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Noor's POV
The rain poured down without mercy, drenching me to the core as I stumbled back to camp, shivering and exhilarated.
My heart raced, not just from the cold but from the memory of something happened-the kiss.
I could still feel the warmth of Reyansh's lips against mine.
"What was that, Noor?" I exclaimed to myself, touching my lips, a smile breaking through the remnants of the chill.
I hugged myself tightly, lost in the sweet reverie of our kiss. But just like that, doubt crept in. Was it his mistake? My mind whirled with a torrent of conflicting thoughts.
I quickly changed out of my wet clothes, the fabric clinging to my skin as I peeled it off. The warmth of the camp tent enveloped me, but the uncertainty gnawed at my insides.
I crawled into my sleeping bag, the fabric crinkling around me as I tried to quiet my racing thoughts.
The next morning, the sun peeked through the clouds, casting a golden glow over the shimmering lake.
I sat at the water's edge, tossing pebbles into the lake, each plop echoing my mixed feelings. The beauty of Kashmir surrounded me, yet my heart was heavy with confusion.
"Good morning, Noor," Reyansh's voice broke through my thoughts, and I turned to find him standing there, a hesitant smile on his face.
"Morning," I replied, attempting to keep my tone light despite the weight of everything.
He fidgeted, looking down at his feet before meeting my gaze again. "About last night, I... I'm sorry."
I cut him off, unable to hold back my burning curiosity. "Was the kiss your mistake?"
His face paled, and he stammered, "N-no! I mean, you're thinking wrong. I just thought you-"
"Thought I what? That I didn't want it?" I interrupted, my voice rising.
His brows knitted together in confusion. "I just didn't want to make you uncomfortable."
"Uncomfortable?" I scoffed, throwing another pebble into the lake, watching the ripples spread out like the chaos in my mind.
"You think I was uncomfortable? I thought we shared something-something real."
His jaw tightened, frustration mingling with concern. "Noor, I didn't mean to-"
"Did you kiss anyone else? Was I just some fling?" I blurted out, my voice trembling.
He inhaled sharply, his eyes darkening with intensity. "You're my first kiss, okay? I've never thought about kissing anyone before."
The admission hung in the air between us, and for a moment, I felt a flicker of relief. "Then why are you sorry?"
"Because I thought you were uncomfortable with it!" he exclaimed, his voice rising.
I couldn't help but laugh, a mix of disbelief and exasperation. "So you're saying you kissed me and then regretted it?"
He hesitated, and I could see the gears turning in his mind. "No! I mean... yes? No! I didn't regret it. I just-"
I stepped closer, my heart pounding. "Then why were you apologizing?"
He swallowed hard, his gaze locked onto mine. "Because I thought you didn't want it. And I didn't want to push you."
I felt my heart drop at his words. I was so overwhelmed by everything that I just started hitting his chest playfully.
"Reyansh! It was my first kiss too! I'm not regretting it because I like you!"
His eyes widened, and for a moment, everything else faded away-the trees, the lake, the world around us.
"Repeat that," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I like you, Reyansh," I said, my heart racing as I took a step closer.
In an instant, he closed the distance between us, grabbing my nape with a fierce urgency. Our lips crashed together, a hungry collision that sent sparks flying. I melted into him, my hands tangling in his hair as I kissed him back with equal fervor.
In between kisses, he whispered, "I love you."
I gasped, pulling back just a fraction, my heart racing. "What?"
"I love you," he repeated, his eyes searching mine.
I tightened my grip on his hair, pulling him closer again. "Then why didn't you say so earlier?"
"I didn't want to scare you away," he confessed, his breath mingling with mine.
We broke apart, both breathless, and I felt a sudden wave of shyness wash over me. "But I want a proper proposal," I said, my voice teasing yet serious.
"But I won't accept it because... I don't love you. I like you."
His frown deepened, confusion etched across his features. "What kind of situation is this?"
I grinned, feeling a rush of boldness. "I'm Noor, and in my presence, anything can happen."
He chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. "You're impossible."
"I know," I replied, nudging him playfully.
He nodded toward the camp, a soft smile replacing his earlier frown. "Come on, we should head back."
As we walked side by side, a comfortable silence enveloped us, the tension of the morning fading with every step.
The sun glinted off the water, and for a moment, I felt like everything would be okay.
But deep down, I knew we were standing at the edge of something much bigger than either of us had realized. Something that would change everything.
Kashmir was beautiful, but it was nothing compared to what was blossoming between us.
As we approached the camp, I stole a glance at him, a grin breaking across my face. "So, do you think we'll get a chance to figure this out? Like, after the trip?"
Reyansh looked at me, his expression softening. "I hope so. I want to figure this out with you."
I felt a flutter in my chest at his words, the promise of something more lingering in the air. "Good, because I'm not going anywhere."
He chuckled, shaking his head as we stepped into the camp. The sounds of laughter and chatter filled the air, but in that moment, it felt like it was just the two of us against the world.
"Let's make the most of today," I said, nudging him again.
He nodded, a smile creeping onto his face. "Yeah. Let's make some last memories of Kashmir."
And as we joined our friends, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a wild adventure-one that would lead us to places we never expected.
Reyansh's POV
The crackling of the bonfire drew me into a bubble of warmth as I leaned back against the rough bark of a nearby tree. The night was velvet dark, with stars twinkling like scattered diamonds across the Kashmir sky.
I was lost in thoughts of Noor, the way her laughter danced through the air and how our lips had met not once, but twice.
A smile crept onto my face, softening my usually grumpy demeanor. I had confessed my feelings, but she had only smiled and said she liked me. It felt like a bittersweet victory.
Suddenly, the peaceful night shattered. "Noor! Noor!" Aarushi's voice rang out, frantic and echoing across the clearing.
My heart dropped. I shot upright, scanning the faces of students, teachers, and the shadows of the trees.
"What happened?" I demanded, my voice sharper than I intended. Aarushi's wide eyes flickered with panic.
"She's missing!"
"Where the hell you all were? Where was she last?" I barked, frustration boiling within me. It was ridiculous; how could she disappear so easily?
Aarav, standing beside Aarushi, stammered, "She was near the lake. We... we thought she was just taking pictures."
Dread settled like a stone in my stomach. I took off towards the lake, calling out her name.
"Noor! Noor!" The name echoed back to me, but the only response was the rustling of leaves and the croaking of frogs.
My heart raced as I reached the lake. The moonlight shimmered over the water, revealing nothing but stillness.
Then, I spotted a figure sprawled on the ground, partially hidden by the shadows.
"Noor!" I dashed forward, panic fueling my legs.
I knelt beside her, my hands trembling as I gently shook her shoulders.
"Noor, wake up!" She stirred slightly, her eyelids fluttering open, and I felt an overwhelming rush of relief mixed with fear.
"Reyansh?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
I wrapped my arms around her tightly, pulling her against me. "What happened?"
"I... I was trying to save a cat," she mumbled, her words tumbling out with a faint breath. "It was trapped under a big rock. I couldn't just leave it."
"You scared me Baby." My voice came out hoarse as I kissed her forehead, a gesture that felt both protective and tender. "You're okay now. Just breathe."
She nodded, though her grip on me tightened, as if she were afraid to let go. "I felt weak... and then everything went dark."
I held her for a moment longer, grounding myself in the warmth of her presence. "Let's get you back."
We stood up together, and I could feel her leaning slightly against me, her strength having yet to return. As we walked back towards the others, the atmosphere shifted.
The cheering and laughter of our classmates faded into a distant memory, replaced by a heavy silence that enveloped us.
Once we reached the bus, I spotted Aarushi and caught her gaze. "Take care of her," I instructed, my voice low but firm.
"Of course," she replied, her expression serious. "Noor, you scared us."
"I'm sorry," Noor mumbled, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
I settled into a seat, my heart still racing as I watched Noor sit with Aarushi. She leaned against the window, her eyes drifting closed for a moment.
I couldn't shake the worry gnawing at me. I had almost lost her tonight.
The bus jolted forward, and the tires crunched over the gravel road. The engine roared to life, but inside, the atmosphere remained hushed.
I could hear Aarushi softly murmuring soothing words to Noor, trying to coax her back to full strength.
Noor smiled weakly, but her eyes flickered to me, and I felt a rush of warmth. I knew she was grateful for my presence, even if she couldn't quite express it.
Aarav sat across from me, his brow furrowed. "You both had us worried."
"I know," I replied, my voice low. "But she's okay now."
"Lucky it was just a cat," he said, chuckling lightly. "Noor would do anything for those furballs."
Noor's face scrunched up in a mock pout. "They deserve to be saved, Aarav!" she protested. "Besides, I couldn't just leave it there."
"Next time, maybe don't go near big rocks alone?" I suggested, raising an eyebrow.
"Pfft," she waved her hand dismissively. "You're such a buzzkill, Sir."
"Better a buzzkill than a cat murderer," I snapped back, unable to hide my smirk.
"That's not even a thing!" she exclaimed, laughter bubbling up despite her earlier weakness.
It felt good to hear her laugh again, even if it was a little shaky. I leaned back in my seat, a sense of satisfaction washing over me.
The bus continued its journey, winding through the breathtaking landscapes of Kashmir. Snow-capped mountains stood tall in the distance, and the air felt crisp and invigorating.
I stole glances at Noor, who was now animatedly discussing her rescue mission with Aarushi, her energy slowly returning as she became engrossed in her storytelling.
"-and then I just pushed the rock!" she exclaimed, her hands flailing as she illustrated her heroic feat. "I didn't even think it would work, but there it was, the little furball, just looking up at me with those big eyes!"
I couldn't help but chuckle at her enthusiasm.
"So, you're a cat savior now, huh?" I teased, leaning forward slightly.
"Absolutely!" she replied, her eyes sparkling. "Next time, you should come with me. You could be my sidekick."
"Sidekick?" I raised an eyebrow. "I'm not sure how thrilled I am about that."
"Come on! You'd be the grumpy sidekick, and I'd be the chaotic heroine!"
"I prefer the term 'realist'," I countered, crossing my arms.
Aarushi jumped in. "Grumpy and chaotic sounds like a perfect combination!"
"It's a disaster waiting to happen," I shot back, but I couldn't hide the smile creeping onto my face.
Noor leaned back in her seat, her expression softening. "You know, Sir, you really do care."
I shrugged, playing it off. "It's just common sense to care about a students."
"Student?" she echoed, her tone teasing. "Is that all I am to you?"
What else was she expecting me to call her??? Uhm uhm naughty Noor.
"For now," I replied, feigning indifference while my heart raced.
"Just wait until I save another cat," she said, her eyes sparkling mischievously.
"Maybe I'll be too busy being the grumpy mathematician to notice."
The banter continued as we journeyed home, the silence of earlier now replaced with laughter and light-hearted teasing. The bus rattled along the winding roads, and I felt a sense of peace settle over me.
As we approached the college, the excitement in the air was palpable. Students were chatting animatedly, sharing stories from the trip, but I found my focus drifting back to Noor.
The way her eyes lit up when she spoke, the warmth of her laughter-it all intertwined with the chaos of my thoughts.
I glanced at her, and she caught my eye, a soft smile playing on her lips. In that moment, I felt a surge of something I couldn't quite place-hope, maybe, or perhaps a promise of more adventures to come.
She came near me and our eyes locked.
"Reyansh," she said suddenly, her voice serious. "Thank you for coming to find me."
I nodded, my expression softening. "I'll always come for you, Noor. No matter how chaotic things get."
Her smile widened, and in that moment, under the dim lights of the sky.
"By the way, choose one thing you're gonna call me." I said in a teasing tone.
"What do you mean?" her eyes narrowed.
"Well, I'm your professor and you're calling me reyansh. Bad manners Noor." I fake pouted.
"So what?? when no one is around I can call you whatever I want and no one can stop me. Okay grumpy Malhotra?" She said in her girl boss tone.
I chuckled , "Yeah Yeah you're right boss lady. Now let me drop you home." She smiled and nodded sheepishly.
I realized that chaos and grumpiness might just be the perfect blend for something beautiful.
The night was thick with silence as we drove through the empty streets, the only sound being the soft hum of the engine and the occasional rustle of leaves in the cool breeze.
Noor rested her head on my bicep, her warmth seeping through the fabric of my shirt. I could feel the steady rhythm of her breath, a comforting melody that made me forget everything else.
My fingers lightly gripped her hand, resting on the gear stick, each gentle squeeze a silent affirmation of our unspoken bond.
When we finally reached her house, the headlights of my car illuminated the path leading to her door. I turned off the engine, the sudden stillness enveloping us like a cozy blanket.
"Let me help you with your luggage," I offered, stepping out and moving to the trunk.
"No, it's fine, I can manage," she replied, a playful smile dancing on her lips as she pulled her suitcase out.
I leaned against the car, watching her with a mix of admiration and fondness. The moonlight cast a soft glow on her features, accentuating the way her hair fell in waves over her shoulders.
She turned to look back at me, and for a moment, the world around us faded away.
She walked towards me, her steps slow and deliberate. I assumed she had forgotten something in the car, and I instinctively looked inside, scanning the seats and floor.
"Did you leave your phone?" I called out, half-expecting her to shake her head and laugh.
But instead, she surprised me. She closed the distance between us in one swift movement, her hands wrapping around my shoulders as she pulled me in for a kiss.
I froze, caught off guard by the sudden surge of warmth and sweetness that enveloped me.
My mind raced, trying to process her boldness.
Why wasn't I responding?
I felt her frustration radiate through the kiss as she playfully slapped my shoulder, urging me to engage.
The sting of her touch snapped me back to reality, and I finally kissed her back, my heart racing as I melted into the moment.
Her lips were soft and insistent, a sweet urgency that sent sparks through me. I could taste the hint of mint from her gum, a flavor that would forever be etched in my memory.
Time seemed to stretch as we lost ourselves in each other, the world around us fading into a blur of shadows and whispers.
When we finally broke apart, breathless and wide-eyed, I murmured the words that had been lingering on my lips for too long.
"I love you." It felt right, the truth spilling from me like water from a cracked dam.
Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, and she smiled shyly, hiding her face behind her hair. Her reaction was everything I had hoped for, and the joy bubbling within me felt infectious.
"I... I have to go," she stammered, glancing back towards the house with a mix of excitement and bashfulness. "Before my mom starts wondering where I am."
I chuckled, watching her as she took a few steps back, her eyes still locked on mine. "Goodnight, Noor," I called out, my heart soaring as she turned to flee.
"Goodnight!" she shouted over her shoulder, laughter lacing her voice, and then she dashed toward her house, her silhouette illuminated by the porch light.
I leaned against my car, a smile plastered across my face, feeling like I was on top of the world.
As I slid back into the driver's seat, I couldn't help but replay the kiss in my mind, a sweet reminder of what was blossoming between us.
With the engine purring back to life, I drove home, the night air rushing through the open windows, carrying away the lingering taste of her lips. This was just the beginning, and I could hardly wait for what lay ahead.
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