Love In Vengeance

CHAPTER- 55

It was 11 pm, Aditya moved back and forth in the living room while waiting for Shivalika, his heart growing heavier with each passing minute, She had never been this late, It's been so long since she left, and she hadn't come back yet, even though she messaged him that she was on the way but He was worried for her.

"F*ck it, I'm going to check on her" He grabbed his car keys and marched towards the door, his heart pounding with worry, he didn't care if she was on the way. His heart was unsettled. But as he opened the door he stopped on his track.

"Have you seen the time?" he looked at Shivalika who was standing at the door—a relief filled his heart seeing that she was all right.

"I was stuck somewhere," Shivalika replied while entering inside. "Where were you going leaving Vee alone?" she asked casually, collapsing onto the couch.

Aditya sighed, placing the car keys back on the table. "I was worried!" he admitted, grabbing a glass of water and handing it to her. As he switched on the light, he studied her face intently. Something wasn't right, his brows wiggled looking at her puffy eyes "Did you cry?"

Shivalika froze mid-sip, her eyes darting to his. "No, Why would I?" she shrugged off

"Then why do your eyes look puffy and skin glowing like you are going to shoot a skincare commercial?" He said with a hint of sarcasm

"Am I glowing?" her eyes lighting up mischievously.

He groaned. "That's not an answer!"

"Hmm," she hummed thoughtfully, placing the glass down. Then, with a straight face that was a little too perfect, she said, "I read somewhere that a woman's skin glows when her man loves her." She tried her best to hide her smile after seeing his expression.

Aditya blinked, his jaw-dropping slightly as her words sank in. For a moment, he just stood there, utterly baffled. "What...?" He couldn't say anything else.

Shivalika bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing, her poker face intact.

'Then you should be giving the sun some serious competition by now.' He muttered under his breath which she didn't hear.

She stretched out on the couch like a cat, clearly pleased with his reaction "Have you eaten?"

He calls her kitty for a reason.

"I was waiting for you." He looked at her, studying her face again, because he was not convinced yet by her words, Of course, she cried, But he would ask her again after dinner.

"Awww, see? Love makes you wait," she teased, flashing him a triumphant grin.

His ears turned red, betraying the cool composure he was trying so hard to maintain. Blinking twice, He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, avoiding her gaze. What was going on with her? What happened to her all of a sudden? She was acting weird.

"Uh... are you feeling okay?" he finally asked, squinting at her like she might suddenly sprout a second head.

"Why? Do I not seem okay?" Shivalika countered, her voice sweet but her eyes dancing with mischief.

"You don't," he replied firmly, his eyes narrowing as he studied her face.

"Yes, I am not," Shivalika said with a shrug, her voice turned flat.

He frowned at her reply, his chest tightening with unease. Something about her reply sent a ripple of worry through him. He took a step closer, crouching slightly to meet her gaze. "What's wrong? Did someone say something to you?" he asked, his voice softer now, tinged with concern.