Dil ki Awaaz

CHAPTER -13

Hidden Moments, Rising Tensions

The campus was quiet as the clock approached midnight, with only the occasional rustle of leaves and distant hum of crickets breaking the stillness. Amar leaned against the old library wall, glancing at his watch and then back towards the path leading to the main gate. He’d been waiting in the shadows for nearly twenty minutes, checking every passing figure, hoping it was Prem.

Finally, he spotted him. Prem was dressed casually in a hoodie and jeans, his face hidden by the hood, looking around cautiously as he approached. As soon as Prem reached him, Amar grabbed his arm and pulled him further into the shadows, away from the view of any passing students or security guards.

“Took you long enough,” Amar muttered, though his tone was softened by the warmth in his gaze.

Prem rolled his eyes, though a smile tugged at his lips. “Sneaking out isn’t exactly easy. Had to avoid Rhea and Aditya; they’d have never let me leave.”

Amar chuckled. “Well, I’m just glad you made it.” He took Prem’s hand, pulling him closer. Their fingers intertwined, and for a brief moment, the world around them faded, leaving only the thrill of being together in the quiet solitude of the night.

They strolled along the back path of the campus, careful to stay in the shadows. With every step, the tension from the day melted away. They shared glances, hushed laughter, and gentle touches as they walked, relishing the freedom of being together without anyone watching. It was moments like these that reminded Amar why he’d risk anything to be with Prem. Despite all the arguments, the drama, the complications — this felt right.

They made their way to a secluded garden behind the old science building, a spot almost no one visited at night. The garden had a small stone bench surrounded by flowering bushes, their sweet scent filling the air.

Amar sat down, pulling Prem down beside him. “You know,” he murmured, wrapping an arm around Prem’s shoulders, “I could get used to this. Just you and me, with no one to interrupt.”

Prem sighed contentedly, leaning into Amar. “I know what you mean. It’s nice to just… be us. No expectations, no pretense.”

They stayed like that for a while, basking in the peacefulness of the night. Amar’s hand traced gentle circles on Prem’s back, his gaze soft as he looked at him. “How long do you think we can keep this up?” Amar’s voice was barely above a whisper, as if he were afraid to shatter the fragile moment.

Prem looked up, meeting his gaze. “I don’t know. But for now, I just want to be with you. Isn’t that enough?”

Amar smiled, his thumb brushing over Prem’s cheek. “Yeah. It’s more than enough.”

Just as their faces drifted closer, an unexpected sound snapped them out of their intimate bubble. A voice echoed from around the corner, followed by the distinct sound of footsteps approaching.

Amar and Prem’s eyes widened in alarm. They scrambled to their feet, darting behind a tall bush just as two security guards rounded the corner, their flashlights cutting through the darkness.

Prem held his breath, his hand clutching Amar’s tightly as they crouched together, hidden from sight. He could feel Amar’s heart pounding just as fiercely as his own, their breaths shallow and silent as they tried to remain undetected.

The guards stopped a few feet away, their flashlights sweeping over the area. “I thought I saw someone here,” one of the guards muttered. “You think it’s another couple sneaking out again?”

“Could be,” the other replied. “Kids these days… always breaking the rules. Come on, let’s check by the fountain. If anyone’s here, they’ll try to hide there.”

They waited, hearts pounding, until the footsteps finally receded into the distance. Only then did Prem let out a sigh of relief, relaxing slightly.

“That was way too close,” he whispered, looking at Amar with wide eyes.

Amar grinned, a mischievous glint in his eye. “Guess you like the thrill of sneaking around with me, huh?”

Prem rolled his eyes, though a faint smile played on his lips. “Don’t flatter yourself. I’m just here for the peaceful garden views,” he teased, nudging Amar lightly.

Amar chuckled, leaning closer. “Peaceful views, huh?” He brought his face just inches from Prem’s, their noses almost touching. “I think you’re here for more than that.”

Prem’s cheeks flushed, but before he could respond, Amar’s lips brushed softly against his. The world faded once more, leaving only the warmth of Amar’s kiss and the fire it ignited within him.

But just as things were getting heated, the faint hum of voices reached them again — this time closer. Prem pulled back, his eyes widening in panic. “We need to get out of here. If anyone finds us together…”

Amar’s jaw clenched, his frustration evident, but he nodded. “You’re right. Let’s go.”

They quickly made their way out of the garden, sticking to the shadows as they headed towards the dorms. But just as they thought they were in the clear, they heard a familiar voice call out.

“Amar! Prem!”

Both of them froze, turning to see Rhea standing a few feet away, her arms crossed and an amused smile on her face.

“What are you two doing sneaking around together in the middle of the night?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Prem’s face turned beet red, his mind scrambling for an excuse. “Uh… we… we were just… talking,” he stammered, feeling the heat rise to his cheeks.

Rhea’s smirk widened. “Talking, huh? Sure, let’s go with that.” She glanced between the two of them, clearly unconvinced. “Look, it’s none of my business what you two do, but maybe try to be a bit more discreet next time? You’re lucky I found you and not one of the faculty members.”

Amar shot her a grateful look. “Thanks, Rhea. We owe you one.”

She waved him off, a playful glint in her eye. “Just make sure you keep it quiet. And maybe tone down the dramatics, okay? We’re not in a Bollywood movie here.”

With a wink, she walked away, leaving Amar and Prem alone once again.

Prem let out a shaky breath, glancing at Amar with a mixture of relief and embarrassment. “I can’t believe we almost got caught… again.”

Amar chuckled, pulling him into a quick hug. “It’s all part of the thrill, right?”

Prem rolled his eyes but couldn’t help the smile tugging at his lips. Despite the danger, despite the risk of being caught, being with Amar made him feel alive in a way nothing else did.

As they finally parted ways and headed back to their respective dorms, Prem’s mind buzzed with the memory of Amar’s touch, his words, his gaze. The thrill of their secret moments, the intensity of their connection — it was all-consuming, and he knew that no matter how risky it was, he couldn’t stay away from Amar.

Back in his dorm room, Prem lay awake, staring at the ceiling, a smile lingering on his lips. Maybe things wouldn’t be easy. Maybe their secret would cause problems. But in that moment, all he could think about was the next time he’d see Amar, the next time they’d steal a moment together.

For now, that was enough.

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