𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐎𝐁𝐒𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍

Chapter 18

Just a few hours ago, she was ready to murder me over that "accidental" kiss. And now?

She was asleep.

With her head on my shoulder.

I stared down at her, the corners of my lips twitching. This girl had the audacity to scream at me for something that wasn't even my fault—but now? Now, she was peacefully using me as her personal pillow, completely unaware of how unfairly adorable she looked.

Her soft breaths hit my neck, her long lashes resting against her cheeks. Strands of hair fell over her face, moving slightly with every breath.

My little Furball.

I shook my head, biting back a chuckle. "And she calls me shameless."

I should wake her up.

I really should.

But for some reason, I didn't.

Instead, I adjusted slightly, careful not to move too much, making sure she was comfortable. That's it. I was just being nice. It had nothing to do with how weirdly peaceful this moment felt.

Nothing.

Right?

I sighed, looking out the window. The bus was still moving, everyone else too busy enjoying themselves to notice this.

And that's when I heard it.

A small, sleepy mumble from her lips.

"...Mr. Khadoos..."

I stiffened.

Did she just—??

I glanced down at her in shock, but she was still asleep, completely unaware of the chaos she just caused in my mind.

What the hell was she dreaming about?

I should not be curious. I should not be curious.

But dammit, I was.

And I had a feeling that four days in Shimla with her?

Was going to be dangerous.

Just as I was getting used to this oddly peaceful moment, my little Furball shifted in her sleep.

And then—before I could react—she moved closer.

Her face buried against my shoulder, her warm breath fanning against my neck, her fingers clutching my sleeve.

I froze.

What. The. Hell.

I turned my head slightly, only to see the most unfairly innocent expression on her face. Her lips were slightly parted, her brows relaxed, completely unaware that she was torturing me.

A smirk curled on my lips.

"Oh, this is gold."

If she hated me before, she was definitely going to lose her mind once she realized this.

And right on cue—

She stirred again.

Her fingers twitched against my sleeve before her brows scrunched together, and then—

Her eyes fluttered open.

It took her exactly three seconds to process her surroundings.

One. She was on a bus.

Two. She was leaning on someone.

Three. That someone was ME.

The moment realization hit, her body jerked upright like she had been electrocuted.

"What the—?!" She blinked rapidly, her hand flying to her mouth.

I stretched out my arms lazily, smirking. "Morning, Sleeping Beauty. Have a nice nap?"

Her eyes widened in horror.

"OH MY GOD."

I barely held in my laughter. "I should charge you, you know? Using my shoulder as a pillow? That wasn't in the trip package, Furball."

Her mouth opened and closed, struggling for words before she finally found her voice.

"I—I was NOT using you as a pillow, Mr. Khadoos!"

I raised a brow. "Oh? So I imagined it?"

"YES!"

I tsked, shaking my head. "Then why is there drool on my shirt?"

Her jaw dropped. "I DID NOT—"

I leaned in slightly, enjoying the way her breath hitched. "Oh, but you did."

Maya let out a strangled noise before aggressively wiping her lips, panic flashing in her eyes.

I couldn't hold it anymore—I burst out laughing.

"You—YOU JERK!" she yelled, her face turning redder than a tomato. "YOU'RE LYING!"

I simply smirked, leaning back against the seat. "Believe what you want, Furball. But next time?" I tilted my head. "Try not to say my name in your sleep."

Silence.

Her entire body froze.

I swear, I could hear the gears turning in her brain.

And then—

"YOU HEARD THAT?!"

I grinned. "Loud and clear."

Her horrified gasp was probably the highlight of this trip.

"OH MY GOD, I HATE YOU!"

I chuckled, shrugging. "And yet, you keep ending up on me, Furball. Fate is a funny thing."

She grabbed the nearest thing—her bag—and whacked me with it.

I just laughed harder.

This trip was already turning out to be my favorite.

The bus finally pulled into the resort parking lot, and the excitement among the students was palpable.

Maya, however, was still fuming.

"Four hours," she muttered under her breath, yanking her bag from the seat. "Four miserable hours stuck next to that man."

I smirked, stretching lazily. "Come on, Furball. Admit it. You enjoyed my company."

She shot me a glare that could have set the entire bus on fire. "I'd rather enjoy a three-hour lecture on calculus."

"Ouch." I clutched my chest dramatically. "And here I thought we were getting close."

"Close?!" She scoffed, flipping her hair over her shoulder as she stomped toward the exit. "The only thing that's close is your retirement if you don't stop talking!"

I chuckled, stuffing my hands in my pockets as I followed her off the bus.

The cold mountain air hit us instantly, refreshing after the long journey.

Maya took a deep breath, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the snow-covered peaks. For a second, she forgot her anger, a small smile curling on her lips.

"Wow," she whispered, admiring the scenery.

I watched her, amused. "Beautiful, isn't it?"

She nodded, completely entranced.

I wasn't talking about the view.

Unfortunately, the peace was short-lived.

"Alright, everyone!" The trip coordinator called out. "Find your room partners! Each room is shared by two people."

Maya turned to her friend group, excited to pair up. But before she could breathe a sigh of relief...

Her friends ditched her.

"I already paired up!" One of the girls said, avoiding her gaze.

"Same here!" Another added quickly.

Maya's jaw dropped.

WHAT THE HELL?!

"Wait—hold on—I don't have a partner!" She looked around desperately, but everyone was already paired up.

Before she could panic further, the coordinator turned toward me.

"Professor Rudra, you'll be in the faculty wing with the other professors, of course."

Maya exhaled in relief—until the next sentence hit her like a truck.

"But since Maya is the only student left without a partner, she'll have to share a room with the trip coordinator."

Her eyes widened in horror.

"With that old hag?!" she blurted out, then immediately clapped her hand over her mouth.

I bit my lip to hold back a laugh.

The coordinator raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "Yes, Maya. With me."

I leaned in, whispering so only she could hear. "Still think sitting next to me was the worst part of this trip?"

Her groan of frustration could probably be heard in the next town.

Maya's frustration had barely settled when another professor, Professor Mehta, adjusted his glasses and spoke up.

"Actually, it might be more convenient if Maya stays in the faculty wing with Professor Rudra. He's her assigned professor, and this way, we can ensure that she follows the proper schedule."

Maya's eyes widened in horror.

"WHAT?! No, no, no! Sir, I'll stay with you! I'll sleep on the floor, I swear!" She turned to the coordinator with the most innocent, pleading expression she could muster.

Professor Mehta, however, was already nodding in approval. "That settles it, then. Maya, you'll be in the faculty wing with Professor Rudra."

I smirked, shoving my hands into my pockets.

"Looks like you're stuck with me, Furball."

She turned to me with sheer betrayal in her eyes. "You—YOU! This is your fault!"

"My fault?" I raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "I didn't do anything. I'm just following orders."

Maya looked like she wanted to scream, but with all the professors standing around, she had no choice but to swallow her frustration.

"Fine," she gritted out. "But if I find a single math equation lying around our room, I will burn it."

I chuckled. "We'll see about that."

She stomped off to grab her luggage, muttering under her breath.

The other students, too busy laughing, chatting, and enjoying their trip, hadn't even paid attention to her predicament. But I had. And this trip?

It was about to get a lot more interesting.

*Target Vote 50 +

*Target comment 10 +

(Hey sweeties! Do you like this Chapter? If yes then please drop a Vote and comment your opinion on it. And does anyone can make a reel from this Chapter? Or give me an idea? So that we can attract other readers as well? ) ?????