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Shivansh's POV
My head snapped toward the center of the club.
Isha.
Drunk. Completely, utterly wasted.
She was running.
From me.
Screaming.
I let out a sharp breath, dragging a hand down my face. What the fuck is this night turning into?
Dhruv sighed. "I'll take everyone home." He glanced at me. "You handle her."
And just like that, Dhruv left with the rest.
Leaving me alone with Isha.
I turned to look at her again.
She was spinning. Dancing like a lunatic. Her heels were barely supporting her, and at this rate, she was going to collapse.
I strode toward her and grabbed her wrist, pulling her against me.
She blinked up at me, her lips curving into a lazy, tipsy smile. "Shiva..." she mumbled, her fingers poking my chest. "You're so grumpy... so mean... but also kinda cute... but mean."
I swallowed hard. This was too much.
"We're leaving, Isha."
She pouted. "Noooooo, I wanna dance more."
I tightened my hold around her waist, dragging her toward the exit.
"Shivanshhhh, let me go!" she whined, struggling in my grip. "The club is so pretty..."
"You're drunk out of your mind."
She giggled. "Maybe. But it's fun."
Not for me.
Not when guilt was eating me alive.
The words kept repeating in my head like a damn echo.
"Isha is like a sister to me."
"Prisha is my girlfriend."
Aarav's voice was still ringing in my ears, but the only thing I could feel was guilt.
A sharp, suffocating guilt that clawed at my chest.
I doubted her. Blamed her. Pushed her away.
And all for what? A fucking lie.
I ran a hand through my hair, exhaling sharply as I watched Dhruv take control. Everyone was drunk—Avi, Aarav, Prisha, Ishika—everyone.
Except for Dhruv. He was the only one sober enough to drive.
"Come on, let's go," he muttered, leading the group toward the parking lot where his cars were parked.
One by one, he loaded them into the cars.
And then, just like that, they were gone.
Leaving me alone with her.
Isha.
Drunk. Out of her mind.
I dragged a hand down my face, mentally preparing myself for what was about to come.
"Let's go, Isha," I muttered, opening the car door for her.
She blinked up at me with hazy eyes before getting in, mumbling something under her breath.
The guilt was still there, weighing on me like a fucking mountain.
I started the engine, gripping the wheel tighter than necessary. How the hell do I even make this up to her?
But before I could think any further—
"STOP THE CAR, SHIVANSH!"
I slammed the brakes.
"What the fuck, Isha?!" I snapped, looking at her in disbelief.
She giggled, her eyes twinkling under the streetlights.
"Park the car. I wanna dance."
I stared at her. "Are you out of your damn mind?"
But she was already opening the door and stepping out.
And then—she started dancing.
No music. No rhythm. Just... dancing.
Right there. In the middle of the empty street.
Spinning. Twirling. Her arms stretched out as if she was floating.
I let out a deep breath, rubbing my temples. This woman is impossible.
But then, for a split second, I felt something shift in my chest.
A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips.
She looked… cute.
Completely ridiculous. But cute.
And yet—the guilt still burned inside me.
Because I didn't deserve to smile at this moment.
Not after what I had done to her.
I watched her.
The way she twirled in the middle of the road, arms stretched out, lost in her own world. Her laughter rang through the empty streets, careless and free.
And then—she stopped.
She turned to me, her eyes gleaming under the streetlights, cheeks flushed from all the spinning. "Come, dance with me."
I frowned. "Isha—"
"Pleaseee, Shivansh!" she whined, stepping closer, her fingers curling around my wrist.
I wanted to say no. I should've said no.
But instead, I heard myself say—"Okay, let's do it."
Because deep down, something in me wanted this. Wanted her.
I didn't understand it yet, I didn't want to, but the truth was there—I loved her.
She giggled, dragging me with her as she swayed. There was no music, just the sound of our breathing, the distant hum of the city, and the occasional honk of a passing car.
She stumbled—again and again.
And every time, I caught her. My hands found her waist, steadying her as she laughed against my chest.
Her warmth seeped through my shirt, her scent—something sweet, intoxicating—wrapped around me like a spell.
I swallowed hard.
"Okay, now we have to go," I muttered, pulling away before I did something I'd regret. "Everyone's waiting for us."
She pouted but nodded.
I led her to the car, opening the passenger seat for her before walking around to my side.
She was silent as I started driving, but a few minutes in, I heard it—small, soft snores.
I glanced to my left.
She was curled up in her seat, head resting against the window, lips slightly parted.
A chuckle escaped me before I could stop it. This woman…
When we reached my penthouse, I saw that everyone had already arrived. Dhruv had dropped them off before leaving, probably exhausted from babysitting a bunch of drunks.
I parked the car, got out, and walked over to Isha's side.
She was still asleep.
With a sigh, I opened the door and unbuckled her seatbelt. Then, before I could rethink my decision, I slid my arms under her and lifted her.
She stirred slightly, murmuring something unintelligible, but didn't wake up.
I scanned the penthouse. Every damn guest room was occupied.
With no other choice, I carried her to my room.
I placed her gently on the bed and was about to pull away when—
She shot up. "I think I'm gonna—"
Shit.
She bolted to the washroom, and I followed quickly, stopping at the door.
She crouched in front of the toilet, emptying her stomach, groaning in pain.
I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "You okay?"
She groaned in response. "Ugh… I feel like dying."
"You'll live," I muttered.
After a moment, she slumped against the wall, looking at me with heavy-lidded eyes. "Shivansh…"
"What?"
She licked her lips. "I need to change. I feel so sticky. I wanna take these off."
My eyes widened slightly as she reached for the hem of her dress. Oh, hell no.
"Wait, wait!" I quickly turned away. "I'll get you some clothes!"
I grabbed one of my T-shirts and handed it to her.
She blinked at it. "No, I don't want this."
I frowned. "Then what do you want?"
A lazy smirk spread across her face. "I want your shirt."
My shirt? The one I was wearing?
"No way in hell," I scoffed.
She pouted. "Pleeease?"
I groaned, running a hand down my face. Why me?
"Fine," I muttered, unbuttoning my white shirt and tossing it at her. "Now, change!"
She giggled, grabbing it before stumbling into the washroom.
I exhaled sharply, sitting on the edge of the bed.
A minute later, the door creaked open.
And there she was.
Standing in my oversized white shirt, bare legs exposed, her damp hair clinging to her skin.
Fuck.
I looked away, clearing my throat. "Come, let's sleep."
I led her to the bed, tucking her in before moving to the sofa.
But before I could lie down—
"No!" She grabbed my hand. "Sleep with me."
I tensed. "Isha—"
"Please?" she whispered, looking up at me with those damn eyes.
I should say no. I should leave.
But I didn't.
Instead, I lay beside her.
And for the first time in a long, long time—I felt at peace.
She curled into me, her hands fisting my shirt, her breath warm against my chest.
And as I watched her, something inside me softened.
I was fucked. Completely and utterly fucked.
Isha's POV
A pounding headache. A dry throat. And the overwhelming urge to never drink again.
I groaned, shifting under the covers. Where the hell am I?
My eyes fluttered open, and I blinked at the unfamiliar ceiling. White. Elegant. Definitely not my room.
Panic surged through me as I turned my head—Shivansh.
He was beside me, his face relaxed in sleep, his bare chest rising and falling steadily.
I groaned, pressing my palm against my forehead, trying to block out the sharp pain shooting through my skull. My first drink. My last drink. Definitely my last drink.
I squeezed my eyes shut, willing the nausea to go away. The room smelled faintly of Shivansh's cologne, woody and expensive. It was oddly comforting, though I wasn't sure why.
I shifted, the oversized fabric of the shirt I was wearing brushing against my skin. Wait. Shirt?
My eyes shot open.
I was wearing his shirt.
My stomach twisted with a mix of embarrassment and confusion.
Before I could even react, the bed dipped slightly. I looked up to see Shivansh getting up, his movements lazy yet precise. His hair was slightly messy, his jaw covered in a faint shadow of stubble.
He stretched his arms before turning to me, his voice deep and groggy. "Godd morning, and Stay here. I'm coming."
I barely had time to process his words before he left the room.
What just happened?
I tried to remember the events last night, but everything was a blur. I knew we had gone to a club, Isha had dragged me onto the dance floor, Dhruv had gotten way too drunk, and Shivansh—
I frowned, rubbing my temples. Did he bring me here?
The door opened again, pulling me from my thoughts.
Shivansh walked in, this time with a glass in his hand.
He came straight to me, placing it on the bedside table before sitting back down. "Drink it. Your head will stop bursting."
I eyed the drink suspiciously. "What is it?"
"lemon juice."
I raised an eyebrow. "And that is…?"
His lips twitched in amusement. "A drink that will make sure you don't feel like your skull is splitting in half."
Honestly, I didn't care what it was. I just wanted this headache gone.
I picked up the glass and took a hesitant sip. It was cool, slightly tangy, and somehow refreshing. Instant relief.
I exhaled, staring ahead.
That's when I noticed the view.
Through the large glass windows, I could see Shivansh's palace. Grand, ancient, yet beautifully modern. The kind of place that reminds you of power and legacy.
And he lived there. That was his home. Maybe his penthouse
The realization felt strange.
I didn't say anything, just placed the empty glass back and got out of bed. My body was heavy with exhaustion, but I needed to move.
Shivansh didn't stop me, but as soon as I reached the door, his voice came from behind me.
"At least change your clothes."
I froze.
I looked down.
I was still wearing his shirt.
Heat rushed to my cheeks as I turned around so fast that I almost stumbled. "Give me my clothes!"
His lips quirked up in a smirk, but he said nothing as he walked over to the closet. He pulled out a T-shirt, one of his oversized sweaters, and a pair of shorts.
"For now, this is fine," he said, tossing them to me.
I grabbed them, scowling, before running into the washroom.
This was going to be a long morning.
Memories of last night came rushing back. Oh. My. God.
I sat up abruptly, regretting it instantly as the world spun. Shit. I pressed my fingers to my temples, trying to piece together everything.
The club. The drinks. Dancing with Shivansh. The car ride. Me throwing up. Asking for his shirt.
I turned red. Did I seriously strip in front of him?
Oh, and of course—he rejected me. Again.
That's it. I'm done with this man.
Carefully, I slid out of bed, making sure not to wake him. Ignoring him starts now.
I walked into the dining area, and the sight before me was nothing short of disastrous.
Avi had sunglasses on, slumped over the table, groaning. Ishika looked half-dead, her hair a tangled mess. Aarav was sipping black coffee like it was the only thing keeping him alive.
And Prisha? She actually looked fine. Traitor.
Dhruv, on the other hand, was bright and fresh as if he hadn't been the designated driver for a group of hopeless drunkards last night.
"Good morning, zombies," he greeted with a smirk.
Avi groaned. "Shut up, Dhruv bhai"
I slumped into the chair beside Prisha, grabbing a glass of water. "I'm never drinking again."
Ishika mumbled something into her plate, probably agreeing.
A chair scraped against the floor, and I stiffened.
Shivansh.
He sat across from me, looking as unaffected as Dhruv. His sharp eyes landed on me, but I ignored him, sipping my water as if he didn't exist.
He cleared his throat. I ignored him harder.
"So," Dhruv started, amusement lacing his tone. "Should I drop the bomb now?"
Avi squinted at him. "What bomb?"
Dhruv grinned. "Aarav has a girlfriend."
I perked up. What?
Aarav choked on his coffee. "What the hell, man?!"
Prisha froze beside me.
My eyes darted between them before realization hit. No. No way.
"YOU TWO?!" I slammed my hands on the table, my hangover forgotten.
Prisha opened her mouth, but before she could say anything, I was already yanking off my slipper.
"YOU DIDN'T TELL ME?!"
Aarav yelped, jumping from his seat. "I CAN EXPLAIN!"
"You better start running!"
Prisha let out a shriek as I launched after them, waving my slipper in the air. Betrayal. Absolute betrayal.
The entire dining area turned into chaos, chairs scraping, Avi groaning louder, and Dhruv laughing like a maniac.
Through it all, I didn't spare Shivansh a single glance.
If he thought he could reject me and still get my attention—he was sorely mistaken.
After a failed attempt to catch Aarav and Prisha—because apparently, hangover or not, they were faster than me—I returned to my seat, still fuming.
Shivansh's eyes were on me. I could feel them, sharp and observing.
But I didn't care.
I flipped my hair over my shoulder, grabbed my toast, and pretended he wasn't even breathing the same air as me.
"Isha," he finally spoke, voice firm.
I bit into my toast. Silence.
His fingers drummed against the table. "Isha."
I chewed slower. More silence.
He exhaled sharply. "Are you serious—"
I turned to Dhruv. "Dhruv bhai, pass me the juice?"
Dhruv, fully enjoying my drama, smirked but played along. "Sure, Queen of Ignoring Shivansh."
Shivansh shot him a glare.
Dhruv just shrugged. "Dude, she's pissed. You brought it on yourself."
I could feel Shivansh's frustration radiating off him, but I wasn't going to break. Not after what he did.
Not after he made me feel like a fool last night.
And definitely not after rejecting me when I poured my heart out.
Breakfast continued, filled with banter and hangover complaints—and me ignoring the hell out of Shivansh.
i stiffened, pausing mid-step. Slowly, i turned to glare at him, my sharp gaze burning into him. Without a word, i yanked the t-shirts from his grip and, as if his touch had contaminated it, but he again held the hem of my t-shirt.
Shivansh sighed heavily, his eyes softening as he took a small step closer. "I'm sorry, isha.. please talk to me. It hurts, you know?" His voice was laced with genuine regret, his dark eyes pleading as he tried to reach her heart, the heart he had once held so close.
But I was not the same woman anymore. I had learned to build walls, and right now, those walls were standing tall and unbreakable.
Without responding, I turned on her heel and walked away towards the kitchen.
But he was nothing if not persistent.
He followed me, step by step, refusing to let her silence win. "Isha.. please," he whispered, trailing behind her.
Until, finally, he had enough.
"Isha," he said again, voice lower this time.
I picked up my juice. "Hmm?"
His jaw clenched. "Look at me."
I sipped my juice, pretending he was invisible.
And then—suddenly, he was beside me, one hand on my chair, the other gripping the table.
His breath fanned my ear as he leaned down. "You're pushing it, jaana."
For now forget the butterflies which came suddenly when he call me jaana. But I like it. Isha you have to concernet on ignoring shivansh. Don't fall in his tap.
A shiver ran down my spine, but I kept my face blank. Stay strong, Isha.
"Am I?" I said nonchalantly, finally turning to meet his gaze.
His eyes burned with something intense, something raw.
But I refused to let him see how much his presence affected me.
"Yes," he said, voice lower, more controlled. "And I don't like being ignored."
I tilted my head. "Well, now you know how it feels."
A flicker of guilt crossed his face.
Good. He should feel guilty.
Before he could say anything else, I pushed my chair back, standing up. "I need more juice."
And with that, I walked away, leaving him sitting there, fuming.
I could feel Shivansh's gaze burning into my back as I walked to the kitchen, but I didn't turn around. Let him stew. Let him feel what I felt lastnight. t
Pouring myself another glass of juice, I took a deep breath. My head still ached from the hangover, but nothing compared to the irritation bubbling inside me. How dare he act like nothing happened? Like he didn't completely humiliate me last night?
A chair scraped against the floor behind me, and I knew without looking that it was him.
Shivansh wasn't the type to be ignored. And I was the first person who had ever dared to do it.
Good. Let him suffer.
He stopped beside me, too close for my liking. His scent—something dark, expensive, and maddeningly familiar—wrapped around me, but I refused to acknowledge him.
"Isha." His voice was calm, too calm.
I took a slow sip of my coffee. "Hmm?"
"You're still ignoring me?"
I hummed again. "Seems like it."
His jaw ticked. "Enough."
I finally turned my head, raising a brow. "Excuse me?"
His gaze was dark, controlled. "I said, enough. You made your point."
I crossed my arms. "Oh? And what point was that?"
Shivansh exhaled sharply, his fingers curling into fists. "That you're mad at me."
I scoffed. "Wow. What gave it away?"
His eyes flickered with something unreadable, but I didn't let it affect me.
He took a step closer, and my breath hitched before I masked it. "Isha, listen—"
"Like you listened to me last night?" I cut him off, tilting my head. "Oh, wait. You didn't. You trust that fucking video and juhi over me. "
Something in his expression shifted, guilt flickering in his eyes for a brief second before his walls came back up. "I was—"
I held up a hand. "Save it, Shivansh. I'm done."
He frowned. "Done?"
I nodded. "Done chasing after you. Done making a fool of myself. Done waiting for you to acknowledge whatever this is." I gestured between us. "I don't need this. I don't need you."
For a moment, I saw something flash in his eyes—panic? Regret? Guilt? Frustration? Maybe love? But he masked it just as quickly.
Before he could say anything, I turned around, walking back to the dining area, where the others were still lounging.
If he thought I was going to fall at his feet after last night, he was in for a rude awakening.
As soon as I returned, Ishika gave me a knowing look. "Still ignoring him?"
I slumped into my chair, sipping my coffee. "Oh, absolutely."
Aarav, now safe from my wrath, smirked. "Good. He deserves it."
Shivansh entered the room a few seconds later, his jaw clenched, his entire body radiating frustration. He sat down across from me, his eyes trained on me, but I pretended he wasn't there.
Dhruv, being the absolute menace that he was, whistled. "Ohh, tension is thick here."
Avi groaned, pushing his sunglasses up. "Can you all be quiet? My head is still killing me."
Prisha, trying to act normal after her near-death experience with my slipper, nudged Aarav. "Just be glad Isha's anger has a new target now."
I shot her a glare. "Don't think I've forgotten about you two."
She gulped. "Right."
Aarav sighed dramatically. "Why is everyone attacking me today?"
"Because you're a traitor," I reminded him sweetly.
Ishika snorted, while Dhruv leaned back, grinning. "Well, this is fun."
Shivansh, still silent, suddenly stood up. His chair scraped loudly against the floor, making everyone pause.
Without a word, he walked out of the room.
For a second, I felt a strange pang in my chest. But I pushed it away.
If he was upset, good. He could feel exactly how I felt last night.
I just didn't expect him to retaliate the way he did next.
Just as I was relishing my small victory over Shivansh, Dhruv, the walking chaos, clapped his hands together. "Alright, now that we've had enough drama for the morning, let's move on to some real entertainment."
Avi groaned, rubbing his temples. "If this 'entertainment' is anything louder than a whisper, I swear I'll—"
"Shh, shh, shh. Just watch." Dhruv waggled his phone in the air, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
I narrowed my eyes. "What's that?"
A wicked grin spread across his face as he tapped on the screen. "A little gift from last night's adventures."
He turned his phone toward us, and the moment the video started playing, the entire room fell silent.
The screen showed the club's dim, flashing lights, bodies moving to the music—and then, smack in the center, Avi and Ishika.
Dancing.
Correction: Practically fusing into one body.
Ishika had her arms around Avi's neck, their faces inches apart. Avi's hands gripped her waist, their movements slow, synchronized, almost hypnotic. At one point, Ishika leaned in, her lips brushing against his jaw, and Avi— Oh. My. God. —tilted his head like he was about to kiss her.
A loud gasp escaped from my lips before I turned to Ishika. "EXPLAIN."
Ishika, who had been blissfully sipping her coffee, choked.
Avi, meanwhile, went pale. "Oh…shit."
Dhruv cackled, clearly enjoying himself. "Oh, shit is right."
Prisha covered her mouth, eyes wide. "You two—what—how—"
Avi shot up from his seat. "That's edited!"
Dhruv gasped dramatically. "Oh, really? The way you were nuzzling into her neck looked very real to me."
I turned to Ishika, who was now hiding behind her coffee cup. "Ishika. Spill. Right now."
She peeked up at me with guilty eyes. "Umm… it was the music! It was the vibe! It was—"
"It was you two being all over each other!" I accused.
Avi groaned, running a hand down his face. "It wasn't supposed to look like that!"
I turned back to the video and pointed at the screen. "Oh? So you weren't holding her like you wanted to never let go?"
Ishika let out a small whimper. "I was drunk."
"So was I!" Avi defended.
Dhruv smirked. "And yet, you still looked like a married couple about to renew their vows in the middle of the club."
Prisha nudged Ishika, whispering. "Did you guys…you know?"
Ishika's head snapped toward her. "NO!"
Avi held up his hands. "Absolutely not!"
I narrowed my eyes. "Are you sure?"
Ishika's face was bright red. "YES!"
Prisha leaned toward me and whispered, "I don't believe them."
I nodded. "Me neither."
Avi groaned. "Oh my god, this is a disaster."
Dhruv grinned, clearly enjoying their suffering. "Oh, it's only a disaster if you admit you liked it."
Ishika and Avi turned to each other at the same time, then immediately looked away.
Oh. Oh.
I gasped dramatically. "YOU DID LIKE IT!"
Avi choked. "WHAT? NO!"
Ishika threw a pillow at me. "I HATE YOU!"
Dhruv fell back, laughing. "This is the best day of my life."
Prisha giggled, shaking her head. "You two are so obvious, it hurts."
I grinned at Ishika. "Soooo… will you be drunk dancing with someone else next time?"
She glared. "I WILL KILL YOU."
Avi covered his face with his hands. "I need to leave this house."
Dhruv winked. "Not before we make more memories, lover boy."
And just like that, the teasing continued, with Ishika and Avi getting absolutely no peace from the chaos that was our friend group.
But as much as I laughed and enjoyed their misery, a small part of me felt that sting again.
Because at least they had something real happening between them.
And I?
I had a cold, unreadable man who still wouldn't face his feelings.
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