Love Is Hard - Karma X Reader

Chapter 16

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(Y/N's P.O.V.)

How did I manage to end up like this ? Again…..

The sound of oil sizzling in the pan filled the air as I stirred the onions with a wooden spatula, the savory aroma wafting up to tickle my nose. My hands moved automatically, muscle memory guiding me through the motions while my brain worked overtime, replaying the series of events that led to this moment.  

….oh god that. After that embarrassing note exchange, I was trying my best to avoid any interaction with him for obvious reasons. 

How did this happen? One minute, I was in the last lecture of the day, counting down the seconds until freedom, and the next, Karma was walking me home like some self-proclaimed knight. Escort, he’d called himself, though his smirk made it clear he thought it was all a joke.  

I shouldn’t have let him follow me. I should’ve said no. But Karma being Karma, he had a way of twisting every situation until it seemed easier to just go along with his ridiculous plans than to argue.  

Besides , I would be lying to myself if I wasn't secretly feeling like rolling on the ground with excitement.

“You are directionally challenged, remember?” he’d said, with that stupid Grin on his face.

I sighed, he was never gonna let that go, was he? . 

“It’s dangerous out there, you know.”

Dangerous? The only danger was him and his ability to bulldoze past my defenses with teasing words and that infuriating grin. And yet, here I was, chopping vegetables in my kitchen while he lounged in the living room like he owned the place.  

The worst part? I couldn’t even blame him entirely. When he’d guilt-tripped me into letting him inside, I could’ve kicked him out. But no, I’d let him sleeze his way in with some excuse about needing water after “such a long walk.” Then, when he started casually commenting on how *hungry* he was, I’d caved like the fool I apparently was.  

I sighed, brushing a strand of hair out of my face as I dumped the chopped vegetables into the pan. The vibrant colors mixed with the golden onions, and I stirred them together. At least cooking gave me something to focus on—something other than the fact that Karma Akabane was sitting just a few feet away, probably poking around my bookshelves or making himself far too comfortable on my couch. 

I froze. Wait a second, poking around? Shit! Those damn photos! I slightly turn my head  to check when,

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of his voice calling from the other room.  

“Smells good! Are you sure you’re not trying to impress me? Just like last time.”  he added the last part with a teasing lilt in his voice.

I jumped, gripping the spatula tighter. Forcing myself to stay calm,  “You’re lucky I didn’t just give you instant noodles.”  

Wait! Does that mean he was impressed? Was he impressed?

“Aw, come on, you don’t strike me as the type to leave a guest starving. Or am I wrong?” His tone was light, teasing, but I could hear the smile in his voice.  

I rolled my eyes, “Keep pushing, and you might find out.”  

I heard him laugh, low and smooth, and my stomach did an unwelcome flip. That laugh—why did it always feel like he was laughing at some private joke only he understood?  

Oh, who am I kidding. I love his smile,  chuckles and laughs. I can never get tired of them. I want to be the reason for his laughs. 

Gosh! I sound like a complete love sick fool. I shook my head trying to snap out of it.