Chapter 20: CHAPTER 18

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This update is just for my loyal readers who vote and cmnt regularly!!!

I'll update next chapter only when target of both chapters 17 and 18 will be completed.

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Author's POV

The party was in full swing, the sound of chatter and laughter blending seamlessly with the soft notes of the piano playing in the corner.

Noor was busy talking animatedly with a group of friends near the buffet table, her chaotic energy lighting up the room like a firecracker.

Reyansh, standing a short distance away, observed her with a faint smirk. He had never seen someone so effortlessly charming, yet so utterly exasperating at the same time.

“Reyansh?” A familiar, overly sweet voice jolted him from his thoughts.

His eyes narrowed slightly as he turned to see Anaya approaching, her tight, sequined dress catching the light.

She looked exactly as he remembered her—calculated, dramatic, and far too flashy for his taste.

“Anaya,” Reyansh said curtly, his voice colder than the ice cubes in his untouched whiskey.

(If you guys don't remember Anaya, then please go back to chapter 3 and read Reyansh and this mother's conversation.)

Before he could say another word, Anaya threw her arms around him in an overly enthusiastic hug. Reyansh stiffened immediately, his hands staying firmly by his sides.

“Wow, it’s been ages!” Anaya exclaimed, ignoring his discomfort. “You look... as handsome as ever.”

“No need for the theatrics,” Reyansh replied flatly, taking a step back to create distance.

But before he could free himself entirely, Noor’s voice cut through the air.

“Reyansh.”

Her tone was low, but the edge in it was unmistakable. He turned to see her standing a few feet away, her eyes locked on Anaya. The usual spark of mischief in Noor’s gaze was replaced by something darker, sharper.

Anaya, unfazed, turned to Noor with a saccharine smile. “Oh, hi there! You know him? By the way I’m Anaya, Reyansh’s girlfriend.”

Noor’s eyes widened, then narrowed dangerously as she shifted her gaze to Reyansh. He cleared his throat, looking both irritated and slightly panicked.

“Noor—” he began, but Noor cut him off.

“Oh, really?” Noor said, her voice laced with faux curiosity. She stepped closer to Reyansh, slipping her arm through his and holding on tightly. “That’s interesting, because I thought I was his girlfriend.”

Reyansh, who had been silently praying for a natural disaster to interrupt this conversation, tensed as Anaya’s smile faltered.

“Well,” Anaya said, her voice a little less confident now, “we were practically inseparable in school. I mean, I was his first love.”

Reyansh scoffed. “I rejected you, Anaya. Repeatedly.”

Noor smirked, her grip on his arm tightening slightly. “So, you’re his... ex-nothing?” she asked, her tone dripping with mock sympathy.

Anaya’s face turned a faint shade of pink. “At least I have the confidence to speak my mind,” she snapped, eyeing Noor up and down. “Unlike you. And, honestly, I don’t get what Reyansh sees in someone so—”

She paused, looking Noor over with thinly veiled disdain. “Plain.”

Noor raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Plain? That’s rich, coming from someone whose personality is as loud as her dress.”

Reyansh stifled a laugh but immediately regretted it when Noor shot him a glare.

(Reyansh be like: Darta jahan humse, hum tose darte🤭)

Anaya’s confidence wavered for a moment, but she quickly recovered. “You know, you really should take better care of your looks. Or maybe you just can’t compete with someone like me.”

Noor rolled her eyes. “Right, because confidence is wearing sequins and begging for attention at a party where no one even remembers your name.”

The small crowd that had gathered around them snickered, and Anaya’s face turned crimson. Desperate to save face, she smirked and said, “If you’re so confident, why don’t we settle this? A little challenge.”

Noor crossed her arms. “Go on.”

“If I can kiss Reyansh...Umm... on his cheek, you’ll walk away,” Anaya said smugly.

Noor tilted her head, feigning contemplation. “Alright. But if you can’t do it, you leave him—and me—alone for good.”

Anaya hesitated, her bravado faltering. But the crowd’s expectant stares forced her hand. “Fine,” she said, squaring her shoulders.

She stepped toward Reyansh, who immediately took a step back, his expression hardening.

“Don’t,” he warned, his voice low and dangerous.

“Don’t you dare come near me!” he snapped, his voice firm, surprising even himself with the intensity of his reaction.

Anaya froze, startled by the intensity of his glare. Before she could respond, grabbed Reyansh by the lapels of his blazer and pulled him into a kiss.

For a moment, Reyansh was too stunned to react, but as the initial shock wore off, he kissed her back, his arms slipping around her waist. The crowd erupted into cheers and whistles, and Anaya stood frozen in place, her mouth hanging open.

When Noor finally pulled away, shNoore turned to Anaya with a victorious smirk. “Guess that settles it. Reyansh is mine. Always has been, always will be. Now, run along before you embarrass yourself any further.”

Anaya opened her mouth to retort but thought better of it. With a huff, she turned on her heel and stormed off, her sequins catching the light one last time before she disappeared into the crowd.

Noor turned back to Reyansh, who was looking at her with a mixture of amusement and admiration.

“That was... impressive,” he admitted, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Noor, however, didn’t seem to share his amusement. Without warning, she smacked his cheek with a slap.

The slap wasn't too loud but he felt some sensations.

“Don’t you ever let someone like that hug you again,” she snapped.

Reyansh blinked, his hand flying to his cheek. “Wait, what?”

“I mean it, Reyansh! If I catch you entertaining another Anaya, you’re going to regret it.”

With that, she spun on her heel and walked away, leaving him standing there, still processing everything that had just happened.

Reyansh touched his cheek again, a sheepish smile spreading across his face.

“She’s going to be the death of me,” he muttered, shaking his head. But despite his words, he felt a warmth in his chest that he couldn’t quite explain.

>

The night was quieter than usual, a stillness hanging in the air that mirrored Reyansh’s restless heart.

He sat in his bedroom, the faint glow of his phone screen illuminating his face. The messages he had sent Noor remained unopened, their blue ticks mocking him.

“Noor, please talk to me,” he whispered to the empty room as if she could hear him through the void.

He had called her eighteen times in the last hour. Nothing. Not a single response. Just silence.

He tossed his phone onto the bed, running his hands through his hair in frustration.

"Why is she so stubborn?" he muttered to himself, though deep down, he knew the answer.

Anaya.

That name felt like a thorn lodged in his side. He had no feelings for her, never had.

The party earlier that evening had been a disaster. Anaya's sudden hug had caught him off guard, and before he could react, Noor had seen everything.

Her dark eyes, usually filled with mischief and warmth, had turned cold, burning with anger and hurt.

And then, as if to prove her point, she had kissed him in front of everyone before storming out.

That kiss had left him stunned, the taste of her anger and love lingering on his lips. But now she was gone, leaving him drowning in guilt and frustration.

Reyansh picked up his phone again, scrolling through their past messages—hundreds of texts filled with inside jokes, teasing, and the chaos that was Noor.

His lips curved into a small smile despite the ache in his chest. She was everything he wasn’t: wild, unpredictable, and loud.

And yet, she was the only one who had ever managed to shatter the icy walls he had built around himself.

His smile faded as he opened Instagram, mindlessly scrolling through reels. He wasn’t sure what he was looking for—distraction, maybe? A miracle? Suddenly, a reel popped up.

A guy, desperate to win back his girlfriend, had styled his hair into a heart, taken a picture, and sent it to her.

The caption read: "When she’s mad, make her laugh. Even if you look like a clown."

Reyansh froze, staring at the screen. “This is ridiculous,” he muttered, but the thought lingered. Would Noor find it funny?

He glanced at the mirror across the room. “No,” he said aloud, shaking his head. “I’m a professor, not some teenage boy.”

But then he thought of her smile, the way her nose scrunched up when she laughed, and the idea didn’t seem so absurd anymore.

“Fine,” he grumbled, walking to the mirror. “Let’s do this.”

It was harder than it looked. He fumbled with his hair, trying to shape it into a heart.

The gel refused to cooperate, and for a moment, he considered giving up. “What am I even doing?” he muttered. But the thought of Noor still not talking to him made him persist.

(Pyaar me insaan sabb kuch karta hai🤭 Joker Tak ban jata hai ek bandi k liye 🤭 Pookie Reyansh 🎀)

After what felt like an eternity—and several failed attempts—he managed to create something vaguely heart-shaped. It wasn’t perfect, but it would have to do.

He grabbed his phone, took a quick picture, and typed: "Your pookie is about to cry. Please talk to him 🥺."

He hit send before he could change his mind, staring at the screen as if willing her to reply. Minutes passed, each one stretching longer than the last.

On the other side of town, Noor lay in her bed, her phone clutched in her hand.

She wasn’t asleep; she was scrolling through memes, trying to distract herself from the gnawing guilt and anger swirling inside her. She saw Reyansh’s messages and calls, but she wasn’t ready to face him yet.

Her phone buzzed, and a new message from Reyansh popped up. She hesitated, her thumb hovering over the notification. Curiosity won, and she opened it.

The image loaded, and her breath hitched. Reyansh, her grumpy, stoic professor, had styled his hair into a heart.

It was crooked and messy, but undeniably a heart.

The caption made her burst out laughing: "Your pookie is about to cry. Please talk to him 🥺."

“Awwww,” she murmured, her heart softening despite herself. She couldn’t believe he had done something so ridiculous, so unlike him, just to make her smile.

Her grumpy man had turned into “Pookie” for her.

But she wasn’t ready to forgive him completely. Not yet. She wanted him to squirm a little longer. So, instead of replying, she left the message on seen.

Back in his room, Reyansh watched as the “seen” notification appeared under his message.

His heart leapt. She had seen it! Relief flooded through him, but when no reply came, his chest tightened again.

“She’s torturing me,” he muttered, flopping onto his bed. He stared at the ceiling, wondering what more he could do to make things right.

Tomorrow, he decided. Tomorrow, he would make it up to her properly.

Something big, something that would leave no doubt in her mind about how much he cared for her.

As he drifted off to sleep, he didn’t notice the faint smile on his lips, nor the way his phone buzzed softly with a new notification.

Noor had sent a reply. One word, accompanied by a single emoji:

"Idiot ❤️."

>

The morning sun streamed through the window of Reyansh’s classroom, painting golden streaks on the dull whiteboard.

He entered the class with his usual gruff demeanor, clutching a stack of papers in one hand and his phone in the other. His sharp eyes scanned the room, searching for a particular face.

There she was. Noor.

She sat in the third row, laughing animatedly with her friends, her wild gestures making them burst into laughter.

Reyansh’s heart softened at the sight of her, though his lips pressed into a thin line. He remembered the text she sent earlier that morning:

"Good morning, Mr. Malhotra! Hope you slept well. Haha, just kidding. Bye!"

When he had replied with a simple, "We need to talk," she hadn’t even bothered to respond.

He had checked his phone every five minutes since, hoping for a reply. Nothing.

Reyansh cleared his throat loudly, quieting the chatter in the room.

His gaze lingered on Noor for a moment longer than necessary before he began.

“Good morning, everyone,” he said, his tone gruff but measured. The students muttered a half-hearted response.

As the students saw him holding some papers, a ripple of unease passed through the students as they exchanged nervous glances. Noor, catching the shift in atmosphere, raised an eyebrow at Reyansh.

“This,” he announced, holding up the papers, “is your surprise test.”

The room erupted into groans.

“Sir, we didn’t prepare!”

“Why now? We have a test already tomorrow!”

“This is so unfair!”

Noor, however, simply stared at him, her eyes narrowing. She shook her head slowly, silently mouthing, Don’t you dare.

Reyansh’s resolve wavered. Her glare could melt steel. He gulped hard, gripping the papers tightly.

(Again: darta jahan humse, hum tose darte 🤭)

“Actually…” he began, faltering as Noor crossed her arms. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to play it off coolly. “I was just kidding. There’s no test.”

The class erupted in cheers, but Noor just rolled her eyes, her lips curving into a small, victorious smirk.

Reyansh’s heart flipped. That smirk—it was both infuriating and intoxicating. He quickly gathered his thoughts and began the lesson, though his mind was elsewhere.

>

After class, as the students filtered out, Reyansh couldn’t help but notice Noor slipping out with her friends, not even glancing his way.

It stung. She had barely acknowledged him the entire day, and her absence felt heavier than he’d anticipated.

By the time he reached his office, his frustration had grown into a gnawing ache. Pulling out his phone, he typed a message:

"If you care about me, even a little, come to the location I’m sending. Please."

He added a pin to his penthouse address and hit send.

>

Reyansh’s penthouse buzzed with preparation. The usually sterile, minimalist space had been transformed into something warm and inviting. Strings of fairy lights hung from the ceiling, casting a soft glow.

Candles flickered on every surface, and a projector screen stood ready in the corner, waiting to play her favorite movie.

Reyansh adjusted the Bluetooth speakers, ensuring the playlist was cued up. He checked his watch—two hours had passed since he sent the message.

Just then, the intercom buzzed. “Sir, Ms. Noor has arrived,” the guard informed him.

Reyansh’s heart raced. “Send her up,” he instructed, switching off the lights as he heard the elevator doors slide open.

When Noor stepped inside, the room was dark except for the faint glow of the candles. She hesitated, her brows furrowing in confusion.

The room stayed silent for a moment. Then, the speakers erupted with the upbeat opening beats of “Palat – Tera Hero Idhar Hai”. Noor’s head snapped up, her expression one of disbelief.

(Lyrics aren't completely same. I got these lyrics from some yt vdo. So cooperate.)

From the shadows, Reyansh emerged, dramatically pointing at her as he lip-synced:

“Tera dhyan kidhar hai,

Yeh tera hero idhar hai…”

Noor froze in her spot, her jaw dropping as Reyansh strutted toward her, matching the rhythm with exaggerated confidence.

“Are haan, kahin coffee pilau tujhe mai…”

He mimed handing her an imaginary coffee cup, winking at her. Noor crossed her arms, trying to hide her amusement as he continued.

“Are haan, kahin movie dikhaun tujhe mai…”

Reyansh pretended to hold a popcorn bucket in one hand, tossing imaginary popcorn into his mouth as if they were at a theater.

“Are haan, kahin disco le jaaun tujhe mai…”

With a mock DJ move, Reyansh spun around, dancing as though he were pulling her onto a nightclub floor.

Noor couldn’t help but giggle, but she quickly straightened her face, pretending to remain unimpressed.

“Tera dhyan kidhar hai,

Yeh tera hero idhar hai…”

Reyansh dramatically pointed at himself again, puffing out his chest, his eyes glued to hers. He leaned closer, his voice (well, the playback singer’s) playful and teasing:

“Palat… Tera hero idhar hai!”

On cue, Reyansh twirled around, flipping an invisible scarf over his shoulder and spinning like a Bollywood star. Noor burst into laughter, her hand flying to her mouth.

But Reyansh wasn’t done yet. He stepped back, pointing at her accusingly.

“Bata main kya karoon,

Meri jaan ke liye…”

His expression shifted to mock desperation, his hand dramatically clutching his chest. Noor shook her head, clearly enjoying the performance.

“Tu hai ek shart si,

Meri jeet ke liye…”

Reyansh mimed writing something on a piece of paper, as if Noor were a challenge he needed to conquer.

“Teri baahon mein mili,

Mujhe jannat si…”

He spread his arms wide, as if inviting her into his embrace. Noor raised an eyebrow, smirking as she stayed rooted to her spot.

“Tera dhyan kidhar hai,

Yeh tera hero idhar hai…”

Reyansh tilted his head, giving her a mock stern look before pointing at himself yet again.

“Palat… Tera hero idhar hai!”

The music swelled, and Reyansh launched into a full-on dance routine, spinning and swaying his hips as he mimicked the signature steps from the song.

Noor leaned against the wall, laughing so hard that tears sprang to her eyes.

“O beta palat, palat…

O beta palat!”

Reyansh twirled dramatically, flipping an imaginary jacket over his shoulder. He snapped his fingers in her direction, his grin widening as Noor clapped her hands in delight.

“Palat… Tera hero idhar hai!”

With the next verse, Reyansh softened his movements, his playful demeanor giving way to something more tender. He walked toward Noor, his gaze locking with hers as he mouthed:

“Mujhe jaana kahaan,

Main tera saath doon…”

He extended a hand to her, as if asking her to join him. Noor hesitated, her cheeks flushing.

“Zindagi dekh loon,

Tere haathon se hi…”

Reyansh gently reached for her hand, brushing his fingers against hers. Noor’s breath hitched as she let him pull her closer.

“Ho tu na jaane kahaan,

Main idhar deewana…”

He twirled her in place, making her gasp in surprise before she burst into laughter.

“Tere peeche peeche,

Main duniya chhod doon…”

Reyansh spun her once more before dropping to his knees, gazing up at her with a mix of playfulness and sincerity.

“Tera dhyan kidhar hai,

Yeh tera hero idhar hai…”

He pointed to himself, mouthing the words with exaggerated emotion, his hand on his heart. Noor bit her lip, her laughter softening into a warm smile.

As the final chorus played, Reyansh pulled a small velvet box from his pocket.

“Palat… Tera hero idhar hai!”

When the song ended, the room fell silent, except for the faint hum of Noor’s laughter fading into a gasp. Reyansh opened the box, revealing a sparkling diamond ring.

“Noor ,” he said, his voice steady but filled with emotion, “will you be mine forever?”

Noor stared at him, her eyes wide. For a moment, she seemed frozen. Then, she squealed, clapping her hands together before throwing her arms around his neck. “Yes! Oh my God, yes!”

Reyansh exhaled a shaky breath, his heart swelling with relief and joy. He slipped the ring onto her finger, his hands trembling slightly.

When he stood, Noor cupped his face and pulled him into a kiss. It was chaotic, passionate, and unrestrained—just like their love.

When they finally broke apart, both were breathless. Reyansh rested his forehead against hers, whispering, “I love you, Noor.”

She smiled, her cheeks turning a deeper shade of pink. “I know,” she whispered.

Then, with a mischievous grin, she added, “By the way, I wasn’t really mad at you. I just wanted to see you squirm.”

Reyansh’s jaw dropped. “Wait. What?”

Her giggles returned as she reached up to pull his cheek gently. “You’re cute when you’re trying too hard.”

Reyansh groaned, running a hand through his hair. “So, I went through all of this… for nothing?”

Noor leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Not for nothing.”

And with that, she kissed him softly, silencing his protests.

Reyansh sighed against her lips, his arms wrapping around her as he whispered, “Palat… Tera hero idhar hai.”

This time, Noor didn’t have to turn around. She knew he was her hero.

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3511 words.

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