ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴅɢᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴛᴇᴍᴘᴛᴀᴛɪᴏɴ

Aarini wished she could ignore the way her heart reacted around Revansh Malhotra.

But the problem was that....he knew.

He knew she was affected.

And he was using it against her.

A week later, the school arranged a mandatory weekend trip for the senior classes. It was a retreat to the serene hills of Shimla.

Aarini had been looking forward to the peaceful escape.

What she hadn’t anticipated was being assigned the same group as Revansh Malhotra.

"You’ve got to be kidding me," she muttered under her breath as their teacher read out the names.

Revansh, standing beside her, smirked. "Fate works in mysterious ways, Joshi."

"More like cursed ways," she grumbled.

***

The group was supposed to trek through the forested hills and reach the campsite before sundown.

It was supposed to be a simple walk but with Revansh, nothing was simple.

He walked beside Aarini, matching her pace effortlessly. "You should really lighten up, sweetheart."

Aarini ignored him, keeping her eyes on the path ahead.

Revansh sighed dramatically. "You know, I thought a weekend in the hills would make you nicer."

She stopped abruptly, turning to glare at him. "And I thought walking in silence would be possible."

Revansh chuckled. "Impossible when I’m around, sweetheart."

Before she could retort, a sudden gust of wind made her stumble slightly.

Suddenly Revansh’s hand shot out, steadying her by the waist.

Their bodies were close. Too close to each other as if they were a piece of the same puzzle.

Aarini sucked in a breath as her gaze met Revansh’s deep blue eyes.

"Careful," he murmured, his grip firm on her.

She swallowed hard, stepping away from him quickly. "I’m fine."

His lips twitched slightly. "Are you? Or maybe you're falling...i mean you just fell on me, sweetheart."

***

The night air was crisp, the sky a canvas of stars as the students gathered around a large bonfire. Laughter echoed through the clearing, but Aarini barely paid attention to any of it.



She was too aware of him. Aware of the rich brat who kept following her like a creepy fool.

Revansh sat across from her, his eyes gleaming in the firelight, watching her with an intensity that made her stomach twist.

Someone suggested a game of Truth or Dare.

Aarini wasn’t interested, until Revansh’s name was called.

"Truth or dare?" a girl asked, eyes full of mischief.

Revansh smirked. "Dare."

The girl giggled. "Kiss someone here. Your choice."

As soon as Aarini heard she felt her heart stop.

She expected him to choose one of the girls always fawning over him. She prayed he would. She hoped he would kiss someone else.

But then his gaze settled on her and a slow smirk curled on his lips.

And Aarini knew....

He was going to choose her.

***

Aarini’s breath hitched as the group erupted in cheers, eagerly anticipating Revansh’s next move.

Her fingers curled into fists. He wouldn’t dare.

Or would he?

Revansh leaned forward slightly, his gaze locked onto hers. The way he was looking at her, like she was the only person in the world, it made her pulse race fast.

"You’re not scared, are you, Joshi?" he taunted, his voice a low murmur, only meant for her.

Aarini straightened, her pride refusing to let her back down. "Of you? Never."

He chuckled, the sound deep and rich. "Then you won’t mind if I…"

Before she could react, he lifted his hand, brushing a stray lock of her hair behind her ear, his fingers grazing her skin lightly. The soft touch sent a shiver down her spine.

Aarini stiffened for a second

His touch wasn’t forceful. It wasn’t rushed. It was slow, calculated, gentle yet deliberate.

And far more dangerous than a kiss.

The air around them shifted at that moment. The group went silent, watching with rapt attention.

Revansh tilted his head, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Guess that counts as a kiss, doesn’t it?"

The group groaned in disappointment, some laughing, others complaining about how he cheated the dare.

But Aarini…she exhaled shakily, trying to steady her pounding heart.

Because deep down, she knew.

Revansh Malhotra was playing a game with her.

And she was losing.

He was like a forbidden temptation and she was at the edge of her desire, being attracted to the toxic temptation of Revansh.

***

The game ended, but the tension between them didn’t.

Aarini avoided Revansh for the rest of the night, choosing to sit with her friends by the lake, hoping the cold wind would cool the fire raging inside her but even as she laughed and talked, she felt him.

His presence.

His gaze.

His power over her.

And she knew…

This was only the beginning of something which would change her life forever.

***

The bonfire crackled, casting flickering shadows across the campsite. Laughter echoed in the air, blending with the sound of the rustling trees. Everyone was lost in their own world, sharing stories, roasting marshmallows, singing off-tune to old songs and playing guitars.

Everyone… except Aarini.

She sat at the edge of the group, pretending to be engrossed in her phone. But her mind was far from the meaningless texts on the screen because she could feel him.

Revansh.

His presence was a constant huge weight pressing against her senses, impossible to ignore. He wasn’t even sitting close, yet somehow, she knew he was watching her intently.

And she hated how her skin burned under his gaze.

"Aarini, you okay?" Kriti, her friend nudged her, raising a brow.

Aarini forced a smile. "Yeah, just a little tired."

Kriti glanced towards Revansh, then back at her. A knowing smirk curved her lips. "Sure. Tired. That’s why your cheeks are all pink, huh?"

Aarini shot her a glare. "Shut up."

Kriti giggled but didn’t push it further.

The night stretched on, and one by one, people started retreating into their tents. Aarini sighed in relief, standing up and dusting off her dress. She needed to get away from here, even if just for a moment.

Maybe some fresh air would help clear her mind.

She slipped away from the group, walking toward the lake where the water shimmered under the moonlight. The cold wind brushed against her skin, calming the storm inside her.

Or so she thought.

Because moments later, she heard footsteps behind her. They were slow and untentional.

She knew who it was before even turning around.

"Running away from me again, Joshi?"

Aarini clenched her jaw before facing him. "You’re really obsessed with yourself, aren’t you?"

Revansh smirked. "Maybe. But I think you’re more obsessed with avoiding me."

"Because you’re insufferable and annoying."

He tsked, stepping closer. "And yet, you keep ending up right where I want you. Tskk."

Aarini crossed her arms. "What do you want, Malhotra?"

His eyes darkened slightly, the teasing glint dimming for a fraction of a second.

"You," he said simply.

Her breath caught up in her throat.

Revansh took another step, closing the distance between them. The cold air did nothing to dull the warmth radiating from his body.

"You’re playing a game with me," Aarini accused, voice barely above a whisper.

His fingers grazed her wrist, light but firm. "And you’re playing it too, sweetheart. Whether you admit it or not."

Aarini wanted to deny it. She wanted to push him away, tell him he meant nothing.

But the way he was looking at her…

Like she was something worth chasing.

Like she was something his.

Like she meant something.

It was all dangerous...and yet, for the first time…

She wasn’t sure if she wanted to run or keep playing.

***

The wind picked up, carrying the scent of wet earth and pine trees as Aarini stepped back instinctively. But the uneven ground betrayed her. Her foot slipped on a loose rock, and before she could brace herself, she felt herself falling.

Only to be caught by a strong pair of hands.

Strong hands wrapped around her waist, pulling her forward. Her hands flew to his chest, fingers gripping his shirt as she steadied herself.

Her breath hitched again but Revansh didn’t let go.

Their faces were mere inches apart now, the space between them charged with something neither wanted to acknowledge. The firelight from the bonfire behind them flickered, casting a golden glow on his sharp features. His dark blue eyes, always filled with mischief and arrogance, were different now, they were intense, unreadable and....soft.

Aarini swallowed, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest beneath her fingertips.

"You should be more careful, Joshi, this is the second time you've landed up in my arms" he murmured, his voice lower than usual, rougher.

"I–I was," she stammered, forcing herself to step back, but his grip tightened just for a second before he finally released her but he still didn’t move away.

Instead, he reached out and tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. The simple gesture sent an unexplainable shiver down her spine.

"You always do that," she whispered before she could stop herself.

He raised a brow. "Do what?"

Aarini’s heart pounded. "Touch me like you have a right to."

Revansh smirked, but there was something else in his eyes, something she couldn’t quite decipher.

"Maybe," he said, his voice a lazy drawl, "because I do."

Aarini’s lips parted, ready to throw a sharp retort, but she didn’t get the chance.

Because at that exact moment, a raindrop landed on her cheek.

Then another. And another.

The sky, which had been clear moments ago, was now covered in thick, rolling clouds. Within seconds, a downpour started, soaking them instantly.

Aarini gasped as the cold water drenched her dress, clinging to her like a second skin.

Revansh chuckled. "Looks like the universe really wants us alone together."

"Shut up," she muttered, wrapping her arms around herself.

"Come on," he said, grabbing her hand before she could protest and pulling her toward the nearest shelter, a small wooden gazebo near the lake.

The rain drummed against the wooden roof as they stood inside, both dripping wet. Aarini shivered slightly, rubbing her arms for warmth.

Revansh sighed and, without a word, shrugged off his jacket, draping it over her shoulders.

She blinked up at him. "You’re going to get cold."

He smirked. "I can handle it. But you? You’ll catch a fever and then use it as an excuse to avoid me for a week."

Aarini rolled her eyes, but the warmth of his jacket and the scent of his cologne surrounding her made her stomach flip.

They stood in silence for a while, listening to the soothing sound of the rain.

And then, softly, almost as if testing the weight of the words, Revansh spoke.

"I was right.You’re not like the others, Aarini."

Her head snapped up at him.

He wasn’t smirking. He wasn’t teasing her.

For the first time, his expression was completely open, completely raw and open. And that scared her more than anything.

Because she had always known Revansh Malhotra was dangerous. But she had never realized how dangerously close she was to falling.

***

The rain had finally eased, leaving the air thick with the scent of wet earth and pine. Aarini stood at the edge of the gazebo, staring at the lake as the water rippled under the soft drizzle. Her fingers clutched Revansh’s jacket tighter around her shoulders, even though she refused to acknowledge the warmth it provided her.

She felt his presence behind her before she even heard him move.

"You’re quiet," his voice was softer than usual, laced with something almost thoughtful.

Aarini sighed. "Just… thinking something. "

"That’s dangerous."

She turned slightly, raising an eyebrow. "And why is that so?"

Revansh stepped closer, just enough that she could feel the heat of him against her rain-chilled skin. "Because whenever you think too much, you find more reasons to avoid me."

Aarini scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Maybe that’s a sign I should listen to my thoughts."

He hummed, tilting his head. "Or maybe, just maybe, your thoughts are wrong this time."

She turned fully to face him, crossing her arms. "You think you know me so well?"

His lips quirked in a knowing smirk. "I do."

She opened her mouth to argue, but then he did something unexpected.

He reached out, gently brushing a drop of rain from her cheek with his thumb.

Aarini froze for the moment.

It wasn’t just the touch. It was the way he was looking at her, like she was something delicate, something precious.

His smirk softened, just slightly. "You always try to act tough, but you’re not, not really, sweetheart."

Her breath hitched. "Excuse me?"

He took another step closer, voice dropping to a murmur. "You pretend to be this strong, untouchable girl who doesn’t care, but I see through you, Joshi." His gaze darkened slightly. "I see the way you hold yourself together, even when you’re breaking inside. I see the way you try to hide your feelings, thinking it’ll make you stronger."

Aarini swallowed hard, her heart slamming against her ribs. "And what? You think you can just read me like an open book?"

He chuckled, but there was no mockery in it, just something deep, something unreadable.

"You remind me of a dove."

Aarini blinked. "What?"

"A dove," he repeated, his voice gentler than she had ever heard before. "Beautiful, fragile-looking, but stronger than anyone realizes. You fight even when you don’t have to. You push people away even when you secretly want them to stay."

Her lips parted, but she had no words to say.

Because no one had ever said something like that to her before.

Because no one had ever looked at her the way Revansh Malhotra was looking at her now.

She wanted to step back. She wanted to break whatever spell was weaving around them.

But she couldn’t move.

And then, as if sealing some unspoken promise, Revansh leaned in just slightly, his breath ghosting over her skin.

"That’s why you’re mine, Dove."

Aarini’s heart stopped.

Because that was the moment she knew...

She was already way too close to falling.

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