Chapter 6: Cracks in the Armor

Ananya

After Aarav drove away, I stood rooted to the spot, his words echoing in my mind.

Because you're mine.

What did he mean by that? Was it the overprotective behavior of an older brother figure—though, let's be real, Aarav had never treated me like a sister—or was it something deeper, something I wasn't ready to acknowledge?

The thought made my stomach flip, but I shoved it aside as I trudged back to where Priya was waiting.

"What happened?" she asked, practically buzzing with curiosity.

I groaned, sitting down beside her. "Aarav."

"Let me guess—he came to glare at Rohit?"

"Basically," I muttered, picking at the grass. "He's so... infuriating! He acts like he owns me."

Priya raised an eyebrow. "Does he, though?"

"What?"

"Own you. You're so worked up about him, Ananya. It's not like this is the first time he's been all... Aarav-ish." She smirked at her own phrasing. "Admit it—he gets under your skin."

I glared at her, but she wasn't wrong. Aarav did get under my skin. But what frustrated me even more was that I wasn't entirely sure if it was in a good or bad way.

Aarav

When I returned to the office, I tried to throw myself into work, but it was pointless. My mind was still at the college, still stuck on the way Ananya had looked at me—her big, expressive eyes wide with disbelief, confusion, and maybe even a hint of something softer.

I sighed, leaning back in my chair and running a hand through my hair. This girl was driving me insane.

A knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts. My younger cousin, Karan, poked his head in, his trademark grin in place.

"Busy, bhai?"

"Always," I replied, though there was no real edge to my tone.

He stepped in, plopping down on the chair across from me. "You've been distracted lately. Let me guess—it's about her."

I shot him a warning look, but Karan was unfazed.

"I'm just saying," he continued, shrugging, "if you're going to marry her, maybe try not to scare her off first."

I leaned forward, narrowing my eyes at him. "Who says I'm scaring her off?"

Karan laughed. "You mean aside from the way you stalk her, glare at any guy who talks to her, and bark orders like she's an employee instead of, you know, a person?"

I opened my mouth to retort but found that I couldn't. Karan's words hit too close to home.

"I'm not... barking orders," I muttered, though even I didn't believe it.

Karan just smirked, standing up. "Whatever helps you sleep at night, bhai. Just remember—girls like Ananya aren't used to your level of intensity. Play it smart."

With that, he walked out, leaving me to stew in my thoughts.

Ananya

By the time I got home, I was exhausted—not just physically but emotionally. Dealing with Aarav always left me feeling like I'd run a marathon.

"Anu, dinner is ready!" Mom called from the kitchen as I dropped my bag in the hallway.

"Coming!" I replied, heading to the dining room.

To my surprise, Dad was already sitting at the table, which was rare. He smiled as I walked in, patting the chair next to him.

"How was college?" he asked as I sat down.

"Good," I said automatically, not wanting to get into the whole Aarav situation.

But Dad wasn't fooled. His sharp eyes studied me, and after a moment, he leaned in. "You're hiding something."

I groaned. "Why do you always know?"

"It's my job," he said with a grin. "Now, spill."

I hesitated, then blurted out, "Aarav came to college today."

Dad's eyebrows shot up. "Aarav? At your college? Why?"

"To... I don't know, warn me about Rohit or something. He's so bossy, Dad. It's like he thinks I can't handle myself."

Dad chuckled, but there was a knowing gleam in his eyes. "He cares about you, Anu."

I huffed. "He has a funny way of showing it."

"Men like Aarav aren't good with feelings," Dad said gently. "They show their care through actions, not words. He's always been like that."

His words stuck with me as I ate my dinner, a quiet little voice whispering in my mind.

Was Aarav's protectiveness really his way of showing he cared? And if it was... what did that mean for us?

Aarav

That night, I couldn't get Ananya out of my head.

I paced my bedroom, the image of her face—soft and stubborn, innocent and fiery—all I could see. Her voice, her laugh, her everything... it consumed me.

I knew I had crossed lines today. Showing up at her college, warning her off that boy... it wasn't rational. But when it came to Ananya, I wasn't rational.

I picked up my phone, staring at her name in my contacts.

Don't call her, I told myself.

But my thumb was already hitting the dial button.

The phone rang twice before she answered, her voice soft and hesitant. "Hello?"

"Ananya," I said, my voice rougher than I intended.

There was a pause, then, "What is it, Aarav?"

I took a deep breath. "I just... wanted to check if you're okay."

Her silence stretched on, and I wondered if I had gone too far. But then she said, "I'm fine."

Her tone was softer now, less guarded, and it sent a strange warmth through me.

"Good," I said quietly. "Goodnight, Ananya."

"Goodnight, Aarav."

I ended the call, a small, satisfied smile tugging at my lips.

She didn't hate me. At least, not completely.

And for now, that was enough.