RYU POV
Whenever his dark-brown eyes landed on me, my heart simply... stopped.
There was something in his gaze—warm, gentle, almost like the first rays of sunrise that quietly fill life with a strange, unexpected happiness.
I forced myself to look into his eyes and asked,
"Mr. Devil... what are you doing here?"
Rey didn't blink. His expression was unreadable as he replied,
"What you were doing here?"
I rolled my eyes, though my chest felt tight.
"I was just looking at them. And where is Avi? That idiot left me here."
Rey's jaw twitched.
"Don't snoop in their personal matter," he said sharply.
"Why do you care so much?" I stepped closer.
"They're a cute couple. I'm just happy to see them."
Something flickered in his eyes—annoyance, jealousy, something he didn't want me to see.
I smirked.
"You wish to find this type of love for yourself, na?"
Instead of arguing, Rey leaned in and whispered,
"Maybe... with you."
My heart stopped.
"Say that again and I'll kill you," I warned, voice shaky.
In one swift motion, he grabbed my wrist and pushed me gently—yet firmly—against the wall. His face hovered inches from mine.
"Kill me then," he whispered. "But don't pretend you don't feel anything."
He leaned closer.
"I don't need to wish for love. I already know who I want... and it's you."
I froze. My mind insisted he was joking, but my heart refused to believe it.
His closeness... his voice... everything felt too real.
My cheeks warmed, and I hated how clearly he noticed it.
I pushed him away and ran to my room, hiding my face.
A few minutes later, Maya and I began exploring Aakash's house.
It was warm, cute, cozy—too perfect.
Everyone else was packing for the trip. We were going to Dhari Devi Temple in the morning, then heading to Pithoragarh.
Maya wandered around, admiring every wall picture.
I checked my phone, trying to calm my racing thoughts.
Then she suddenly stopped.
"Ryu... look at this photo."
I walked over lazily—
and froze.
It was Aakash as a child... with a little girl beside him.
And something inside me twisted.
I knew that girl.
Or at least... I felt like I should.
Maya, chewing chips like a cow, said,
"Ryu... you both look so similar. Even you and Aakash look alike."
Her careless words planted a sudden, sharp doubt in my mind.
I quietly clicked a picture of it.
Just in case the truth was something I wasn't ready for.
Later, I sat in a chair, trying to remember the girl's face.
But my memories felt hollow.
Empty.
Broken.
I was sinking deeper into thoughts when I noticed Mr. Devil walking toward me like he owned the world.
Great. Just what I needed.
REY POV
Seeing her lost in thought made something tighten in my chest.
When I approached, she immediately got up to leave.
I grabbed her hand gently, stopping her.
Her face looked troubled.
"Miss Joshi... what happened?" I asked softly.
She avoided my gaze.
"Nothing, Mr. Devil. Just thinking about something unimportant. Why are you here?"
I grinned.
"Nothing. I saw you... looking like a slouch potato. It was funny."
"You idiot, I'll kill you!" she snapped, instantly angry at my smile.
I stood up, ready to run as she grabbed a pillow and chased me.
Kabir, Maya, and Avi watched us like they were in a cinema hall—three monkeys enjoying the show.
Suddenly, her foot slipped.
She fell.
I tried to hold her—
and we both crashed to the floor.
RYU POV
I was ready to fight this idiot—but the moment I realized he was on top of me, our faces too close, my cheeks turned into tomatoes.
Our eyes locked.
And Kabir and Avi stared like they were watching a romantic climax scene.
REY POV
My heart stuttered.
Her eyes.
Her face.
Her lips.
Everything too close.
I just wanted to make her laugh—
not fall on her.
Then—
ARJUN POV
I saw the scene and anger boiled in my veins.
"Ishita Ryu Joshi!" I shouted.
She immediately stood up, dusting herself.
Rey stood beside her like a guilty prisoner.
"Ryu, I really don't understand what is going on with you," I snapped.
"Yes," she whispered.
Maya quickly dragged her away like a survivor fleeing an explosion.
I grabbed Rey by the collar.
"Don't you dare walk away. Stay away from my cousin. Or I'll break your bones."
I warned Ryu too.
But I knew she wouldn't listen.
MAYA POV
Honestly? I enjoyed the scene more than I should have.
Their chemistry was straight out of a romantic movie.
All we needed was popcorn.
When Arjun came in... the blast was epic.
Ryu looked lost again.
"What were you thinking?" I asked.
"Arjun scolded me so much... Why weren't you helping me?"
"I didn't want to disturb you," Maya shrugged. "Also... I was enjoying."
"Me too," Ryu muttered. "Especially when I saw you with Kabir."
"Ryu! Don't say it!"
"I will."
We noticed everyone placing their bags on the bus.
Wrapped in my shawl, I climbed up behind Ryu.
She lifted her head—
and there he was.
Rey.
Hand stretched out to help her up.
His eyes soft.
Ryu just stared at him, lost in his stupid, stupid handsomeness.
CHAPTER BLURB
What begins as playful teasing turns into a tangle of emotions Ryu isn't ready to face.
A childhood photo raises questions she can't answer.
A fall brings her dangerously close to the one she wants to avoid.
And Arjun's explosive warning threatens to tear everything apart.
Between hidden memories, forbidden moments, and Rey's growing boldness—
Ryu's world is about to change forever.
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Thank you for reading this chapter!
This one was filled with chaos, comedy, tension, jealousy, and a lot of accidental romance.
If you enjoyed the chapter, don't forget to comment your thoughts—
Who do you support? Team Rey or Team Safety Arjun? 😭🔥
More drama, mystery, and romantic tension coming in the next c