"Get inside, and don't take the jacket off your face," I ordered, slamming the passenger door shut before jogging around to the driver's side and slipping into Agastya's car.

"Put on your seatbelt." I clipped mine in place without sparing her a glance. The passenger seat had only ever belonged to my baby sister, Adya. And now? I am sharing it with an unknown woman.

"First I have to remove this jacket from my face, right?" Her muffled voice came through the fabric. Damn, I forgot she couldn't see.

I turned the key in the ignition, pushing through the crowd of flashing cameras and shouting voices. The media had surrounded us like vultures, hungry for an interview. One of the reasons, I hate interviews.

Thank God, Agastya and Karan showed up on time. If they hadn't, I don't know how my mind and my body could have reacted to this whole situation.

"You can take off the jacket now," I muttered, eyes on the road.

She peeled it off, inhaling deeply like she had just come back from the dead, before tossing the jacket into the back seat.

"Were you planning to kill me by suffocation, Mr. Sarthak?" Her voice carried sarcasm laced with nerves.

I didn't look at her. My hand tightened around the gear as I shifted it. "So you knew. That's cute, Ms. Reporter."

"Mr. Sarthak, no jokes, please," she snapped, rolling down the window to get some fresh air.

I kept driving, the silence stretching thick between us like a wall neither of us wanted to break.

Guess we both weren't in the mood to talk. Just the humming sound of the engine and the weight of everything unspoken hanging in the air.

I adjusted the rear view mirror because I needed a clear view of any tailing press cars behind us. But the moment the glass aligned, I didn't see the road behind.

I saw her.

She was leaning toward the open window, eyes closed, lips curved into the softest smile I've ever seen. The wind kissed her face, playing with her long waves as if it knew how to flirt better.

Her skirt fluttered with the breeze, lifting just enough to flash smooth skin.

I snapped my gaze away, a jolt of shame slamming into my chest. What is wrong with you, Sarthak? What were you just doing now, huh?

Staring at her like some lovesick idiot? Since when did you start noticing women like that? Since when did a pair of eyes knock the breath out of your lungs?

You look like a damn creep. Pull your shit together. Stop doing these questionable, out-of-line things. This isn't you. At least, it wasn't.

"Close the window, and here. Put this jacket on your legs." I said with my voice low, and sharp while I grab my jacket from the back seat and cover her legs.

"And why? The cold air feels nice, and please, keep your sweaty, stinky jacket away from me." she removed the jacket from her legs, kept it back at the back seat, and put her head on the window again.

"But I don't. I'll turn on the AC if you want air. Close the damn window." My tone left no room for debate.

"Okay, fine!" she huffed, rolling it up with clear annoyance stamped across her face.

"Put your location in the GPS. I'll drop you home," I said, softer this time. I didn't want her to roam all alone at night when we lived in a city like delhi.

"No thanks. Just drop me at the nearest metro station. I'll take the metro from there." Of course she'd say that.

I kept driving, kept trying not to look at her. But I failed. Her brown eyes—fuck—they weren't just eyes. They were gravity. And I was falling straight in.

Never had I felt the urge to reach out and tuck a strand of someone's hair behind their ear. But hers? I wanted to feel it.

What the hell's wrong with you, Sarthak?

Firstly, she's a reporter. A walking risk to my peace, and most importantly—she's way out of your league, Sarthak.

"You are a reporter, but that doesn't mean you will make yourself a news, cutie. I'll drop you home, please drop your location." I speak while I keep driving.

"No, you don't have to," she said, her voice soft but firm.

"I don't think it's appropriate. I mean if anyone saw us together, they'd start spinning unwanted rumours." Her pretty eyes met mine, unsure yet mesmerizing.

I leaned back slightly, keeping my voice low, "The car mirrors aren't even visible from outside. No one's gonna see us together." I paused, glancing at her ankle. "And let's be real, you can't even walk properly right now. I can drop you off."

I didn't know why, but I wanted her to stay with me for the whole ride.

What is wrong with me? Am I losing my mind?

I caught a glimpse of her through the rearview mirror-she was fiddling with her fingers, hesitation written all over her face. Still unsure. From what I've seen, she hates asking for help.

She's the kind of woman who wants to prove herself. No shortcuts, no crutches, no damn hand-holding.

She'd rather stumble on her own than lean on someone else.

But in the end, she gave in. Quietly, she reached forward and typed her address into the GPS.

That time when Karan was being a total ass to her, she didn't flinch even once, and stood for herself when no one did.

And there I was, just standing like an idiot, completely mesmerized by her strength, and her pure beauty.

I've never felt this way for any woman before, but suddenly, I'm drawn to one, and it's so unlike me.

I have always been so passionate about cricket and my career that I never had time for dating and stuff. Maybe what I am feeling now is just an attraction, nothing else.

I glanced at her again, she was fast asleep in the passenger seat. The air conditioner had cooled the car to a slight chill, making the silence around us feel even heavier.

My jacket was lying in the back seat, but she didn't seem too keen on it earlier. Still, I remember there's a freshly washed one in my gym bag. I pull over, and reach back to grab it from my gym bag, and carefully drape it over her small, curled-up body.

She looks exhausted. Completely drained. The kind of tiredness that seeps into your bones. She told me she was here for an interview. One I had to say no to. I don't do interviews. My past doesn't allow me to do that.

I notice a strand of her hair dancing across her face, flicking against her cheek every time she shifts. It's clearly bothering her, disturbing what little peace she’s trying to find in her sleep.

My hand moved instinctively, reaching to tuck it behind her ear. But I paused midway.

What am I even doing? Is this crossing a line? It's just an attraction, right? That's all this is. And I shouldn't get ahead of myself.

She wouldn't like it if she knew where my thoughts were heading. Hell, I don't like it either. It's wrong.

But she looks so damn peaceful. And that stupid strand of hair keeps messing with her sleep. Helping her get some rest, can't be wrong, right?

I slowly tuck the hair behind her ear, revealing her full face, and damn, it hits me like a punch to the chest.

She's beautiful.

My gaze drops to her lips, which was naturally pink, way too soft for my sanity.

My mind betrayed me and rewound that moment again. That stupid moment.

That accidental kiss I had with her earlier.

That was my first ever kiss.

God, I hate that it happened like that. I hate how it's stuck in my head like a damn song on repeat. And worst of all, I hate that I can't stop thinking about it.

I took a deep breath and started driving again. It was a long ride, but with her beside me, it didn't feel tiring at all.

With her location set on the GPS, I followed the route quietly, making sure to slow down at bumps so that it doesn't disturb her sleep.

After what felt like hours, I stopped the car in front of an apartment building, the exact spot she shared.

I turned to her, and she was still fast asleep. Her head was resting against the closed window, curled up in my jacket looking cute.

I didn't know which apartment she lived in. And honestly, her neck must be sore from leaning that way for so long.

So I reached out, carefully— just wanted to help her sit more comfortably.

But the moment I gently moved her head from the window to the seat, she mumbled in her sleep,

"Bholu, come to mommy."

Then she grabbed my arm, pulled me closer, and rested her head on my shoulder.

I froze. My heart picked up speed like it couldn't keep up with the moment.

She stayed like that— clinging to my arm, sleeping with her head softly on my shoulder.

She looked so calm. So beautiful. I couldn't bring myself to wake her.

So I let her sleep right there, on me. For as long as she wanted. Because I can't do the crime of waking her up.

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈

It had been over four hours of her resting against my shoulder. She was smaller than me, so I had to lean awkwardly to make sure she was comfortable. My arm was starting to go numb, but I didn't move. Not even a bit.

I tried to sleep, but I couldn't. Not without those damn sleeping pills, and those nightmares waiting for me behind closed eyes.

Still, today, for the first time in a long while, my eyelids felt heavy without pills. Just as I was about to give in to the pull of sleep, I felt her shift.

She moved away from my arms, causing my eyes snapped open.

She was stirring, slowly regaining consciousness, her gaze darting around the unfamiliar surroundings with confusion clouding her face.

"Where… where am I?" she asked, her voice soft and disoriented.

"You're with me. In Agastya's car," I replied gently.

"Kon Agastya? Aur tum kon ho?" Her brows furrowed as she looked at me, clearly still caught in the haze of sleep.

It took her a few long minutes—five, maybe more—to really see me. To recognize me.

And when she did, a pure shock took over her face.

"Mr. Sarthak! I'm so sorry!" she said, her voice full of panic. "I didn't mean to fall asleep. We just arrived, right? I didn't make you wait, did I?" She asked as she checked her wrist watch, and I saw the guilt in her eyes as she looked at me.

"It's been more than four hours," I replied, keeping it simple.

She froze, looking more nervous than before. "You should've woken me up, Mr. Sarthak. I'm so sorry for the trouble," she said, quickly slipping off my jacket and opening the car door in a hurry.

"Listen, Ms. Ishika," I started, but before I could finish, she swung her legs out and tried to stand up on her own.

Her leg gave out, and she winced in pain. "Ouch…"

I quickly got out of the car and rushed to her side. "Are you alright?"

"Ah, yeah, I'm fine," she said, though I could tell she was lying. "You should go. I can manage."

"Let me help you," I offered, but she shook her head.

"Mr. Sarthak, please, if anyone sees you here, it could be a problem. Just go back," she said, trying to hold herself together.

I sighed and pulled out a black face mask from my pocket, putting it on. “Now I'm incognito. Let me help you, okay?" I scooped her up into my arms before she could protest.

"Which floor?" I asked.

"Mr. Sarthak, please, let me down. You don’t have to carry me," she said softly, wrapping her arms around my neck.

“Ms. Ishika I am asking you something. Which floor?” I repeated firmly.

"Third floor," she answered.

I stepped into the building, my eyes already scanning for an elevator but didn't find one. "No elevator?"

"Nope. My salary doesn't allow such luxuries. That's why I told you, I could manage on my own."

I snorted. "This place doesn't even have a lift, cutie. And you think you could drag yourself up to the three floors on that leg, huh?"

"I could've called my flatmate. Ina."

"No need. We're already here." I adjusted my grip on her as I climbed the stairs.

When we reached the third floor, she pointed to a door down the hall. I gently placed her in front of it, her hand gripping the handle for support.

"You okay? Hurting too much?" I asked, searching hurting her face.

"No, I'm fine. Thank you for helping me, Mr. Sarthak. You should go now." She gave me an awkward smile, her eyes avoiding mine.

"Go?" I raised an eyebrow. "I carried you up here, and you made me wait in that car for over four hours. My shoulder is stiff as hell from being your personal pillow." I exaggerated, rubbing my shoulder for effect. It wasn't much of an act anymore, my muscles actually were sore.

Her face flushed with guilt. "Oh no did I really sleep on your shoulder? I'm so sorry again. Would you like to come in for coffee? Just to make it up to for this situation?"

I smiled gently. "It's fine. You need to rest. It's already past three in the morning. Go to sleep, and see a doctor in the morning, okay?"

She nodded, looking a bit relieved. "Thanks for everything tonight. I really appreciate it."

I gave her a small wave. "Mm, bye."

I turned to leave, feeling the weight of the night, but then I stopped and turned back around. She was still standing by the door, watching me.

"By the way, Ms. Ishika…" I called out, "Who's Bholu? You mentioned him in your sleep. Is he your boyfriend? Or maybe your kid?"

She blushed deep red and looked down, clearly embarrassed. "Boyfriend? Kid? No, I don't have a boyfriend, and I'm not a mom. Bholu is… my teddy bear."

I chuckled softly. "Ah, got it."

With that, I turned and walked away, leaving her standing by the door.

So, she doesn't have a boyfriend. She's single. But maybe this was the last time I'd see her.

But this was supposed to end here. I told myself this attraction ends here.

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈