"From Rivals to Forever: A Journey of Love"

Chapter 40

Aditi's Perspective

The rain was coming down in thick sheets by the time Kabir and I left the auditorium. It felt as if the world outside was mirroring the intensity of what had just unfolded between us inside. Kabir's words still echoed in my mind: "Because I care about you. Seeing you with Aditya tonight... it just made me realize how much I don't want to lose you."

My heart hadn't quite settled since he'd said that. The playful teasing and flirting we shared had taken a backseat to something more serious, something deeper that I hadn't quite allowed myself to fully acknowledge before. As we stepped into the cool night air, the rain immediately soaked through our clothes, but I barely noticed it. My mind was too preoccupied with the way Kabir had held me close when the lights went out, how natural it had felt.

"Are you sure about this?" Kabir asked, his voice cutting through the sound of the rain. His expression was a mixture of concern and determination as he glanced at the storm raging around us. "We can wait it out if you want."

I shook my head. "My mom called while we were inside," I said, clutching my heels in one hand and walking barefoot alongside him. "The roads near my place are flooded. She wants me to stay at your house for now since it's closer, and the water isn't as bad here."

Kabir's brows furrowed as he processed this. "It's pretty bad, huh?"

"Yeah," I sighed. "The water's already knee-deep on my street, and there's no way I'd make it home safely."

Kabir turned to me, his brow furrowing with concern as the rain soaked us both. "Are you sure we should walk?" he asked, glancing at the puddles that had already started forming on the pavement. His hair was drenched and messily clinging to his forehead, making him look effortlessly handsome.

I nodded, him understanding the situation. "Okay. But I'm not letting you walk barefoot." He glanced down at my feet, still bare from when I'd taken off my heels earlier. "You'll hurt yourself."

I shook my head stubbornly. "It's fine, Kabir. These heels are a nightmare to walk in, especially in this rain. I'll be careful."

But Kabir wasn't having any of it. He crossed his arms over his chest, looking at me with a mix of determination and protectiveness. "Aditi, the streets are full of sharp rocks, glass, and who knows what else. You could step on something and get seriously hurt."

I sighed, trying to reason with him. "I'll be careful! It's not that far—"

"No," he said firmly, stepping closer and giving me that look that made it clear he wasn't about to back down. "Either you wear your heels, or I'll carry you. There's no middle ground."

I blinked, caught off guard by the intensity in his voice. "Carry me?" I repeated, incredulous. "Kabir, come on. I'm not a damsel in distress."

He chuckled, that familiar smirk tugging at his lips. "I know you're not. But I'm also not letting you walk barefoot through this storm and risk cutting up your feet. So either you put on your heels, or you're going to end up in my arms."

The thought of him carrying me sent a strange mix of butterflies fluttering in my stomach, but I wasn't about to admit that out loud. I huffed, holding out my heels to him. "Fine, but you carry these then."

He grinned, clearly pleased with his victory, and took the heels from me. "Deal."

With my heels now safely in his hands, we continued through the rain, the water pooling on the street, and I felt the cool pavement under my feet. Despite Kabir's worrying, there was something oddly calming about walking in the rain with him. The world felt quieter, like it was just the two of us moving through a storm.