The driver blinked, as if waking from a strange dream. For a second, his eyes stayed on Aisha-dark and intense. He quickly turned away, jaw tightening. With a soft click, the car doors unlocked.

"Y-yeah... yeah, please get in," he said, his voice low and gruff, tinged with something he was trying to suppress-formality layered over uncertainty.

Aarohi, sharp-eyed and ever protective, stepped in front of Aisha, her brows arching with suspicion. "And who exactly are you two?" she asked, voice calm but clearly on guard, her gaze flicking between the two men-one who seemed oddly amused, and the other, disturbingly silent. The second man's presence was like a coiled storm, his stillness more telling than words.

"Armaan. Armaan Khurana. Heartthrob, part-time charmer, full-time gentleman."

he said with an easy charm.

"And the silent statue behind the wheel? That's Reyansh Singh Rathore. Childhood friend. Bit of a storm in human form, but completely harmless... unless provoked."

Reyansh didn't respond. He merely gave a curt nod. But even seated, he dominated the air around him. It wasn't just the way he looked-it was the energy he carried. Unapologetically powerful. Commanding. His gaze slid back to Aisha for a moment, holding just long enough to make her breath catch. There was no warmth in those eyes, only a cold fire-like embers that hadn't burned out, only gone quiet.

"We were heading out anyway," Armaan continued, his tone casual, like this was all routine. "Saw you two in the middle of the road, figured we'd offer a lift. Night like this isn't the safest for two girls walking alone."

Aarohi crossed her arms. "These days, 'help' usually comes with strings attached."

Reyansh finally turned his head slightly. Just enough to speak. His voice was deep, deliberate-like every word was chosen, weighed, and then released.

"We'll drop you wherever you need to go," he said. "It'll be safe. I don't make promises unless I intend to keep them."

Aisha shivered. Not out of fear-but because of how sure he sounded. He didn't speak like a man trying to earn their trust. He spoke like someone who already knew he'd be trusted-because he gave people no other choice.

Aarohi looked at Aisha again. Her eyes asked a silent question. Aisha gave a small nod.

"Alright," Aisha said, cautiously. "But if you try anything funny-"

Armaan held up his hands, grinning. "Trust me, we like drama, not acting. Now come on, ladies. The royal chariot awaits."

With a final look between them, Aisha and Aarohi slid into the back seat. Reyansh started the engine with fluid, deliberate movements. His hands on the steering wheel were strong, precise-every motion practiced, like a man who never did anything without intent.

The car slipped into motion, gliding through the night like a shadow. For a while, the silence held-thick, almost tangible.

Then, as if sensing the tension, Armaan turned around in his seat, his ever-present grin softening the mood. "So," he said, voice light, "coming back from a party?"

Aarohi relaxed just a bit. "Farewell party. College is over. All dressed up and no ride home."

"Tsk," Armaan chuckled. "Well, lucky us. Fate clearly wanted us to cross paths tonight."

Aisha raised an eyebrow. "And what about you two? Out for a joyride?"

Armaan shot a glance at Reyansh before replying. "Just finishing up an errand. Got delayed."

Aarohi wasn't letting it go that easily. "An errand... or meeting someone?"

Reyansh's eyes flicked up to the rearview mirror. His gaze met Aisha's reflection, and she felt the air thicken. "Both," he said. His voice was unreadable-cool and composed, yet somehow personal. "The work was important. But so was the meeting."

Aarohi leaned back, watching Armaan from the corner of her eye. "Toh... tum dono bachpan ke dost ho?"

"Bachpan se leke ab tak," Armaan replied, glancing at Reyansh with a grin. "Aur har stage pe isne mujhe zinda chhod diya-kaafi badi baat hai.",

" Waise kya plan hai next? Ab toh gaadi mil gayi. Aap logo ne apna naam nhi bataya?"

Aarohi straightened up a bit, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Mein Aarohi... Aarohi Shukla. And yeh Aisha Sharma," she said, nodding toward her friend.

Outside, the city lights blurred past. The wind whispered through the slightly cracked windows, bringing in the scent of night-blooming flowers and far-off rain.

Aarohi eventually relaxed into her seat, pulling out her phone and scrolling through photos from the party. Armaan leaned over to peek, laughing at their exaggerated poses and commentary. For a few minutes, the mood lightened. Even Aisha smiled.

But every time her eyes strayed to the front, she found Reyansh's reflection waiting in the mirror.

He didn't smile.

Didn't speak.

Just drove-like a man with too many thoughts and not enough time to outrun them.

Reyansh said little, but he listened. His eyes occasionally met Aisha's in the mirror-just brief flickers, like shadows passing over the moon. She couldn't read him, but she couldn't ignore him either.

What had begun as a chaotic, irritating detour now felt strangely... fated. As if something unseen had shifted, pulling their lives into a new alignment.

Byeeeee Pookies 🎀💋❤✨