Laced in Your Ruin

Chapter [XVI]: Married?

The college campus was buzzing with anticipation as the news of the upcoming trip spread like wildfire. It wasn't just any trip; it was the trip of the year, a reward for all the hard work poured into exams and endless assignments. Laughter echoed through the corridors, plans were whispered over lunch breaks, and Instagram stories overflowed with excitement.

Inara stood by the notice board, reading the trip details carefully. Her friends, Siya and Aditi, were already bouncing with excitement.

"Yaar, imagine the sunsets, the campfires, the memories!" Siya gushed, her eyes twinkling with joy. "And, who knows? Maybe some campus romance, too," she added with a wink.

Inara rolled her eyes. "You've been reading too many Wattpad stories again, Siya."

The day of the trip arrived with the sun barely peeking over the horizon. Students gathered in the parking lot, dragging suitcases and stuffing snacks into their backpacks. The energy was electric.

Buses lined up, ready for the journey ahead.

The bus engine roared to life, drowning out the chatter of overexcited students as it rumbled through the narrow lanes of Delhi, weaving its way toward the open highways. The air inside the bus was thick with anticipation—bags piled into the overhead racks, snacks being passed around like currency, and playlists switching between Bollywood classics and upbeat Punjabi bangers. 

Everyone was abuzz about the much-anticipated college trip—except for Qays. Or, as everyone else knew him, Ibrahim. His arms were crossed, jaw set in that signature aloofness, as if he was too detached to care about the chaos around him.

But inside, it wasn't indifference. It was tension. A gut feeling gnawed at him—this wasn't going to be just another mindless college trip.

Inara, on the other hand, had spent the entire morning convincing herself she wasn't looking for Qays. Ibrahim, she corrected herself silently. No, not looking. Just... aware of his presence. The fact that they ended up on the same bus wasn't fate—it was Siya's fault for dragging her in without giving her a chance to pick.

Siya, as usual, was all energy and mischief. "Yaar, tell me why Ibrahim looks like someone just stole his inheritance?" She snorted, nudging Inara. "Or maybe he's just mad that the 'mystery brooder' look isn't working on you."

Inara rolled her eyes. "Why would I care what works on him? And don't call him that. He's just... unnecessarily intense."

"Unnecessarily hot too," Siya added under her breath, grinning wickedly as Inara smacked her arm.

Meanwhile, from across the aisle, Ibrahim caught the tail end of their conversation. His eyes flickered toward them, expression unreadable. It wasn't the first time he'd noticed how Inara tried to maintain her distance—how she looked away quickly whenever their gazes accidentally met. Why did that bother him so much?

Maybe because she doesn't swoon over you like the others, a cruel voice inside whispered. Everyone got to choose their own bus—and as fate would have it, Ibrahim and Inara found themselves boarding the same one.

She didn't notice him at first, too caught up in finding seats with Siya and Aditi. But as the bus rolled forward, their eyes met briefly. A flicker of recognition. A flash of irritation from her end. And something unreadable in his.

The girls behind them were already whispering.

"Isn't that Ibrahim Malik? He's so mysterious, na?"

"I heard his family's loaded, but he doesn't even care about the attention."