40

Once we were out of everyone's sight, I left his hand.

Pointing towards the exit door, I crossed my hands, and spoke, "You can take your leave."

"No." he said, smirking at me, "Ms. Ria, that's not how you behave with the guest."

I rolled my eyes, "You are not a guest."

"Really?" A smile played on his lips, "Then What am I?"

He came closer, his breath hitting my face. I gathered myself and pushed him away, wearing a stern expression.

"Don't even try to come close."

"Are you mad at me?"

Oh, finally he realized.

"What am I supposed to do when you keep teasing me and putting me in difficult situations."

He chuckled, "I'm sorry. I just wanted to see your cute angry face."

I blushed but kept myself composed.

Ignoring the butterflies, I glared at him, "Your apology is not accepted. Now leave."

A smirk formed on his lips, and then he looked behind me with his expression changing, "Grandma."

She's probably going to scold me for kicking him out.

The color drained from my face, and I spun around with the speed of light only to find there was no one.

He ascended the stairs that led to my room, his laughter echoing off the walls. I groaned and followed him behind.

Once we reached my room, I flung the door open with a forceful bang that sounded through the hallway, then swiftly flicked on the lights.

I paid him no heed, my focus drawn instead to the windows across the room. Walking towards it purposefully, I reached out and pushed them open, inviting the cool air to sweep in. I sensed him enter the room and sit on a bed.

I didn't look up. I was furious at him.

"Don't worry. I will leave. I just wanted to rile you up." I heard his voice, and disappointment washed over me.

Okay, I agree I told him to leave but that doesn't mean he actually has to. I wanted him to stay. A little longer. Maybe forever.

"Isn't it the same diary?" He spoke picking up the diary that was lying on my bed.

I spun around and stride towards him as fast as I could. But this time he hid my diary behind him and smirked.

"Give it back," I demanded without looking at him, trying to snatch the diary but failed miserably.

I don't have any secrets. But he should not know how cringy things I have written there. I hadn't replaced that diary, as once Taylor swift said,

Learn to live alongside cringe. No matter how hard you try to avoid being cringe, you will look back on your life and cringe retrospectively.

That's what stopped me from throwing that diary away. But Other than that, I do have written the good memories of mine in it. And reading them always lightens up my mood.

Besides, One-third part of the diary contains him. He should not know what I think about him.

"One condition." His voice shattered my thoughts, and I looked at him, amusement glistening in his eyes.

I straightened up, folded my arms, and looked away, tapping my foot impatiently as I waited for him to reveal his condition.

He stared at me.

He kept staring.

"What? Stop staring first!" I snapped, glaring at him, a blush creeping onto my cheeks under his intense gaze.

"I can't. Staring at you is my favorite thing." He leaned back, crossing his arms with a playful grin.

"Then go find someone else to stare at because from now on, I'm banning you from looking at me." I turned on my heel, pretending to busy myself with the books on the shelf.

Wait. What am I even saying?

"You can't do that, even if you want to." He took a step closer, his presence looming behind me. Feeling his hand brushing my hair, I turned around only to find his eyes closed as he inhaled the fragrance. I blushed and stepped aside, feeling a flutter in my chest.

"Don't challenge me. Once my ego gets hurt, there's no turning back." I tried to steady my voice, but a playful tone slipped through.

He opened his eyes and grinned, a twinkle in his gaze. Crossing his arms, he leaned against the bookshelf, the wood creaking slightly. "And what are you going to do?" His voice was teasing, filled with affection.

I shrugged, "Maybe cut ties and disappear like I was never here." I walked past him, heading towards the window, my fingers trailing along the edge of the table.

"It would be in vain. I'll find you." He followed me, his footsteps echoing in the quiet room as he came and stood in front of him.

I shot him a challenging look, "Want to try?"

He took a step closer, a smirk playing at the edge of his mouth. Towering over me, he locked eyes with me, then grasped my hand and placed it over his chest, right above his heart. Beneath my palm, I could feel his racing heartbeat.

He put his hand on mine, and pressed a little, "Can you feel the heartbeats?"

I stared at our hands then slowly raised my eyes to meet his gaze while remaining silent.

He spoke, "It will stop beating the day you snatch yourself away from me."

I stared at him. His words were.... deep, melting me like a child.

The way his eyes were staring into mine, I knew he meant that. He wasn't pretending or being nice at that moment. A rush of warmth spread through me. With heated cheeks, I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out. I just stood there. Stunned.

I looked away from his captivating eyes, tucking my hair strand behind my ear. His gaze was making it hard for me to maintain the stern expression on my face.

There were so many things running in my head, but I found myself not able to utter the words. I was speechless. My heart urged me to confess my feelings to him, to say what I actually felt. To tell him how much I admire, respect, and cherish him, and want to be with him forever. But words never came out, it was on the tip of my tongue, yet I found my voice lost.

Instead, I spoke, trying to keep my voice steady, "Give me my diary."

I was frustrated with myself for not being able to express my emotions as easily as he could. My anger flared up over such a trivial reason.

Then his voice broke the silence, "One condition."

"What?" I snapped, my frustration evident.

"I deserve a goodnight kiss."

"No. You deserve a punch in the face."

Wait. You don't say things like that after what he just told you.

Stop being dramatic!

He smiled, "Well, you are allowed to do that."

"Don't underestimate me, Mr. Advik."

"I know you are capable, Ms. Ria." His ocean-blue eyes locked onto mine. "And even if you put a bullet in my heart, I would let you do it without a word, as long as you are happy. Nothing else matters to me."

My heart skipped a beat when I processed his words.

He... can't be serious.

The look on his face told me he was more than serious.

His eyes glistened with an unknown glint, drawing me in. There was something about him that I couldn't explain. My anger disappeared as his words finally sank in.

We stared at each other for a few seconds, then I smiled and asked,

"Are you falling for me, Mr. Aggarwal?"

"No. I'm not falling." He leaned dangerously closer to me maintaining eye contact, "I have already fallen."