Advika's POV

No matter how much Shravan tried to pretend that he wasn't looking at me my sixth sense is very sharp. I knew exactly when and where he was staring.

I just decided to ignore it because I wasn't feeling uncomfortable.

The vibrant colors of the fair spread across the horizon combing with the beautiful sunset making it even more alluring and attractive. The air was filled with the enticing aroma of freshly fried snacks, the melodious tunes of a local band, and the infectious laughter of children looking around with wide and curious eyes.

Shravan walked beside me, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his jeans, his gaze casually scanning the stalls uninterested in everything like his usual self.

He is actually a very boring company and my bad luck is that I am stuck with him for the next few months.

"Let's take a ride!" I exclaimed, pointing towards the towering merry-go-round that spun high into the sky. The lights on it glittered like stars, calling out to me.

Garvit and I always stay excited for rides. Mom used to scold us because she was afraid for our safety, but we never listened to her. It's always thrilling and exciting for me..

Shravan's eyes followed my finger, and for the first time that evening, he faltered.

"That? You want to go on *that*?" he asked, his tone laced with apprehension and surprise.

"Yes! It'll be fun!" I tugged at his arm, but he stayed rooted to the spot.

"That thing looks... unsafe," he muttered, scratching the back of his neck, gulping slightly.

In this months I have learnt to understand his thoughts with his mere expressions and right now the nervousness was clearly written on his face.

It seems like he has never taken a ride before.

"Unsafe? Or are you just scared?" I asked with a mischievous smile playing on my lips.

"Scared? Of course not!" he scoffed, but the slight quiver in his voice betrayed him.

"Well, if you're not scared, then prove it. Or should I call you Shravan-the-scaredy-cat from now on?" I teased, crossing my arms.

His jaw tightened, and I could see the wheels turning in his head.

"Fine. Let's do it," he said, his voice firm. "But if you start screaming or crying, I will push you down right from there!" He said pointing at the highest end.

"Deal!" I said and laughed.

Victory danced in my eyes as we made our way to the ride. The attendant strapped us in, and soon the ride started. Shravan sat beside me, his grip on the metal bar so tight his knuckles turned white.

"Relax, Shravan. It's just a ride," I said, teasing and chuckling.

He shot me a glare but said nothing. The merry-go-round began its ascent, and my excitement mounted. I started enjoying the moment when the cool breeze rushed past, ruffling my hair, but all I could hear was Shravan muttering prayers under his breath with his eyes tightly shut.

For the first three rounds, Shravan was silent, but as the ride picked up speed, Shravan let out a scream that could rival a banshee.

"Stop the ride! Stop it now!" he yelled; his eyes squeezed shut, and his hold tightened even more.

I bit my lip, trying to stifle my laughter.

"Shravan, open your eyes! Look at the view!"

"No! I'm not opening them! Make it stop, make it stop now!" He demanded.

And that's when an idea struck me.

"Oh no," I gasped, feigning panic. "I think the ride's broken."

His eyes flew open wide with terror; all the blood rushed to his cheeks out of horror. The look on his face was worth capturing. Finally, I had my revenge!

"What? Broken? Are you serious?"

I nodded my head, biting my lips. His nose flared and teeth clenched when he understood that I just pulled a prank on him.

"This is not funny at all!" He clutched the bar tighter, his face pale as a sheet "I'm going to kill you when we get off this thing," he growled.

"First, you'll have to survive," I quipped, still laughing.

But this time he didn't say anything back. The ride picked up the speed and he was looking seriously bothered. He tossed his head aside with his eyes tightly shut.

I understand that everyone has their own fear and I am not going to judge him if he has the fear of heights.

I reached out and placed my hand on his. "Shravan, look at me," I said softly.

He hesitated but turned his head, his brown eyes locking with mine.

"Breathe," I instructed, my voice calm. "Hold my hands."

He was a bit hesitant but then he did as I asked, his large, warm hands enveloping mine.

"Now, focus on me. Nothing else matters. Just us," I whispered.

I looked into his eyes deeply, forcing him to lock his gaze with me. I wanted him to focus on me so that he could forget the world and it felt like it actually worked. He seemed to relax; his breathing slowed down, and his shoulders eased down.

It was not only him but I also got distracted. In that moment the world around us faded, leaving just the two of us suspended in our little bubble.

"How do you do that?" he asked, his voice barely audible.

"Do what?" I asked him back.

"Make me forget everything else," he murmured.

A blush crept up my cheeks, but before I could reply to him, the ride came to a complete stop. The attendant opened the gate. Shravan was the first to get off, his legs a little wobbly. I followed, grinning from ear to ear.

"Don't laugh" Shravan said without turning back to me.

"I am not laughing. I am smiling" I corrected him.

I burst into a fit of laughter all of a sudden.

"What?" He turned around facing me.

"I can't!" I laughed "I just can't forget your face. You scream like a Bollywood heroine in a horror movie. I half expected you to yell for the hero to save you."

His face flushed, and he pointed a finger at me.

"I swear-"

"Relax, Shravan, I'm joking," I said, holding up my hands in mock surrender. "Sort of."

"But on a serious note, I think you should try a kiddie ride now"

I burst into laughter again, imagining Shravan waving from a teacup.

He narrowed his eyes at me, ready to eat.

"Sorry," I raised my hands once again "But not sorry"

And I ran off. He shook his head, let out a deep huff, muttered something under his breath, and followed me.

"Stay here he said, making me stop in my tracks. "I'll get us some coffee. You're exhausting, and I need caffeine to survive this evening."

I laughed as he walked off, his long strides making it look like he was on a mission. While I waited, watching the colorful buzz of the fair that surrounded me. I hugged myself and rubbed my arms as the temperature was going down.

"Hey," a voice interrupted my thoughts.

I turned to find a boy, maybe in his early twenties, standing in front of me. He had a confident smile and an air of nonchalance that immediately made me wary.

I drew deep breaths, preparing myself to ask him to mind his way, but my words seemed to be stuck in my throat like always. I felt like that vulnerable, scared girl again.

Why, even after so many years, does my past still make me weak? Especially in such situations!

"May I buy a coffee for you?" he asked, tilting his head toward the stall Shravan had gone to.

"May I call an ambulance for you?"

Shravan came and stood beside me. His eyes shoot deathly glares at that boy.

The boy raised his hands in surrender.

"Hey, no problem, man. Just thought I'd ask."

"Don't," Shravan said coldly, his jaw tight. The boy mumbled something and ran away.

"Can you just stop getting into trouble every time I am not around you? You seem to attract it like a magnet" Shravan asked me in a firm voice.

I looked down, mumbling a soft apology. My mood was spoiled, completely!

He is right. I need to overcome my past and be strong instead of looking for someone else's help.

A few seconds of silence spread between us. His body seemed to relax as he leaned slightly down to look at me.

"You okay?" he asked softly.

I nodded but didn't trust my voice enough to speak.

"Coffee" he moved one cup of coffee towards me.

"Thanks, Shravan, but I don't like coffee that much and I am not feeling like having it right now!" I said looking up at him.

He sighed, then looked down at the coffee in his hand. Without warning, he tossed both the cups into the nearest trash bin.

"Shravan!" I exclaimed, my eyes widened at his move "That was perfectly good coffee!"

"So was your mood before this coffee!" He said, looking at me with a straight face, "So that traitor deserves to be in the dustbin!"

I let out a huff. Sometimes it is really hard to understand him.

"Now tell me what would you like to have?" He asked.

I looked down again instead of replying to him.

"Candy floss?" He asked.

I shook my head.

"Popcorn?"

"No."

"Churros?"

I shook my head again.

"Ice cream?"

I looked up at him, his sharp features illuminated by the soft glow of the fairy lights. It was clear he wasn't going to stop until I gave in.

A man who usually lacked any sense of patience was now not only waiting for my response but doing so with persistence.

How can I forget that if he wants something, he gets it anyhow?

A weak smile made its way to my lips, and I finally said yes to ice cream.

A soft chuckle escaped his lips, low and rich, and for a moment, I forgot about everything else.

As we walked toward the ice cream cart, our hands brushed, a soft touch that sent an unexpected jolt through me, like a spark igniting somewhere deep inside. I tried to brush it off as an accident, but the way Shravan's eyes darted toward mine at the same time told me he felt it too.

I just hope that this spark was momentary...

~~~~~~~~~

Let me know how the chapter was.

Not very much happy with the response to the previous chapter. It actually kills the motivation to write.

The target for the next chapter is 165 votes because you guys are not going to vote on the previous chapters, so I would have to keep the current chapter targets high.

Also kindly follow me as well. Each follow means a lot to me.

I would be very grateful if anyone could help me in creating the reels for this story.

Thanks

~dayyyyydreamerrr