Chapter 10: Fights, Forgiveness, and Fiery Nights
The Chennai night was heavy with the threat of rain, the air thick with the scent of wet earth and jasmine from the neighbor's garden. Divya sat cross-legged on her bed, her phone silent but her mind anything but. Her heart, usually a *thaka-thaka* dance when she thought of Arjun, was now a tangled knot of frustration. Their perfect date at the Mahabalipuram resort—complete with her teasing in that black bodycon dress and their stolen car kisses—felt like a distant dream after their first real fight earlier that day.
It had started small, as fights often do. They'd been texting about wedding plans—her wanting a simple ceremony, him mentioning his parents' push for a "grand but tasteful" event. Divya, fiercely protective of their "us," snapped when he seemed to side with his amma's idea of inviting 200 relatives. "Arjun, I thought we were doing this *our* way," she'd texted, her fingers flying. "If you're just gonna nod to your parents, why am I even here?"
His reply had been defensive: *"Divya, I'm trying to balance everyone. You think I want a circus? Chill, okay?"* The "chill" had set her off, and their call ended with her saying, "Maybe I need space," before hanging up. Now, hours later, she regretted her sharp words but was too stubborn to text first. *Aiyo, Divya, why did you make it a big deal?* she thought, tossing her phone aside, her silk nightgown slipping off one shoulder.
A soft tap on her balcony door jolted her from her thoughts. Her heart raced— she saw Arjun's silhouette through the curtain, his familiar messy hair and sheepish grin. He was in a black t-shirt and jeans, holding a small paper bag that smelled like filter coffee. She flung open the door, her eyes wide with a mix of shock and annoyance. "Arjun!"He slipped inside, closing the door quietly, his grin fading into a softer, apologetic look.
"Ma, I couldn't sleep knowing you're mad at me," he said, his voice low. "I messed up. Let's solve this in bed, okay?" His tone was playful, but his eyes held a heat that made her pulse quicken.
Divya crossed her arms, her nightgown accentuating her curves, trying to hold onto her irritation. "Oh, so you think you can just sneak in, say something cheeky, and I'll forget everything? Not so easy, man." But her lips twitched, betraying her.He stepped closer, setting the coffee bag on her desk, his gaze never leaving hers. "I'm sorry, Divya," he said, his voice sincere. "I wasn't siding with my parents. I want what you want—us, our way. I just got caught up trying to keep everyone happy. But you're my priority. Always."
Her heart softened, the knot loosening. "You should've said that earlier instead of 'chill,'" she said, her voice softer now, a teasing edge creeping in. "But fine, you're here, so maybe I'll forgive you... if you make it up to me." She raised an eyebrow, her playful side resurfacing, her nightgown slipping further, revealing the curve of her shoulder.
Arjun's eyes darkened, a slow smile spreading. "Oh, I'll make it up to you, darling," he murmured, closing the gap between them. The moonlight streaming through the window cast soft shadows, turning her room into their own private world. He reached out, his fingers brushing her bare shoulder, sending a shiver through her. "You're killing me in this nightgown," he said, his voice rough with desire.
She tilted her head, her kohl-lined eyes gleaming with mischief. "Good," she purred, stepping closer, her body brushing his. "Let's see how much trouble I can cause, honey." Her fingers trailed up his chest, teasingly tugging at his t-shirt, her touch deliberate and provocative.He inhaled sharply, his hands finding her waist, pulling her flush against him.
"You're dangerous, darling," he whispered, his breath warm against her ear. He kissed her, not the gentle kisses of their past, but something fiercer, hungrier, a fire sparked by their fight and the need to reconnect. Her lips parted, meeting his with equal intensity, her hands sliding into his hair, tugging gently as she pressed closer, the silk of her nightgown sliding against his shirt.
