Book #1 of Bounded series
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Sign the papers! She said
I'm not into child marriage Miss Mishra! Shaadi karke mujhe jail bhejne ka irada hai? His tone dripped with sarcasm.
"Can't you be serious with me at least for once Avyan?!!"
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅...
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I swear, karma is a clingy ex. It never forgets.
There was a time-not very long ago-when I, Daksh Mishra, would do anything to avoid Kritika. I'd find ways to vanish, slither out of rooms, leap over sofas just to escape her path. And now? Now, the tables had not only turned, they'd flipped, danced, and done a full backflip over my head. Because these days, the moment I saw her, my heart would leap like some overexcited puppy, and I'd run-towards her. Except... she'd run away.
Every. Single. Time.
And today was no exception.
I had spotted her across the hall, laughing at something Lily said, her eyes crinkling with that soft sparkle they always had. Her hair was tied in a loose bun, a few strands falling out like rebellious thoughts, brushing against her cheek with every movement. My legs moved before I could think, feet practically gliding as if pulled by some magnetic force.
But the moment her gaze flicked to mine-boom. Flight mode activated.
She didn't scream. She didn't scowl. She just... darted. Like a deer in headlights-no, scratch that. A deer that already knew the truck was coming.
"Chorni!" I called out instinctively, the nickname slipping from my mouth like muscle memory. She didn't pause. Didn't flinch. Just increased her pace like I was the plague.
I stopped in my tracks and ran a hand through my hair, letting out the most exasperated sigh known to mankind. Was this what irony tasted like? Bitter. Salty. And deeply annoying.
I watched her disappear around the corridor, her dupatta fluttering like a smug little flag of victory behind her. My heart sank lower than my GPA in 10th grade.
"Why? Why does the universe hate me so much?" I muttered under my breath.
I plopped myself dramatically on the couch in the corner of the living room, which had now become my designated sulking spot. The furniture probably hated me too by now.
I stamped my foot like a child who'd just been denied candy. Yes, I admit it. I'm a grown man throwing a tantrum. But you would too if the girl you liked kept ghosting you in broad daylight.
And there she was again-across the hall-talking to Vihaan, Lily, and Smridhi.
Chatting.
Laughing.
Existing.
With everyone.
Except me.
My pout deepened. I folded my arms, glaring at her like I was trying to set her on fire with sheer willpower. Did it work? No. Did I still try? Absolutely.
What annoyed me more was that she looked unaffected. Calm. Unbothered. Like my very presence didn't rattle her in the slightest. But then-maybe it did. Because even from here, I could see the slight pink tint spreading across her cheeks. The redness betrayed her.
