𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐁𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭

[34]

O kisi kaa to hoga hee too
Kyun naa tuje main hee jitun
Khule khaabon mein jeete hain jeete hain baavare...

Target : 27 votes and 25 comments

A/n : I would have written a longer chapter, but since the target wasn't completed, its a short one... (I'm getting demotivated 🙂)

Try to complete the target (both votes and comments)

Enjoy!

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Author's Pov

After walking for almost six hours-filled with light conversations, playful teasing, and secret glances-they had finally completed fifteen out of the sixteen kilometers.

Along the way, they'd passed dreamy sights like Jungle Chatti with its lush forest and waterfalls, the serene Bheembali, and the peaceful stretch of Rambara. Now, the anticipation of seeing the majestic Kedarnath temple was all that kept them going.

But Akshita's legs were beginning to give up, her calves trembling slightly with each step. A few feet ahead, Avyay walked on with determination, driven by his passion to complete the journey.

"Aree, do minute toh rukiye," Akshita called out breathlessly. "Warna humare pair yahin dum todh denge."

Avyay glanced back briefly, an amused chuckle escaping his lips. "Waise, vo aap hi thi na, jo keh rahi thi ki Kedarnath jaise dus trek aur kar sakti hain? That too without getting tired?"

"Hahaha, very funny!" she shot back, rolling her eyes so hard they could've popped out. Without warning, she grabbed his wrist and tugged him toward a bench placed beside the path.

He gasped in surprise but followed willingly, letting her rest. Taking off his backpack, he pulled out a water bottle and handed it to her.

She smiled at the gesture before downing half the bottle in one go.

"Aren't you tired?" she asked, watching him.

He shook his head. "Even if I am, it won't weaken my determination."

Akshita smiled, her gaze lingering on him longer than necessary. A quiet moment stretched between them, comfortable and full of unspoken things. Then she broke it.

"Thank you," she said softly.

Avyay turned to look at her, eyebrows slightly raised.

"For all the things you've done for me. And honestly... I don't think I could ever return these favours, even if I try."

She didn't sound fragile-she sounded proud. Grateful. Her voice was steady, her eyes full of a strange affection for the man who entered into her colourless life unexpectedly only to fill it with his colours.

Meanwhile, his chest ached at her words. His lashes fluttered as he tried to keep his emotions in check. Did she really still believe he was doing all this just out of obligation?

But he didn't let his turmoil show. Instead, he flashed a grin, masking the chaos within.

"I'm warning you, if you say something like that again, I'll ask Bhabhi to plan a honeymoon for us next time," he said with a teasing glint.

The moment the word 'honeymoon' left his lips, her cheeks flushed instantly. She looked away quickly, pretending she hadn't heard a thing.

Avyay was smiling on the outside, yet the ache within him couldn't be denied. It hurt him -physically-because he wasn't able to tell her about his heart-his longing for her, his love and care-And.... Why? What if his confession pushed her away? What if she didn't feel the same? He didn't want to ruin the friendship, or whatever it was that they shared right now.