Aarohi couldn't sleep that night.
Every time she closed her eyes…
she saw him.
The way he looked at her.
Like she wasn't invisible anymore.
Like she was… his focus.
Her phone lay beside her, screen dark. Silent.
Too silent.
She stared at it for a long time before finally grabbing it.
Why hasn't he texted…?
The thought annoyed her.
Why did she even care?
Buzz.
Her breath stopped.
The screen lit up.
Unknown: "Miss me already?"
Her heart skipped.
Aarohi bit her lip before replying.
"You disappeared."
Seen.
Typing…
Stopped.
Typing again…
"I wanted to see if you'd think about me."
Her fingers froze.
God… he was playing with her.
And the worst part?
It was working.
"You shouldn't have come last night," he sent.
Her brows frowned.
"Then why did you call me?"
A pause.
Long enough to make her restless.
Then—
"Because now… you're involved."
Her chest tightened.
"In what?"
No reply.
Minutes passed.
Five… ten…
Her heartbeat grew louder with every second.
Just when she was about to throw her phone aside—
Knock.
Her body stiffened.
At this hour?
Slowly… hesitantly… she walked to the door.
Another knock.
Softer this time.
Almost… deliberate.
"Aarohi…" a low voice came from the other side.
Her breath hitched.
No.
No way.
Her fingers trembled as she unlocked the door.
And there he was.
Standing right in front of her.
Like he had always belonged there.
"You—" her voice broke, "How did you—"
He stepped inside before she could finish.
Closed the door behind him.
Click.
The sound echoed louder than it should have.
"You shouldn't open doors so easily," he said casually, eyes scanning her.
Her oversized t-shirt. Bare face. Messy hair.
Something dark flickered in his gaze.
"Especially not for strangers."
Her throat went dry.
"Then why are you here?" she whispered.
He didn't answer immediately.
Instead… he stepped closer.
Slow.
Measured.
Dangerous.
"Aren't you curious?" he murmured.
She didn't move.
Couldn't.
He stopped just inches away.
Close enough that she could feel his breath.
Her heart was pounding so loudly she was sure he could hear it.
"You asked me what you're involved in…" he said softly.
Her lips parted.
"Yes…"
His fingers lightly brushed her wrist.
Not tight.
Not forceful.
But enough to send a shock through her body.
"This," he whispered.
Silence.
Heavy.
Charged.
Aarohi swallowed hard.
"This… what?" she asked, her voice barely there.
His eyes darkened.
"A game you don't understand yet."
Her pulse raced.
"Then explain it to me."
For a moment… he just looked at her.
Like he was deciding something.
Then suddenly—
He leaned in closer.
So close that his lips almost brushed her ear.
"You won't like the rules," he murmured.
Her breath caught.
"Try me."
A slow… dangerous smile appeared on his lips.
"That confidence…" he whispered, pulling back just enough to meet her eyes,
"…I'll break it first."
Aarohi's heart dropped.
Not in fear.
Not completely.
But in something far more dangerous.
Excitement.
To be continued…