Pyaar ki Takrar

Chapter 11: Tere Sang Ek Raat

The day after Neil's sudden visit felt like a whirlwind. Twinkle found herself more conflicted than ever. She was still processing her encounter with her ex-boyfriend while grappling with the new, strange feelings growing between her and Kunj. The tension between them hung in the air, and yet there was an undeniable pull they couldn't seem to escape.

Twinkle spent most of the day avoiding Kunj. She couldn't bring herself to face him-not after what had happened with Neil, and certainly not after the intimate moments they had shared. Every time she looked at him, she was reminded of their kiss, of how his touch had made her heart race, how his words had stirred something deep inside her.

Kunj, for his part, had noticed her discomfort, but he was giving her space. He wasn't one to push too hard, especially when it came to Twinkle. But inside, he was frustrated. He could sense that she was still hung up on Neil, and it bothered him more than he cared to admit.

By evening, the house felt stifling. Twinkle decided to take a break and get some fresh air. She slipped out into the garden, hoping to clear her head and calm her racing heart.

But her escape was short-lived.

Just as she was beginning to relax, she heard footsteps behind her. She didn't need to turn around to know who it was.

"Kunj," she sighed, not even trying to hide her exasperation. "Mujhe thoda space chahiye, please."

Kunj stopped a few feet behind her, his hands in his pockets, his gaze fixed on her. "Main kuch kehne nahi aaya hoon," he said quietly. "Bas tumhe dekh raha tha... kyunki tum clearly khud ko chhupa rahi ho."

Twinkle's shoulders tensed at his words, but she didn't turn around. "Main kuch chhupa nahi rahi. Main bas... confused hoon, okay?"

Kunj took a few steps closer, his voice soft but insistent. "Confused about what, Twinkle? Neil? Ya hum dono ke beech jo chal raha hai?"

Her heart skipped a beat at his words. She wasn't ready to have this conversation, but it seemed like Kunj wasn't going to give her much of a choice.

"Neil ka yahan aana ek shock tha," she admitted, finally turning to face him. "But jo tum keh rahe ho... woh bhi galat nahi hai. Tumhare saath kuch... badal raha hai, Kunj. Aur main usse ignore nahi kar sakti."

Kunj's eyes softened as he took another step closer, closing the distance between them. "Toh phir kyun itni dar rahi ho? Kya tumhe sach mein yeh lagta hai ke main tumhe hurt karunga?"

Twinkle blinked, taken aback by the vulnerability in his voice. She hadn't expected him to be so direct. "Nahi," she whispered. "Mujhe yeh dar nahi hai... mujhe yeh dar hai ke main apne aap ko kho doongi."

Kunj's gaze locked onto hers, and for a moment, everything else seemed to fade away. "Twinkle, tum apne aap ko kabhi nahi khogi," he said softly. "Meri life mein tum jo ho, woh tumhari khud ki identity se kam nahi hai. Main bas tumhare saath khush rehna chahta hoon."

Twinkle felt her heart flutter at his words, and for the first time, she allowed herself to acknowledge what had been growing between them. It wasn't just physical attraction-it was something deeper, something real.

But before she could say anything, Kunj stepped even closer, so close that she could feel the warmth of his breath on her skin.

"Tere liye ek sawal hai," Kunj whispered, his voice filled with playful mischief that she had come to both love and hate. "Agar hum dono ek dusre ke itne paas hain, toh tum kyun apni aankhon mein sach chupane ki koshish kar rahi ho?"

Twinkle's breath caught in her throat. She could feel the intensity of his gaze on her, and suddenly, all of the teasing, all of the playful banter between them seemed to dissolve, leaving only the truth behind.