. But not bad."

Abhir smiled, shaking his head. "That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me, Bansal."

She hummed sleepily.

"Wait—Charu, you can't sleep here—"

Too late. She was already out, breathing softly.

Abhir groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Perfect. Just perfect."

He glanced around, then sighed.

No way was he letting her cousins or elders find her this and start a scene on.

Fishing her phone out of her clutch, he unlocked it and quickly typed a message in her cousins group chat.

"Not feeling good, headed back early to get some sleep. Don’t look for me you guys enjoy"

He hit send, then tucked her phone away.

There.

Crisis averted.

For a moment, he just stood there, watching her.

The usual fire in her eyes was gone, replaced by a peaceful softness.

In sleep, she didn't look like sharp-tongued lawyer who thrived on challenging him.

Trouble incarnated, he thought, shaking his head, but kind of adorable trouble like this.

Sighing, he knelt down and slipped off her heels, setting them neatly by the bed.

She stirred slightly but didn’t wake.

Grabbing the comforter, he carefully tucked it around her, making sure she was warm.

There.

Now she’s good.

He took a step back, rubbing his face.

The couch in the corner looked anything but comfortable, but he wasn’t about to leave her alone in the room this state.

With one last glance at the sleeping menace, he grabbed an extra pillow and blanket from the closet and flopped onto the couch.

Shaking his head at the ridiculous situation, he muttered "You owe me for this, Bansal."

As he lay there, he found himself staring at the sleeping girl in his bed, his mind replaying her words.

I don’t like Sira being so close to you.

A wide grin spread across his lips.

"Interesting."

------------

Abhir groaned, rubbing his eyes as the morning sunlight streamed through the curtains.

His neck ached from sleeping on the couch, and he stretched his arms before glancing at the bed.

Charu was still asleep.

Snoring soundly.

He exhaled sharply, running a hand down his face.

Great. Just great.

Last night had been a mess—dragging a wasted Charu away from the party, hiding her from the family, listening to her bizarre drunk ramblings, and, of course, the most interesting part—her very unexpected confession.

"I don’t like Sira being so close to you."

That one had thrown him for a loop. He still wasn’t sure what to make of it.

But right now, there was a more urgent issue at hand—waking her up before someone found her in his bed.

He stood up, walked over, and nudged her shoulder. "Charu, wake up."

No response.

He nudged her harder. "Charu, get up before someone comes knocking."

Still nothing.

He sighed, then leaned in slightly. "Fine. If you don’t get up in three seconds, I’m dumping ice water on you."

Her brows furrowed slightly, but she remained blissfully asleep.

"Three… Two…"

Still nothing.

"One."

Abhir smirked, grabbed a glass of water from the nightstand, and tilted it over her forehead.

The reaction was instantaneous.

"AAAAAHHHH!" Charu shot up, flailing wildly as the cold water hit her. "WHAT THE—"

Abhir leaned against the wall, arms crossed, thoroughly amused. "Good morning, Sleeping Beauty."

The first thing Charu became aware of was a pounding headache.

The second was the soft, warm pillow under her cheek. She let out a groggy groan, pulling the blanket tighter around herself.

Wait.

She never used this kind of blanket.

And her bed didn't smell like  something distinctly masculine.

Her eyes snapped open.

This was not her room.

Charu bolted upright, her heart hammering in her chest.

The events of last night were foggy, but a few horrifying memories resurfaced—drinking too much, Abhir dragging her away, some ridiculous banter, and—

Oh god.

She squeezed her eyes shut, mortified. Why am I like this?!

A groggy voice cut through her panic.

"You're awake. Finally."

She turned her head and found Abhir standing by her bedside, his hair a mess, looking half-asleep. His shirt was slightly crumpled, and there was an unmistakable grumpiness in his voice.

“Wha—” She winced, pressing a hand to her forehead. “Ow. Why does my head feel like it got hit by a truck?”

“That's because of hangover” Abhir said casually. “And also because karma exists.”

She squinted at him. “Where the hell am I?”

“My room.”

Her eyes widened. “WHAT?”

Abhir stretched, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, you lost your room key, claimed my bed as your own, and passed out. You're welcome for not throwing you out."

She glared at him. "You're so annoying. Can’t you be a little sympathetic?"

"You made me babysit you all night. You don’t get sympathy."Abhir smirked.

She groaned  before peeking around. “Did anyone see me?”

“No. I managed to smuggle you out of the party like a secret mission and covered up for your absence so chill.”

Charu exhaled in relief. “Thank god.”

Then, suddenly, she tensed.

She peeked at him through her fingers. "Please tell me I didn't do anything stupid."

Abhir's smirk widened. "Define stupid."

Charu glared. "Abhir."

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Well, let's analyze… You accused me of kidnapping you, attempted to press every button in the elevator—"

She buried her face in her hands. "Kill me already."

Abhir tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Not yet, and let’s not forget the best part—"

"NOPE." Charu shot up and clamped a hand over his mouth. "You are not allowed to say another word!"

Abhir raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching beneath her palm.

He gently pulled her hand away. "You don’t even know which part I was talking about."

She scowled. "I don’t need to know. I have a feeling it’s bad."

"Well…" He leaned back, folding his arms. "You did say something very… interesting."

Charu stared at him suspiciously. "What?"

He watched her for a second, enjoying the way her expression shifted between curiosity and horror. Then, in the most casual voice possible, he said giving her a pointed look" you may have admitted that you don’t like Sira being close to me."

Silence.

Dead silence.

Charu blinked.

Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

Abhir raised an eyebrow, watching her reaction closely.

"You're lying."

Abhir raised an eyebrow. "Am I?"

Abhir watched her with an amused expression. "Why would I lie?"

"Because you're evil," she shot back.

Abhir chuckled. "Drunk-you is way more honest than sober-you Bansal."

Charu groaned again, covering her face. "Forget whatever I said. I was not in my senses."

Abhir stood up, stepping closer to her. "You seemed pretty sincere to me. You seriously don't remember any of it?"

She lunged at him, but the sudden movement made her groan and clutch her head again.

Abhir laughed, dodging her weak attempt at an attack. “Careful,  Bansal. Hangovers don’t like violence.”

She gritted her teeth.

"I don’t remember anything!" she snapped, crossing her arms. "And even if I did—hypothetically—it doesn’t mean anything."

He tilted his head. "No?"

She swallowed. "Nope."

He stepped a little closer, his voice dropping slightly. "Are you sure?"

Charu suddenly felt very warm.

Her head was still a mess from the hangover, and now Abhir was looking at her like that.

She cleared her throat again and pointed at the door. "I—I need to go."

Abhir didn’t move. "Running away?"

"I am not running away."

"Really?."

"UGH!" Charu groaned, grabbing a pillow and chucking it at him before storming toward the door.

Just as she reached it, she paused.

Without turning around, she muttered, "Thanks for… you know. Not letting me make a fool of myself last night."

Abhir leaned against the wall, his smirk softening slightly. "You’re welcome sweetheart."

.

She shot him a glare over her shoulder. "Never. Speak. Of. It. Again."

"No promises."

With one final dramatic groan, Charu yanked open the door and disappeared down the hallway.

Abhir chuckled, shaking his head.

Last night had been a disaster.

And yet…

He couldn’t stop smiling.