Chapter 16: CHAPTER 14

It's been so many days since I'm receiving negative comments. I am trying to ignore everything okay. But no, either they are judging me or my work.

Thanks to my loyal readers but seriously I feel like I should stop updating her nd continue on scrollstack.

There's no benefit in updating on Wattpad. It's just that I feel motivated by seeing votes and comments.

Nowadays I'm receiving comments like "author is being greedy", "she's cheap" "smut likhna bas ki nhi hai tere"...

What is this behaviour???? See if you don't want then please feel free to skip the book coz I'm not forcing you to read!!!

And I'm setting target after seeing views and votes!!!! In starting in about 3-4 chapters, I never asked you to complete the target.

Last update was 2 days ago. If I'm sounding rude then Yes I'm rude. See I'm also a human. I need to be motivated.

But all these comments are really demotivating. I'm not anyone's slave. I'm a girl with CHILDHOOD TRAUMA. And that's the only reason harr choti se choti baat mujhe Dil pe lag jati hai.

If you're not liking my work then please stop commenting shit about me and my work and just stop reading.

Today I'm not giving you any target. Last chapter's target is still not completed. So I'll update here whenever I feel like.

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Noor's POV

The sun was barely peeking over the horizon when I dragged my suitcase down the hallway, my heart racing with excitement.

“Kashmir, here we come!” I muttered to myself, the thought making me giddy. It had been a week since I’d broken my hand—well, a minor fracture, they called it—but I was ready to leave that behind.

I mean, who needs a fully functioning hand when you have friends and a place like Kashmir waiting for you?

Yes yes this is our college trip!!!

“Hey, Noor! Wait up!” Ayushi called, her voice slicing through the morning calm. I turned to see her sprinting towards me, her hair bouncing wildly. Aarav lagged behind, rolling his eyes but grinning.

“Why do you always pack like you’re moving to another planet?” Ayushi teased, eyeing my bulging suitcase.

“It’s called being prepared,” I shot back, trying to defend my choices. “You never know when you’ll need three pairs of shoes.”

“Or a backup for your backup,” Aarav chimed in, laughing.

“Shut up, Aarav!” I waved him off, but I couldn’t help but smile.

The bus was a cacophony of chatter and laughter as we boarded. I searched for a seat and felt a twinge of panic when all I saw were couples and groups of friends.

“Oh no, this can’t be happening!” I muttered, scanning the rows.

“Just sit next to Crocodile,” Aarav suggested, nudging me. “He’s not going to bite.”

“Yeah, right,” I replied, trying to suppress a cringe. Crocodile Malhotra, the grumpy mathematics professor, was the last person I wanted to sit next to. But I didn’t have much of a choice.

“Hey, you can sit here,” he said, not looking up from his phone. His voice was deep, almost gravelly, but I couldn’t deny that there was a certain charm in it, even if he was perpetually annoyed with us students.

“Thanks,” I mumbled, sliding into the seat beside him. I tried to focus on my phone, scrolling absentmindedly through social media, but I couldn’t help stealing glances at him.

He looked good in that white shirt and black pants, even if he had that eternally serious expression plastered on his face.

The bus jolted forward, and I felt the vibrations travel through the seat.

“Whoa!” I exclaimed, gripping the edge of the seat. He didn’t react, still glued to his phone.

“Just hold on,” he said, glancing at me for a moment before returning to his screen.

As the scenery blurred by, I felt my eyelids grow heavy.

“Just a quick nap,” I whispered to myself, resting my head against his bicep. His arm was surprisingly warm, and I felt comfort in the proximity.

I drifted off, lulled by the rhythmic hum of the bus engine.

“Noor, wake up!” I heard a voice breaking through the fog. A gentle shake nudged me from my sleep. I blinked, disoriented, and found his face mere inches from mine.

“We finally reached Kashmir.”

“Oh!” I shot upright, my cheeks burning. “I—um, I didn’t mean to—”

He raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “Don’t worry, I’m used to it. You’re not the first student to fall asleep on me.”

“Great,” I huffed, trying to mask my embarrassment. I quickly exited the bus, my heart racing for reasons I couldn’t quite understand.

The view of Kashmir was breathtaking. Snow-capped mountains loomed in the distance, their peaks gleaming under the clear blue sky.

I stood there, momentarily captivated, until I felt a presence beside me.

He was looking at me, his expression softer than I’d ever seen. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

“Yeah,” I breathed, unable to tear my eyes away from the landscape.

“Absolutely stunning.” I glanced at him, and our eyes locked. There was something in his gaze that made my stomach flutter.

“Come on! Let’s get a group photo!” Ayushi yelled, pulling us back to reality. I turned, still feeling the warmth of his gaze on me, and joined the group of students and teachers.

The laughter was infectious as we posed, our arms around each other, with the majestic mountains as our backdrop.

“Say ‘Kashmir!’” Ayushi shouted, and a chorus of voices erupted.

“Kashmir!”

“Perfect!” she declared, checking the pictures. “Now, let’s explore!”

As we wandered through the local market, the air was filled with the scent of spices and fresh pastries. I couldn’t help but feel alive amidst the vibrant colors and sounds.

All students and teachers began to explore. Ayushi and Aarav darted off to a stall, leaving me to linger near a shop selling intricate shawls.

“Do you like those?” Crocodile asked, appearing beside me unexpectedly.

“They're beautiful,” I replied, running my fingers over the soft fabric. “But do I really need another shawl?”

“Practicality isn’t your strong suit, is it?” he said, a teasing glint in his eyes.

I rolled my eyes, but there was a smile creeping onto my lips. “Let me live a little! I’m on vacation.”

“Right. A week in paradise, and you’ll return with a suitcase full of shawls and no space for your actual clothes,” he shot back, but there was a hint of amusement in his voice.

“Okay, maybe I’ll make room for one,” I conceded, picking up a vibrant red shawl. “What do you think?”

“Bold choice,” he replied, crossing his arms. “You might scare off the locals with that color.”

“Ha! Like you’re one to talk, Mr. Grumpy Professor,” I laughed, and he chuckled, shaking his head.

Our banter continued, and for the first time, I saw a glimpse of the man behind the stern facade.

As we walked, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to him than the grumpiness he projected.

“Let’s grab some food,” I suggested, suddenly aware of the rumbling in my stomach.

“Good idea. I know a place,” he replied, leading the way.

The restaurant was cozy, filled with the aroma of traditional Kashmiri dishes. We settled at a table, and I felt a rush of excitement.

“What should I try?”

“Everything,” he said, his eyes sparkling.

“But you might want to start with the Rogan Josh.”

“Sounds spicy!” I grinned, and he raised an eyebrow.

“Are you sure you can handle it?” he teased, leaning closer.

“Oh please! I can handle anything!” I

shot back, feigning bravado.

The food arrived, and I eagerly took a bite. “Wow! This is amazing!” I exclaimed, my eyes widening.

“See? I told you,” he smirked, clearly enjoying my reaction.

We continued to eat, and as the conversation flowed, I found myself opening up about everything—my chaotic life, my dreams, and even chaos after my minor fracture.

He listened, genuinely interested, his usual grumpiness lifting as we shared stories.

“Who knew you had such a wild side?” he remarked, chuckling at one of my anecdotes.

“Wild? Me? I’m just getting started!” I replied, my heart racing at the playful banter.

By the time we finished, the sun was setting, casting a golden hue over everything. “That was fun,” I said, wiping my mouth.

“Yeah, it was,” he agreed, his expression softening.

We stepped outside, and the cool breeze hit me, sending a shiver down my spine. “Brr! It’s getting chilly,” I said, rubbing my arms.

“Here, take my jacket,” he offered, shrugging it off and draping it over my shoulders.

I blinked in surprise, feeling a rush of warmth—not just from the jacket.

“Thanks,” I said, pulling it tighter around me.

As we wandered through the market again, our shoulders brushed occasionally, and each contact sent a jolt of electricity through me. I tried to ignore it, focusing instead on the stalls around us.

“Look at those handmade crafts!” I exclaimed, tugging him over to a table filled with colorful trinkets.

“Do you really need more souvenirs?” he asked, arching an eyebrow.

“Of course! These are perfect gifts!” I insisted, pointing at a delicate wooden carving.

“Fine, but I’m not carrying them for you on the bus,” he warned, crossing his arms.

“Deal!” I grinned, feeling triumphant as I picked out a few items.

As the night wore on, laughter and chatter filled the air, and I found myself enjoying his company more than I’d ever anticipated. He was still grumpy, sure, but there was a depth to him that intrigued me.

“Hey, Noor!” Ayushi called, and I turned to see her waving us over.

“Come on! We’re starting a game!”

“A game?” Crocodile asked, a hint of skepticism in his tone.

“Yeah! It’s called ‘Truth or Dare,’” Arushi announced, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Oh godd not again!! But it's fine actually.

“Great, just what I need,” he muttered, but I could see the corners of his mouth twitching.

“Don’t be such a spoilsport!” I nudged him playfully. “It’ll be fun!”

As we gathered around, the energy was electric. The first dare sent Ayushi sprinting across the market, and laughter erupted as she returned, breathless and grinning.

When it was his turn, I felt a rush of adrenaline. “Truth or dare, Sir?”

“Truth,” he replied, crossing his arms, ready for whatever I threw at him.

“What’s the most embarrassing thing you’ve done as a professor?” I asked, leaning forward, eager to hear his response.

He hesitated, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his face. “I once accidentally sent a personal text to the entire class. They all thought I was complaining about them.”

Laughter erupted around us, and even he couldn’t hide his amusement.

“What did you say?” I pressed, unable to contain my curiosity.

“Let’s just say it wasn’t flattering,” he admitted, a sheepish grin breaking through his usual stoic demeanor.

“Come on, you can’t just leave us hanging!” I laughed.

“Fine,” he relented, rolling his eyes. “I said something about how they were all clueless.”

“Wow, that’s harsh!” I exclaimed. “But honestly, I can’t blame you.”

The game continued, each round more ridiculous than the last. I could see him loosening up, his grumpiness fading as laughter filled the air.

When he finally dared me to sing a song in front of everyone, I shot him a glare.

“You’re on!” I declared, standing up and belting out a random tune, the crowd joining in and cheering me on.

“Alright, rockstar!” he called out, shaking his head in disbelief.

As the night wore on, I felt a connection blooming between us, something I hadn’t expected. With every shared laugh and playful banter, the walls he built around himself began to crumble, and I found myself wanting to know more about him.

Eventually, the game wound down, and we all settled on the ground, tired but exhilarated. The stars twinkled overhead, and I leaned back, feeling content.

“Thanks for today,” I said quietly to him, who was sitting beside me. “I really had fun.”

He looked at me, his expression softening. “Yeah, me too. You’re not as chaotic as I thought.”

I chuckled, nudging him playfully. “You just wait until I unleash my full chaos.”

“God help me,” he replied, pretending to look horrified.

“Hey, you brought this upon yourself!” I shot back, and we both laughed, the sound echoing in the night.

In that moment, surrounded by laughter and the beauty of Kashmir, I realized that maybe—just maybe—there was more to Crocodile Malhotra than met the eye. And as I glanced at him, I felt a flutter in my stomach that told me this trip was going to be one for the books.

Reyansh's POV

The chill in the air seeped into my bones as I perched on the car's hood, gazing up at the moon. Its silvery glow bathed the surroundings in a gentle light, reflecting off the distant mountains like a dream.

This was Kashmir, a place I had only begun to appreciate in the four days since we arrived for the college tour. It had a soothing quality, one that made me forget the weight of my responsibilities as a mathematics professor.

But tonight, my thoughts were not on the serene landscape; they were fixed on Noor.

She was over by the bonfire, surrounded by a group of her friends, laughter ringing out like music against the backdrop of the night.

I could see her animated gestures, the way her hair danced with each movement, and how her laughter seemed to draw everyone in, like moths to a flame.

I found myself smiling, a warmth spreading through me that felt foreign yet exhilarating.

Suddenly, her gaze caught mine. Our

eyes locked for a moment that felt like an eternity. It was quiet, yet charged with something unspoken, a connection that pulsed between us.

I could feel my heart race; there was something different in that moment. But before I could analyze it further, a chorus of voices broke the spell, calling me over.

“Sir! Come on over!” someone shouted, waving me towards the fire.

Reluctantly, I slid off the hood and made my way towards the group. The heat of the fire contrasted sharply with the cool night air, and I felt more alive surrounded by the animated chatter. I tried to blend in.

“Sing us something!” one of the students urged, a playful grin plastered on their face.

“Yes please Sir, it’ll be fun!” another chimed in.

I hesitated, shaking my head. “I’m not really in the mood for that.”

“Come on, Sir! Just one song!” a student urged, his enthusiasm infectious.

I shifted uncomfortably. “Really, I—”

“Please?” Noor chimed in, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

My resolve crumbled at that look; I nodded, the corners of my mouth betraying me with a smile.

A guitar was thrust into my hands. I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of their expectations.

As I strummed the first chords of “Pehle Bhi Main” by Vishal Mishra, my gaze instinctively found Noor.

Galat kya, sahi kya, mujhe na pata hai

Tumhein 'gar pata ho, bata dena

Main arse se khud se zara laapta hoon

Tumhein 'gar miloon toh pata dena

Kho na jaana mujhe dekhte-dekhte

The way she leaned in, listening intently, made me feel like I was singing just for her.

I poured every feeling into the notes, every glance a silent promise.

Tu hi zariya, tu hi manzil hai

Ya ke dil hai, itna bata

Tune chhuwa zakhmon ko mere

Marham-marham dil pe laga

Paagal-paagal hain thode

Baadal-baadal hain bheege

Barsein-barsein, bheegein, aa zara

Her laughter, her joy, it all entwined itself into the melody, wrapping around me like a comforting blanket.

Pehle bhi main tumse mila hoon

Pehli dafa hi mil ke laga

Tune chhuwa zakhmon ko mere

Marham-marham dil pe laga

When I finished, the applause erupted around me, but all I could focus on was her radiant smile, the one that seemed to light up the entire night.

“Thanks, everyone. It’s getting late; we should all get some rest,” I said, trying to diffuse the energy before it spiraled into another request for an encore.

One by one, students shuffled off towards their camps, the fire crackling softly as embers danced into the night.

I lingered, my mind drifting back to Noor. The way she had looked at me, as if I had painted the stars just for her.

An hour later, I was jolted from my thoughts by the sound of raindrops pattering against the canvas of my tent.

I stepped outside, the fresh scent of earth filling my lungs, and there she was—a captivating silhouette against the darkened backdrop.

Noor was dancing, lost in her own world, the raindrops glistening on her leather jacket and skirt.

“Oye! You’ll get cold!” I called out, my voice cutting through the rhythmic sound of the rain.

She spun around, her laughter mingling with the rain. “It’s just a bit of water! I love the rain!”

I couldn’t help but chuckle, leaning against the car as I watched her. There was something wonderfully chaotic about her spirit that drew me in.

She moved with abandon, her laughter ringing out like music, pure and unrestrained. I felt a pull towards her, an urge to join in her wild dance, but I remained rooted in place, content to admire her.

The rain began to ease, and as the last drops fell, she sauntered over to me. I stepped forward to meet her, but then she slipped, her foot skidding on the wet ground.

Instinctively, I reached out, catching her just in time. Our bodies collided gently, and for a brief moment, everything else faded away.

“Whoa, careful there!” I said, my heart racing from the sudden closeness.

She steadied herself, leaning against the car, her breath mingling with the cool air around us.

Our eyes locked again, the world falling away until it was just the two of us. I could feel the warmth radiating from her, the way her cheeks flushed in the soft moonlight.

I couldn’t look away. My gaze drifted from her eyes to her lips, and the air between us crackled with tension.

I couldn’t resist. My hand moved to her neck, fingers trembling slightly as I leaned in, brushing my lips against hers.

It was soft, tentative, as if we were both afraid to break the spell of the moment.

But then she responded, her hands tangling in my hair, pulling me closer.

The kiss deepened, and I lost myself in the sensation—the taste of rain on her lips, the warmth of her body pressed against mine. Each moment felt sacred, like a dance only we could share.

“Rey...ansh..” A soft moan escaped her, my name whispered like a prayer, and I could feel the world around us fade into nothingness.

After what felt like an eternity, we broke apart, breathless. I searched her eyes, wanting to see the reflection of what had just happened, but she looked down, her cheeks flushed a bright red.

Before I could say anything, she hugged me tightly, and I wrapped my arms around her, savoring the warmth of her body against mine.

It was a moment of pure connection, a silent acknowledgment of what had just transpired.

Then, as quickly as it began, she pulled away and dashed back to her camp, leaving me standing there, a mix of confusion and joy swirling within me.

I smiled, but that smile quickly faded as doubt crept in.

Had I crossed a line?

Had I made her uncomfortable?

The questions spiraled in my mind, shadowing the joy I had felt just moments before.

As I made my way back to my camp, I replayed the kiss over and over again.

The way her lips felt against mine, the way she had responded, the warmth of her hug. But the nagging thought of her running away lingered, a cloud over my heart.

The night sky was filled with stars, but all I could think about was her.

What would tomorrow bring?

Would she avoid me?

Or would we find a way to navigate this newfound connection?

I settled into my sleeping bag, the cool air wrapping around me like a cocoon. The sound of the rain had faded, but I could still hear her laughter echoing in my mind.

I closed my eyes, hoping that whatever happened next, it would lead us down a path where we could both explore what this was—whatever it was becoming.

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3458 words.

Stay blessed and healthy.