17. My Shaurya

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Ananya

Though our mission was successfully completed, Kulkarni sir's orders to stay back for a few more days felt like borrowed time—time I wasn't ready to let go of. But like every beautiful thing, it is also going to end. The thought of what awaited after these two days loomed over me like a heavy cloud. Am I really ready to leave? To step away from the chaos and laughter of Akshith's endless teasing, the camaraderie of teaming up with Yuvaan to prank the others, and most importantly... Shaurya?

A pang shot through me. What happens when this trip ends?

No more watching the team practice with such intensity it felt like an art form. No more evenings filled with lighthearted banter, singing, dancing, and endless cups of coffee. No more late-night talks with the team where they showed their raw, vulnerable sides. No more Shaurya's carefree laugh echoing around me, or the way his face lit up with boyish pride after pulling off a brilliant catch.

And the smaller, quieter moments—would I lose those too?

I wouldn't sit beside him anymore, watching the stars as if they were telling secrets only we could hear. There'd be no more shared sunrises on our morning jogs, his teasing remarks making me laugh even when I was too breathless to respond. I wouldn't get to steal those fleeting glances at him, memorizing every detail of his face—the way his jaw clenched when he was focused, the warmth of his smile when he wasn't.

My chest tightened at the thought. In just two days, I would have to say goodbye to him.

When had this happened to me? When had he become the center of my thoughts, my memories, my heart? A slow ache spread through me, and I realized my cheeks were wet. Tears.

Every mission before this one brought pride and accomplishment, a sense of closure. But this time? It felt like I was being torn away from something I wasn't ready to give up.

Not something. Someone.

Why does leaving feel so unbearable? Why does it feel like walking away from him would mean leaving behind a piece of myself?

I've spent months—years, even—with people, worked alongside them, and shared laughter and success, but never felt this... this unbearable weight in my chest at the thought of leaving them behind. Why is it so different with him? How did he become so important to me in just a few days?

Why does the mere thought of parting from him feel like losing a part of myself?

A soft knock on the door broke my spiraling thoughts. I hastily wiped the tears from my cheeks and opened the door, only to be greeted by him.

Shaurya stood there, leaning casually against the doorframe, his hands folded across his chest. His ever-present shades perched atop his head, slightly tousling his hair. And that smile—oh, that smile—so carefree and childlike, it tugged at something deep within me.

I felt my heart skip a beat. How could one person manage to look this adorable and irresistibly attractive at the same time?

For a fleeting moment, I couldn't decide whether I wanted to pinch his cheeks like a doting grandmother or kiss him senseless until all coherent thought vanished.

Am I even sane any more? I wondered, my mind in delightful chaos.

The warmth of his presence filled the room, chasing away the sadness that had clung to me moments ago. Yet, beneath that warmth, the ache remained—because I knew I wouldn't have this for much longer.

"Are you okay? Why are your eyes red? Do you have a fever?" he asked, his voice laced with concern as he leaned closer. Before I could respond, his hand reached up, the back of his palm brushing against my forehead to check my temperature. The tenderness of the gesture sent a fresh wave of tears welling up in my eyes.

Why is this man so caring? So effortlessly kind?

His hand moved from my forehead to cup my cheek, his eyes scanning mine as if searching for an answer I was too overwhelmed to give. When he finally heaved a sigh of relief, I stood frozen, tongue-tied, and utterly consumed by the emotions surging through me.

"What happened, Ananya? Did someone say something to you? Were you crying?" he asked, his hands gently gripping my shoulders.

But I barely registered his words; my world stopped at the sound of my name on his lips. Ananya. Though it is normal for him to use my name, it wasn't the same. No, this was different. Intimate. Beautiful. Hearing him say my name like that set my heart racing and sent butterflies soaring in my stomach.

"Ananya?" he said again, his voice softer this time as he gave my shoulders a gentle shake.

Every part of me wanted to collapse into his arms, to hold onto him as though he was my anchor in a storm. But I forced myself to stay grounded, even as my heart screamed otherwise.

"I'm fine, Shaurya," I managed, my voice barely above a whisper. "It's just... shampoo got into my eyes." The lie felt bitter on my tongue, and I swallowed hard against the lump in my throat.

His eyes narrowed slightly, unconvinced. "Do you want me to get you some eye drops or something?" he asked, his voice still gentle.

Before I could answer, his hand reached up again, his thumb brushing against my cheek to wipe away a stray tear. His touch was warm, grounding me in a way nothing else could. Then, without a word, he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.

The world seemed to be still.

That kiss—it wasn't rushed or fleeting. It lingered, filled with so much care, so much unspoken affection, that I felt myself melting into the moment. His lips stayed against my forehead for what felt like an eternity, and I closed my eyes, savoring the purity of it.

When he finally pulled back, his hand slid down to entwine with mine, his thumb brushing over my knuckles as if silently reassuring me.

"Will you come out with us? We're planning to visit a nearby market," he asked, his voice softer than usual, with a hint of hope shimmering in his eyes.

For a second, I hesitated, the weight of our impending goodbye pressing heavily on my heart. But if I only have two days left with him, shouldn't I at least gather memories to hold onto when he's gone?

"Okay," I replied meekly, my voice barely audible. "But I have to change."

He nodded and, reluctantly, released my hand. As the warmth of his touch faded, my gaze dropped to my now-empty hand. For a fleeting moment, I simply stood there, staring at it, wishing I could somehow hold onto him longer. Finally, I turned and closed the door to change.

When I stepped out a few minutes later, dressed and ready, he was still there, waiting patiently by the door.

"Can we?" he asked, his voice carrying a playful edge as he extended his hand toward me.

I hesitated for only a heartbeat before slipping my hand into his. His fingers immediately intertwined with mine, and the broad smile that lit up his face was enough to bring a small, involuntary smile to my lips.

We walked together to the elevator, his grip on my hand firm and reassuring. As the elevator doors closed, I felt a sudden pang of self-consciousness when a few people joined us midway. I began to pull my hand away, not wanting to create unnecessary rumors about him.

But he tightened his grip, his fingers pressing against mine as if silently urging me not to let go.

I looked up at him, my breath hitching when I noticed the determined glint in his eyes. He didn't need to say anything; his hold spoke volumes. Taking a hesitant step closer, I allowed our hands to brush slightly, a quiet acknowledgment of the bond we were silently building.

From the corner of my eye, I caught the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips, one that sent my heart racing faster than I cared to admit.

In that small, crowded elevator, the world outside faded away, leaving just the two of us suspended in a fragile moment of connection.

We stepped out of the elevator onto the ground floor, and Shaurya's friends were already waiting, casually leaning against sleek bikes with their helmets in hand. My eyes flitted to the vehicles, a quiet question lingering in my mind.

"Yes," Shaurya said, his tone laced with amusement, as if he could read my thoughts. "We're going on bikes."

I didn't bother asking how they managed to arrange the bikes; by now, I knew their ability to make things happen in record time.

"Here," he said, handing me a helmet. The moment my fingers brushed against his, a spark shot through me, leaving a strange tingling sensation that I tried to shake off.

Shaurya walked over to a bike—a Kawasaki Versys 1000, its sleek black frame gleaming under the streetlights. It looked gorgeous, but the man standing beside it looked even more so.

He wore his helmet, and I found myself inexplicably mesmerized by the simple act. The way his hands moved with ease, the casual tilt of his head—it was all so effortlessly attractive. My heart skipped a beat, and I couldn't stop the unbidden thought that flashed through my mind. Since when did something as mundane as putting on a helmet become this... alluring?

"Come, hop on," Shaurya's voice cut through my daze, and I quickly climbed on behind him, trying to hide the blush that had started creeping up my neck.

The engine roared to life, the vibrations humming through me as the bike surged forward. I jerked forward instinctively, my chest brushing against his back.

"Hold me," he said over the sound of the engine. His voice was calm, yet there was a subtle playfulness in it.

I hesitated, my hands hovering just above his jacket. When I caught his amused smile in the bike's side mirror, my cheeks flamed, and I quickly fisted my hands over the back of his jacket.

"Good girl," he murmured just loud enough for me to hear, and I felt my heart hammer against my ribcage.

The ride was a mix of thrilling speed and quiet moments, the world around us blurring into streaks of light and sound. The wind whipped against my face, but all I could focus on was the warmth radiating from Shaurya, steady and comforting.

After about forty-five minutes, we arrived at a bustling marketplace. I marveled at the vibrant colors, the hum of chatter, and the aroma of street food wafting through the air.

But then, reality hit me like a freight train—Shaurya and his friends weren't just any group of people; they were celebrities. The kind of people who drew crowds in seconds.

I glanced around nervously, imagining the frenzy that could erupt if people recognized them.

"People are going to recognize you," I whispered into his ear once he stopped the bike. I could smell his cinnamon fragrance, and it was driving me crazy. I loved the closeness between us, and there was this good kind of nervousness inside me noticing the proximity.

"They won't," he replied in two words, his confidence making me chuckle inwardly. He gestured for me to get down, and I did as asked, stepping back to give him space to dismount.

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a surgical mask, and wore it with such nonchalance that I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "Really? That's your master disguise?"

"It works," he shot back, his voice muffled slightly behind the mask. Adding a pair of goggles, he gave himself a quick once-over in the bike's mirror.

"You three look like thieves now," I teased, watching Yuvaan and Akshith do the same. I giggled softly at the sight of them. With their masks, jackets, and dark shades, they looked more like a group of misfit spies than cricketers. "Give you guys a knife or something, and you'll look like professional assassins."

Yuvaan placed a hand on his chest, feigning hurt. "Excuse me, we're trendsetters, not criminals."

"Trendsetters in scaring people, maybe," I quipped, earning a round of laughter from Akshith and even a soft chuckle from Shaurya.

"Careful, Ms. Shergill," Shaurya murmured, stepping closer, his voice low enough to send shivers down my spine. "If we really were thieves, you'd be the first thing I'd steal."

"I guess we would make great assassins if we can get some guns," Akshith chimed, folding three of his fingers, and pointing his finger at us like it was a gun.

Shaurya chuckled softly at his comment, the sound muffled by the mask but still warm and teasing. "Professional assassins, huh? Maybe we should add that to our skill set," he said, sliding his hands into his jacket pockets with a mock air of mystery.

I giggled again, unable to help myself. The way he played along with my silly remark only made him more endearing.

"You'd be the worst assassin," I teased, folding my arms. "Your cinnamon fragrance would give you away before you could even take a step closer to your target."

Shaurya tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing behind the goggles. "Cinnamon fragrance, huh? So you do notice me."

My cheeks heated up instantly, and I averted my gaze, suddenly very interested in the bustling market around us. "I didn't say that," I mumbled, trying to sound nonchalant.

He leaned in closer, just enough for his words to reach me. "Oh, but you did, Ananya."

That one word—my name, spoken in that smooth, teasing voice of his—sent a shiver down my spine. I clenched my hands into fists to stop myself from doing something crazy, like grabbing his jacket and kissing the smirk off his face.

"Let's go before your cinnamon aura attracts a crowd," I shot back, desperate to steer the conversation away from dangerous territory.

Akshith clapped his hands. "Alright, lovebirds, save the banter for later. Let's hit the market before it gets too crowded!"

Shaurya extended his hand toward me, his fingers curling slightly in invitation. Without a second thought, I placed my hand in his, letting his warm grip steady my racing heart.

Shaurya grinned, and though his mouth was hidden, his eyes sparkled with amusement. "Lead the way, Ms. Observant," he said, gesturing for me to walk ahead.

As I moved, I couldn't shake the warmth that lingered in my chest. His presence was intoxicating, and the playful banter only made me fall deeper into whatever this was between us. Whatever it was, I wasn't ready to let it go.

When we reached a shop, Akshith and I reached for a doll at the same time. I shot him a glare and he stared back, not ready to back off. Our staring competition longed for a minute before he turned to Shaurya.

"Shaurya, you found her of all?" Akshith whined, glancing at Shaurya, and my heart instantly went on defense. What did he mean by that?

"Oh, hello! What's wrong with me?" I snapped, flipping my hair in exaggerated defiance as I glared at him. "Unlike you, I'm smart," I added with a little extra sass, not letting him get away with that comment.

Akshith raised an eyebrow, clearly offended. "Excuse me?" he asked, as if I'd just insulted his very existence.

"Excused. Let's go, Shaurya," I said, turning to Shaurya and tugging at his hand, ready to leave. No way I was going to give Akshith the satisfaction of a retort.

Akshith stood there, mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water, but I kept walking, not even sparing him a glance. I squeezed Shaurya's hand a little tighter, feeling my heart race as I pulled him along.

"Oye! You can't just leave like that after insulting me! I'm an all-rounder in ICT, you know!" Akshith whined, sounding like a toddler.

"And my Shaurya is the captain of the same team you're talking about!" I shot back, unable to resist the teasing comeback.

For a second, there was complete silence. Akshith's mouth hung open like he'd seen a ghost. Shaurya stopped in his tracks, and the two of them stared at me. My cheeks flared with heat when I realized what I'd just said. My Shaurya?

What the hell did I just say? My?

I bit my lip in horror. What was wrong with me? Why can't I control my mouth?

"So you finally realized?" Yuvaan teased, wiggling his eyebrows at me, making my embarrassment ten times worse.

I quickly released Shaurya's hand and looked up at him, trying to gauge his reaction. To my surprise, Shaurya was staring at me, his eyes wide and his ears tinged pink. He looked just as embarrassed as I felt.

Oh, God. Ananya, you idiot!

I was busy cursing myself when suddenly, someone shoved me from behind, and before I could brace myself, I found myself pressed against Shaurya's chest. My breath hitched as my chest collided with his, and I could feel his heart racing under my touch. His hands instinctively moved to the sides of my waist, holding me closer as if he didn't want to let go.

The world seemed to stop as I felt his minty-hot breath against my ear, sending shivers down my spine. My skin tingled, and every inch of my body was hyper-aware of the closeness. The warmth of his body seeped into mine, and I felt like I could melt right into him. My heart pounded erratically, and the only thing I wanted in that moment was to hold him tight, never letting go.

I slowly moved my shaky hands from my sides, the desire to be closer to him overwhelming. My fingers grazed his torso, and I was about to wrap my arms around him when suddenly, a loud scream pierced the air, shattering our trance.

I jumped back instinctively, pulling away from him to see what was happening. My heart was still racing, but I couldn't ignore the panic in the air.

"Leave me!"

The scream was frantic, and my eyes darted to the source, my thoughts momentarily forgetting everything else.