An Inconvenient Flame

Chapter 41(Edited)

Hello I'm back, I thought a lot for this chapter and finally came up with Ideas I have written.

Ishika's pov

His lips, soft but sure, pressed against mine,

I had my first kiss.

I thought I'd be nervous, awkward maybe, but instead, everything about it felt... exciting.

My stomach clenches remembering
the tattoos covering his sculpted back. He is beautiful. Surprising.

"Ishika"

"Yeah." I snap back from my thoughts. He calls me from the room.

I open the door of closet, "Everyone is waiting for us at the dining table." My cheeks blush as I look him in the eyes, I gulp. Get yourself together girl.

"Give me ten minutes. Let me just comb my hair." His eyes drop to my lips. Fuck.

And I shut the door.

"Ishika," he calls, but I ignore and start drying my hair.

Sitting at the table, Abhiraj's mother's presence felt heavy. I look at Abhiraj, he's busy on his phone, ignoring everyone. Ivaan is settled in his seat beside him, his eyes wide at the gathering.

As the serving begins, I feel a familiar knot of anxiety in my stomach. I get clumsy at serving myself, especially in front of others. Normally, Abhiraj would take care of my plate along with his and Ivaan's, saving me from embarrassment. I hope he does it.

I glance at him, waiting for him to reach for my plate as he usually does. To my surprise, he serves only himself, not even looking in my direction.

I blink, wondering whether he's back to his grumpy ignorant self again. I pout in my mind at his actions.

I huff. Maybe he's distracted by the conversation with Arjun bhaiya.

No worries. You were doing everything by yourself before. Taking a steadying breath, I reach for the serving spoons.

My hands tremble slightly as I carefully ladle food onto my plate. I'm hyper-aware of every movement, praying I don't spill or drop anything. I can't handle aunty's cold look. Now I get from where he has got that face.

From the corner of my eye, I catch Abhiraj watching me silently. His gaze makes me even more nervous, but I manage to serve myself without incident. Hush.

As we begin to eat, I'm still puzzling over Abhiraj's behaviour.

Yesterday I let the thought slide. But today...it's a little difficult to just shrug it off. Is he embarrassed of me? Or uncomfortable?

I turn to look at him, utterly confused. His face gives nothing away as he continues eating, focusing on Ivaan in between.

I'm completely lost. My mind just won't stop racing, and I keep jumping to the worst possible conclusions. It's like I'm convincing myself of all the negative reasons why this is happening, and I can't seem to shake it off.

I'm halfway through my breakfast when the sudden noise of chair scraping against the floor catches my attention.

I look up to see Tejaswini aunty getting up. She's barely taken a few bites. Abhiraj's face darkens for a moment, a frown creasing his brow.

I wait for him to say something, to ask where she's going in such a hurry, but he remains silent.

Even uncle doesn't say anything. It's as if everyone is used to this.

Finally Arjun breaks the silence.

"Where are you off to in such a rush, Mom?" he asks.

"I have a meeting," she replies, straightening her saree. "It's about the charity and NGO work. Can't be late for that." I nod mentally.