Chapter 31

"How are we going?" Meera asked, as the girls got ready for the party.

Naina walked into the room—feeling extremely overdressed. She was in a dress that had sleeves till just above her elbow. It gave a clear view of her collarbones and neck but covered her chest. It ended just before her knees. Her hair was left open and she had kajal and mascara adorning her eyes.

She wasn't used to dressing this way.

"We have to take an Uber, Meera," Ananya said, then turned to Naina. "Naina, you don't look like Naina at all!"

Meera turned, "Damn! I agree. Who are you?"

Naina chuckled and crossed her arms, "Someone who is forced to be a part of this party."

"I'll book an Uber." Meera said, rolling her eyes playfully at Naina.

The girls locked their door and stepped down towards the campus gates. Then, they walked to the main entrance, where the Uber was coming.

When their Uber arrived, they entered. The ride was filled with chatter. Then, she reached. They got down and Ananya and Meera were instantly excited at the thought of a party.

Naina saw them and chuckled, "You guys go in. I'll pay and come."

"No no. We'll wait!" Ananya said.

"Ananya, Meera!" Naina grinned, "You two are not going to be able to resist it. Go! I'll pay and come." They smiled and nodded. Then headed inside.

Meanwhile, Ayaan was greeted them at the door. Giving him a small hug, he spoke, "Hello girls. Did Naina not come?"

Ananya smiled, "She's outside paying. She said come in." They said and went inside.

Before going in, Meera looked at Ayaan, "She's free outside. Jaa aur mil ke aaja." She winked. Ayaan patted her shoulder and walked outside after giving her a smile.

He walked outside and saw Naina talking with the Uber driver. He chuckled hearing it.

"Bhaiya, aapne toh kaha tha aap Chennai se hai, but aapki toh Marathi bhi acchi hai? Tumhi khup changli Marathi bolta!" She was saying.

"Arre didi, aata 27 years pasna Mumbai madhe aage, tar Marathi shikun gethli. Tumhi pan changli bolta."

"Maza pan same reason aahe."

She was about to reply when she felt a presence and hear a voice behind her, "Ma'am tumcha wait kartat ae aat madhe." She turned and saw Ayaan walking towards her. He can speak Marathi? She thought.

He quickly got his card and paid the driver. Naina startled, "What are you doing? I'll get it."

"It's okay, Naina. Come." He said.

She looked at him, then looked back at the driver and smiled, "Chala, changla vatla tumala bhethun."

"Same here, Didi. Maza number aahe tumcha kadhe. Kai lagla tar call karundya!" He said and left.

Naina waved him a bye and walked over to the main door, where Ayaan was waiting for her. He looked at her, taking her in. She looked amazing. Wow. He thought.

She walked to him and raised her eyebrow, as if asking him what happened. He shook his head in a no and gestured her to come inside.

They walked in and she was instantly greeted to her friends dancing. She looked to find a place for her. But she was not getting used to the loud music. Maybe she just needed the push, she thought. She walked over to her friends, and smiled at them. They tried to get her to dance but it was a waste of time. She wasn't going to.

Ayaan, on the other hand, was instantly bombarded by friends. He didn't have time to say no because they dragged him.

Much to his irritation.

When he finally got free, he felt his blood boil at the sight in front of him. She was standing with Shaan, as they both had a drink.

She wasn't drinking alcohol. But she was there. And that was enough for him to get riled up. He was he getting angry. Why? He didn't know.

He walked up to them, ready to take her away. But, as if luck was in his side, Shaan got called by a few friends. So, he left. Naina smiled as she said bye, only to be greeted by Ayaan.

She looked at him, "What happened?"

He didn't reply. Just looked at her. He wasn't looking at her in anger. He wasn't looking at her in disappointment. It was just a gaze. Just her.

When he didn't reply, she spoke, "What is it?"

He didn't reply—just grabbed her hand and got walking into a direction. Naina, still caught off-guard by his action, was following him silently since he wasn't able to push him away. They walked into a silent area under the staircase of the hall where the party was.

Once there, Ayaan gently pinned her against the wall—his hand holding the back of her before impact so her head doesn't hit the wall. Then, he let his hand rest on her waist.

She looked at him, now getting conscious. "W... What are you doing? Why am I here?"

He walked closer to her, their bodies almost pressing. He took her in. And his control was slipping, "Naina," he whispered against her skin, "I told you not to take the hard way. Why do you take the hard way?"

This time, she could tell what this was about. But this time, she was much more confident. So, she looked at him, "Ayaan. I also told you. We aren't dating. I can talk and drink with whoever I want. You have no rights on me."

Ayaan smiled, feeling a little proud of her newly found courage. "I know. I have no rights. Yet."

"Yet?" She whispered.

He smirked, "Yep. Yet." His arm around her waist and his one hand cradled her jaw, "I'm finding it so difficult to resist you."

His voice was slow, against her skin. Each and every word was melting into her mind and heart. She felt a gush of emotions washing over her.

She looked at him, "Leave me, Ayaan."

"No. I can't." He said playfully.

But then, his eyes darkened. She could see the darkness in his eyes. And she felt cornered. Yet somehow, she didn't feel uncomfortable. She gulped, looking at him. He came closer.

His eyes went down on her lips, and he was fighting his life to look back up. He eventually did, only to see her eyes slowly flicker from his eyes to his lips, and back. He felt a wave of relief internally.

I'm not the only one who wants it. He thought.

He looked at her. The world around them seemed to have stopped. For as far as they could see, only the faint sound of the music could be heard. No one in sight. The darkness around them seemed to captivate them more into each other. As if it were a magnetic pull.

His thumb caressed her waist, drawing lazy circles above the fabric of her cloth. Her hand had come on his chest—as an attempt to push him away. But she hadn't done so.

She hadn't pushed him away.

He looked at her. Then, he growled slightly. Ever so slightly. And before she could react, his lips slammed onto hers.

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