#1 in the London Universe series:
Anaya Oberoi, a final-year student at a prestigious college in India, was thrilled to be selected for a student exchange at King's College London. But there was a catch-she had to live with foster parents. To her su...
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I went to the washroom to prepare a warm bath for Anaya, hoping it would help her relax after everything she had been through. The water filled the tub, steam rising in delicate wisps, creating a soothing atmosphere. I called out to her twice, my voice echoing in the empty room, but there was no response. Concerned, I headed back to the bedroom.
There she was, lying on the bed, but something about her position seemed off. It didn't look like she was asleep; it looked more like she had simply collapsed from exhaustion. My heart skipped a beat. Without wasting another moment, I gently scooped her up into my arms. She was light, almost too light, and her head lolled slightly as I carried her to the bathroom.
I slowly lowered her into the warm water, making sure she was comfortable. Her body relaxed almost instantly as the heat enveloped her, but she still hadn't fully woken up. I cradled her neck with one hand, keeping her head above water as I sat beside the tub, my eyes never leaving her face.
Gradually, her eyelids fluttered open. She blinked a few times, her gaze finding mine as a small, sleepy smile tugged at her lips.
"You didn't leave?" she asked, her voice soft and melodic, like a lullaby.
"And why would I leave without giving you the aftercare you need?" I replied, my tone gentle yet firm, wanting her to know I was there for her.
"I thought you left," she whispered again, her voice barely audible. "Or maybe you were here for some kind of revenge."
I sighed, my heart aching at the thought that she could still believe I would ever hurt her like that. "I'm not the person I used to be, Anaya," I said softly. "I've changed, and it's because of you."
She looked at me, her eyes searching mine. "But how did I change you?" she asked, genuinely curious.
I leaned in closer, my voice low and sincere. "If I were still the guy I used to be, I'd be out there flirting and messing around with other girls. Aftercare? That wouldn't even cross my mind. But for you, Anaya, it comes effortlessly. It feels natural because it's you."
She stared at me, her expression softening. "It feels like I don't even know how many shades of you have changed," she murmured.
"And trust me," I replied with a grin, "this shade of mine is the best out of all of them."
She chuckled softly. "What other things come naturally to you now?"
I met her gaze, my voice dropping to a tender whisper. "Looking into those deep brown eyes of yours and getting completely lost in them."
"Stop flirting with me," she said, though her eyes sparkled with mischief. "But, to be fair, I could lose myself in those ocean-blue eyes of yours too."
I laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "And what about you flirting with me, huh?"
She giggled, the sound filling the room with warmth. Then, her expression turned serious as she reached out, taking my hand in hers. She began to play with my fingers, her touch soft and intimate.
