Chapter 33

Ayaan's car hummed softly as he navigated the quiet streets of Mumbai, the rhythmic click of the turn signal punctuating the silence. Naina sat beside him, her head turned toward the window, her hands gripping her bag tightly. She had barely said a word since they'd left the party, her usual shyness amplified by the tension that hung in the air between them.

Ayaan's eyes flicked to her briefly, a small smile tugging at his lips. Her messy low bun was starting to unravel, a few strands falling over her face as she stared out at the glowing city lights. She looked adorable, and the sight of her like this—unpolished, quiet, and so unlike anyone else he'd ever known—made his chest tighten.

"Are you planning to ignore me the entire ride?" he asked, his tone light but teasing.

Naina stiffened slightly but didn't turn to face him. "I'm not ignoring you," she muttered.

"You've said exactly three words to me since we left," he countered, smirking. "Should I be worried?"

She glanced at him quickly, her expression a mix of exasperation and nervousness. "I'm just... thinking."

"About?" He pressed, genuinely curious.

She hesitated, biting her lower lip—a gesture that drove him insane. "Nothing important," she said finally.

Ayaan chuckled, shaking his head. "You're a terrible liar, Naina."

She shot him a quick glare, but her lips twitched like she was fighting a smile. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"And you're stubborn," he shot back, his voice laced with amusement. "But that's fine. I like a challenge."

She huffed, crossing her arms over her chest, and turned her gaze back to the window. But he could see the faint blush creeping up her neck.

Moments later, Ayaan made a sudden turn.

Naina frowned, sitting up straighter. "This isn't the way to my place," she said, glancing at him suspiciously.

"I know," he replied casually, his grip on the steering wheel firm.

"Then where are we going?"

"You'll see," he said, his lips quirking into a mischievous grin.

"Ayaan," she started, her tone slightly sharp, but he cut her off.

"Relax," he said, his voice warm and teasing. "Trust me."

She fell silent after that, though her eyes remained fixed on him, full of suspicion.

When he finally pulled up to Marine Drive, her jaw dropped.

"You brought me to Marine Drive?" she asked, incredulous.

"Yep." He unbuckled his seatbelt and turned to her. "Figured you could use some fresh air."

She blinked at him, caught off guard. "Why?"

"Why not?" he countered, his gaze steady. "You looked like you needed to relax. And I wanted chai."

"You're so weird," she muttered under her breath, though a small smile crept onto her lips.

"I'll take that as a compliment," he said smoothly, stepping out of the car.

They made their way to the chaiwala nearby, and Ayaan ordered two cups of steaming tea. When Naina tried to pay, he shot her a mock-offended look.

"Seriously? You're going to insult me like that?"

She rolled her eyes. "It's not an insult, Ayaan. It's called splitting the bill."

"Not happening," he said firmly, handing the chaiwala a note. "Get used to it."

They walked to the edge of the promenade, sitting down on the low wall overlooking the sea. The breeze was cool and refreshing, and the sound of waves crashing against the rocks filled the silence between them.

"This is nice," Naina admitted after a while, her voice soft.

"See? I told you," Ayaan said, a smug grin on his face.

She gave him a sideways glance. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"

"Immensely," he said with a chuckle.

They sipped their chai in companionable silence for a few moments before Ayaan spoke again.

"You are different today," he said, his tone thoughtful.

Naina looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

"In general," he clarified. "You aren't trying to avoid me for once. You actually talked to me. Bickered, even. It was... refreshing."

She looked down at her cup, her fingers tracing the rim. "I wasn't trying to be different."

"Maybe not," he said, leaning back on his hands. "But it felt nice. Normal."

She glanced at him, her expression softening. "You're not so bad when you're not being cocky."

He laughed, the sound rich and genuine. "I'll take that as a win."

They continued to talk, the conversation flowing more easily than Ayaan had expected. He found himself opening up to her in a way he rarely did with anyone else, sharing little bits of his life, his family, his passions. And she listened—really listened—without the usual awe-struck look people gave him.

When they finally got back in the car, the atmosphere between them shifted again. The tension from before returned, heavier now, charged with unspoken emotions.

Ayaan gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white. He wanted to reach over, to touch her hand, to kiss her again. But he held himself back, focusing on the road instead.

By the time they reached her building, his restraint was hanging by a thread. He parked the car and turned to her as she unbuckled her seatbelt.

"Thanks for the chai," she said softly, giving him a small smile.

That smile was his undoing.

"Screw it," he muttered under his breath.

Before she could react, he leaned over, cupping her face with one hand and pressing his lips to hers. The kiss was urgent, filled with everything he'd been holding back. He felt her freeze for a moment, but then she melted into him, her hands clutching his shirt as she kissed him back.

Ayaan smiled as he deepened the kiss, his other hand bracing against the seat to keep himself grounded. She tasted like chai and something uniquely hers—something he couldn't get enough of.

When he finally pulled back, they were both breathless. Naina's cheeks were flushed, her lips slightly swollen. She stared at him, her eyes wide with a mix of surprise and something else he couldn't quite place.

"I... I have to go," she stammered, quickly opening the door and stepping out.

He watched as she practically ran toward her building, a small smile playing on his lips. But then his eyes caught something on the passenger seat.

Her necklace.

He picked it up, the delicate chain glinting under the car's interior light. His smile widened as he twirled it around his fingers.

~•~

The next morning, when he saw her at the university assembly, her usual confidence was replaced with a quiet shyness. She stuck close to her friends, Meera and Ananya, avoiding his gaze.

After the assembly, while the group planned their trip to Lonavala, Naina excused herself, saying she needed to grab food from the canteen. Ayaan followed her.

He found her in the corridor, her head bowed as she walked, her steps light but quick.

"Naina," he called, his voice soft but firm.

She turned, startled, and saw him leaning casually against the wall, her necklace dangling from his fingers.

"You forgot this," he said, stepping closer.

Her eyes widened, and she reached out to take it, but he pulled it back with a smirk.

"Let me," he said, his voice low.

Before she could protest, he moved behind her, his chest brushing lightly against her back as his hand adjusted her hair to one side. He clasped the necklace around her neck.

"There," he murmured, his lips close to her ear. "Perfect."

Naina turned to face him, her cheeks pink. "Thank you."

He grinned, his eyes locking onto hers. "Don't mention it. But next time, try not to leave behind anything I could use as an excuse to see you again."

Her breath hitched, and for a moment, she looked like she wanted to say something. But then she shook her head, her lips curving into a small, reluctant smile.

"You're cringe, Ayaan," she said, her voice soft.

"Then I guess you like cringe, Naina," he replied.

She rolled her eyes playfully at him. Then gave him a very small smile before he watched her walk away, his heart pounding with anticipation.

She isn't afraid—not anymore. He thought.

🩵