Chapter 7

Ayaan stood in front of the mirror in his dorm room, adjusting his shirt, smoothing out the wrinkles from the drive over to the venue. He'd opted for a light pink fitted shirt, the sleeves just tight enough to showcase his lean muscles without being too flashy. The dark jeans he wore were slightly ripped at the knees, the style perfect for a party like this. His hair, as usual, was styled with an effortless, tousled look that had earned him his fair share of compliments in the past. He wasn't trying to impress anyone tonight—well, not in the way most people thought. No, this night wasn't about him being the charming heartthrob; tonight, he had something else in mind.

As he made his way into the party area, the sounds of bass-heavy music and the chatter of excited students hit him. The decorations were perfect, a mix of neon lights and glowing streamers draping the ceilings, reflecting in the champagne glasses as everyone mingled. Ayaan's mind was still preoccupied with one thing: the girl with the caramel highlights, the one who had caught his attention like no other. He'd caught a glimpse of her at the canteen, and though she had barely said a word, he couldn't shake the thought of how her eyes had felt like a magnet pulling him in.

Sure, he'd been swarmed by girls all night, some of them flirting openly, others trying to catch his attention with their laughter and glances. But something about tonight was different. He found himself distracted, unable to focus entirely on the girls around him. As he walked through the crowd, he'd danced with a few of them, making his usual rounds, charming them with his smile and the easy conversation he always managed to keep flowing.

And then he saw her.

She wasn't at the entrance like he expected. Instead, she stood near the far wall, her figure close to her friend Ananya, who was talking animatedly with someone else. Naina was standing there, looking like she didn't quite belong to this loud, vibrant scene. She was wearing a full-sleeve crop top, the white fabric hugging her torso in a way that outlined her curves perfectly. The jeans she wore fit her like a second skin, outlining her figure even more. For a brief second, Ayaan's breath hitched. His eyes took in every inch of her, from the way her hair fell over her shoulders in loose waves, to the hesitant, almost shy posture she had, as though she was still unsure of herself in this environment.

His heart skipped a beat. She wasn't like the others. The girls who flattered him, the ones who always made the first move, all blended together after a while. But Naina... Naina was different.

His eyes lingered on her, noticing how she was clearly uncomfortable, shifting from one foot to the other as she glanced around. She wasn't laughing with her friends or engaging in the chatter around her. No, she was quiet, almost withdrawn. But something about her made his chest tighten, his thoughts spinning as he wondered why she looked so out of place in this scene.

He couldn't look away. She caught his gaze for just a fraction of a second before quickly dropping her eyes to the floor, clearly flustered. Ayaan felt a smirk tug at the corner of his lips. She was trying to avoid him, but he was having none of it.

He couldn't ignore the feeling—the pull he felt toward her. His eyes stayed locked on her for a moment longer, and despite the loud music and the people dancing around him, everything around him seemed to fade away. All he could focus on was her.

Ayaan wasn't used to feeling this way. Usually, he could have any girl he wanted with just a smile or a look, but Naina was different. She wasn't giving him the attention he was accustomed to, and that intrigued him. The more she avoided him, the more he wanted to break through that wall she'd built around herself.

Without another thought, he started to walk toward her, his movements slow but purposeful, like a predator closing in on its prey. As he approached, he saw her glance nervously toward Ananya again, clearly more focused on the conversation her friend was having than the crowd around her.

Ayaan came to a stop a few feet from her, close enough that she'd feel his presence but not yet close enough to overwhelm her. He let his eyes drift over her figure once more before speaking, his voice low and smooth.

"You know, I didn't expect to see you here," he said, his words carrying a hint of amusement.

Naina flinched slightly, clearly surprised to hear him speak to her, especially since she hadn't expected him to notice her. She bit her lip nervously and met his gaze for a brief moment, her cheeks flushing pink.

"I—uh... I didn't expect to be here either," she stammered, her voice barely audible over the music. "But my friends... They insisted."

Ayaan couldn't help but grin. He was used to seeing girls nervous around him, but something about the way she acted felt different. She wasn't acting coy or trying to flirt. No, Naina was genuinely shy, and that was a rarity in his world.

"Well," he said, his voice dipping a little lower, "I'm glad you're here." He let his eyes meet hers again, this time not looking away, wanting her to feel the weight of his gaze. "Though, I have to say, I didn't expect you to look like that tonight."

She blinked, clearly confused.

Ayaan smiled, amused by her uncertainty. "I mean, I didn't expect you to look so... stunning," he added, his tone softer, more intimate.

Naina's eyes widened a little, and she quickly looked away, her cheeks now flushed a deep red. He could see her trying to hide her smile, the awkwardness in the air palpable.

"Well, uh, thanks," she said, fumbling for something to say.

Ayaan leaned in just slightly, his voice lowering even more, "You don't have to thank me."

There was a pause, and for a moment, the music seemed to fade away. He was so close now that he could see the way her lips trembled slightly with the words she was trying to hide. It was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

Her eyes darted nervously toward the dance floor, but Ayaan didn't let her escape. He stepped closer, his presence now undeniable.

"You're different, Naina."

The words hung in the air between them, thick with unspoken tension.

As she stood there, silent, avoiding his gaze, Ayaan's fingers brushed against her arm, just enough to send a spark through the both of them.

Her breath caught in her throat, and for a brief second, he could see the walls she'd built around herself start to crack.

He leaned in a little closer, his voice barely above a whisper, "Let loose, enjoy yourself."

And just like that, the world around them seemed to vanish.

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