Chaahat

Chapter 18: Change rooms

"You did not!"
Aarav can't help but gawk at his future wife as she giggles at him. "Yes I did."
Muskaan throws her arms around Aarav's neck as they stand in the middle of the store. "And...."
Aarav raises his brow at her, "And?"

Muskaan's fingers find the buttons on Aarav's shirt and sh fiddles with them before peering up at her man. "And, maybe we should also go find a change room or maybe the back of a car."
Aarav takes in a deep breath before wrapping his arms around Muskaan's waist. "You naughty naughty girl."
Muskaan an't help but giggle when his other hand finds her ass, guiding her out of the store. "You are in big trouble."

Meanwhile, Riya has her back turned to Xavier, she slowly moves her hair to the side, revealing her bare back. "Can you help me with the zip pease?"

"Help you with the zip is your way of making me give in. Isn't it?"
Xavier's words slip past his lips before he can stop them causing Riya raise a brow at him through the mirror. In the cramped confines of the change room, Riya stands rigidly, her back towards Xavier as he stands a few feet away. Their rivalry crackled in the air like static as their bet re emerges between them.

Xavier's voice is low and smooth, cutting through the silence. "But the way our hand felt in mine, the way you pulled me in this room, I think I might just win this little bet of ours."
Xavier takes a small sep closer, "Ready to admit defeat yet, Riya?" he taunts, his tone laced with confidence as he takes in the sight of the magnificent woman in front of him.

Riya clenches her jaw, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing her falter. "Not a chance, Xavier," she shoots back, her voice steely. "I'm not owing any bet."

With deliberate slowness, Xavier steps closer, his fingers hovering near the zipper of Riya's dress. "You're only making this harder for yourself," he murmurs, his breath warm against her ear.

Riya fights to ignore the shiver that races down her spine, her resolve wavering for just a moment. She's the one who had pulled him in, so now she has to face the consequences her own actions. But Xavier only smirks, undeterred by her state, her defiance yet want for more. His fingers finally closing around the zipper.

As he eases the zipper down, Riya's breath catches in her throat, her pulse quickening with each passing second. She refuses to meet his gaze, unwilling to give him the satisfaction of seeing the effect he had on her. But the fabric of the blouse loosens arid her frame, slipping from her shoulder, leaving her standing vulnerable before him.

Riya can't deny the undeniable spark of attraction that crackles between them. And in that moment, she realises that perhaps their rivalry isn't the only thing that binds them together. Xavier's hand finds her shoulder, his hand clutching the intricate fabric of the saree. Before he can pull it away from her, Riya's hand stops his movement.

"I can take it from here. Thank you."
Riya feels the control slip past her fingers. In the dimly lit change room, Xavier's breath caressed Riya's ear as he leaned in closer, his voice a husky whisper that sent shivers down her spine. "Are you sure?"

Wanting to regain some control, Riya smirks at him through the mirror before turning around. One hand over her chest, holding the blouse in place. She steps closer, pressing herself against him, her eyes peering up at him.
"You can keep pretending, Xavier," she murmurs, her lips brushing against his ear her with each word, "but we both know the truth."

Xavier's heart hammers against is ribcage as he struggles to maintain his composure. "I don't know what you're talking about," he stammers, is voice barely above a whisper. Riya's voice is low and intimate, sending warmth flooding through Xavier's veins despite his best efforts to resist. "Deny it all you want," she murmurs, her breath tantalizingly close, "but I can feel the tension between us, just waiting to ignite."

Xavier's resolve wavers as Riya's words washes over him, her proximity igniting a fire that he acn't extinguish. But he refuses to let see his weakness, steeling himself against the overwhelming tide of attraction. With a final, lingering brush of her lips against his ear, Riya pulls away, leaving Xavier trembling in his wake. He gulps, his hooded eyes taking in the sight of her before he takes a step out of the room. Riya stands alone in the quiet of the change room, she knows that their bet was far from over and that the battle for control had only just begun.

After a few moments, she steps out of the dressing room. Xavier seems to have disappeared from outside, he hands her saree to the assistant, who immediately takes I away to be added to Aarav's bill. As she walks out, she notices the darkness covering the sky outside. Her eyes fall on Xavier, she sighs before walking towards him.

Just as she does, a notification goes off on her phone, but before she can take it out of her purse to check a voice at his her attention.
"Oh look who it is."
Riya looks up at the mischievous voice and a smile makes its way on her face. It's Saksham, the guy she went on a date with.
"Oh my god! What are you doing here?"

He raises a brow at her, "Although, you out right rejected me, your brother and father were kind enough to invite me to the wedding, so I have to dress nice."
Riya's mouth hangs open at his words, she playfully shoves his shoulder, "I did no such thing!"
The two laugh at each other before Saksham leaves to check some clothes out.

Riya smes as she pulls out her phone and continues to walk towards Xavier. His eyes are set on her as she does. He saw her with Saksham and how cheery she was, it irritates him and he can't do anything to help it. He watches as she looks down at her phone and her smile vanishes. She looks back up, her scared eyes looking around her frantically a if she's looking for danger.

Xavier takes a step closer to her, wanting to reach her as soon as possible, but before he can Riya rushes towards him. Relief floods through him, and without a second thought he opens his arms as she throws herself into his arms. Trembling, she buries her face in his chest, seeking solace from the terror that's consuming her.

"Xavier, he's here," she whispers, her voice trembling.

He holds her tightly, murmuring soothing words as he gently stroked her hair. In his embrace, Riya feels safe, as if nothing in the world could harm her as long as he was there. And for that moment, she allowed herself to believe it, finding comfort in the warmth of his embrace amidst their surrounding.

"His text?"
She nods against his chest. "It's a picture..o-of me..in the ch-change rooms!"
Xavier's grip tightens around her as if he wants to hide her away completely. "It doesn't have anything nude, it's just me in the sa-saree but he..he..he was right there! Xavier, he was so close to me, and I had no idea!"

Xavier holds the girl in his arms closer before leading her out. Aarav and Muskaan had just left after Xavier told them he'll bring Riya home"Let me get you out of here, darling. I'll sort this out later."
Riya nods her head before following him out. He helps her on the back of his bike, secures a helmet on her head before driving away.

They speed away into the night, the motorcycle slicing through the shadows. Xavier's silent commitment speaks louder than any words can, and Riya feels a comforting sense of security enveloping her as they disappear into the darkness.