OPEN ARMS: SHUBMAN GILL

6

Abhi and Akshara's relationship had quickly become one of those things that everyone just knew was happening, but no one quite understood how it worked. They were a strange mix — Abhi, the easygoing, flirtatious cricket star who couldn't seem to help himself when it came to kissing Akshara, and Akshara, the cool, laid-back girl who wasn't big on affection but made an exception for him.

They were constantly teasing each other, but there was always an underlying warmth to it. Akshara was the dreamy one, always lost in her own world, and Abhi? Well, he was the one constantly trying to pull her back into reality... usually with a kiss.

It was one of those lazy afternoons, the kind where the sun was just setting and the air was warm but not hot, that Abhi found himself right next to Akshara. She was sitting on the hood of his car, lost in thought as she stared out into the distance, her hair gently blowing in the breeze. Abhi couldn't resist. He leaned in, pressing a kiss to the side of her neck, a light but lingering kiss that made her shiver slightly.

Akshara didn't even turn to look at him. Instead, she just rolled her eyes in that way she always did when he was being... well, *him*. "You really like doing that, huh?"

Abhi chuckled, planting another kiss on her cheek just to annoy her, but his grin showed he was enjoying every second of it. "I can't help it. You're too cute to resist."

Akshara sighed, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she flicked his hand away when he tried to kiss her again. "Abhi, seriously, cut it out," she said, but the faintest hint of a smile tugged at her lips.

He leaned back, feigning disappointment. "Come on, you can't tell me you don't like it."

She didn't respond, but the way her eyes softened a little gave him all the answer he needed. He loved that she wasn't the affectionate type, loved how she pretended to be annoyed by him, even though he knew she secretly enjoyed every kiss.

"I'm just saying," Abhi said casually, running a hand through his hair as he leaned against the car, "if I didn't kiss you, you'd probably get too distracted to notice how handsome I am."

Akshara shot him a playful side-eye, "Oh really? Because I've been *so* distracted by you."

"Exactly," Abhi grinned. He stepped closer again, this time pulling her closer by the waist, making her scoff but not push him away. His lips brushed her ear before he whispered, "Come on, Akshara, admit it. You love the attention."

Akshara, still not one for being overly affectionate, rolled her eyes once more. "You're ridiculous."

But before she could say anything else, Abhi captured her lips in another kiss, this one much more insistent than the others. He loved teasing her this way, seeing her try to act cool when deep down he knew she was just as caught up in the moment as he was. Akshara didn't pull away this time. Instead, she leaned into him for just a second, giving him the satisfaction of knowing she liked it even if she wouldn't admit it.

When they pulled apart, Akshara shot him a smirk. "You're lucky you're cute," she said, clearly trying to hide the grin that was spreading across her face.

"I know," Abhi said with a wink, thoroughly pleased with himself. "I'll keep kissing you then."

She shook her head, clearly trying to keep up her aloof act, but the blush on her cheeks betrayed her. "Fine. But only because you're Abhi."

Abhi laughed, his hand brushing her hair back from her face. "I'll take it." He leaned in for one last quick kiss, but Akshara pushed him away with a laugh.

"Okay, no more," she said, though her voice was laced with amusement. "I'm trying to have a serious conversation here, not make out with you."

Abhi shrugged with a grin. "Who said we can't do both?"