20. Let Me Spoil You

Shaurya

I stood there, frozen, my heart pounding in my chest. What just happened?

I called her name again, but she didn't turn back. She didn't even acknowledge me. She just kept walking, almost like she couldn't hear me, her steps steady, purposeful. My pulse raced, panic flooding my veins. I ran after her, trying to catch up, but she was already inside the bathroom, locking the door behind her.

What the hell did I do wrong?

I stood there for a moment, my mind a blur of confusion. Everything had felt so perfect between us. We'd shared something special. She'd been there with me, not just physically, but emotionally. I could feel it in every touch, every glance. The way her body had softened when I held her. The way her eyes had sparkled when I kissed her forehead. It felt real—felt like we were building something, something genuine.

I thought we were on the same page.

She got jealous when other girls looked at me, I remembered. She was angry when I spoke to another girl when I was supposed to be with her. Those weren't the emotions a friend has for another friend, right? That had to mean something more. I'd thought that... I'd thought that she wanted this, too. Wanted me.

She had called me her Shaurya today. Her eyes lit up when I told her I was falling for her, and I saw the warmth in her smile. It wasn't just words. It wasn't just a passing moment. I saw the same feelings reflected in her eyes. I'm falling for you, too—I thought she felt that, too.

But now? Now she was shutting me out. And it felt like she was pushing me away, like I did something wrong.

Did I misread her feelings? I thought back to the times we spent together, how she seemed happy when we were close, how she let me in. How she'd allowed me to get this close. I couldn't believe I had misread that, but now... I was questioning everything. Maybe I had. Maybe I'd misunderstood her, misinterpreted the signs.

I walked over to the bathroom door, my hands pressing against it. My chest felt tight, like there was a weight on it that I couldn't shake off. "Ananya," I whispered softly, my voice thick with desperation. "Please, talk to me. Let me understand. What's going on?"

I could hear her inside, but she didn't answer. The silence only made the anxiety twist deeper in my gut. I took a few steps back, running a hand through my hair. What if I've lost her? What if the closeness we had wasn't real to her? What if I had misjudged everything, and I'd ruined it before it even had a chance to bloom?

No. I couldn't think like that. I had to talk to her. I had to figure out what had changed.

I couldn't just stand here. I needed answers. She was slipping away from me, and I wasn't about to let her go without knowing why. Without knowing if there was a way for us to fix this.

I glanced toward the stairs, and then quickly moved toward the front door. I needed air, I needed space to think, but more than that... I needed to find her. I needed to understand.

Because, damn it, I wasn't ready to give up on her yet. I can never give up on her.

I can't be.

With all those thoughts running through my mind, I walked out of the house. The air outside was cool, but it didn't do anything to calm the storm inside me. I looked around, the familiar trees standing tall, but somehow everything felt unfamiliar, like a maze I couldn't escape from.

I had brought her here, thinking we'd finally get some time alone, time to be ourselves. I wanted to share something special with her, away from the world. But now, it felt like I was the last person she wanted to be around.

I started walking aimlessly, my feet crunching the fallen leaves beneath me. The trees, once comforting, now seemed like silent witnesses to the chaos in my head. The day had slipped away so fast, and now, the sun had already set, leaving only shadows. It was getting harder to see clearly, each step into the darkness adding to the weight of my confusion.

Should I stay here? I thought. Maybe just wait till morning? But something gnawed at me, a voice telling me I couldn't stay here. I couldn't leave her alone.

I stopped in my tracks, my mind racing. I could feel the cold creeping in, but that wasn't what made me shiver. It was the thought of her alone in the house, not knowing where I was, and the panic that gripped my chest. She was unfamiliar with this place. The last thing I wanted was for her to feel lost, and scared, without me there to protect her.

What if something happens to her? The thought gripped me so tightly that it sent a shiver down my spine.

I turned around and started walking back towards the house, faster now. The fear of her being alone overtook everything else. It didn't matter what had happened, what she was feeling. I needed to make sure she was safe.

I couldn't be away from her like this. Not now. Not when I knew she needed me.

"Shaurya!"

My heart stopped for a split second as her voice sliced through the air. Her scream was laced with agony and fear, and the sheer terror in it sent a jolt through my entire being. No, not her, I thought desperately. Please, no.

I didn't waste a second. My legs moved instinctively, adrenaline pumping through my veins, pushing me to run as fast as I could toward the sound of her voice.

"Ananya!" I shouted, my voice cracking from the intensity of my fear. I had to reach her. I had to make sure she was okay.

It felt like an eternity, but finally, after what felt like endless moments of panic, I saw her. There she was, standing in the darkness, her face pale, her body trembling. Relief hit me like a wave as I rushed towards her without a second thought.

"Shaurya," she whispered, her voice a mixture of relief and desperation.

I didn't hesitate. She reached out to me with trembling hands, and before I knew it, she was in my arms, clinging to me like her life depended on it. I could feel her shaking, her body quivering against mine, and a sense of helplessness washed over me. I pulled her closer, pressing her to me as tightly as I could, trying to shield her from whatever fear had overwhelmed her.

I ran my hands over her back, soothing her as best as I could. I kissed her hair gently, my lips brushing against her soft locks. I murmured comforting words, anything to calm her down.

"It's okay, Ananya," I whispered, my voice hoarse. "I'm here, I've got you."

I felt her breath begin to slow, her frantic heartbeat easing in rhythm with mine. Slowly, her trembling subsided, and I could feel her body relax in my arms.

But I didn't want to let her go. Not now. Not after the fear I saw in her eyes.

I just held her, wishing I could take away whatever had caused that scream, whatever had made her so afraid.

"Where did you go alone at this time? Do you even realize how scared I was? What were you thinking, ha? Did you think of yourself as Torzon who knows everything about the jungle, ha?"

Her voice was filled with frustration, but it was also soft, like the voice of a child angry at her favorite toy being taken away. She was hitting my chest with her small fists, each blow feeling surprisingly sharp despite how gentle her nature was.

And yet, even with the fire in her eyes, the way she looked at me, teary-eyed and upset, tugged at something deep inside. God, I can't stay mad at her, I thought.

I gently grabbed her wrists, holding both her hands in mine, and pulled her into my chest. She wiggled at first, trying to pull away, but after a few moments, she finally relaxed and pressed her cheek against me. The tension in my chest eased as her small arms wrapped around my torso, holding me like I was her anchor. I kissed the top of her head, her hair soft against my lips, and we stayed like that for a while. Just holding each other.

"I'm sorry, Ananya. I... I shouldn't have let you go off like that. You just ran away, and I didn't know what I was doing." My voice was low, sincere, and full of regret.

She nodded silently, tightening her grip around me, and for the first time that night, I felt her body relax in my arms. The overwhelming fear I felt earlier started to fade, replaced by the warmth of having her this close, like everything was going to be okay.

After a few moments, I pulled back slightly, breaking the hug. She looked at me with those big, confused eyes, waiting for what I was going to say next.

"Let's go back and talk," I said, my voice softer, though I couldn't suppress a fake glare. "This time, no running, okay?"

She nodded like a child who had been caught doing something mischievous. I bit my inner cheek, trying to hold back a smile, but it was impossible. She was just so... her. And that was more than enough for me.

We both walked back to the wooden house, our fingers intertwined, and settled onto the same couch where things had gotten heated earlier. The air between us was different now—softer, calmer, and filled with a strange warmth that neither of us could deny.

I let out a small sigh, still holding her hand. "We're okay, right?" I asked, looking down at her.

She met my gaze, her eyes softening, and nodded. "Yeah, we're okay."

And for the first time in a long time, I felt like everything was exactly where it was meant to be.

"Now tell me. Why did you run away like that?" I asked, holding her hands gently in mine, my thumbs moving in slow, soothing circles across the back of her palms. I needed to understand what was going through her mind.

She seemed lost in her thoughts for a moment, before looking up at me, her eyes filled with a kind of fear and hesitation. "The person you are falling in love with is not me, Shaurya," she said, her voice soft but heavy with sorrow.

I frowned, confused by her words, but I didn't interrupt. I just waited, patiently, for her to explain further.

"The Ananya you see daily is not the real me. Those clothes, those intellectual interview questions, none of them are me," she continued, her words full of anguish. My heart clenched as I processed what she was saying. Is this about the interviews? The persona she puts on for the cameras? She thinks I like that?

I leaned in slightly, my grip tightening on her hands, though I kept my voice calm. "But I don't love you for that, Ananya," I said, speaking slowly, carefully. "I'm falling for the Ananya who jogs with me in the morning, the girl who makes coffee for me, the girl who talks to me for hours under the moonlight, the girl who gets jealous of my girl fans, the girl who declared me as hers with full confidence this morning, the girl who fought those goons to save an innocent... I'm in love with that Ananya."

Her eyes filled with tears, and before I could say anything more, they started falling—one after another, like a waterfall. It broke me to see her like this, and without thinking, I gently wiped the tears from her cheeks with my thumb, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

She rested her cheek against my chest, her body trembling slightly as she let out a small sob. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close, caressing her hair, and whispered soft words of comfort.

"I'm here, Ananya," I murmured. "You don't have to hide from me. I love you, just the way you are."

Her hands tightened around my waist, and I could feel her breath start to slow as she relaxed into my arms. I wasn't going to let her go, not until she understood that everything about her—the real her—is what I wanted. It always had been.

I would prove that to her, no matter what it took.

"Will you leave me if you come to know about me hiding something from you in the future?" Her voice was tinged with fear, and I could feel her hands gripping my shirt tighter, as if she was afraid that if she loosened her hold, I would slip away from her.

The fear in her voice stung, but I remained calm. I didn't want her to feel like she had to hold anything back from me. "Not until it's something that can affect our relationship," I said, my voice steady but filled with sincerity. "I will wait for you to tell me everything, and I won't leave you until you're loyal to me and our relationship."

I could see her relax a little at my words, though the worry still lingered in her eyes. I understood it. Everyone has their own share of secrets, and I didn't expect her to reveal everything right away. I just needed her to trust me enough to open up when she was ready.

"So, are we in a relationship now?" I asked with a teasing smile, trying to lighten the mood. She slapped my chest lightly, and I couldn't help but chuckle at her reaction.

"Yes," she whispered so quietly that I almost didn't hear it, but in the silence of the room, I caught the soft sound of her affirmation. My heart swelled with happiness, and a smile spread across my face.

I pulled her closer, feeling the warmth of her body pressed against mine, and couldn't resist the urge to tease her just a little. My fingers traced circles on her back, just light enough to send shivers down her spine.

"You know, I still can't believe you said yes," I whispered, my lips brushing against her ear. "You sure about this? Because I might just spoil you rotten."

She pulled back just a little to look at me, her cheeks flushed and her eyes sparkling with that familiar playfulness I adored. "Spoil me, huh?" she said, raising an eyebrow. "I'm not sure you can handle me, Shaurya."

A laugh escaped me, and I pulled her back into my chest, my arms snug around her waist. "Oh, I can handle you. Trust me," I said, my voice low and teasing, my lips grazing the top of her head. "You might even like it."

Her breath caught at my words, and I couldn't help but smile as I felt a slight tremor in her body. "You think so?" she asked, her voice teasing now, a hint of challenge in it. "Let's see if you can live up to all that talk."

I chuckled softly, leaning down to brush my lips against her neck, savoring the soft skin there. "I don't have to prove anything to you, Ananya," I murmured. "But I will if you want me to."

She looked up at me, her eyes filled with mischief, and I could see that familiar fire burning there. Her fingers traced the lines of my shirt as if she were trying to memorize every inch of me. "But don't think you're the only one who can spoil someone."

I raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in my chest. "Is that so?" I asked, letting my hands slip around her waist, pulling her even closer, until I could feel her heartbeat match mine. "You plan on spoiling me too? Because I warn you, I'm hard to spoil."

Her lips quirked up at the corners, a teasing smile dancing on her lips. "I'm up for the challenge," she said, her voice light, but I could sense the depth behind her words, the connection we shared growing stronger with every breath.

"Is that a promise?" I asked, my lips inches from hers, savoring the teasing game we were playing.

She leaned in just enough to brush her lips against my cheek, a soft, lingering kiss that had me groaning quietly in response. "Maybe," she whispered, pulling back slightly but keeping her hands firmly planted on my chest. "But I think I'll make you wait for it."

I let out a low chuckle, my arms tightening around her in a gentle yet possessive hold. "You know, I think that might just drive me crazy," I said, my voice thick with desire.

Her eyes locked with mine, and for a moment, there was silence between us. A kind of quiet understanding, like we both knew exactly what the other was feeling. Her smile softened, and she placed her hand over my heart, her touch sending a warmth spreading through my chest. "You already drive me crazy, Shaurya," she said, her voice almost teasing but with an undeniable sincerity underneath.

She sighed, a soft sound of both frustration and desire, and it made my heart race. She was always so damn captivating when she was teasing me, but I was done playing games for now. I wanted her to know exactly how I felt.

I cupped her face, gently lifting her chin, and met her eyes with a look that was all sincerity. "But one thing is for sure, Ananya... I'm crazy about you. I've never been more sure about anything in my life."

Her eyes softened, the teasing edge disappearing as she gazed at me with that vulnerability I'd grown to love. "Shaurya," she whispered, the emotion in her voice making my chest tighten. She closed the distance between us, her lips pressing softly to my forehead as if sealing everything we'd just said without needing any more words.

I smooched her face, letting all the pent-up feelings, affection, and love flow through me, and when we finally pulled away, I smiled down at her. "You're mine, Ananya. And I'm never letting you go."

Her smile matched mine, her hands now tracing the contours of my chest. "I think I'm starting to believe that," she whispered, her eyes full of warmth and love. "I think you might actually be capable of spoiling me."

I raised an eyebrow playfully, brushing a lock of hair from her face. "Capable? Sweetheart, I will spoil you, and you'll love every second of it."

She laughed softly, her fingers gently tracing my jawline. "I'd love to spoil you too,"

"Gladly, Anya," I pulled her onto my lap, brushing my lips against her earlobe.