Our Secret Love

9. Unspoken Feelings

Kiara spent the entire afternoon reflecting on her mom's words. It had been a while since she’d given much thought to her own romantic life, buried under the weight of work, responsibilities, and life in general. The prospect of something with Aarav wasn’t exactly in her plans, but the way he made her feel—like she mattered—was undeniably pulling at her heartstrings.

As much as she wanted to deny it, she knew her feelings for him were growing deeper. But it wasn’t just that. Aarav wasn’t like other men she had encountered. He didn’t try to impress her with grand gestures or false promises. Instead, he made her feel seen and heard in a way no one ever had.

She glanced at her phone, the screen flashing with a new message notification. It was from Aarav.

---

Aarav: Hey, any plans this evening?

Kiara smiled at the simple message, her heart fluttering a little. The timing was perfect, and for some reason, she couldn’t ignore the excitement bubbling inside her.

She quickly typed her reply.

Kiara: Nothing at all, why?

A few seconds later, his reply came.

Aarav: I was thinking we could go for a drive. Clear our heads a bit. I know we’ve both had a busy week.

The idea of a spontaneous drive sounded refreshing. It wasn’t a dinner date or something overly planned—just two people enjoying each other's company in a simple, honest way. Kiara liked that about Aarav. He didn’t complicate things.

Kiara: Sounds good. Pick me up in an hour?

Aarav: Done. I’ll be there.

---

Kiara couldn’t help but feel a rush of excitement. She quickly got ready, opting for a comfortable yet cute outfit: a flowy white top and jeans. She kept her makeup minimal, just a touch of mascara, and let her hair fall in soft waves. There was something about the simplicity of the moment that made her feel beautiful, without having to try.

As she waited for Aarav to arrive, Kiara’s mind drifted back to the conversation with her mom earlier. She knew her mother meant well, but she couldn’t help but feel like she was being nudged into something before she was ready. Maybe her mom was right about not letting fear dictate her choices. But Kiara was cautious by nature. She didn’t dive into things without weighing the pros and cons, and the thought of opening up her heart to someone—especially someone like Aarav—was both thrilling and terrifying.

Her phone buzzed, pulling her out of her thoughts. It was Aarav, just as she had expected.

---

Aarav: I’m outside.

She grabbed her bag and headed downstairs. As she stepped outside, she saw his sleek black car parked in front of her building. The windows were down, and she could hear the soft hum of music playing inside.

She approached the car, and before she could even open the door, Aarav leaned across the passenger seat and unlocked it. His eyes met hers with a smile that made her heart skip a beat.

"Ready to get lost?" he asked, his voice low and inviting.

Kiara chuckled, sliding into the seat beside him. "As long as you don't drive us to the middle of nowhere and leave me stranded, I’m good."

Aarav laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "I promise, no leaving you stranded. But maybe a little adventure, just to make things interesting."

The moment the door clicked shut, Aarav pulled away from the curb, the city lights casting a soft glow across his face. Kiara could feel the tension between them, an electric charge that made everything feel just a little more intense. They didn’t speak at first, the quiet hum of the car and the music setting a peaceful tone.