Aarohi And Dev

CHAPTER 29

Aarohi POV

But he didn't respond, instead leaning in even closer until his mouth was near my ear, his breath audible and tickling my skin. He whispered softly, correcting the hairpin, "Beautiful hairpin."

He brought his face right in front of mine, leaving very little space between us, his eyes locked onto mine. My heart was beating faster and faster. In a hoarse voice, he asked, "When are you free for that 'one day'?"

We were so close that I could see the veins in his eyes and the deep, endless ocean behind them. "Sunday?" I replied, feeling timid and small under his intense gaze.

"Will wait for you, Rose," he said, his eyes unwavering and filled with an emotion that made my heart flutter even more.

Rose? Why did he call me Rose? I wondered as the name echoed in my mind. But it sounded good, offering a strange comfort. Before I lost myself completely in his gaze, I averted my eyes and tried to step away from his proximity.

"Here," he said, handing me a kerchief before I could step away. Though my dress was already dry, I took it anyway, feeling there was no reason not to.

I left the room and, after bidding farewell, exited the mansion with my friends. Tara whined, "Why are you pulling me? Calm down, I'm coming anyway!" I stopped once we reached the parking lot.

"I thought I was going to die of a heart attack," I said, yelling as I kept a hand on my chest.

"Why? What did you guys do inside?" Mayank asked, his voice teasing and his face excited.

"Nothing like you're thinking," I replied, my voice flat. Tara gave me a sidelong glance, her eyes full of teasing. I quickly told her to drive and get us home early.

Mayank joined us in the car, mentioning he had something important to talk about. We all knew it was just an excuse because he didn't want to be left alone with Rajveer.

We dropped Mayank off and made our way to my home. "Why were you so red? What did you guys do? No way! Don't tell me you guys ki-" Tara teased.

"No, obviously we didn't! Nothing like that!" I interrupted, shaking my head vigorously.

"What were you thinking? I was asking if you guys killed someone," she joked. Yeah, killing my desire to be with him more, my inner self retorted.

"I'm going on a date with him on Sunday," I said flatly, dropping the bombshell on her.

"I knew something happened between you two! Well, I'm happy for you. He's perfect for you! Enjoy," Tara exclaimed cheerfully.

"And why do you think he's perfect for me? You never said that about Advik," I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Do not spoil my mood by mentioning his name. They are opposites," she replied, her voice dripping with disdain for Advik.

I nodded in response, knowing very well that Dev was nothing like Advik, but a part of me was still scared to trust anyone now.

After Tara dropped me off at home, I bid her goodbye. "Tara, thank you," I said, feeling the depth of my gratitude.

She smiled at me in response. I rarely say this out loud, but she truly is someone I can trust blindly. She has always been by my side, even when I couldn't stand myself. She is the best gift from God to me.

As I reflected on our day, I stifled the smile and blush that bloomed on my face. Gently, I placed his kerchief on the shelf, cherishing the lingering trace of his scent.

Days passed, and the routine remained the same, going to university with Tara, Mayank trying to avoid Rajveer-sometimes by not talking to him, and other times by skipping classes altogether. As for me, I grew more and more anxious thinking about the upcoming date with Dev. A day with him felt like a day of reckoning. Every night since then, he had been sending me a red rose, a gesture that both thrilled and contented me.