Khushi and Arnav sat facing each other on the couch. Their hair and clothes were spectacularly messed up with their hot, intense make out session. Kissing hadn't felt so wild in months. And now, suddenly, there was a brand new edge to it. An edge they were desperate to explore.
They had, however, disentangled themselves from each other before things could progress much farther. The situation was critical. And for once, sex was not the answer.
No matter how shockingly sexy their initial reaction had been, both of them were still pissed at each other. Still guilty. Still ashamed.
"I can't believe I was going to cheat on you," Khushi whispered, her eyes fixed on the patterns on the couch. Her heart clenched with guilt. How could she have allowed herself to fall that far? How could she have even thought of another man?
"Me neither," Arnav whispered back. Both him and Little Arnav hung their heads. They hadn't ruled out cheating' until the last moment. Who knew what would've happened if Lola hadn't been Khushi? If he'd lost forever, the trust of the woman he loved more than anything? Arnav couldn't even think of it all without wanting to throw up in disgust at himself. At least Khushi had intended to break it all off that day at the caf. He, on the other hand, had no excuse.
Both their phones lay between them, having been offered as proof that both had only talked to each other on the app. Both of them, however, had refused to have a look, claiming that they trusted each other that much to take their word on it.
Staring at the devices, a lump formed in Arnav's throat as he recalled their chats. And his enthusiastic reactions to them. How could he have let himself feel like that about - who he thought was - another woman? His hands fisted tightly.
"I'm just like my father," Arnav said quietly, fighting to keep his voice even. "Just like that cheating, lying bas***d."
At his broken words, Khushi's eyes snapped up. Her gaze softened as she took in in his face full of shame and his eyes threatening to spill.
She scooted closer to him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders tightly.
"You're not," she whispered, slowly caressing his hair. "You're far from him. I don't think you would've done it. I trust you."
Arnav's hands rose to dig into her waist tightly as he fought with the tears. He didn't deserve her. Or her trust. For all he knew, he could have done it.
"And for all YOU knew, I might have done it too," she said softly.
How could she know exactly what he was thinking? How could he have lived with himself if he'd lost her?
He didn't know. He didn't want to know.
And, he promised himself as he circled his arms more securely around her waist, he'd NEVER know. He'd fight against the world if he had to but he'd never do anything to find out what his world would be without her.
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