Mafia's Heartbeat

15. Unbuckled Tension

A R J U N

I stopped in front of her apartment.

Honestly, I didn't want to.
I could've taken her home much earlier... But I didn't.

Instead I took four extra long cuts.
Deliberately.
Just to steal a few more minutes with my Little Panda.

Selfish?
Maybe. But when it comes to her... I am.

I glanced at her, my eyes tracing the soft curves of her face, the way her lips rested in that soft pout.

She looked peaceful. Too peaceful for the storm she left in me.

I had offered to take her for coffee.

She refused....said Meher was waiting. She promised we'd go some other time.

But those words.....they didn't satisfy the craving in my heart.
I wanted today.
I wanted now.

I wanted to sit across from her, hear her voice echo in a quite cafe, watch her smile over something stupid I said.

But I let her go.

Because when her soft puppy eyes met mine, full of apologies and silent promises, I lost all ability to be selfish....even though I already was.

She has no idea the power she holds over me.

"Thanks," she said softly, her voice like velvet, and reached to unbuckle her seatbelt.

But it didn't open.

She tugged again, frowning.

And inside me, a storm of happiness threatened to erupt.
Two more minutes. Fate was being kind to me tonight.

"Stop, Little panda.... " I said gently, leaning a bit closer. "Let me do it. You'll hurt yourself with those sharp nails."

My hand moved towards hers. She stilled. I could feel her breath hitch.
I could feel her gaze.... burning into the side of my face.

My fingers brushed against hers as I reached for the buckle.
A jolt passed through me at the contact.....so small, yet it made my entire body tense.

"Ah.... It's open," I muttered, trying to hide the weight in my voice.

She looked at me....eyebrows slightly furrowed, confusion dancing in her eyes. My expression must've slipped.

Damn.

I looked like a criminal caught red-handed for wanting a few more seconds with her.

"I....I mean....It's open now," I added quickly, forcing a shrug, trying to act casual.

"Yeah," she said, her response short, her tone unreadable.

She reached for the door handle to step out.

And.Suddenly-

"STOP?!" I exclaimed, louder than I meant to.

She flinched.... Hard.

Her hand flew to her chest, her eyes wide, heart likely hammering.

"Uhh.... What?" She asked, her voice shaky. "Why did you shout like that?"

Regret stabbed me instantly.

FUCK!

She got scared.

My hands instantly moved towards her, then halted in the air.
"I'm...I'm....sorry," I said quickly, softer now....much softer. "I didn't mean to scare you."