Chapter 10: Whiskey and Confessions

It all started with a bottle of whiskey.

Ashnoor had been stressed. Dadi was gone, Arav was still impossible, and she was tired of pretending like she wasn't affected by their strange relationship.

So, when she found a bottle of whiskey in the bar cabinet, she poured herself a glass.

Then another.

And another.

By the time Arav walked in, she was very drunk.

He raised an eyebrow. "Are you drinking?"

She giggled. "Nooo."

He sighed. "How much did you have?"

Ashnoor pouted, holding up the empty glass. "Just a little."

Arav groaned. "Unbelievable."

She tilted her head, studying him through blurry eyes. Why did he have to be so annoyingly handsome?

"You know…" she slurred. "You're not as bad as you pretend to be."

Arav frowned. "You're drunk."

"You're cold," she shot back.

He sighed. "Ashnoor—"

"No, listen!" She pointed a finger at him. "You act all tough and scary, but I see you. You take care of Dadi. You took care of me when I was sick. You let me stay even when I lied to you."

He went still.

"I think…" she whispered, swaying slightly. "I think you're scared to feel anything."

Arav's jaw tightened. "Go to bed, Ashnoor."

She ignored him. "Who hurt you, Arav?"

Silence.

His eyes darkened, and for a moment, she thought he might actually answer.

But then he exhaled sharply and turned away. "You're drunk. Sleep."

Ashnoor watched him, frustration bubbling inside her.

He was so close to opening up. So close to letting her in.

And yet, he still chose to run.

That night, as she drifted into unconsciousness, one thought lingered in her mind.

She wanted to break down his walls.

Even if it meant getting hurt in the process.