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I laughed nervously, trying to hide the butterflies fluttering in my stomach.

Wait, what the hell is happening to me?

As he walked, I became more and more aware of the fact that my body was pressed tightly against his. I could feel his heat radiating through his shirt, seeping into my skin, and sending a shiver down my spine.

I pulled my head away from his neck, laughing nervously, and patted his back. "Okay, put me down now."

He shook his head, a silent no, "You said you can't walk," he reminded me, continuing to walk without setting me down. The warmth of his body against mine sends a thrill through me, my heart quickening with his proximity.

As he continued to walk, I could feel every muscle in his back shifting with each step, and I found myself unable to look away from the way the muscles rippled under his shirt. I pushed back the urge to bury my face in his neck again and inhale his familiar scent.

Clearing my throat, I spoke, "Yeah, but my energy is back, I can even run now." I could feel the vibration from his body as he laughed. He tightened his hold on my legs, making sure I was secure on his back.

"Now, we don't want to tire your legs. Do we?" His playful voice sounded, and I could sense the smirk from his voice. My already red cheeks got more flushed.

I closed my eyes.

Put me down before I lose my control and do more crazy things.

Being near you is becoming dangerous for me now. I'm doing things I could never imagine.

"Advik." I tried to keep my voice serious.

He laughed but gently and slowly putting me down until my feet landed on the soft grass. I didn't dare to look at him, was too flustered for that, so instead, I kept walking ahead.

My mind was foggy with things, and I couldn't help but dwell on my thoughts while walking straight.

"Wait." I heard his voice and turned around to find him looking at me with amusement in his eyes as he came near. He chuckled and took a step closer to me, his eyes roaming over my form.

"What?" I asked, keeping a straight face.

"That's the wrong way."

I stared at him, mentally facepalming myself.

Meeting his ocean-blue eyes, I replied sternly, "I know that. I was just...exploring."

The corner of his lips tugged into a smile, and he muttered, "Of course."

I diverted my eyes and pushed past him, taking a different route. His faint chuckle echoed behind me as he followed.

After a while, something caught my eye. "Hey, look over there. I found it!" I exclaimed, dashing towards the towering oak tree to inspect its branches, where a yellow flag fluttered.

I jumped but couldn't reach it. It was too far away and could only be untied by climbing the tree. Feeling the urge to conquer it, I put my hands on the tree, ready to climb up.

"Wait. What do you think you are doing?" He appeared beside me, holding my wrist and stopping me.

"Climbing up. I know how to climb." I said, proudly with a smile. The confidence dripped from my voice.

He sighed, "I know you know it. But... you don't know how to climb down."

I took in his words.

He was right.

But the excitement to climb up the tree was too much.

I glanced at the Flag and then at him. Shrugging casually, I replied, "I will just jump."

He raised his eyebrow slightly, and his grip on my wrist tightened, "You are not going to do that."

I narrowed my eyes at him, "You can't tell me what to do."

He ran his hair through his soft hair in annoyance, looking at the tree, and then his grip on my wrist loosened a bit, but he didn't leave my wrist.

Locking his eyes with mine, he spoke calmly, "Ria, we will find another way to get it. Don't hurt yourself."

"I won't. I know it. Just wait and watch." I smiled sweetly making him sigh again.

"You are too stubborn. Aren't you?" He then let go of my wrist and stepped back, "Go ahead. But if you get stuck there, I won't help. I will just walk away leaving you alone."

"I don't even need your help," I replied smugly, flipping my hair back and looking ahead with determination running in my veins. He went and leaned back on another tree while keeping his gaze on me.

With a deep breath, I grabbed the lowest branch and hoisted myself up. One branch after another, I climbed higher, my heart pounding with excitement. The view from the top was breathtaking. I could see the entire green jungle, the winding river, and the distant mountains bathed in the noon light.

I swung my legs on the branch and quickly untied the flag, shoving it into my pockets. Then I looked down and my stomach churned. The ground seemed impossibly far away. I told him I would just jump, that was stupid of me to say that.

I cleared my throat and looked at Advik who was looking at the ground deep in thought. Wait- is he purposely trying to avoid me?

"Advik..." I hesitantly called out hoping my voice reached him. I know it did, but he ignored it. My heart sank, the earlier words rang in my brain when I just told him I wouldn't need his help.

I knew he would never leave me alone. Or will he?

"Advik. I know you can hear me." His eyes raised, falling into my figure, and he just stared at me, while leaning calmly against the tree.

"Did you say something?" He asked calmly, feigning innocence.

I glared at him but then realized it was not the right time for that so instead, I moistened my lips and spoke, "I need your...help."

I could see the smirk playing on his lips, as he replied, "What?"

Trying hard not to let out my frustration, I put on a fake sweet smile, "I said I need your help."

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. The branches that had seemed so sturdy on the way up now looked thin and unreliable.

Panic started to set in. My hands, which had been so steady on the way up, now trembled. I clung to the branch, my mind racing.

What was I thinking? I should have heard him.

Advik watched me from the place he was standing, the smirk slowly faded away, and a concerned look covered his face, "Ria, don't panic. I'm here."

I exhaled deeply, trying to calm my racing heart. He walked and stood below the tree, "Don't worry, I've got you. Just climb down a bit and then jump. I'll catch you."

I hesitated, but his confidence was contagious. Taking a breath, I started to climb down with movements slow and cautious. When I was close enough, I looked down at him, who was standing with his arms outstretched, ready to catch.

"Here I go," I said more to myself than him and jumped closing my eyes.

For a moment, I felt weightless, and then I was in his arms. He stumbled back slightly but managed to stay upright. I let out a breath I didn't realize I had been holding and a chuckle escaped my lips.

"See? I told you I've got you," He murmured in a low voice, his blue eyes staring right into mine.

I smiled, "I know. I know you will always be there to catch me when I fall."

Hearing my words, his face lit up, and he smiled brightly making my heart melt.

I looked away from his captivating eyes, creating a distance between us, and felt a drop of water fall on me from the sky.

Gazing upwards, I smiled as the rain started pouring down.

Under the canopy of a leafy tree, I stood with my face turned upwards, eyes closed, embracing the cool, gentle patter of raindrops. My smile widened with each touch of rain on my skin, and I tilted my head slightly to feel the droplets cascade down my cheeks.

It was all so peaceful.

I came out of my dreamland when sensed someone grasping my hand, urging me to walk. "Come, we need to hide."

"No, let me enjoy this moment," I replied, releasing my hand and standing still.

"You'll catch a cold," he said, his voice filled with concern.

"I won't,"

He rolled his eyes, "You always do. Now come." then, he took my hand and made me walk forcefully.

After 2 minutes, we sat under a large tree, which was saving us from getting drenched. It was still raining like cats and dogs.

I looked beside me at Advik who had a calm expression on his face, as he watched the downpour. I was not wholly drenched but my dress was still a little soaked. And when the cold air blew, a slight shiver ran down me.

I sneezed, and he looked at me, giving me the look of 'I told you'.

"How do you know I get sick when drenched in the rain?" I tried to divert the topic so he wouldn't scold me. But other than that, I was curious. He knows lots of things about me, and sometimes I wonder if he was a secret stalker or something.

"You told me once," He uttered.

"Nope,"

"You did."

Narrowing my eyes at him, I spoke, "Mr. Aggarwal, I never told you. I don't remember telling you."

"Ms. Mehra, you have a pretty weak memory. So, stop thinking about that and enjoy the weather."

I know he was trying to change the topic; I opened my mouth to counter back but froze as he took my hand in his and intertwined our fingers. His warmth was enough to make me forget about the words I was going to say. I looked down at our hands, biting my lips, feeling the butterflies in my stomach even though I knew he did that on purpose to shut me up, I couldn't help but feel a deep connection with him.

It was silence. Complete silence.

I closed my eyes, hearing the sound of rain and feeling his warm hands against mine. It felt safe and comforting.

Am I really falling for him?

I knew the answer, but I was too scared to admit that. The experience of falling in love was foreign to me. Throughout my years of solitude, no one had stirred such emotions within me as he did. He is different. He feels like home.

Don't be too emotional. What about the girl he mentioned that day at the beach?

Did you forget how madly he was in love with her?

My eyes opened wide as his words from that day rang in my ear.

′She was my world. ′

Oh my god, how come I don't remember about that girl?

"Advik?" I pulled away my hands from his. He looked at my face, trying to detect what went wrong suddenly.

"How many girls have you brought here before?"

He stared at me for a few seconds. His captivating eyes bored into mine like he was reading me.

The small smile played on his lips, "Can you guess?"

"Advik. I'm serious."

He was quiet for a second, as our gaze locked. Emotions were swirling behind those ocean-blue eyes before he spoke, "I've never brought another girl here before. You're the first, Ria."

I gulped, battling in my mind whether to believe him or not. He sounded like he was telling the truth. After what I have heard from Kevin about him made me believe that he wasn't lying.

I stared ahead, feeling an unknown happiness spread within me, but then, a question came to my mind, that I couldn't hold back anymore.

"Who was the girl you were talking about that day?"