"From Rivals to Forever: A Journey of Love"

Chapter 7

Aditi's Perspective

As the rickshaw pulled away, I could still feel my cheeks burning. "Bye, Frosty." His words echoed in my mind, and I couldn't shake the way my heart raced every time he called me that. What on earth was happening to me? Kabir Mehra—of all people—was getting under my skin, and I couldn't stand it.

I glanced down at my Icebreaker novel, the one I'd been so careful to keep hidden behind my bag. My fingers traced the edges of the cover absentmindedly. How did he manage to sneak a glance at it? And why did it feel like he'd seen right through me? The way he teased me about it, as if he knew exactly what kind of scenes were in that book... Ugh! How embarrassing.

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts as I walked towards my house. But Kabir's stupid smirk kept replaying in my mind. "My Frosty," he'd said, leaning in so close that I could feel his breath on my ear. Who does he think he is? And why did I just let him do that?

Before I knew it, I was home. I barely noticed Chachi paying for the rickshaw or the casual way Kabir took the bags from her. But the second he called me "Frosty" in front of her, I felt the heat rising to my cheeks again. And then he had the audacity to smile at me! As if he knew exactly what he was doing to me.

I hurried inside, mumbling a quick "Hi, Mom," before heading straight to my room. I needed to be alone, to think, to calm down. But even behind the closed door of my room, I couldn't stop thinking about him. Why was Kabir so... so infuriatingly charming today? And why did it affect me so much?

I flopped down onto my bed, staring up at the ceiling. Was it the way he called me "Frosty"? The way he seemed to enjoy teasing me, knowing he was getting a reaction? Or was it the way he looked at me, with those dark, teasing eyes that seemed to hold a secret only he knew?

I groaned, covering my face with a pillow. "Why am I even thinking about this? It's just Kabir!" I muttered to myself. But deep down, I knew it wasn't just Kabir. Something had shifted between us today, something that made my heart race and my thoughts spiral out of control.

I pulled out my Icebreaker novel, hoping to distract myself, but the words on the page just blurred together. All I could think about was him. Every time I read about the cute moments between the characters, I pictured Kabir's face instead of the hero's. And it drove me crazy.

Why did he have to be so nice today? Offering to carry my bag, holding my hand while we practiced... and then there was the way he whispered in my ear, sending shivers down my spine. It was like he knew exactly how to fluster me, and he was enjoying every second of it.

I sighed, closing the book and tossing it aside. There was no way I could focus on anything else right now. My mind was too full of him—his teasing words, his smile, the way he seemed to be everywhere I turned.

I glanced at the mirror across the room, noticing the light pink flush on my cheeks. I touched my face lightly, wondering if Kabir noticed. Of course he did. He was always watching, always teasing. And it infuriated me because, deep down, I kind of liked it.

"But why?" I asked my reflection. Why did I enjoy it when he called me "Frosty"? Why did I feel a flutter in my chest every time he smiled at me? And why, for the love of God, did I blush every time he came near me?

Before I could drown in my thoughts any further, Mom called me for lunch. I quickly splashed some water on my face, hoping to cool down the blush that wouldn't seem to go away.

After splashing my face with cold water for what felt like the hundredth time, I finally felt calm enough to join the family for lunch. I took a deep breath, hoping the blush on my cheeks had faded enough not to draw any attention.