Advika's POV

With a soft groan, I stirred in my sleep, realizing that I was lying on something hard, almost like rocks.

Wait, the last thing I remembered was sleeping on the couch. It’s hard, sure, but not this hard. Slowly, I opened my eyes, only to be blinded by the sharp glare of sunlight streaming through the window.

I wasn't on the mountains like I thought, I was still in the room but it seems like I have slept longer than usual.

Yawning, I shifted my hand, and it slid over something smooth and hard. My eyes widened to the point of popping out of their sockets when I realized the “rock” I’d been lying on was none other than Shravan’s bare chest.

And he was naked.

What the—?

Panic flooded me as I scrambled to check my own clothes. While throwing my legs around I got the feeling of the clothes on my skin.

Thankfully, I was still dressed, but what if he took advantage while I was asleep because I don't remember doing anything last night?

"Calm your little brain down. We haven't done anything the way you are thinking," came a deep, husky, and hoarse voice of Shravan, which felt strangely sexy.

I froze, then hesitantly looked up at him through my lashes, only to find him staring right back at me.

“How did I end up here?” I asked, my voice lacking its usual confidence. Maybe it was because of how close we were.

“You walked here in your sleep,” he replied, nonchalantly.

“Sleepwalking?” I frowned, puzzled.

“Yeah. Don’t tell me you didn’t know you were a sleepwalker,” he stated as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"I am not a sleepwalker" I stated

“Well, the thief never admits to being a thief, now does he?” he shot back with a smirk.

I narrowed my eyes at him. I was sure he had brought me here to the bed himself and was now making up this ridiculous story to cover it up.

“Anyway,” he continued, changing the subject, “can you move? I’m getting late for the gym.”

“It’s already past your usual gym time,” I countered. “You were awake before me, so why didn’t you just wake me up?”

That question seemed to catch him off guard. His chest stilled beneath my hand, and his eyes darted around the room, clearly searching for an answer.

“I, uh...” he stammered before saying, “I couldn’t bring you a Karwa Chauth gift, so I thought letting you sleep a bit longer was the least I could do.”

Though I wasn't fully convinced with what he said but his tone was unusually soft, almost endearing which melted my heart.

A smile tugged at my lips as I propped myself up on one elbow, my other hand still resting on his chest.

“So, Mr. Akdu does have a soft side, huh?” I teased, raising an eyebrow.

“Akdu? Who’s that?” he asked, a small frown creasing his forehead.

“You,” I said with a chuckle.

“I am not akdu!” he protested.

“You are.” I stuck my tongue out at him playfully.

His gaze flicked to my tongue, and I quickly pulled it back. But his eyes lingered on my lips longer than necessary, making me feel...

Weird?

Hot?

I don't know...

The moment was getting too intense, so I decided to move away. The warmth of his bare chest was already affecting me, and now his gaze was doing strange things to my insides.

As I shifted, I noticed my bracelet was tangled in his neck chain. Before I could say anything, he suddenly asked, “Were you actually scared last night when you found out I was in the farmhouse that caught fire?”

The question caught me off guard.

I licked my lips nervously. “Yes,” I admitted softly.

“I knew it. You’re falling for me. I’m just too hot to resist.” One side of his mouth curved into a proud smirk.

Oh, for God’s sake.

“Relax, Mr. Akdu,” I said, rolling my eyes dramatically. “I was scared about becoming a widow in the first week of my marriage, not for you.”

His smirk vanished, replaced by an offended scowl.

“Oh, really?” he challenged. “Then why are you still lying on me, huh? Enjoying yourself, are you?”

I shot him a glare. Okay, fine. I’ll admit he had a body worth admiring, but I wasn’t lying here by choice!

"You know how to act, Ms. Nautanki" he added.

"What did you just say?" I asked.

"Nautanki, Ms. Nautanki because this is what you are. You act so innocently in front of my family but in front of me you become a wild cat"

"Don't provoke me to show you my actual wild side" I warned him.

"Oh, mai to dar gaya" (Oh, I got scared) he mocked, raising his hands in exaggerated surrender.

He called me Nautanki, but in reality, he is a drama queen.

Ignoring him I tried to untangle my bracelet from his chain. To do that I have to take my weight on my elbow. I was about to unhook it when suddenly Shravan doubled over in pain while shouting,

"Hayy,  mai mar gaya" (I died)

Darr Gaya, marr gaya, iski alag hi poem chal rhi hai subah subah...

"You idiot girl!" He scolded me while stroking his stomach "Why did you dig your elbow so sharply into my stomach"

Opsie...

In an attempt to untangle the jewelry, I put my weight on my elbow, which I dug into his stomach. It must have hurt.

“Sorry,” I mumbled, sitting up. The jewelry had untangled itself when he moved.

"Your sorry is not going to soothe the pain," he said, shooting glares at me.

Ok, I know it is hurting, but there is no need to overreact. I mean I am saying sorry, right? It happened by mistake. I didn't mean it, but this man doesn't understand anything.

"It is better if you sleep on couch, away from me!" He kept on shouting and blabbering under his breath while I kept staring at him.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that now?" He asked, looking down at me.

“Do you know a good psychiatrist?” I asked innocently.

“For you? Absolutely. You’ve clearly lost a screw,” he retorted.

“Not for me—for you,” I shot back, pointing a finger at him. “You’ve got some serious dual personality issues.”

His nostrils flared as he glared at me.

“You were so calm and sweet a few minutes ago, and now look at you,” I continued.

His eyes narrowed, and his nose flared at my response.

“And whose fault is that? You hurt me!” he exclaimed dramatically.

“Come on Shravan, it was an accident. I already apologized, didn’t I?” I softened my tone. “Can’t we at least try to be friends? We still have months to spend together.”

For a moment, he seemed taken aback. His eyes flicked down to my lap before meeting mine again. He opened his mouth as if to say something but then closed it. He seems to fighting an internal battle.

“Pack your stuff. We’re leaving for the trip tomorrow,” he said abruptly.

My eyes blinked rapidly at him. This wasn't the answer to my question. He doesn't leave a single chance to piss me off when I am trying to make things better between us.

"And what shall I pack for you? Sarees?"

He clenched his teeth and shot me a death glare.

Success!

I grinned. If he didn’t want to be friends, I’d just keep annoying him.

"Drapping saree is your hobby, right?" I pursued my lips to suppress my laugh "You can continue it there as well. I promise I won't tell anyone"

“Stop your nonsense!” he snapped. “I’ve seen Mom draping sarees on mannequins in her boutique all my life. That’s how I know how to do it. But of course, your little brain wouldn’t understand that. Helping you was my mistake.”

He stormed off to the bathroom, muttering under his breath, “Think whatever you want. I don’t care.”

Chidkunta kahin ka...

~~~~~~~~~~

I just hope both of them return from the trip alive. Pata chala koi ek doosra ka katl kr de 🌚

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