On the vibrant festival of Teej, a chance detour changes everything for Arnav and Khushi. Will their bond withstand the trials of the wild - or will the rainforest unravel them completely?
Note: Some chapters are 18+. Appropriate trigger warnings wi...
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Khushi clutched the duvet tightly to her chest, her thoughts swirling in a haze of confusion and unease. The edges of her dreams flickered in and out of focus, like fragments of light lost in the dark. Her brow furrowed as panic began to creep into her veins, a tightness settling in her chest. She squeezed her eyes shut, desperate to silence the nervous flutters pooling at the pit of her stomach.
A soft finger traced the curve of her temple, gently tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. A voice, warm and honeyed, whispered just beneath her ear. Khushi shivered, a tingling sensation coursing through her. She caught fragments of words, "best" and "sweetheart," and her pulse stuttered.
Her eyes fluttered open to find Arnav seated at the edge of the mattress, fully dressed, his presence so familiar yet so profoundly comforting. She blinked, rubbing sleep from her eyes, but when her gaze locked with his, a jolt of realization shook her entire body.
"Have I overslept?" she squeaked, her voice thick with panic as she tried to sit up.
Arnav's soft chuckle echoed through the quiet room as he placed a hand gently on her shoulder, urging her back down. "Shh, no you haven't. Go back to sleep. I just wanted to wish you well before I leave."
Khushi's eyes darted toward the drawn curtains. Not a sliver of light peered through, the world outside still wrapped in the cool embrace of dawn. The clock on her nightstand read four a.m. She inhaled a shaky breath, her heartbeat quickening.
"Oh, right... you're traveling to Bangalore," she mumbled, trying to steady her racing thoughts, but the words didn't come easily.
Arnav's chuckle was low and soothing. "Yes, and are you excited for your first day of college?"
"No," she squeaked, the flutter of nerves returning with a vengeance. She quickly bit her lip, hoping to stifle the nerves that seemed to have taken on a life of their own.
Arnav's amusement danced in his eyes. "Relax, Khushi," he said, his voice like a balm to her frazzled thoughts. "You'll be fine. It'll be a rewarding experience, trust me. And the first day is always special."
Khushi let out a soft, almost reluctant sigh. "Right," she murmured, but then a pout formed on her lips. "And you'll be away. Who am I supposed to bombard with all my musings? A whole week without you..."
Arnav snorted, his lips curling into a playful smile. "Did you forget we have a house full of people? Is that your way of saying you'll miss me?" He leaned in, his face inches from hers, a teasing glint in his eyes.
Khushi's breath caught, a sudden wave of shyness washing over her. She turned her face away, her cheeks flushing. She hadn't expected the intensity of his closeness, the pull of his presence, and now her heart was beating faster for a whole different reason.
Arnav cupped her face in his hands, gently turning her chin back to him. His lips brushed against hers, tender and soft, sending a rush of warmth through her. "You'll do fantastic," he murmured against her lips. "And save some gossip for me when I get back. I don't want to hear all of it from Mami alone."
