Aadhya's POV
I was still struggling with that stupid bandage box when suddenly—
Thud.
I bumped into something hard.
"Damn it—" I hissed instantly, covering my nose. Pain shot straight through my head. "Meri naak…"
I looked up to see what I crashed into.
…
I wish I hadn't.
Vivaan.
Of course.
Why is he everywhere.
"You look stupid," said the damned Oberoi, looking down at me like I personally offended his existence.
Before I could even reply—
"Haha Adi you look like Rudolph!" one of his idiots— I mean friends— laughed loudly.
Great. Audience bhi hai.
I glanced around. Mahesh, Nikansh, Neel… all there.
"What the hell are you all doing here…" I muttered under my breath.
Ugh. I don't care.
I turned and started walking away.
But obviously… peace is illegal in my life.
Suddenly—
My arm was grabbed.
Firm. Strong.
I was pulled back.
"You're coming with us," Vivaan said, already dragging me along like I'm some luggage.
"No thanks, I'm going home. Leave me," I snapped, trying to free my arm. "Let go!"
But this idiot… doesn't understand what no means.
They dragged me to the third floor.
And stopped near—
An ice cream parlour.
Wow.
Big. Fancy. Overdramatic.
Just like him.
"Sit," he ordered.
I folded my arms and just stared at him.
"What do you want?"
"Sit."
"Just tell me what you want. If you have nothing to say I'm going home."
"DAMN IT IS IT HARD TO SIT?"
He shouted.
Loud.
Everyone turned.
Great. Public scene. Again.
I inhaled slowly.
"Fine…" I muttered and sat down, looking away from him.
"Neel. Your specialty," he ordered one of his guys.
"Okay Vivaan," Neel said and went inside.
Your specialty?
Wow.
So this is also his.
Rich rich indeed.
But seriously… why does he show off this much?
I looked around like a curious puppy. Lights… people… chocolate smell… everything was distracting enough to ignore him—
But of course…
He won't let that happen.
Suddenly—
His fingers grabbed my chin.
And turned my face towards him.
And lifted it slightly.
"What are you doing…" I snapped, annoyed.
He ignored me completely.
Like I didn't even speak.
His gaze dropped to my nose.
Slowly… he removed the old bandage.
Gently.
But still—
"Agh—" pain shot instantly and I shut my eyes tight.
He paused.
"Does it hurt?" he asked.
Softly.
I opened one eye.
"No, I'm quite enjoying it," I replied dryly.
The next second—
He pressed my nose.
Harder.
"Damn it—" I clenched my teeth, my eyes watering instantly.
"You son of—" I cursed under my breath.
He definitely heard it.
"I swear if I end up becoming Voldemort—" I muttered dangerously.
He caught my chin again.
This time… firmer.
He already had a new bandage in his hand.
Obviously. The one I bought.
"Stick it properly or you'll get it from me," I warned him before he tried anything stupid.
And then—
Something weird happened.
Everything slowed down.
Like… actually slowed down.
We were just… staring at each other.
No words.
No noise.
Just his eyes… and mine.
His grip slightly loosened.
My breathing slowed.
And for a second—
Everything felt…
Still.
Then—
He rolled his eyes.
"Are you crazy?"
And just like that—
Back to normal.
Ugh.
Neel returned with a huge jar of ice cream.
Chocolate dripping.
Rich. Messy. Tempting.
He placed it in front of Vivaan.
I thought he'd eat it.
But—
He pushed it towards me.
…
I blinked.
"What is this? A bribe?"
"If that's what you call it… then yeah. Fine. A bribe."
Wow.
He really thinks it's that simple.
"You think I'll let this pass with this?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah," he said casually, "it's every girl's weakness."
…
Wow.
Just wow.
"No. Not me. I don't like it."
That clearly caught him off guard.
He paused.
Then—
"Then what do you want?"
Hmm.
Why is he so persistent?
Guilt?
Maybe.
I looked straight into his eyes.
"A simple sorry."
I tapped my chest lightly.
"From here."
"And then explain why you did that."
Silence.
For a second… I thought—
Maybe he will.
But then—
He laughed.
Cold.
Sharp.
Arrogant.
"Apologising is not my thing."
"And explaining too."
There it is.
That ego.
That wall.
That… darkness.
I nodded slowly.
"Okay."
I stood up.
"Then we're both wasting our time here."
I picked up my phone and wallet.
"I'm going home."
No drama.
No shouting.
Just… done.
I turned and walked away.
I could feel his gaze on my back.
Heavy.
Sharp.
But I didn't turn.
I won't.
"Bus se hi jaungi…" I muttered to myself while walking out.
Maybe next time I'll ask masi how to take a taxi.
Hmm… maybe.
I stepped out of the mall.
The evening air hit my face.
Cool. Quiet.
Finally… peaceful.
And then—
My brain reminded me.
Ice cream.
…
I paused.
Looked back at the mall.
Then scoffed.
"It's okay," I said to myself.
"I'll buy my own."
Because I don't want anything…
From him.
Not his money.
Not his help.
Not even his apology.
…
Right?