An Inconvenient Flame

Chapter 48

IMPORTANT

GUYS THIS IS THE EXTENDED PART OF KAST CHAPTER. SO YEAH BE PREPARED.

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Mumma and dii are sitting in the living area, and on mumma's insistence Abhiraj agreed to stay. He hasn't said much after that. 

After some time, he clears his throat lightly and turns to my mother.

"I have a few things in the car. I should go get them."

My mother, nods.

"Take Ishika with you. And park the car in the apartment parking, it's late."

I stare at Abhiraj, expecting him to refuse and insist he'll manage alone, but he doesn't. Instead, he nods and glances at me.

"Shall we?"

I hesitate. I don't want to be alone with him again, even for a short while, it makes my chest tighten.

But I don't have a reason to say no, not without making it obvious to everyone that something is wrong.

So, I grab my shawl.

The air outside is crisp, carrying the scent of wet earth. The wind is picking up, swirling around us, and as I look up, I see the sky slowly being swallowed by heavy clouds.

It might rain soon.

We walk in silence toward the car.

It's not an unbearable silence, just... careful. 

I hear the soft rustle of fabric as Abhiraj pulls out his keys and unlocks the doors.

He moves toward the trunk, and I stand a few feet away, my hands tucked under the warmth of my shawl.

"Looks like it's going to pour soon," he murmurs, almost absently, as he opens the trunk.

I glance at the sky again.

"Yeah."

He doesn't say anything else as he picks up a small duffel bag and what looks like a brown paper bag from the passenger seat.

He shifts the weight between his hands before hesitating.

"Would you mind holding this?"

I look at the paper bag he's holding out and take it without a word.

It's lighter.

As he shuts the trunk, I peek inside the bag out of reflex, expecting chargers or toiletries.

Instead, their is a neatly packed tiffin. I frown, glancing at him.

He notices and exhales slowly.

"It's for Ivaan. His favorite paneer paratha. He mentioned today that he missed it."

I stare at the container in my hands, feeling something complicated knot inside my chest.

I nod. I clutch the bag a little tighter, not because I'm touched, but because I don't know what to do with the small flicker of warmth it sparks inside me.

"Let's park the car," I say instead, turning toward the lot.

The drive is short and quiet.

When he pulls into an empty spot and cuts the engine, I reach for the door handle, eager to step out and put space between us again. But his voice stops me.

"Ishika."

I pause, fingers tightening around the handle. My heart beats a little faster, and I tell myself it's just the cold.