Page 21 of Love Locked
“Oh, so you do have a sense of humour.” She observed.
“No, you asked a question, and I answered it,” he said without hesitation.
“Do you read romance novels?”
“No.” He made a yucky face.
“Don’t look so horrified.” She rolled her eyes.
“I’m sorry. But I truly don’t understand how people read that fluff.”
“Because some people like to read that to make themselves happy. Why do you read?”
“Because I love solitude. Can you just let me do my work now?”
“Well, I’m sorry. But your solitude left the moment this jet took off. You’re locked with me now in this metal tube. But don’t worry. Compared to solitude, I’m a lot more interesting.”
“And what does this interesting girl want from me?”
“What can you give me?” She teased, “Are you scared to answer that, Kabir?”
“Before I answer this question, I just want to be sure we’re on the same page, princess.” Kabir tilted his head.
“Page? I’m pretty sure we’re not even in the same book.” Kyra teased him.
“What book would that be, exactly?” She was trying to flirt with him, and he found it amusing.
“Do I have to spell it out for you?”
“Kyra Kapoor...” He chortled. “Are you flirting with me?”
“You think I’m flirting? I’m sorry, but in my world, it’s called talking,” she replied, turning a stunning shade of scarlet.
“Well, I was scared for a minute there. Coz it’s something you shouldn’t be doing with me at all.”
“You’re a good guy. What’s wrong with some harmless flirting?” She pouted.
“Is that why you chose to join me on this trip?” His mouth twisted.
“Is that what you think? Wow.” She gave him a dirty look, “Believe it or not, the world doesn’t revolve around you,” she snarled, embarrassment etched on her features.
“Maybe not the world, princess. But at one time, you did. You think I don’t know about your little obsession.” He gave a lopsided grin, and her face blanched.
“You’re such an egotistical jerk.”
“And you’re full of fire. Here I assumed you were just another meek, little introverted princess.”
“Are you done being rude?”
“Are you done asking questions?”
Kyra sat with her mouth pressed in a hard line. She was indignant. Who was this volatile man? He was single, achingly handsome and seemed to have some sort of control over how they interacted. She wanted to prove him wrong. He had no idea that the placid Kyra had disappeared the moment she got into the car with him this morning.
This iteration of her was brazen and reckless, and she wanted to explore the tension that underlined all of their earlier banter. She didn’t mean to flirt with him. She didn’t even know how to flirt, but with Kabir, it just happened. As they ascended above the clouds and continued to float above the wide Arabian Sea, they both sat in silence, Kabir trying to get some work done while Kyra got some shut-eye.
????
If silence could freeze the surroundings, the journey from Mumbai to Chandigarh would have frozen everything right before it landed. Kyra could not understand what had gotten into Kabir. His gall to slam her teenage crush in her face was an asshole move. But to think that he knew she had a crush on him was much more humiliating.
