THE LATE NIGHT moonlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting a warm glow across the spacious living room of Aratrika's new flat. She lay sprawled on the floor, surrounded by boxes and packing material, her long legs stretched out in front of her. With a sigh, she ran a hand through her tousled hair, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the chaos of the moving day.
"Rika! Are you alive in there?" came the voice of her roommate and good friend, Anushka Sharma, from the living room.
Aratrika groaned, rolling onto her side and propping herself up on her elbow. "Barely," she called back, her voice muffled by the carpet.
Anushka appeared in the doorway, a playful smirk on her face. "Come on, lazybones. We've got work to do. The sooner we unpack, the sooner we can relax."
Aratrika let out another groan, but reluctantly pushed herself to her feet. "Fine, fine. I'm coming."
Together, they set to work unpacking the boxes and arranging their belongings in their respective rooms.
Aratrika's room was filled with sports equipment and trophies, a testament to her passion for academics and athletics.
Anushka's room, on the other hand, was decorated with colorful posters and fairy lights, giving it a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
As they worked, they chatted and laughed, reminiscing about their college days and making plans for the future. Despite the chaos of moving, Aratrika couldn't help but feel grateful for Anushka's friendship and support.
"Thanks for helping me with all this, Nush," Aratrika said, giving her friend a grateful smile.
Anushka shrugged, waving off her thanks. "Hey, what are friends for? Besides, it's not every day we get to start fresh in a new place. We might as well make the most of it."
Aratrika nodded, feeling a surge of excitement at the thought of all the new adventures that lay ahead. With Anushka by her side, she knew that anything was possible.
As they continued unpacking, Anushka's phone buzzed with a text message. She glanced down at the screen, a smile spreading across her face as she read the message from her boyfriend, Virat.
"Looks like someone's got plans tonight," Aratrika teased, nudging Anushka playfully.
Anushka blushed, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Yeah, Virat wants to take me out for dinner tonight. He's been so busy with work lately, it'll be nice to spend some quality time together."
Aratrika grinned, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Ooh, fancy. Where are you guys going?"
Anushka checked her phone again, typing out a quick response. "He's keeping it a surprise, as usual. But knowing Virat, it'll be somewhere nice."
Aratrika nodded approvingly. "Well, you deserve it. You've been working so hard lately, you deserve a night of pampering."
Anushka smiled gratefully, her heart swelling with affection for her friend. "Thanks, Aratrika. You're the best."
With a final glance at her phone, Anushka turned her attention back to unpacking, her mind buzzing with excitement for the evening ahead. As they worked together, the anticipation of their new life in their new flat mingled with the warmth of friendship and the promise of love, creating a sense of excitement and possibility that filled the air.
As they continued to unpack, the atmosphere in the flat buzzed with excitement and energy. Aratrika and Anushka worked together seamlessly, their laughter filling the space as they reminisced about old memories and shared hopes for the future.
With each item they unpacked and placed in its new home, the flat began to feel more like theirs, a cozy sanctuary where they could create new memories and forge new adventures together.
Anushka's phone buzzed again, and she glanced down to see another message from Virat. This time, a smile tugged at her lips as she read his playful invitation to dress up for their date night.
"He's such a sweetheart," Anushka said, her eyes glowing with affection. "Always knows how to make me feel special."
Aratrika grinned, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes. "Well, I hope you're ready to dazzle him with your beauty tonight."
Anushka blushed, playfully swatting Aratrika's arm. "Stop it, you. But thank you. I'm really looking forward to tonight."
As the sun began to set outside, casting long shadows across the room, Aratrika and Anushka finally finished unpacking. They collapsed onto the couch, exhausted but happy, surrounded by the comforting warmth of their new home and the promise of an exciting evening ahead.
With a contented sigh, Aratrika leaned back against the cushions, feeling grateful for the friendship and love that filled her life. As she glanced over at Anushka, a sense of warmth and happiness washed over her, knowing that together, they could conquer anything that life threw their way.
After Anushka left for her date night with Virat, Aratrika found herself alone in the cozy confines of their new flat. With a sigh of contentment, she decided to make herself comfortable for a productive evening of work.
She fetched her laptop from her room and settled onto the couch, propping her feet up on the coffee table. With a few swift keystrokes, she pulled up her assignment and began typing away, the soft glow of the screen illuminating her features.
As she worked, Aratrika couldn't resist the urge to indulge in a bit of multitasking. With a mischievous grin, she reached for the remote and turned on the speaker, filling the room with the pulsating beats of her favourite playlist.
The music washed over her, its infectious rhythm infusing her with renewed energy and focus. With each keystroke, Aratrika felt herself slipping into a state of flow, her thoughts flowing effortlessly onto the screen as she typed away.
Lost in the music and the rhythm of her work, Aratrika lost track of time, completely immersed in the task at hand. Before she knew it, the first assignment was complete, her fingers flying across the keyboard with practised ease.
With a satisfied smile, Aratrika saved her work and closed her laptop, the sense of accomplishment washing over her. As she leaned back against the cushions, basking in the warm glow of the music and the quiet of the empty flat, she couldn't help but feel grateful for the simple joys of solitude and productivity.
Aratrika was lost in the rhythm of the music, swaying to the beat as she vibed with the song filling the room. The melodies wrapped around her like a warm embrace, soothing her mind and invigorating her spirit.
Suddenly, the main door creaked open, pulling her out of her musical reverie. Assuming it was Anushka returning from her date with Virat, Aratrika turned with a smile, ready to greet her friend. But to her surprise, it wasn't Anushka who walked through the door.
Her eyes widened in astonishment as Shubman strolled in, a smirk playing on his lips. He held a bag of groceries in one hand, his casual demeanour contrasting sharply with the unexpectedness of his arrival.
Aratrika blinked, momentarily speechless as she tried to process the sight before her. "Shubman? What are you doing here?"
Shubman chuckled, setting the bag of groceries down on the kitchen counter. "Funny story, actually. Seems like Virat and Anushka asked me to drop off some stuff here while they finish up their date."
Aratrika's eyebrows shot up in disbelief. "They did? I had no idea."
Shubman flashed her a playful grin, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Well, surprise, surprise. Looks like you're stuck with me for a little while longer."
Aratrika couldn't help but roll her eyes at his smug demeanour. "Great," she muttered under her breath, a hint of sarcasm in her tone.
With a resigned sigh, she resigned herself to the company of her charming yet infuriating rival, knowing that their evening was about to take an unexpected turn.
Aratrika watched with a mixture of amusement and exasperation as Shubman made himself at home in the kitchen, his easy charm and relentless flirting in full swing.
"So, Aratrika, what's cooking?" he asked with a grin, leaning casually against the counter as he unloaded the groceries.
Aratrika rolled her eyes, resisting the urge to groan audibly. "Nothing that concerns you, Gill. Just focus on your task and leave me alone."
Shubman chuckled, undeterred by her dismissal. "Ah, come on, don't be like that. You know you love my company."
Aratrika scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "Yeah, right. Keep dreaming, Gill."
As Shubman continued to banter and flirt shamelessly, Aratrika found herself growing increasingly irritated by his persistent advances. She tried to focus on her work, but his charm was like a magnetic force that pulled her attention away, much to her frustration.
Before she knew it, Shubman had moved closer, his hand gently grasping her arm as he guided her to sit on top of the counter. Aratrika gasped in surprise, instinctively swatting his chest in protest.
"Hey, what do you think you're doing?" she demanded, glaring at him with narrowed eyes.
Shubman grinned, unfazed by her reaction. "Just trying to get a better view, sweetheart."
Aratrika huffed in annoyance, but she couldn't deny the heat that spread through her veins at his proximity. With a resigned sigh, she settled onto the counter beside him, their thighs brushing against each other as they sat side by side.
But as Shubman's gaze lingered on her, his eyes tracing the curve of her figure, Aratrika felt a surge of discomfort wash over her. With a swift movement, she hopped off the counter and made her way to the couch, determined to put some distance between them.
As she focused on her work, Aratrika could feel Shubman's eyes on her, his gaze burning into her skin with an intensity that made her squirm. She tried to ignore him, but she couldn't shake the feeling of his presence lingering in the room, his flirtatious words echoing in her mind.
Meanwhile, Shubman couldn't tear his eyes away from Aratrika as she walked away, her denim shorts hugging her curves in all the right places. He cursed himself for his inability to resist her, his mind swirling with conflicting emotions as he watched her with a mixture of longing and desire.
"Damn, she's something else," he muttered to himself, his heart pounding in his chest as he struggled to contain the whirlwind of emotions raging inside him. "But what am I supposed to do about it?"
Shubman couldn't tear his gaze away from Aratrika as she sat on the couch, her attention focused on her laptop screen. The soft glow of the lamp illuminated her features, casting a warm glow over her face and highlighting the subtle curve of her lips.
"Damn, she looks so sexy," Shubman muttered to himself, his cheeks tinted red as he struggled to contain the flood of desire coursing through him. "And that bralette... holy shit."
As Aratrika leaned over to grab something from the table, her t-shirt slipped off her shoulder, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of the black bralette underneath. Shubman's breath caught in his throat as he caught sight of her cleavage, his mind instantly flooded with forbidden thoughts and fantasies.
He couldn't help but daydream about running his fingers along the smooth curve of her skin, tracing the delicate lace of her bralette with his fingertips. The image sent a shiver down his spine, igniting a firestorm of desire that threatened to consume him whole.
Shubman shook his head, trying to dispel the intoxicating spell Aratrika had cast over him. "Get it together, Gill," he muttered under his breath, his voice barely above a whisper. "She's just a friend. You can't let yourself get distracted like this."
But try as he might, Shubman couldn't shake the image of Aratrika from his mind. Her laughter echoed in his ears, her scent lingered in the air, and the memory of her tantalizing curves burned bright in his mind's eye.
With a frustrated sigh, Shubman leaned back against the counter, closing his eyes and trying to regain his composure. But no matter how hard he tried to push her out of his thoughts, Aratrika had firmly planted herself in his mind, her presence haunting him like a beautiful, unattainable dream.
As Shubman leaned against the counter, his mind drifted into a realm of forbidden fantasies. He couldn't help but imagine what it would be like to lean in closer to Aratrika, to feel the heat of her breath against his skin as their lips met in a passionate kiss.
The image sent a jolt of electricity coursing through him, igniting a firestorm of desire that threatened to consume him whole. He imagined trailing kisses along her jawline, tasting the sweetness of her skin as he explored every inch of her with a hunger that bordered on desperation.
His fingers itched to reach out and trace the curves of her body, to feel the softness of her skin beneath his touch. He imagined tangling his hands in her hair, pulling her closer as they surrendered to the undeniable chemistry that crackled between them.
Lost in his daydream, Shubman's cheeks flushed with heat as he indulged in the forbidden fantasy of making out with Aratrika. He could almost taste the sweetness of her lips, feel the warmth of her body pressed against his as they lost themselves in the intoxicating rush of desire.
But just as quickly as the fantasy had taken hold, Shubman shook himself out of his reverie, his cheeks burning with embarrassment at the intensity of his thoughts. He couldn't believe he had allowed himself to entertain such scandalous ideas about his friend and rival.
"Get a grip, Gill," he muttered to himself, his voice laced with frustration and self-reproach. "She's off-limits, remember? You can't let yourself get carried away like this."
With a determined shake of his head, Shubman forced himself to focus on the task at hand, pushing aside the forbidden fantasies that threatened to consume him.
But deep down, he knew that the memory of Aratrika's tantalizing presence would linger in his mind long after she had left the room, leaving him to wrestle with the undeniable pull of desire that threatened to unravel his self-control.
Shubman's heart skipped a beat as he suddenly became aware of Aratrika's gaze on him. He opened his eyes to find her staring at him from across the room, her expression unreadable.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still as their eyes locked, a charged silence hanging between them. Shubman's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, realizing that Aratrika had caught him lost in his daydreams.
Clearing his throat awkwardly, Shubman tried to muster up a casual smile. "Uh, hey there. Didn't see you there."
Aratrika arched an eyebrow, a knowing smirk playing at the corners of her lips. "Lost in thought, were you?"
Shubman shifted uncomfortably, the heat rising in his cheeks as he struggled to come up with a response. "Yeah, something like that."
Aratrika's smirk widened into a playful grin. "Well, I hate to interrupt your daydreaming, but I've got work to do."
With that, she turned back to her laptop, effectively dismissing Shubman and his awkward attempts at conversation. Shubman cursed himself inwardly for getting caught in such a compromising position, feeling the sting of embarrassment burn hot in his chest.
As he watched Aratrika return to her work, Shubman couldn't shake the feeling that she had seen right through him, glimpsing the forbidden desires that simmered beneath the surface. He cursed himself for letting his guard down, for allowing himself to be so transparent in front of her.
But deep down, a part of him couldn't help but wonder if Aratrika's gaze had held a hint of curiosity, a spark of interest that mirrored the forbidden desires that raged within him. And as he watched her with a newfound sense of awareness, Shubman couldn't help but wonder if there was more to their relationship than met the eye, if perhaps their rivalry held the potential for something deeper, something more... intoxicating.
With a newfound sense of determination, Shubman decided to take a bold step forward. Ignoring the lingering embarrassment, he made his way towards Aratrika with a confident stride, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
As he reached her side, Shubman leaned in teasingly, his voice low and playful. "You know, Aratrika, I can't help but wonder what you're daydreaming about over here."
Aratrika glanced up at him, her expression a mix of amusement and curiosity. "Oh, just thinking about all the ways I'm going to crush you in our next academic challenge," she replied with a smirk.
Shubman chuckled, shaking his head in mock disbelief. "Always so competitive, aren't you? Well, just remember, I'm always up for a challenge."
Their banter flowed effortlessly, the tension between them crackling with a newfound energy.
Despite their rivalry, there was an undeniable chemistry that pulsed between them, drawing them closer with each playful exchange.
With a playful grin, Shubman leaned in closer, his lips hovering tantalizingly close to Aratrika's ear. "You know, sweetheart, if you ever need a study partner, I'm more than willing to lend a hand."
Aratrika rolled her eyes, but a smile played at the corners of her lips. "I'll keep that in mind, Gill. But for now, I think I'll stick to studying on my own."
Shubman leaned back, a twinkle of amusement in his eyes. "Suit yourself. But don't say I didn't offer."
As they returned to their respective tasks, Shubman couldn't shake the feeling of exhilaration that coursed through him.
Despite the lingering embarrassment and uncertainty, he couldn't deny the thrill of the moment, the tantalizing promise of what might be waiting just beyond the horizon. And as he stole a glance at Aratrika, a sense of excitement stirred within him, fueling his determination to explore the tantalizing possibilities that lay ahead.
Just as the tension between Shubman and Aratrika reached its peak, the door swung open, and in walked Anushka and Virat, their laughter filling the air as they entered the flat.
Aratrika's heart skipped a beat at the sight of her friend and her boyfriend, grateful for the interruption that broke the charged atmosphere between her and Shubman. She shot Shubman a quick glance, a silent warning to behave himself, before turning her attention back to her friends.
"Hey, guys! How was your date?" Aratrika asked, putting on a bright smile as she greeted Anushka and Virat.
Anushka grinned, a dreamy look in her eyes. "It was amazing! Virat took me to this fancy restaurant downtown, and we had the most incredible dinner."
Virat wrapped an arm around Anushka's waist, his own smile matching hers in intensity. "Yeah, it was great. But honestly, the best part was just spending time with you, Anushka."
Aratrika couldn't help but smile at the sweet exchange between her friends, feeling a surge of warmth at the obvious affection they shared. It was moments like these that reminded her of the power of love and friendship, and she couldn't help but feel grateful for the people who filled her life with joy and laughter.
As the group settled into the living room, the tension that had hung in the air between Aratrika and Shubman seemed to dissipate, replaced by the easy camaraderie of old friends. And as they laughed and chatted late into the night, Aratrika couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment settle over her, grateful for the unexpected twists and turns that life had brought her way.
As the evening wore on, Virat and Shubman eventually excused themselves, leaving Aratrika and Anushka alone in the cozy confines of their flat once more.
With a satisfied smile, Anushka turned to face Aratrika, a mischievous glint dancing in her eyes. "So, Aratrika," she began, her voice dripping with amusement, "care to explain why Shubman Gill was practically drooling over you earlier?"
Aratrika's eyes widened in surprise, a blush creeping into her cheeks at Anushka's teasing remark. "What? No, he wasn't," she protested, trying to feign innocence.
Anushka raised an eyebrow sceptically, her smirk growing wider. "Oh please, I saw the way he was looking at you. It was written all over his face."
Aratrika shifted uncomfortably under Anushka's knowing gaze, feeling a surge of embarrassment wash over her. She hadn't realized that her friend had picked up on the tension between her and Shubman, and the thought made her cheeks burn with embarrassment.
"I-I don't know what you're talking about," Aratrika stammered, unable to meet Anushka's eyes.
Anushka chuckled, shaking her head in amusement. "Sure, sure. Whatever you say, Aratrika. But just remember, I've got my eye on you two. Who knows? Maybe there's more to your rivalry than meets the eye."
Aratrika's cheeks flushed even hotter at Anushka's teasing remark, but deep down, a part of her couldn't help but wonder if there was some truth to her friend's words. As she glanced towards the door where Shubman had just exited, a flutter of anticipation stirred in her chest, leaving her to ponder the tantalizing possibilities that lay ahead.
After the evening's events, Aratrika retreated to her room, seeking solace in the familiar comfort of her own space. She sank onto her bed, her mind buzzing with thoughts of the unexpected tension between her and Shubman.
Just as she began to relax, her phone buzzed with a new message, causing her heart to skip a beat. With a sense of trepidation, she picked up her phone and unlocked the screen, her eyes widening in surprise at the sender's name.
It was Shubman.
With a mixture of curiosity and apprehension, Aratrika opened the message, her heart pounding in her chest as she read the words that appeared on the screen. Her cheeks flushed hot with embarrassment as she absorbed the contents of the message, feeling a surge of heat pool in the pit of her stomach.
PAIN IN THE ASS [ SHUBMAN ]
Hey there, gorgeous.
Can't stop thinking about you
and that sexy smile of yours. 😉
Aratrika groaned aloud, throwing her phone onto the bed as if it had burned her. She buried her face in her hands, feeling a mixture of frustration and confusion swirling inside her.
"Why does he have to be so damn persistent?" she muttered to herself, her voice muffled by her hands.
Despite her attempts to push him out of her mind, Shubman's words lingered in her thoughts, igniting a whirlwind of conflicting emotions that left her feeling both flattered and exasperated.
With a resigned sigh, Aratrika flopped back onto her bed, staring up at the ceiling as she tried to make sense of the unexpected turn of events.
soup rants!
- so here we have the second chapter of getaway car!
- anushka and virat are absolute cutus!
- man quite literally daydreamed about making out with her, in front of her
- anyway comments on the chapter?
- hope you guys enjoyed!
- love, supraja