Head over Heels ☑️

Chapter 31 - Khushi

18+ Mature Audience Only.

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Khushi's phone rang almost instantly. She slapped a hand to her chest, trying to calm the frantic beating of her heart.

"Yes, Arnav-ji?"

"Khushi... what's going on?"

Her brain scrambled for an excuse. "Oh, um... I forgot my phone, so I had to turn back."

"...But we're talking right now."

Khushi nearly cursed. "I just found it! Phew. That would've been bad. Ha ha..." Her forced laugh echoed in the hallway like a dying car engine.

Another beat of silence. "Alright, I'm in the parking lot."

"I know! I'll be right out." She hastily cut the call before she could dig her grave any deeper.

Peeking through the glass walls, she spotted his sleek, familiar car gleaming under the sun. And a sea of students loitering near the entrance. Nope. She was not about to walk past them and risk being seen getting into his car if she could help it.

With quick strides, she took the longer route, sneaking around the perimeter like a fugitive dodging the authorities. By the time she reached the parking lot from the other side, she was slightly breathless but victorious.

"Arnav-ji!" she whispered urgently, already yanking at the car door handle—only to find it locked.

Arnav, who had been glancing at his phone, turned at the sound of her voice. His brows lifted slightly in surprise before a slow, devastating smile curled his lips.

Heat shot up her face. The part of her forehead visible to him, peeking over the car, turned the brightest shade of crimson as she crouched, her heart fluttering at his wordless warmth while anxiety prickled at the thought of someone seeing her.

"Shall we go?" she muttered, tugging harder at the handle, the clanking sound growing increasingly impatient.

The car unlocked the moment he opened his own door. She dove inside, sinking into her seat like a criminal evading capture.

The moment Arnav slid in beside her, his familiar scent engulfed her—mint, citrus, something distinctly him. It was baffling how instantly soothing it was. The ache she had shoved deep down threatened to rise to the surface, and she let it, her fight leaving her as she drank in the sight of him.

Arnav shifted in his seat, turning slightly to face her, his gaze dancing with amusement. "So eager to be alone with me."

Her guilt flared at his words... but was quickly replaced by an explosion of butterflies when he leaned in, his eyes flickering down to her lips as he captured her mouth with his.

Khushi's brain flatlined as his warm hands framed her face, tilting her just so as his mouth moved against hers—fiery, demanding, yet achingly tender. A soft gasp escaped her as her fingers found his jaw, the delicious scrape of his stubble against her skin making her toes curl.

God, she had missed this. Missed him.

Just before her eyes fluttered shut, she caught sight of the lingering students, their curious gazes still fixed on the car. Her eyes widened, and she wrenched her lips free.

"What are you doing?!" she gasped, her face burning with mortification. "People can see us!"

Arnav barely looked fazed. In fact, if anything, his gaze was lazier, darker, still trained on her mouth like he was considering round two.