Page 30 of Love Locked
He was having inappropriate thoughts about a girl who was ten years his junior. His brother believed in him. Mira trusted him with her baby sister. And what the hell was he doing? He didn’t deserve the unexpected faith Kyra placed in him. He was the reliable one, and everyone trusted him, but Kyra’s trust felt special.
He wasn’t particularly emotional in general and hadn’t allowed himself to get close to anyone since his breakup. Even in his own mind, he had not been able to admit that he needed an emotional bond with someone. However, the situation with Kyra made him realise how much he craved and yearned for human contact and connection.
He most definitely shouldn’t be looking for it with this woman, for as soon as the weather cleared, she would leave his life just as quickly as she had entered. But as he held her in his arms and felt her warm body gently against his, he knew he would provide whatever support she required in her life. He felt a level of intense desire that went much beyond sex. That absolutely terrified him. And it was just the first day.
TEN
DAY 2
Kyra groaned as she tossed and turned in her sleep. She looked around and found her phone next to her pillow. The temperature was below zero at 9:30 in the morning. No matter how much she hoarded under the blanket, the chill wouldn't go away. She woke up again when she heard a movement outside, and realised she was in a strange bedroom. Her heart pounded in fear, but when she remembered the events of the day before, she relaxed. Breathing in and out, she wondered if it had all been a dream.
Shit.
She yanked her hair and whined loudly. She had acted so shamelessly. She had stripped in front of him. How was she ever going to face him? Had he carried her upstairs while she dozed? She thought she was dreaming even though she felt like she was being lifted up.
Kyra got up and looked out the window. The storm was still raging with no signs of stopping. She grabbed the woollen wrap that was hanging on a hook. She checked herself in the small mirror and cursed her bad luck. Her hair was tangled and unkempt, and the bathroom was on the ground floor. Even though she looked sleepy and unattractive, she had to face Kabir. She tried to hand-comb her hair, but it was of no use. She had no choice but to walk out like that as she needed coffee. She walked down the creaky wooden steps, ensuring no mice or lizards were in her way.
After entering the kitchen, Kyra took a saucepan, put some water in it, and set it on the gas stove to boil. She also discovered a box of sugar, instant coffee sachets, and mugs. Before adding boiling water into the mug, she added the entire packet of instant coffee and some sugar. She breathed in the scent and felt the last vestiges of her laziness leave her.
She sat near the counter and stopped mid-sip when she noticed Kabir standing by the fireplace, speaking on the phone. How in the world could he get a signal here? She quickly checked her phone, and sure enough, there were new texts. Everyone was concerned about the two of them, especially her father. She assured him that she was safe and sound with Kabir. Her eyes widened when she viewed the number of messages on the group chat. She replied to them quickly and rolled her eyes.
Mira: Kyra!!!
Mira: How are you? Is everything all right? We’re so worried about you. I’m so sorry Adil had to cancel.
Ruhi: You are acting as if she’s in North Korea. She is in Shimla, for fuck’s sake. And she can handle herself.
Kyra: I’m fine and safe. Don’t worry.
Nitya: You’re alone with Kabir. OMG!! Do I need to worry about you?
Kyra: Will you feel okay if I say I’ve wanted to kill him thrice since yesterday?
Nitya: Lol. That bad? I just hope you don’t murder him in his sleep.
Kyra: As long as he’s on his best behaviour, I think we’ll be perfectly fine.
Mira: Kabir is always on his best behaviour.
Kyra: Haha. Nice joke.
Nitya: Tell me if he’s a dickhead, and I’ll strangle him to death…slowly.
Mira: Do you really like him, Ky? Just tell me.This is so weird. :O
Ruhi: Chill, Mira.
Ruhi: Kyra, don’t do anything I won’t do. ;)
Just as she received the last message, the network crashed again. She breathed out while mumbling a curse. Kabir was facing the other way, so she didn’t think he had noticed her. She couldn’t understand how he could catch a network when hers crashed.
He sounded frustrated. She was curious to know who he was speaking to. And it was true when they said—curiosity killed the cat. She realised it when she heard him speak.
“Damn it, Adil,” he said into the phone. “It was your job to handle these people. Now what? I think we’re stranded here,” Kabir said, sounding unhappy.
He looked miserable too. Great.
“No, Vaayu. Shyamlal had to leave due to a family emergency. The roads are snowed over. This snow is so bad they won’t be able to plough it out for a few days, and the news report says that more snow is expected. I had a few work commitments. It is your responsibility now. Everything is just fucking blowing around. Even if the roads were open, I wouldn’t be able to see anything.”
