Chapter 13

Aria's footsteps were hurried, her fingers unconsciously grazing her lips as if trying to hold onto the sensation of what had just transpired. The night air was crisp, wrapping around her like a silent witness to the moment she had shared with Kabir.

It was reckless. Unexpected. Overwhelming.

And yet, the feel of his lips, the way he had held her—it still lingered like a whisper against her skin.

She exhaled sharply, shaking her head as if to rid herself of the memory, but her fingers betrayed her, still ghosting over her lips. She had barely walked a few steps away from his gate when the sharp blare of a horn shattered the quiet.

Her body stiffened. The headlights illuminated her like a deer caught in their glare.

Aarav.

Seated in the driver's seat of her own car, his face was thunderous. Next to him, Paul sat awkwardly, caught between his loyalty to Aria and his fear of Aarav's temper.

"Are you out of your mind?" Aarav snapped, slamming the door shut as he stepped out. "You just left?! No text, no call, nothing?" His voice was clipped, his jaw tight.

Aria opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, Paul fidgeted beside him, murmuring, "She told me she was leaving. I... uh... forgot to mention it."

Aarav turned a sharp gaze to Paul, who immediately looked down, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Unbelievable," Aarav muttered before turning back to Aria. "And you. What the hell were you thinking? You're walking in the middle of the night dressed like that? What do you want people to think otherwise of you?" His eyes burned with accusation.

Aria stiffened. Heat crept up her neck—not from shame, but from indignation.

"Excuse me?" Her voice was sharp now, cutting through the tension like a blade.

"You heard me," Aarav shot back. "You're not in college anymore, Aria. You don't just wander around like some clueless kid. People talk. You should know better."

Her fingers curled into fists at her sides. "Watch your tongue, Aarav."

"Or what?" he challenged, taking a step closer. "You'll storm off again like you did tonight? Just like you always do when someone actually gives a damn about you?"

She sucked in a breath, stung by the words, but she refused to let it show. "Giving a damn doesn't mean controlling my every move. I told Paul I was leaving. I didn't owe anyone an explanation beyond that."

Aarav let out a frustrated laugh, running a hand through his hair. "You don't get it, do you? This isn't just about you, Aria. You have people who care, people who worry when you pull stunts like this. What if something happened?"

Her jaw tightened. "Nothing did."

"That's not the point—"

"It is the point," she cut him off, voice cold. "You don't get to police my choices just because you think you know what's best for me."

Aarav's lips parted as if he wanted to argue, but his glare only darkened.

A presence behind her shifted the air, quiet yet commanding.

Kabir

Aria felt it before she even turned. The moment his jacket draped over her shoulders, warmth seeped into her skin, not just from the fabric, but from the silent message it carried—you're not alone. The weight of it anchored her, easing the tension she hadn't realized had built in her spine.

She held onto it, fingers clutching the lapels in a quiet defiance against Aarav's scolding.

Kabir's hand brushed hers, his grip gentle but firm. "Mr. Mehta," he said, his voice even, unruffled, the perfect contrast to Aarav's simmering anger. "Aria and I were finalizing some details about my account." He spoke smoothly, his words wrapped in casual authority. "In fact, I just got to know she lives two blocks down from me, so I invited her for coffee. But then we decided to head to her place instead. I left something in my car, and that's why she was still around."

Aarav's expression remained stony, but his fists clenched at his sides. His gaze flicked between Aria and Kabir, skepticism evident.

"You seem like a very caring friend," Kabir added, the words laced with an undercurrent of amusement.

Aarav's eyes narrowed at the implied slight. "She doesn't always make the best decisions," he muttered.

Aria bristled. "Enough, Aarav," she snapped, her voice rising. "I don't need your judgment. Not tonight."

His gaze flickered to Kabir again, suspicion tightening his features. "You really trust him?"

"Yes," she said without hesitation.

That single word seemed to land heavier than a slap. Aarav's nostrils flared, his lips pressing into a thin line, but for once, he had nothing to say.

Kabir's grip on her hand tightened briefly, grounding her.

"We'd like to walk," Kabir said smoothly, his tone making it clear there was no room for debate. He turned to Aria, his gaze steady, unspoken understanding passing between them. "What do you say?"

For a beat, she hesitated.

Aarav was fuming, Paul looked like he wanted to disappear, and Kabir—Kabir was just there, solid and unwavering, making it easier to breathe.

She exhaled and nodded. "Let's walk."

Without another glance at Aarav, she fell into step beside Kabir.

As they moved away, she could feel Aarav's glare burning into her back, but for once, she didn't look back.

Kabir let a comfortable silence settle between them before he spoke, his voice quieter now. "You okay?"

Aria swallowed. "I will be."

He nodded, as if that was enough for him.

And just like that, the night stretched before them—open, quiet, and theirs to walk through.