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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"I'm here to give Khushi Kumari Gupta her hall ticket."
The silence that followed was deafening. The professor stood frozen, mouth slightly agape, his gaze flickering between Khushi and Arnav.
Khushi could feel the weight of close to fifty stares drilling into her back as she made her way down the aisle. Her steps were unsteady, legs trembling as though she were walking up to collect her graduation certificate—the kind of spotlight she had no desire to be in.
Arnav smiled slowly when their eyes met, his expression a mix of calm satisfaction and quiet relief - looking altogether too pleased with himself, standing there in all his Ralph Lauren glory.
"All the best," he murmured, low enough that only she could hear, handing her the envelope. "I'll wait for you to get done."
Khushi looked up at him, but the words caught in her throat. She simply nodded and waited until he turned and left, the door clicking shut behind him.
The professor cleared his throat, loudly. "Please resume your seat. We'll begin in a few minutes."
Immensely grateful that her professor wasn't the prying sort, she rushed back to her seat, her thoughts racing like wildfire.
Gauri's wide-eyed stare was laced with shock-and unmistakable curiosity. Sliding into her seat, Khushi offered her a weak, sheepish smile. Gauri's responding look was as clear as day: you-have-some-explaining-to-do.
Murmuring a quick prayer to Devi Mayya, Khushi drew in a shaky breath and turned her attention back to the front, just as the professor began distributing the question papers.
Making sure the professor's attention was elsewhere, Khushi quickly slipped out her phone and typed a message:
Arnav-ji, thank you so much for bringing the hall ticket—you're the best! Unfortunately, I have to prepare for the next exam, which is right after this. Please head back home. But if you're free later, let's meet at 5–North Italia?
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