Forbidden Mania | 18+

5.

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𝓜𝓲𝓼𝓱𝓴𝓪'𝓼 𝓟𝓸𝓿~

The ride back home was quieter, but the tension between us was anything but quiet. I could feel Arsh's gaze flicker toward me every few seconds, and I kept my eyes firmly on the road ahead, trying to ignore the warmth creeping up my neck.

As we pulled up to my house, I fiddled with the edge of my saree, feeling slightly self-conscious under his intense gaze. He parked the car and turned off the engine, but neither of us moved to get out.

"You didn't have to come with me, you know.I could've handled myself." I said softly, still looking out the window.

Arsh chuckled, the sound low and teasing. "Oh, I'm sure you could. But that doesn't mean I would've let you go alone."

I turned to face him, raising an eyebrow. "You're awfully protective for someone who claims to be an unbothered person."

His eyes darkened, and a playful smirk tugged at his lips. "Never for you, plus unborthered people can be protective, Mishka."

"Not this protective." I muttered, earning another chuckle from him.

He finally stepped out of the car and came around to my side, opening the door for me. I couldn't help but smile at how gentlemanly he always was, even when he was being infuriatingly overbearing.

As we walked toward the front door, he said, "Suniye Mishka?"

"Kahiye." I asked and paused, looking up at him.

"You know, I've been meaning to ask... Do you think I could help you decorate your room?"

My eyebrows shot up, surprised. "Decorate my room? You still remember that?"

He shrugged, trying to appear casual. "Bade aye aap, Ek din bola tha maine." I said and turned myself away from him.

"Arey Baba, I'm sorry, lo kaan pakad liye mene." He interrupted with a laugh, holding his ears. Gosh he's so cute.

I nodded, my cheeks heating.

"Yeah, you kind of ignored me then, and don't do that." I said and pointed towards his now-turned-red ears.

"Oh, I didn't ignore you. I was just... distracted." He whispered and stepped closer, towering over me with that familiar smirk playing on his lips.

"Distracted?" I questioned, crossing my arms in mock offense while ignoring my raged breathe.

Arsh's eyes lingered on my face before dropping briefly to my lips, then quickly back up to my eyes. His voice dropped lower. "Distracted by you, Mishka."

Stop it Mishka.

I rolled my eyes but smiled despite myself.

"Flattery won't get you out of this one. Are you going to help me or not?" I asked.

He grinned. "Lead the way."

We headed inside, and as I unlocked the door, I couldn't help the little flutter of excitement in my chest.

Having Arsh here, in my space, felt strangely intimate. It was like the lines between us were blurring in a way I wasn't entirely prepared for, but I wasn't about to stop it either.

Once inside, I led him to my room, where boxes of decorations were still stacked in the corner. My room was plain, with just the essentials, bed, desk, and wardrobe, but I had grand plans of making it more personal.