Marked By Darkness

Chapter 20- I Like The Way You Shy

After dinner...

Ruhi's POV...

We were driving through the empty streets, the soft hum of the car filling the silence between us. The city lights flickered as we cruised along, and Sounak turned to me.

"Where will you go now?" he asked, his voice cutting through the quiet.

I glanced at the time. "It's already 8:30 pm," I replied.

"Do you want to go home then?" he asked, his tone casual.

"No, let's spend some time in the car. Good idea, nah?" I said, my gaze drifting out of the window, watching the passing lights.

"Umm... not so bad," he said with a slight chuckle, his hand resting on the wheel.

The car came to a stop on the roadside, parked under a flickering streetlight. Outside, the world was silent, with only the occasional rustle of leaves in the cool breeze. It was peaceful.

"So, what do you want to do after college?" I asked, breaking the silence, my eyes still on the passing lights.

"Definitely a good job," Sounak replied without hesitation, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"Okay," I said softly, nodding, taking in his response.

"What about you?" he asked, glancing at me briefly.

I shrugged, the uncertainty creeping in. "I haven't thought about it yet."

"Great," he said, a teasing note in his voice.

"Have you ever had a crush?" I asked, shifting in my seat, my curiosity piqued.

"Never," he answered, shaking his head with a small grin.

"So strict," I teased, raising an eyebrow.

"Not like that," he said with a slight laugh. "A crush is something that will never be found, so there's no point in looking for them."

I nodded, contemplating his words. "It's true. So, first kiss?" I asked, half-joking.

"Your first?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I asked you first," I replied with a smirk.

"But ladies first," he said, a playful glint in his eyes. "So, you give me the answer first."

"That's cheating," I laughed, shaking my head.

"I don't have my first kiss yet," he said, his tone light, almost teasing.

"Wow! But I already had mine-with a stupid one," I said, laughing softly, the memory of it feeling distant.

"Stupid one? Hah," he laughed, amused.

"But I always wonder if my first kiss was with someone who's still in my life," I said, the thought lingering. "What if it was someone special?"

"Then save your second kiss for someone," he said, glancing at me with a smirk.

"Kiss. Can I ever kiss someone?" I asked, my voice uncertain.

"Why not?" he replied, sounding more confident than I felt.

"I never thought about it. Actually, that special person never came into my life," I admitted, my voice soft. "In fact, I can't imagine that someone will ever love me."

"Then that person will come into your life very soon," Sounak said, his voice firm, as if he knew something I didn't.

"How did you know?" I asked, turning to face him, my curiosity growing.

"I know everything," he said with a playful smile.

"Like Google?" I teased, raising an eyebrow.

"Hah! Google?" He chuckled at the comparison.

"So from today, your name is Google," I said with a grin. "Because you know everything."

"Silly things," he muttered, rolling his eyes, but there was a smile in his voice.

"You know what, Sounak? This night is too beautiful," I said, my heart swelling with a feeling I couldn't explain. "I'll never forget this night."

"Me too," he said quietly, his voice soft. "BTW, why don't you wear red more often?"

"Hah!" I laughed, shaking my head at his sudden change in topic.

"You look very beautiful in red," he said, his tone warm.

"How can you see my dress through the sweater?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Because you didn't button your sweater," he pointed out, a teasing smile on his lips.

"Ouhh. Maybe it opened by itself," I said, feeling a slight heat in my cheeks.

I reached up to button my sweater, but my fingers were frozen from the cold, fumbling slightly. I let out a small sigh.

"Can I help?" Sounak asked, his voice gentle, his eyes softening.

"Umm... I need help," I admitted, nodding.

He stepped closer, his warmth filling the small space between us. "Let me see," he said quietly, his hands reaching for the buttons.

___

His fingers brushed against my skin as he slowly worked to button my sweater. The warmth of his touch spread through me, and my heartbeat seemed to quicken. I could feel a blush creeping up my neck, and I quickly turned my gaze away, unsure of why I was feeling this way.

"It's done," he said after a moment, his voice barely above a whisper.

Our eyes met, and for a moment, everything else seemed to disappear. The stillness around us wrapped us in its embrace, and my heartbeat echoed in the silence. I could feel my breath catch in my throat.

"Tell me something," he said, his voice low and steady.

"What do you want to hear?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper, unsure of what he meant.

"What you want to say," he replied softly, his gaze searching mine.

I leaned in closer, my lips brushing his ear as I whispered, "Je veux dire beaucoup de choses, veux-tu écouter?" (I want to say many things, will you listen?)

His eyes widened slightly. "What?"

I gently placed my hand on his chest, my fingers lightly resting there. "My Google, it's 9:15 pm. Don't you want to take me home today?" I asked, my voice teasing but soft.

He chuckled, but his eyes darkened with something deeper. "Hah, what are you doing? You increased my heartbeat."

"Ouhh, really?" I grinned, enjoying the playful banter.

He sighed, shaking his head. "You are seriously impossible."

"And you are so shy," I said, leaning back slightly to study him.

"I know," he replied, his voice almost shy.

"But I like the way you're shy," I said, a soft smile tugging at my lips.

"Really?" he asked, his voice soft, almost hesitant.

"Yeah. In fact, I like you," I said, my words coming out without thinking.

He paused for a moment, his gaze locking with mine, before he whispered, "Me too."

And in that moment, it felt like the world around us had stopped. I wished this night would never end.