ᴅᴀɴᴄɪɴɢ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴀɪɴ

Aarini spent the entire night tossing and turning, her mind replaying Revansh’s words like a song stuck on repeat.

"That’s why you’re mine, Dove."

She hated how it made her heart race. How his voice lingered in her thoughts even when she didn’t want it to. How a single name, spoken in his deep, arrogant voice, had completely shattered her wholw composure.

By morning, she convinced herself it didn’t mean anything. That it was just another one of his games. She wouldn’t let herself fall for it.

She wouldn’t fall for him.

But the universe seemed to have other plans.

***

"You’re staring again," Kriti’s voice cut through Aarini’s thoughts as they sat in the campus cafeteria.

Aarini immediately snapped her gaze away from the far end of the hall, where Revansh was lounging against a table, laughing at something his friend had said.

"I am not," she denied.

Kriti smirked. "You totally are. And I don’t blame you. Revansh Malhotra is basically illegal levels of attractive."

Aarini groaned. "Not you too, yaar!"

Her best friend only grinned, resting her chin on her hand. "You do realize you’ve been different lately, right? Like, before, you’d insult him every chance you got. But now…"

"Now, what?"

Kriti’s eyes sparkled with mischief. "Now you just stare at him with those unreadable eyes."

Aarini wanted to argue, but she knew it was pointless.

She had been different. And she hated it.

Before she could reply, a loud whistle echoed through the cafeteria.

All eyes turned toward the source which was none other than Revansh.

Or more specifically, Revansh standing on a table, raising a glass of juice like he was about to make some grand announcement.

Aarini’s stomach twisted for a moment.

Whatever he was about to do… she knew it wouldn’t be good.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he drawled, his voice laced with amusement. "I have a little challenge for our dear Miss Joshi."

Aarini’s heart sank a little.

Here we go again.

She crossed her arms, raising an unimpressed eyebrow. "What now, Malhotra?"

Revansh smirked. "I bet you can’t spend an entire day with me. No running away. No excuses. Just you and me. How about that, huh? The whole day."

The cafeteria buzzed with excitement and laughter.

Aarini rolled her eyes. "That’s not even a challenge, Malhotra."

"Oh, it is," he countered smoothly. "Because we both know you want to run away. But this time, you won’t."

Her jaw clenched. He was baiting her. And what was worse? It was working on Aarini.

"What do I get if I win?" she asked.

Revansh’s smirk widened. "You get to tell me to leave you alone."

Aarini stilled hearing him.

That sounds… tempting.

"And if I lose?"

His gaze darkened, playful yet intense. "Then you admit you’re falling for me."

Aarini’s breath hitched in her throat.

The entire cafeteria went silent, waiting for her answer.

She knew she should walk away. Ignore him and leave.

After all he comes with those stupid games everyday.

But she was really tired of running so she squared her shoulders, met his gaze head-on, and smirked.

"Challenge accepted, Malhotra."

The crowd erupted in cheers and laugh. While Revansh’s eyes gleamed with something darker.

And just like that, the game between them had reached a dangerous new height.

***

A few hours passed and Aarini regretted everything.

It had barely been two hours since the challenge began, and she already wanted to strangle Revansh Malhotra.

First, he had decided they had to skip classes. “What’s the point of a challenge if we do boring things?” he had said. And just like that, he had smoothly convinced the professor to let them leave early.

Then, he had dragged her to his favorite café, one she never stepped into because it was always filled with his kind of people: rich, cocky, and full of themselves.

And now?

Now, she was sitting across from him, watching in disbelief as he ordered for her.

"I’ll have an iced Americano," she interrupted before he could speak.

Revansh smirked. "No, she’ll have a caramel macchiato. Extra sweet, just opposite of her."

Aarini narrowed her eyes. "No, I won’t."

"Yes, you will," he countered smoothly, handing the menu back to the waiter.

She huffed. "You don’t get to decide what I drink, Malhotra."

He leaned forward, resting his chin on his palm. "Sweet drinks suit you, Dove."

Her heart skipped a beat, but she masked it with an eye-roll.

"You really enjoy being annoying, don’t you?"

"It’s my favorite pastime," he admitted shamelessly.

When the drinks arrived, Aarini took a sip of her macchiato just to prove a point.

Unfortunately, it was really good and from the victorious gleam in Revansh’s eyes, she knew he noticed.

"So, what’s next?" she asked, determined to ignore him.

Revansh smirked. "We’re going shopping."

Aarini blinked. "What?"

"You heard me, Dove. If we’re spending the whole day together, I might as well buy you something pretty."

She scoffed. "I don’t need anything from you."

"But I want to give you something." He countered back.

There was something in his voice, something dangerously soft, hidden beneath his usual arrogance and bratty behavior and for the first time, Aarini wasn’t sure if she was still just a game for him.

But she had made a promise.

She wouldn’t fall for him.

So she pushed back her chair, crossed her arms, and smirked.

"Fine, Malhotra. Let’s see if you can keep up with me."

Revansh chuckled, standing up and offering his hand.

"Careful, Dove. You might actually start enjoying my company."

Aarini scoffed, ignoring his outstretched hand but the truth was… she already did started enjoying being with him.

And that was the most dangerous part of all....

***

Thirty minutes later

Aarini had no idea how she let this happen.

One moment, she had been confidently leading the way, determined to prove that she could handle Revansh Malhotra’s antics. The next, she was standing in the middle of an exclusive designer boutique, surrounded by mannequins dressed in ridiculously expensive outfits.

"You actually brought me to a luxury store?" she deadpanned, glancing at him.

Revansh smirked, leaning casually against a display counter. "Did you really expect anything less, Dove?"

She groaned. "I meant normal shopping, like street markets, thrift stores, something reasonable, not this all."

He raised a brow. "Dove, I don’t do reasonable."

Before she could argue, a store assistant approached them with a bright smile. "Mr. Malhotra, it’s wonderful to have you here again. How can we assist you today?"

Aarini opened her mouth to protest, but Revansh beat her to it.

"I need something that would look perfect on her," he said, tilting his head toward Aarini.

She stiffened. "Excuse me?"

"Something elegant, something that matches her fire," he continued smoothly, ignoring her glare. "Maybe a deep red or black or something bold."

The assistant nodded enthusiastically. "Of course, sir. We have some beautiful new arrivals. Miss, please follow me."

Aarini crossed her arms. "I’m not wearing anything you pick out for me, Malhotra."

Revansh smirked. "Who said I’m picking? I’m just buying, dove."

She groaned. "I hate you."

"Aw, Dove," he said, stepping closer, voice dripping with amusement. "And here I thought we were bonding together."

Aarini shot him a glare before stomping off toward the changing rooms, muttering curses under her breath.

***

The first dress was too flashy

The second was too tight.

The third was.... perfect.

Aarini stared at her reflection, heart pounding hard inside her chest.

The dress was black, hugging her waist before flowing elegantly down to the floor. It was beautiful, exposing just enough skin to make her feel both beautiful and vulnerable.

It wasn’t something she would usually wear.

But somehow… she did liked it.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the fitting room.

The moment Revansh saw her, his smirk vanished.

For the first time since the challenge began, he was silent.

His dark eyes traced over her slowly, taking in every detail.

Aarini shifted under his gaze. "Well?"

Revansh’s lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but he didn’t. Instead, he stepped closer, his fingers brushing against her wrist as he murmured,

"That’s the one."

Her breath hitched hearing him.

Because for the first time… it didn’t sound like a game.

It sounded as if he was calling her.....his.

***

The sky had darkened by the time they left the boutique, thick clouds rolling over the city, warning of an impending storm. Aarini clutched the shopping bag in her hands, still flustered by the way Revansh had looked at her in that dress.

She hated it. She deeply hated the way he could make her feel something without even trying.

"Why do you look like you’re plotting my murder, Dove?" Revansh’s teasing voice pulled her from her thoughts as they stepped onto the sidewalk.

She turned to glare at him. "Because I just might, Malhotra."

He chuckled. "I should be terrified, but somehow, tskk, I’m not."

Before she could snap back, the first drop of rain landed on her cheek.

Aarini glanced up just as the sky opened, rain pouring down in thick, heavy sheets. Within seconds, the streets glistened under the dim glow of streetlights, and the sound of water hitting pavement filled the air.

"Great," she muttered, pulling the shopping bag closer. "Now we're stuck."

Revansh, on the other hand, looked at her unbothered. In fact, he looked amused as if something funny had just happened.

"What now?" she grumbled.

His smirk deepened. "Dance with me."

Aarini blinked. "What?"

He stepped forward, offering his hand like they were on some grand ballroom floor instead of a rain-drenched street. "Dance with me, Dove."

She scoffed. "Are you insane? It’s pouring!"

"And?" He tilted his head, his damp hair falling slightly over his forehead. "Scared you’ll enjoy it?"

Her jaw clenched hard. He was doing that thing again, he was challenging her, pushing her to the edge for the sake of his pen stubborn ass.

And maybe it was the rain, or the ridiculousness of it all, but this time, she didn’t want to back down.

So she took his hand in hers.

Revansh pulled her close in an instant, his palm pressing firmly against the small of her back. Aarini gasped at the sudden warmth, the way their soaked clothes clung to them, making the moment feel even more intense.

He moved smoothly, effortlessly, guiding her through slow steps as if they really were at a ball.

"You’re terrible at this," she muttered.

Revansh smirked. "Little liar."

Truth to be told then she was lying. He was good. Too good to be true at dance.

The rain blurred everything around them, but she could still see him, his sharp jawline, the way droplets clung to his lashes, the way his dark eyes never left hers.

For a moment, the world melted away.

It was just them, caught in something neither of them wanted to name.

Aarini swallowed, realizing too late how close they had gotten, how the air between them had thickened.

Then Revansh’s voice dropped to a whisper.

"You look beautiful like this."

Her heart stuttered hearing those magical words.

He hadn’t said it in that teasing way he always used. Not in that cocky, arrogant manner. He had said it genuinely and Aarini could sense it.

This was… different and dangerous.

And so she did the only thing she could dom she pushed him away off her.

"Let’s go," she said quickly, turning toward the car. "Before you catch a cold, Malhotra."

Revansh chuckled, watching her rush ahead.

But for once, he didn’t chase after her.

Because this time, he knew that she was already running from herself and he was too close to winning.

***

The car ride back was quieter than usual.

Aarini kept her gaze fixed on the raindrops trailing down the window, pretending she wasn’t hyper aware of the man sitting next to her. The rain had soaked them both to the bone, and even though the car’s heater was on, she still felt the cold or maybe, it was something else entirely.

Revansh had barely spoken since they got in. But she could feel his eyes on her, studying her like she was a puzzle he was trying to solve.

She shifted uncomfortably. "Stop staring at me, Malhotra."

His lips curved. "Can’t help it, Dove."

Aarini scowled. "Stop calling me that."

"Why?" He leaned in slightly, his voice lower, teasing but laced with something deeper. "You don’t like it?"

She hated that he had a nickname for her. That it was his way of claiming something, making her different from all the other girls who practically threw themselves at him.

And the worst part? She couldn’t say she didn’t like it.

So she said nothing. Nothing at all.

The silence stretched between them, thick, heavy and haunting.

Then Revansh did something that made her heart lurch.

He reached out and tucked a wet strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering for a second too long.

Aarini froze from his touch. She should pull away. She should say something sharp, cut through the tension with her usual sarcasm but this time she didn’t.

She just sat there, her breath caught, as his fingers brushed against her skin.

"You’re cold," he murmured, and before she could react, he shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

Aarini blinked, caught off guard by the simple gesture.

"You---"

"Don’t argue," he interrupted smoothly, his voice softer than usual. "Just take it."

She clutched the fabric, the warmth of it seeping into her skin. It smelled like him, rich cologne, whiskey, and something distinctly and simply Revansh.

Her fingers curled around the edges of the jacket as she turned away, trying to ignore the way her pulse had picked up.

The rest of the drive passed in heavy silence.

But the air between them crackled with something neither of them was willing to acknowledge.

And Aarini knew, whatever this was, whatever game they were playing, she would end up losing her heart.

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So how was the chapter yall?