Chapter 113: chapter 113

SRUTHII apply the red lipstick on my lips like the YouTube tutorials suggest. Applying makeup is the hardest part of getting ready for this exhibition. For starters, I’m not great with makeup, and it’s only thanks to Nisha that I even have the right products. She’s the one who suggested these tutorials.I press my lips together and study the result. It’s perfect. I feel a small surge of confidence as I take in my reflection. I’m draped in a red saree with a black blouse that covers my shoulders and elbows, a subtle but elegant look. My hair is styled in a loose braid, framing my face just right.A soft knock sounds at my door, and I call out, “Come in.”The door swings open, and I turn to see Madhav, his expression shifting as he takes me in. He stops in his tracks, his breath catching. Mine does too, as I take in his attire—he’s wearing a sharp red blazer over a white shirt, paired with black pants. The color complements him so well, it’s almost unfair.His gaze sweeps over me, slowly, lingering in a way that sends a warm flush creeping up my cheeks. When his eyes settle on my lips, they pause, and I can almost read his thoughts.“Don’t even think about messing up the lipstick,” I warn him, raising an eyebrow. But I can see it only fuels the gleam in his eyes. He closes the distance between us, undeterred.With a gentle touch, he tucks a stray curl behind my ear, leaning in to murmur, “But I thought lipstick was made to be smudged.”I place a hand on his chest, laughing softly. “Not tonight. I didn’t spend half an hour getting it perfect just for you to ruin it in thirty seconds. I want everyone to see my amazing new makeup skills first.”He chuckles, pulling back with a mock sigh of disappointment. “So you’re saying you don’t want to kiss me?”I smirk, pretending to be unaffected. “Not right now.”He sighs and steps back, giving me a playful, puppy-eyed look. “Fine. But just so you know, I’m not going to kiss you again until you make the first move, Sruthi.”I blink, caught off guard. “What?”His eyes glint with mischief. “You heard me. Before we make our grand entrance tonight, I’ll make you want to kiss me. Let’s see how long you can hold out.”I narrow my eyes, refusing to back down. “Challenge accepted.”❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥I shouldn’t have accepted his challenge, because Madhav seems to know exactly how to tempt me. The minute he left to take a phone call and came back with a small velvet box, I should have known I was in trouble. Inside was a beautiful white stone necklace that shimmered perfectly against the red of my saree. I foolishly asked him to put it on me, and as his fingers grazed my neck, I felt my heartbeat skip. He leaned in, breathing in my scent, and whispered, “You look stunning tonight, Sruthi.”I could hear the sincerity in his voice, so deep and gentle that I found myself momentarily lost in it.When it was finally time to leave for the exhibition, he stopped at the door and suggested with a smirk, “Take your lipstick with you. Just in case.”Against my better judgment, I dropped it into my bag.The entire drive to the venue, he kept the conversation light, his words carefully chosen to draw my attention to his mouth, to his teasing smile. Every so often, he’d glance at me, the hint of a smirk tugging at his lips. I gripped the seatbelt tightly, reminding myself not to do something impulsive.Finally, we arrive, and the car rolls to a stop. The moment he parks, I unbuckle my seatbelt and start to reach for the door, desperate for some fresh air and distance. But he’s faster, already at my door as I open it.He gives me that wicked smile, leaning down to murmur in my ear, “Have an amazing night, my dear.”His fingers hover just millimeters from my lips, as if he’s about to trace them with a finger—but at the last second, he pulls away. I exhale a shaky breath, trying to collect myself. But as I start to walk away, his voice echoes loudly across the otherwise empty parking lot.“You look like an angel straight out of heaven, Sruthi… or maybe one from hell, with eyes that kill me and lips that make me want to get down on my knees.”My eyes widen, and I whip around, hissing, “Madhav! What are you doing?”A couple of cars pull into the parking lot, their headlights illuminating us briefly. In a panic, I grab him by the wrist and tug him into a shadowy corner, out of the bright lights. Our outfits are so vibrant that we’re sure to draw attention if we stay out there.“What?” he asks, his face an innocent mask, even as his eyes sparkle with mischief.“You’re being a public nuisance,” I whisper-yell, placing a hand over his mouth to keep him from saying anything else embarrassing. His eyes dance with amusement, and he mumbles something against my palm that I can’t quite catch.“What was that?” I ask, removing my hand.He leans in close, his voice barely above a whisper, “I said, I was just complimenting you.”His voice is deep and smooth, and the nearness of him—his scent, the warmth radiating from his skin—makes it impossible to hold onto my composure. His face is just inches from mine, his breath warm against my cheek. Every nerve in my body is suddenly hyper-aware of him, of the way his gaze drifts to my lips, daring me to give in.“You’re impossible,” I murmur, trying to sound annoyed, but the words come out softer than I intend.He doesn’t move. He doesn’t need to. The tension hanging between us is thick enough to drown in, and I feel myself leaning forward before I can stop. My lips find his, soft and warm, and he responds instantly, his hands sliding around my waist to pull me closer. The world around us fades into nothing, leaving just the heat of his kiss, the thrill of giving in.When I pull back, slightly breathless, he looks at me with that familiar, smug smile. But there’s a warmth in his eyes too, something softer, unguarded.“Looks like I won,” he murmurs, his voice teasing.I roll my eyes, even as a smile tugs at my lips. “You’re still impossible.”He grins, taking my hand as we head toward the exhibition hall. “And you still love it.”I don’t respond. I don’t have to. The warmth of his hand in mine says enough.❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥A/N:So, I am planning to write an author note at the end of this series like I usually do but this time I am thinking to answer any questions you have for me. If you have questions as to my stories or want to know something else like what inspired me to write and things like that....you can DM me or ask in the review section. I will address your queries in the final note.Hope all are doing good!With love and regards, -H S Ragavi