"From Rivals to Forever: A Journey of Love"

Chapter 41

Aditi's Perspective

Once Kabir was satisfied with his work, he gave me a small, teasing smile. "There. Now no more walking barefoot in the rain, okay?"

"Yes, Sir Kabir," I replied, matching his playful tone, though my heart was still racing from the way his hands had felt as they wrapped around my foot.

With a grin, Kabir turned to Arjun. "Take good care of Didi for me, buddy. I'm going to change and get some studying done in my room."

Arjun nodded enthusiastically, already pulling a board game out from one of the cupboards. "Didi, you have to play with me now!" he said excitedly, setting the pieces down on the floor.

I couldn't help but laugh, grateful for the distraction. "Of course, I'll play with you," I replied, sliding down to the floor to join him.

As Kabir left for his room, the sound of his footsteps fading down the hall, I felt a strange flutter in my chest. There was something unspoken between us, a growing intensity that neither of us had quite addressed yet. I tried to shake the thought as I focused on the game, but Kabir's lingering presence in my mind was hard to ignore.

Arjun began setting up the pieces, his small hands carefully arranging the board. "Didi, do you know how to play this?" he asked, his voice serious.

I glanced at the pieces, recognizing the game instantly. "Of course I do! But I'll warn you, I'm pretty good."

Arjun giggled. "No way! I'm the best. I always beat Bhaiya."

I grinned, deciding to play along. "Oh, really? Well, we'll see about that!"

We started playing, and within minutes, I realized Arjun wasn't exaggerating—he was surprisingly skilled for someone his age. I made a few wrong moves, and he giggled every time, his infectious laughter filling the room.

"You're not very good at this, Didi!" Arjun teased, his eyes sparkling.

I feigned a dramatic sigh. "I'm just letting you win, obviously."

Arjun shook his head, giggling even more. "You're just saying that because you're losing."

We played a few more rounds, and the game seemed to fly by. Arjun's enthusiasm was contagious, and I found myself laughing more than I had in a while. Despite the rain, the cozy atmosphere in Kabir's living room made everything feel warm and safe.

After a while, though, I couldn't help but notice the cool air in the house. My clothes were still damp from the rain, and despite the warmth of Kabir's home, I started to feel a bit of a chill. I rubbed my arms, trying to keep warm, but it wasn't working.

Arjun, ever observant, paused the game and looked up at me. "Didi, are you cold?"

I smiled, touched by his concern. "Just a little bit."

He frowned for a moment before brightening up. "You should ask Bhaiya for one of his zippers! He has a lot! He always gives me one when I'm cold."

I chuckled softly. "That's a good idea, Arjun. I'll go ask him. But don't start another game without me, okay?"

He nodded, his focus already shifting back to the pieces on the board. "Okay, I'll wait!"

I stood up and made my way toward Kabir's room, feeling a slight nervousness as I approached the door. It was slightly ajar, and I knocked softly before pushing it open a little more.

"Hey, Kabir, could I—"

The words died in my throat as I stepped inside. Kabir stood by the mirror, towel in hand, drying his hair. He was shirtless, wearing only a pair of grey sweatpants that hung low on his hips, and his skin was still glistening from the shower. The muscles in his chest and abdomen were perfectly defined, every contour of his abs catching the light from the lamp on his bedside table. My eyes were drawn to the way his damp hair clung to his forehead and the slow, deliberate movements as he ran the towel through his hair.