𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞

Chapter 5: The Kiss

The days after their near-kiss were unbearable. Aanya couldn't stop thinking about that moment outside, the way Meera's fingers had brushed her skin, the heat in her gaze, the way their lips had almost—but not quite—met. It was driving her crazy. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Meera's face, heard her voice, felt her presence. And it terrified her.

Aanya had always been careful with her heart. She'd never let herself get too close to anyone, always keeping her feelings locked away behind walls of caution and self-control. But with Meera, everything was different. Meera made her feel things she didn't understand, things she wasn't sure she was ready to confront.

They tried to avoid each other, but fate seemed determined to push them together. It was at another college event, a celebration for the debate team's recent victory, that the tension finally broke. Aanya had been trying to keep a low profile, sticking close to her friends and avoiding any situation that might bring her near Meera. But it was impossible to ignore her when she walked into the room, commanding attention like she always did.

Meera was impossible to ignore. She looked effortlessly beautiful, her dark hair falling in soft waves around her face, her eyes sparkling with a confidence that both drew Aanya in and made her want to run in the opposite direction. They didn't speak, but their eyes met across the crowded room, and Aanya felt her stomach tighten.

It wasn't until later in the night, when most people had left, that Aanya found herself alone outside again, trying to catch her breath and clear her head. She didn't expect anyone to follow her, least of all Meera.

But there she was, standing in the doorway, her silhouette framed by the soft glow of the lights from inside. Aanya's heart leapt into her throat at the sight of her, and she cursed herself for being so weak, so affected by this girl who had somehow managed to slip past all her defenses.

"You always run," Meera said quietly, stepping outside and letting the door close behind her. "Why do you always run?"

Aanya didn't respond. She couldn't. Her throat was tight, her pulse pounding in her ears. Meera took another step closer, her eyes searching Aanya's face, and Aanya felt that same magnetic pull, the same undeniable tension that had been building between them for weeks.

"I'm not running," Aanya finally whispered, though even she didn't believe her own words.

Meera raised an eyebrow, a small, sad smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Yes, you are."

Aanya opened her mouth to argue, but before she could say anything, Meera stepped forward, closing the distance between them in one swift movement. Her hands cupped Aanya's face gently, her touch soft but firm, and for a moment, Aanya froze, her breath caught in her throat.

"Stop running," Meera whispered, her voice barely audible, her lips just inches from Aanya's.

And then, before Aanya could think, before she could stop herself, Meera kissed her.

The kiss was sudden, but not rushed. It was soft at first, tentative, like a question waiting for an answer. But then, as if something inside Aanya broke free, she kissed Meera back, her hands reaching up to tangle in Meera's hair, pulling her closer. The world around them disappeared, and all that was left was the warmth of Meera's lips, the heat of her body pressed against Aanya's, the overwhelming rush of emotions that flooded Aanya's senses.

It was everything Aanya hadn't realized she wanted—raw, intense, overwhelming. It was as if every moment of tension, every unspoken word, every stolen glance had built up to this, and now it was all crashing down around them in a wave of passion that neither of them could control.

When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless, their foreheads resting against each other, their eyes closed as they tried to steady themselves. Aanya's heart was pounding, her hands still tangled in Meera's hair, and for the first time in a long time, she didn't feel scared. She felt free.