Rafta, noticing her expression, kept glancing at her, his fists tightening slightly, his protective streak flaring.
After the meal, the group stepped into the cool night air, the city lights twinkling around them. Oki stretched, her ponytail bouncing. "Well, it was great meeting you, Yami-san. But we should be heading back now."
"Wait," Aya said, standing with a confident flair. "I'll drop you off at your hotel in my car." She pulled out a sleek key fob and pressed a button. A few feet away, the headlights of an expensive black car—a high-end model with glossy curves—flickered to life.
Haari's eyes widened, a spark of surprise. "Wait… this is yours?"
Aya leaned against the car, smirking with smug satisfaction. "Surprised?"
Oki let out a low whistle. "Damn, that's a high-end model. You must be earning a fortune."
Aya flicked her hair back playfully, her confidence radiating. "Let's just say my position is on a level you can't even imagine, Haari."
Haari clicked his tongue, crossing his arms. "Tch. Show-off."
Aya laughed, opening the driver's door. "Hey, don't be jealous now. Get in."
Rafta and Oki exchanged impressed looks before climbing in. Ashi hesitated, her chest still tight, before following, her silence a heavy weight.
As they drove toward the hotel, Haari leaned back in the front seat, his gaze distant. She really went far ahead, huh? He glanced at Aya, who hummed softly as she drove, her proud yet playful expression a stark contrast to the girl he once knew.
The dim glow of the PC café buzzed with energy, screens flashing as Haari, Aya, Param, and Nitin battled it out in a 2v2 game. "Gotcha!" Param shouted, his fingers flying over the keyboard, a smirk on his face.
"Huh?" Haari blinked, his average features creased with confusion, his focus faltering.
"Haari, you're way too easy!" Param laughed, his voice echoing as the screen flashed: YOU DIED. Param's triumph turned to shock. "What?!"
"Hehe, gotcha—you're way too easy, Param!" Aya teased, her sharp eyes glinting with mischief, her laughter a cackle. "Yahaha!"
"Hey, that's cheating! I was so close to killing him!" Param protested, slamming his hand on the table.
"Oh, seems like you missed it," Aya said, her grin widening, a playful taunt in her tone.
"Good work, Haari—you did exactly as we planned," Aya added, nudging Haari with a proud smile.
"Hey, let's go for another round—this time I'm definitely gonna win!" Param said, cracking his knuckles, a fire in his eyes.
"We don't have time for another round," Nitin interjected, his voice calm but firm, glancing at the clock.
"Huh?" Param frowned.
"Look at the time—it's about to get dark. If we don't hurry, the university gate will close soon," Nitin said, already gathering his things, a practical anchor to the group's chaos.
Walking Back to University
The evening sky deepened to a soft indigo as the group trekked back, the university's silhouette looming ahead. Aya, perched on Haari's back, rested her chin on his shoulder, her arms draped lazily around him. Her playful smirk contrasted with Haari's exasperated expression, his messy black hair bouncing with each step.
"Hey, don't you have legs?" Haari grumbled, his tone a mix of annoyance and resignation, his steady nature strained by her antics.
"I'm so tired—I can't walk. Just please carry me back," Aya whined, her voice a dramatic plea, her grip tightening as she nuzzled closer.
"You're such a pain, you know that," Nitin said, shooting her a sidelong glance, his patience wearing thin.
"Huh?" Aya tilted her head, feigning innocence.
"All of us are tired—you're no different," Nitin retorted, his voice sharp.
"Yeah, hey, Haari, why don't you just drop her on the side of the road?" Param chimed in, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
Aya's eyes narrowed, and she grinned wickedly. "Are you two jealous?"
"Huh? Jealous?" Param and Nitin echoed, blinking in unison.
"Yeah, do you have a problem with my boyfriend giving me a piggyback?" Aya teased, her tone dripping with playful provocation, her arms tightening around Haari.
Haari's patience snapped, a flare of irritation igniting. "I'M NOT YOUR BOYFRIEND—GET OVER WITH THAT BULLSHIT!" he shouted, his voice echoing down the quiet street, his face flushed with frustration.
"Oh, come on, why are you like that?" Aya pouted, her charm undeterred.
"You know what? I think you can walk on your own," Haari said, his tone final. Without warning, he dropped her, and Aya fell to the ground with a thud, landing on her backside. She puffed out her cheeks, her eyes narrowing as she rubbed her hip. "You're so mean!" she huffed, a dramatic sulk.
Back in Haari's hostel room, the dim light of a desk lamp cast long shadows as he slumped onto his chair, exhausted. Aya, however, had other plans—she sprawled across his bed, her arms stretched out, claiming the space with a lazy grin. "What's the meaning of this? Aya, please go to your room—I'm so tired," Haari said, his voice heavy, his steady nature fraying at the edges.
"I don't feel like moving from here—I'm broken," Aya replied, her tone a dramatic whine, her eyes glinting with mischief.
"Aya, please," Haari pleaded, rubbing his temples.
Aya grinned, a spark in her gaze. "If you give me a piggyback to my room, then I might think about leaving."
" Why don't you go back own your own I carried you here from market, you can atleast walk to your now " Haari said.
" Then I'm sleeping here " Aya bury her face in Haari bed, then she lift her head with annoying face and looked at Haari " Hey when did you last wash your bedsheet."
" Ah about a month ago " Haari said looking at room celling.
" So why does it smell so gross " Aya asked.
Haari looked at Aya then at his bed seet " My bed seet isn't the one smelling look properly It's your handkerchief infront of you "
Aya looked down It was actually her handkerchief smelling her face turn red she throw it on Haari face " This is not mine "
Haari Irritated Picked the handkerchief from his face and yelled at her " Hey don't throw your stuff on my face, and go back to your game already."
Aya Hmp on Haari and burry her face back in his bedsheet, Haari irritated stood up and go near to her.
Haari sighed, his shoulders sagging, but he complied, lifting her onto his back. Aya jolted by sudden touch " Hey at least tell that you are going to pick me ".
" Shut up "
Moment after. Sneaking into the girls' hostel building under the cover of night, he moved with caution, the faint creak of the floorboards amplifying the tension. "Be careful—if you get caught, you might get expelled for sneaking into the girls' hostel late at night, you pervert" Aya whispered in his ear, her breath warm, her tone teasing.
"Yeah, and it's all gonna happen because of you, and I'm not a pervert" Haari muttered, his voice low, his nerves on edge as they reached her room.
"Now get off—I did as you said, so hurry up and let me go before anyone comes," Haari urged, standing just outside her door.
Instead of letting go, Aya tightened her arms around him, hugging him close. "Hey, what are you doing?" Haari hissed, his voice a strained whisper.
"No, to my room," Aya insisted.
"We're in front of your room!" Haari countered, his frustration bubbling.
"No, inside—I'm too tired to walk in, so take me to my bed," Aya said, her tone unrelenting.
"What if someone's inside? I'll get caught!" Haari whispered, his eyes darting around.
"Don't worry—I know my roommates are still out at the park. They won't be back anytime soon," Aya reassured him, her voice a mischievous murmur.
The room was dark as they stepped inside, the faint hum of the night outside the only sound. Aya reached to flip the light switch, but Haari stopped her, his hand grabbing hers, sweat beading on his forehead. She looked at him, confused, then followed his gaze—a girl slept on one of the beds, her form barely visible under a blanket.
" Now get off if she woke up, I'm done for " Haari whispered, his voice tense.
" No, leave me to my bed " Aya whispered back, her tone careful.
Seriously, Haari thoughts, "Which bed do you sleep on?"
"The next one to hers,"
Great the my luck can't be more worst. Haari crept forward, each step deliberate, avoiding any noise as he set Aya down on her bed. He turned to leave, relief washing over him—until a voice broke the silence. "Aya, you're back?" The girl stirred, flipping on a bedside light, her eyes blinking in confusion. "Huh? Aya, are you okay?"
Aya, now under her blanket with only her head poking out, forced a smile, sweat dotting her forehead. "Yeah, I'm totally fine." Haari, hidden beneath the same blanket, froze, his heart pounding as Aya's legs locked around his, her arms tightening over him presing him against her chest, pinning him in place.
"I can't breathe!" Haari thought, struggling silently, his face pressed against her, his air supply dwindling.
"Where have you been? It's not like you to be out so late," the girl asked, sitting up slightly.
"Oh, I was with my party—we went out today, and we came back a little late," Aya said, her voice steady despite the chaos beneath the blanket. Haari squirmed, his feet twitching, but Aya's grip held firm, her legs tightening to keep him still.
"By the way, how come you're back so early? Didn't you go out with others?" Aya asked, trying to keep the conversation normal.
"No, I was feeling unwell, so I came back early and decided to get some rest," the girl replied, yawning.
"Oh, well, good night—get some rest," Aya said, her smile strained. "Good night."
"Okay," the girl said, settling back down—but then paused, her eyes narrowing. "Hey."
Aya jolted, her heart racing. "Yeah?"
"Why does your blanket look so full?" the girl asked, her tone curious.
Haari and Aya's eyes widened, their hearts pounding in unison, sweat pouring down their faces. What now? If I don't say something, Haari will get caught—it's all my fault for asking him to come here! Aya thought, panic rising.
Hey, what are you waiting for? Say something—I'll get caught if you stay silent! Haari's thoughts screamed, his breath shallow.
"Is it a body pillow?" the girl asked, tilting her head.
"Body pillow?" Aya echoed, blinking.
"Yeah, did you go out of university to buy a body pillow?" the girl pressed, her tone innocent.
Aya's face lit up, seizing the lifeline. "Oh, yeah! I went for a body pillow today. It feels kinda lonely at night, so I bought one for myself," she said, her smile brightening as she tightened her grip on Haari even more, her arms squeezing him like a vice.
'Hey, are you trying to kill me? I can't breathe! Even a pillow would regret being gripped this tight!' Haari thought, his face turning red, his lungs screaming for air.
"Yeah, I feel lonely too—I was thinking of buying one. How much did it cost?" the girl asked, her curiosity piqued.
"How much?" Aya paused, thinking fast. "Umm, I didn't invest much—it cost 700 rupees only."
"Wow, that's a cheap price! Let's go shopping together next time," the girl said, smiling.
"Yeah, why not?" Aya replied, her smile wide, her eyes closed in relief.
"I'm turning off the light—good night," the girl said, reaching for the switch.
"Yeah, good night," Aya echoed. The light flicked off, and the girl settled back to sleep.
Once she was sure the girl was asleep, Haari slipped out from under the blanket, gasping quietly for air, his face flushed from the ordeal. Before leaving, he turned to Aya, his expression a mix of exasperation and lingering adrenaline. She smiled at him, a mischievous grin, her eyes sparkling with amusement, as if the whole fiasco had been a thrilling game.