Chapter 43
The drive back was quiet.
Not awkward. Not tense.
Just soft.
Like we didn't need to fill the silence.
Mehul was driving, calm as always.
I, meanwhile, was sitting in the passenger seat, staring out the window, trying to comprehend what just happened.
Because something had shifted.
It wasn't just flirting anymore.
It wasn't just teasing.
This was Mehul letting me see something deeper.
Something real.
I swallowed, fingers curling into my hoodie.
This was so much worse than I expected.
Because now?
Now, I wasn't just falling.
I was already gone.
Halfway home, Mehul spoke.
"You've been quiet."
I blinked. "Huh?"
He glanced at me briefly, then back at the road.
"You're usually talking. Complaining. Overthinking."
I scowled. "I do not overthink."
Mehul hummed. "You're doing it right now."
I froze.
Because oh my god, he was right.
I cleared my throat. Tried to recover.
"I'm just—thinking."
Mehul nodded. "About?"
…Shit.
I immediately panicked.
What was I supposed to say?!
About how I might actually be in love with you.
About how you ruin my life daily.
About how I keep looking at your hands on the steering wheel like an idiot.
I needed a safe answer.
I exhaled. "About work."
Mehul glanced at me again. Too long. Too knowing.
Then—he smirked.
"Liar."
I choked. "WHAT?"
Mehul didn't even look at me.
Just kept driving. Calm. Unbothered.
Like he hadn't just wrecked me with a single word.
We finally reached my apartment.
I opened the door instantly, ready to flee—
But before I could escape, Mehul spoke again.
"Vihaan."
I froze.
Slowly turned back. "Yeah?"
Mehul's gaze flickered over my face. Something unreadable in his eyes.
Then, softly—
"I had fun today."
…Oh.
Oh no.
My stomach twisted.
Because he meant it.
There was no teasing this time.
No smirk. No playful jab.
Just Mehul, looking at me like that.
Like this wasn't just casual.
Like this wasn't just a date.
Like I actually meant something to him.
I swallowed hard. "Yeah. Me too."
He nodded. "Good."
And then—he smiled.
Not the smirk. Not the knowing look.
A real, soft, completely devastating smile.
I turned around immediately.
Because if I looked at him any longer, I was going to say something stupid.
Like 'I think I'm in love with you.'
Or worse—'Can we do this again?'
I stepped out of the car, shutting the door behind me.
Didn't turn back.
Didn't look.
Because if I did—
I would never leave.