WHEN FATE TOOK THE WHEEL

Chapter: "Mein Tumhari Jaanu Hun"

The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm, golden hue over Naina's cozy apartment. She sat cross-legged on the couch, pouting like a child denied candy. Arjun had promised to come over for dinner, but a last-minute work emergency had him glued to his laptop.

“Ugh!” she huffed, crossing her arms. “How can he choose work over me?”

Just then, her phone buzzed. It was Arjun.

“Hey, sorry! Can’t make it tonight. I’ll make it up to you, promise.”

Rolling her eyes, she typed back, “Sure, your ‘make it up’ always ends up with me sulking alone.”

Before he could reply, she glanced at the pristine white shirt hanging on the chair. A mischievous idea sparked in her mind. She stood up, grabbed her red lipstick, and marched toward the shirt, a devilish grin spreading across her face.

As if on cue, her phone buzzed again.

“Please don’t sulk. I’ll be done in an hour. You’re too beautiful to be sulking.”

Naina chuckled, but her resolve only strengthened. She dabbed the lipstick and pressed her lips against the shirt, leaving a perfect imprint. “If you won’t be here, I’ll make sure to mark my territory,” she murmured.

With each mark she made, she envisioned Arjun’s surprised expression when he finally saw the shirt. She continued, adding a series of kiss marks across the fabric, her playful spirit shining through.

Suddenly, the door swung open. Arjun stood in the doorway, his eyes wide in disbelief. “What are you doing?”

Naina turned, feigning innocence. “Oh, just adding some color to your life.”

He stepped closer, glancing at the shirt now adorned with her lipstick marks. “You’re ruining my favorite shirt!”

“More like enhancing it,” she smirked, biting her lip flirtatiously. “Now it’s officially mine.”

Arjun stepped forward, his playful demeanor softening. “You’re impossible, you know that?”

“Just wait until I tell you how I feel about you,” she teased, leaning in with a wink.

His expression shifted, curiosity mixed with admiration. “Oh really? And how do you feel about me, Miss Kapoor?”

She tossed her hair over her shoulder, a sparkle in her eyes. “Well, for starters, I think you’re ridiculously handsome,” she said, a teasing tone lacing her voice.

“Just handsome?” he asked, a playful smirk dancing on his lips.

“And that I’m your jaanu,” she replied, stepping closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “You know, the one who gets to kiss you whenever I want.”

His breath caught in his throat, and a flush crept across his cheeks. “You’re going to be the death of me.”

With that, Naina pulled him into a playful embrace, her arms wrapping around his neck. “Maybe that’s the plan,” she giggled, leaning in and planting another kiss on his cheek, leaving a faint red mark.

“Okay, okay,” he laughed, surrendering to her charm. “But you’re responsible for cleaning this up. It’s going to be the talk of the town.”

“Good thing I’m a graphic designer,” she winked. “I’ll make it look fabulous.”

Arjun shook his head, a soft smile gracing his lips. “You know I can’t stay mad at you, right?”

“Of course not! Because I’m your jaanu.” She batted her eyelashes, her heart racing with the thrill of the moment.

He pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Yeah, you really are.”

They stood there, lost in each other's gaze, their hearts syncing to an unspoken rhythm. The world outside faded away, and in that moment, with lipstick marks adorning his shirt and laughter dancing in the air, everything felt right.

---