Shobhana's POV

Shubman's lips are so soft. 

What brand of lip balm does he use? 

Is it guava-scented or something that makes me want to devour him? 

Wait, focus, Shobhana.

His lips are still on mine, and I swear, I might actually melt into the bed if he doesn't stop. 

It's like every little kiss sends a jolt of electricity down my spine. 

God, why didn't anyone warn me about this?

His hands slide down to my waist and mine, practically falling into his hair. 

Ugh, it's so messy now—like, tangled and all, but honestly, who cares? 

I could get lost in this mess.

Then—knock knock knock.

WHAT THE HELL?

I immediately pull away, my eyes wide with panic. "Shubman! Shirt! NOW!"

His eyebrows furrow in confusion, but he obeys and throws on his shirt just as quickly as possible.

 Meanwhile, I grab my book and plop down into a chair like nothing happened, trying to act like I haven't just had the most intense moment of my life.

Shubman opens the door to reveal Ishan. Oh, great. Just what we need—Ishan. The walking disaster.

"I finally asked Kriti out!!" he shouts, practically bursting in the door. 

"Yes! I won the bet! Shubman, pass me the 200 bucks!" I look up from my book, feigning total innocence.

"Oh my god, since when were you here?" Ishan gasps.

"For like, 20 minutes," I reply, not even bothering to hide the sarcasm.

"Oh, so you were doing some... funny business, huh?" Ishan smirks, giving us both that knowing look. He leans against the doorframe, clearly enjoying the tension.

"Very funny, Ishu," I mutter, doing my best to keep my face straight while inside, I'm freaking out.

"Oh yeah?" he grins, glancing at Shubman. "Then what's this on your lips, huh?" He wipes his finger across Shubman's lips, revealing the infamous lip balm.

I freeze. Oh. My. God. Did he just...

"Uh, she bought a new lip balm, so I just... tried it out," Shubman quickly spits out, trying to cover it up. He throws Ishan the lip balm like it's a grenade. 

"Here, catch."

I can't help it—I snicker. "Well, I guess someone's testing out the new products, huh?" he says, giving Shubman a playful side-eye.

Ishan stares at it like it's some rare treasure, then shrugs, clearly not caring. 

"Oh, okay. Whatever, guys. Anyway, I gotta go plan my baby's date, so... see ya!" He turns and walks out as if nothing happened.

Once the door shuts, I flop onto the bed, releasing the breath I didn't even realize I was holding. 

"Damn, that was close," I say, burying my face in the pillow.

"Yeah, that was definitely a close call," Shubman mutters, rolling next to me. He's so close I can feel his breath on my neck. 

Seriously? Why am I dying from just breathing the same air?

We lay there for a second in silence, but I can still feel the heat from his body radiating next to me. He sighs and scratches his neck. 

"We probably should keep this on the down-low for a while, huh?"

I nod, trying not to think about the fact that he just kissed me like it's the last kiss he'll ever have. 

"Yeah, definitely. At least until the whole world stops being so predictable."

"But... I don't want to wait too long," he mutters, pulling me closer. 

"The more time I spend with you, the more I realize I don't want anyone else. Just you."

I try to hide the fact that my heart just skipped a beat. "Is this you being serious, or... are you just making fun of me?"

"Shobhana, when have I ever made fun of you?" he says, his voice low and almost dangerous now. "I'm just being... real."

"Real?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. "What do you mean by real?"

He smirks, his lips brushing against my ear. "You know, like, 'I can't keep my hands off you,' real."

OH MY GOD. Did he just say that? Did he just say that?!

I barely have time to think before his lips are on mine again. This time it's a little more intense, a little more... heated. 

His hand snakes into my hair, pulling me closer, if that's even possible, and I can feel my whole body on fire. What the hell is happening?

This is real, this is happening, my brain screams, but I just can't bring myself to care.

Then—DING!

My phone buzzes, and I jump away faster than a cat on a hot tin roof. "What the heck?" I groan, checking the screen. It's Kriti. Of course.

"I gotta go," I say quickly, pushing myself off the bed, trying to act normal. "If I don't, she's going to think I'm dead."

Shubman grabs my wrist, his grip soft but firm. "Wait. What does this make us, Shobhana? Tell me."

I look at him, my heart racing again. "What do you want it to be?" I ask, my voice low.

He smiles, that damn smile. "Can I call you my girlfriend? Is that okay?"

Okay, let me just die right here.

I smile, biting my lip. "Yeah, I'd like that."

His grin widens, and before I can process it, he pecks my lips. Twice.

"You're lucky I have to leave, or I'd never let you go," I laugh, getting up, trying to regain some semblance of composure. 

"Kriti will kill me if I don't answer."

Shubman leans back on the bed, staring at me like I'm the only thing in the world. "Well, at least text me later, yeah?"

I give him a wink as I reach for the door. "I'll think about it," I say with a teasing smile. "Bye, Shubman."

As I close the door behind me, I can still feel his eyes on me, and I have to remind myself—this is real. 

And, oh, this is going to be one hell of a ride.