Intensely Twisted Fate

Chapter : 19

Shravan's POV

The ride took longer than expected, thanks to the traffic that stretched our hour-long journey even further. But it didn’t matter because I was with Lara, and the whole time, I kept cracking jokes to keep the mood light. Her laughter filled the car like a melody, making the delay worth it. Finally, we reached the club, where the night seemed to pulse with energy. The place was packed, filled with people around our age, all buzzing with excitement.

As we walked up to the entrance, a photographer was snapping photos of everyone arriving. We stopped and posed together, and when the picture was handed to us, I caught a glimpse of how we looked—her in that stunning black dress and me standing proudly next to her. I thought to myself, *I’m definitely framing this one.*

The moment we stepped inside, Lara’s arm remained linked with mine, her fingers casually resting on my arm. I couldn’t help but notice the way her friends reacted when she introduced me, calling me “her man” with such confidence. The feeling that surged through me was more than pride—it was something deeper, a sense of belonging that I hadn’t felt before. To be here with her, to be the person she showed off, felt surreal and perfect all at once.

It had only been about half an hour since we arrived, but I still hadn’t let go of her waist. My hand rested possessively on her side as we navigated through the crowd, and every now and then, I’d catch a glimpse of someone’s eyes lingering on her a little too long. It stirred a protective instinct in me, and when she noticed the way I held her a bit tighter, she turned to me with a questioning look.

“Why are you holding on to me so tightly?” she asked with a teasing smile.

I leaned in closer, so she could hear me over the music. “Just being a bit possessive,” I replied, my voice low and firm. “You look too good in that dress. I can’t have anyone else even thinking about you.”

She laughed, her eyes sparkling as she glanced up at me. “Relax, Shravan. It’s not like anyone’s going to steal me away.”

“Doesn’t mean I’m taking any chances,” I murmured, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as I kept her close.

A little later, she looked up at me with those big, innocent eyes and asked if she could have a couple of drinks. The look on her face reminded me of a puppy begging for a treat. I hesitated at first, my mind flashing back to a past experience that hadn’t gone well. But the way she pouted, her eyes wide and hopeful, made it impossible to say no.

“Fine,” I relented with a sigh, “but only two shots. And I’m keeping a close eye on you.”

“Deal!” she exclaimed, her face lighting up with a grin as she pulled me toward the bar.

Watching her laugh and enjoy herself, I felt a swell of happiness that seemed to grow with every passing minute.

Before we made our way to the bar, I took her hand and asked, “Care for a dance?”

Lara didn’t hesitate for a second. Her eyes lit up with excitement as she nodded eagerly. “Of course!” she replied, a smile spreading across her face.

We stepped onto the dance floor together, the music thumping around us. Even with the DJ blasting loud beats, we found our own rhythm. Her hands looped around my shoulders while mine rested on her waist, pulling her close. It was just the two of us, our bodies moving in sync, lost in the moment.

As I held her, savoring the feel of her warmth against me, a guy approached us, stepping far too close for my liking. He leaned toward us and asked, “Mind if I take the lady for a dance?”

I shot him a cold, hard look, my jaw tightening. “Actually, I do,” I replied curtly, not bothering to hide the annoyance in my voice.

Just as I was about to pull Lara even closer, she placed one hand on my chest, her touch trying to calm me. Leaning in so I could hear her over the blaring music, she whispered a bit louder than usual, “Shravan, that’s Aarav.”