Page 59 of Protect my Heart
My breath stutters. My entire body feels like it’s been dunked in ice and fire at the same time. That one sentence—delivered so quietly, like a secret meant only for me—lodges itself right under my ribs.
I don’t have time to respond. The clouds give up their lazy promise, and suddenly the rain is no longer gentle—it’s pouring.
A sharp gasp leaves me as cold droplets hit my skin, soaking through my kurti in seconds. Aarav doesn’t move away. In fact, he steps closer, and with that same infuriating smirk tugging at his lips, extends a hand.
“Dance with me.”
I hesitate, heart pounding. “You do remember you suck at dancing, right?”
He chuckles. “I was a child then. Give me a try.” I hesitantly give my hand in his hand, and—oh god—he twirls me.
Just like that. No warning.
I stumble into his arms with a wet laugh, hands instinctively clutching at his biceps for balance. They’re warm and solid and very unfair. He leads easily, like he’s done this a hundred times, and I follow because some ridiculous part of me wants to. Needs to.
The rain is heavy now, drumming on the tiles, soaking everything. His shirt clings to him, nearly transparent, outlining every line and dip of his torso, and my entire nervous system screams in protest at how obscene this situation is.
We twirl, our feet splashing through shallow puddles, the rhythm picking up with the thunder rumbling above us. His hands are everywhere—my waist, my back, skimming my palm. My heartbeat is everywhere too—in my ears, my chest, and my throat.
"They're cute." I hear Bhabhi's voice from somewhere behind us. I freeze mid-step and turn just in time to see Aditiand Bhabhi standing at the edge of the porch, holding onto each other, laughing like lunatics.
“Oh my god!” Aditi squeals. “Are we interrupting a movie moment?”
I try to back away, but Aarav doesn’t immediately let go. I shove lightly at his chest, mortified, and finally he releases me, stepping back with that maddeningly smug expression still on his face.
Bhabhi, now grinning ear to ear, holds out a towel. “Dry yourself before Chachi sees you and has a panic attack.”
I snatch the towel from her, my face burning. “Thanks.”
Aditi wiggles her brows. “So... ‘reckless around me,’ huh?”
I blink at her, horrified. “You heard that?!”
“Please,” she says, waving a hand. “You two were practically echoing through the hills.”
I bury my face in the towel. “I should go to the room.”
“You should,” Aditi says sweetly. “Before you kiss him next and give poor Bhabhi here a heart attack.” She nudges Bhabhi, who smiles sheepishly as she rubs her pregnant belly.
“Aditi!” I whisper-yell, scandalized. Bhabhi cackles.
I don’t even look back.
I just grab the towel tighter, mutter something unintelligible, and flee toward the house, my heart thudding like a runaway drumline.
Inside, I slam the bedroom door shut behind me, press my back against it, and close my eyes.
God help me.
I think I’m in trouble.
CHAPTER 37
AARAV
Anika still hasn’t looked at me. She has been avoiding me mostly since yesterday, especially after the rain dance. All the elders have gone to the nearby temple while everyone else is scattered in the living room playing games. I was definitely against all that, but Anika was participating so enthusiastically I had to do it too.
She’s standing near the swing set, hands wrapped around a juice box like it’s her emotional support. I can hear Aaryan argue about whether Siddhant's clue of “It’s yellow and sour and also an emotion” should’ve been allowed for the word lemon. (It shouldn’t have. But I’m not getting involved.)
