Khushi was seated next to a fellow passenger, Khushi needed to excuse herself to the washroom.
Upon returning, she halted abruptly at the sight beside her—Arnav was now sitting in her seat. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her eyebrows knitting together in surprise.
Arnav flashed a casual grin. "The lady seats next to you, she exchanged seats with me.
Khushi wasn't pleased. "Excuse me!" she called a crew member over, hoping for a quick seat change. But the flight attendant shook her head, "Sorry, but all seats are booked. I can't move you."
Frustration boiled inside her. She huffed and, with a quick movement, sat down beside Arnav. As she prepared to settle in, she stood to gather her things. Suddenly, she lost her balance and stumbled right into him, her hands instinctively gripping his shoulders. Their worlds collided, and for a moment, time stilled as they locked eyes—his deep, intense gaze was mesmerizing.
A chorus of laughter and cheers erupted from fellow passengers, breaking the spell. Embarrassed, Khushi stood up and hurried toward the drink section of the airplane to regain her composure.
"Hey! Wait!" Arnav called after her, his voice trailing behind as he moved to follow her. He found her struggling to open a bottle of softdrink . She twisted and twisted but to no avail.
Stepping in closer, Arnav stood just behind her, leaning his body against her back,his presence both exhilarating and intoxicating that shiver down her spine. "Here, let me help," he whispered, gently touching her hand to assist. The bottle popped open, and his lips brushed against her ear for just a fraction of a second.
Khushi gasped, her heart racing; the bottle slipped from her fingers and rolled away. A mix of surprise and electricity hung in the air. "I—I have to go," she stammered, making a move to escape.
But Arnav wasn't ready to let her leave. His hand gripped hers, pulling her closers as he pressed a soft kiss on her forehead.
Their moment was intoxicating, but just as he leaned in to capture the kiss he desired, the crew member once again interrupted, causing them to break apart with a jolt.
For the rest of the flight, Khushi feigned sleep beside him, yet her body couldn't linger too far from the warmth he radiated. Arnav, however, stole glances—his gaze lingering on her every movement, the way her lips almost quirked upward in her dreams.
When Khushi finally awoke, the airplane was descending. However, as she caught Arnav's eye, the memories of their fleeting intimacies flooded her mind, erasing her sleepy smile. A frown replaced her joy; she was lost in thoughts of the 'what ifs' that anchored her heart.
Upon landing, Khushi booked a cab home, determined to distance herself from the chaos of her emotions. Just moments before leaving, Akash, insisted, "We can drop you both off at home."
Khushi shook her head firmly. "No, it's okay. You guys drop Maddy; I'll manage."
As Maddy, Akash, and Aman climbed inside their car, Khushi felt a presence looming behind her. She turned, startled to find Arnav inching closer. "I have something to say," he murmured, his voice low and captivating. "Are you ready to hear what you want to hear?"
Her heart raced, confusion painting her features. "What do you mean?" she inquired.
"See you in college, Miss Ahuja," he said with a teasing lilt before retreating to join the others.
The cab arrived, and as she climbed in, Khushi watched Arnav's figure fade away.
With her heart still racing and a smile attempting to break through her confusion, she sat back, looking forward to what fate might bring next.
Rest of the vacation she spent with her parents .The laughter and chatter of her parents filled the air, but her thoughts drifted, time and again, to one name: Arnav.
Meanwhile, in the city, Arnav's heart felt heavy with worry. Every day, he found himself checking his phone, hoping for a message from Khushi but to no avail.
He asked maddy about khushi "sir, khushi is spending her holidays with her parents," Maddy said, stepping in to break the silence. "You're overthinking sir " i know her she also likes you .
As the days rolled by, Khushi's vacation eventually came to an end. Filled with anticipation and a hint of dread, she prepared for her return to college. The thought of reuniting with her friends brought a smile to her lips, but a deep-seated anxiety festered beneath. Would she see Arnav? Did he feel the same intensity of longing she did?
On the eve of their return, Khushi lay wide awake, her mind racing with thoughts of Arnav and the unspoken bond they shared. She replayed their last conversation—how their eyes locked, that moment suspended in time, painting unexpressed emotions between them.