After showering and freshening up, both of them finally felt human again.
Aakrati stepped into her balcony in comfy shorts and an oversized tee, rubbing her wet hair with a towel.
She froze.
Arsh was already there.
Leaning on the railing like he owned the night.
He looked up slowly.
"Oh. What a coincidence," he said casually.
She narrowed her eyes. "You were waiting."
"Maybe."
She walked closer to the divider between their balconies.
The distance between them wasn't much.
"Why are you smiling like that?" she asked.
"Because you came."
She rolled her eyes but couldn't stop smiling.
He extended his hand.
She placed hers in his without thinking.
He intertwined their fingers.
"You look dangerous at night," he murmured.
"Why?"
"Because you're bold."
She smirked. "And?"
"And I like it."
She suddenly reached forward and pulled his cheek.
Hard.
"Ow! What was that?!"
She laughed. "You have squishy cheeks!"
He blinked. "Excuse me?"
She pulled the other cheek too.
"I like pulling cheeks of people I adore."
"Oh so I'm people you adore?"
She tugged his ear this time.
"Yes. And you have pullable ears too."
"Aakrati!"
He grabbed her wrist gently before she could attack again.
"You're violent."
"Only with cute people."
He leaned closer, still holding her hand.
"So I'm cute?"
"Very."
He pretended to be offended. "I was going for hot."
"Sorry. Squishy."
She pulled his cheek again just to irritate him.
He suddenly leaned forward and lightly brushed her hair away from her face.
"And you," he said softly, "are impossible."
She tried not to react to how close he was.
Their hands were still locked.
He traced circles on her palm with his thumb.
She swallowed.
"Stop looking at me like that."
"Like what?"
"Like you're planning something."
"I am."
"What?"
"To win."
"Win what?"
"Anything you challenge me in."
She smirked. "Let's see. One round of 21?"
He raised an eyebrow. "Explain."
She excitedly explained the rules:
"Minimum one number, maximum three numbers per turn. Whoever says 21 loses. Winner gets a wish."
He leaned back casually. "What's your wish?"
"If I win, one more trip."
He nodded. "And if I win?"
"You won't."
He chuckled. "Confidence suits you."
They started.
"1."
"2, 3."
"4, 5, 6."
Back and forth.
He kept staring at her instead of focusing.
"You're distracting me!"
"I'm just admiring."
"Focus, Arsh!"
Finally—
She confidently said, "17."
He smiled slowly.
"18,19,20…"
Pause.
She realized too late.
"21."
Her mouth fell open.
"No!"
He grinned. "Rules are rules."
"You cheated!"
"I used charm. That's legal."
She folded her arms. "Fine. What do you want?"
He stepped closer.
Very close.
Their faces only inches apart across the divider.
"I want my kiss."
She blinked. "What?"
"My wish."
"You're shameless."
"I'm your boyfriend."
"That doesn't mean you demand."
"I'm not demanding," he said softly, holding eye contact. "I'm claiming."
Her heartbeat went crazy.
"You said I have rights," he continued quietly. "That means I do too."
She tried to act unaffected. "No you don't."
He leaned even closer.
"Yes, I do. The day you said yes to me… I got my rights."
She pushed his chest lightly.
"Too much confidence."
He grinned. "Close your eyes," she suddenly said.
He raised an eyebrow but obeyed instantly.
No hesitation.
She leaned forward—
Kissed his cheek.
Quick. Soft.
Then ran inside.
He opened his eyes.
"Hey! That was on the cheek!"
From inside she laughed, peeking out.
"You didn't specify!"
"I'm not a baby!"
She smirked. "You are my baby."
"I want it properly!"
"A kiss is a kiss," she replied confidently. "Whether on cheek or lips."
He shook his head, smiling helplessly.
"You're unbelievable."
She leaned on the balcony door frame.
"Go sleep. We have plans tomorrow."
He looked at her one last time.
Soft smile.
"Goodnight, trouble."
"Goodnight, squishy cheeks."
He touched his cheek where she kissed him and laughed to himself.
And she went to bed smiling.