Chapter Six: A Kiss,
The moment the girl realized the CPR had saved her life, her initial shock turned into something more emotional. Her lips trembled, and tears welled up in her eyes.
"You took it…" she whispered, her voice cracking. "I was saving it… for someone who truly loved me."
She began sobbing softly.
Arpit was taken aback. Guilt surged in his chest. Without a word, he gently pulled her into a hug. She clutched at his shirt and cried on his shoulder, letting the emotion wash through her.
They stayed like that for three, maybe four minutes.
Finally, he helped her onto the jet ski again.
"Let's get back to the shore," Arpit said, keeping his voice calm and low.
As they reached the edge, Arpit looked at her, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"What happened back there? How did you end up in the water like that?"
Sniffling, she wiped her eyes. "I was learning to swim. Today was my first time in deeper water. My friends and I thought it would be fun to try the dam… but I went too far. My arms gave out. I couldn't breathe."
Arpit nodded, understanding. "That happens a lot to new swimmers. Some instructors push too hard. You'll be okay."
She nodded, sitting down on a nearby rock to catch her breath.
Arpit turned and waved toward the water, signaling Raman and Ansh to come in. As he glanced back at the girl again, he saw her fully this time.
She was beautiful.
Her skin was a warm, natural bronze with a soft blush from the cold. Her eyes were large and almond-shaped, a deep hazel brown that shimmered when they caught the light. Long, water-soaked hair cascaded past her shoulders. She had a delicate jawline and slightly curved lips that still quivered from her earlier tears. She was slender but well-toned, athletic but graceful.
Arpit blinked. He pinched his own arm. "Stop staring, idiot," he muttered.
Just then, Raman and Ansh approached, panting and grinning. "Bro, what happened?!"
Arpit stood. "She was drowning. I got her out. She's okay now."
They looked at her with concern.
"You alright?" Ansh asked.
The girl nodded faintly.
Arpit extended his hand. "Come with us. We'll get you somewhere safe."
She hesitated, glancing between the three of them.
I should probably know more about the guy who took my first kiss, she thought.
"…Okay," she said softly.
Together, they returned the rented jet skis, collected their phones and clothes, and began heading toward the car.
But as they approached the parking lot, something felt… wrong.
A crowd had gathered. Dozens of people were filming with phones. Shouts and chatter filled the air.
Arpit frowned.
He thought the crowd was reacting to the Rolls Royce Mansory parked like royalty near the edge. But when they got closer—
Arpit's eyes narrowed.
A girl was sitting on the bonnet of his car.
Worse, a group of boys stood in front, posturing. Some girls pushed others back, shouting, "Don't touch! This is ours!"
Arpit didn't want another scene. He sighed and walked calmly toward the car.
Before he could reach it, two bulky boys shoved him back.
"Hands off! This isn't your car!"
Arpit's eyebrow twitched. "Oh? Then open it."
They hesitated. One looked back at the girl.
She scoffed. "Excuse me? Who the hell are you to act like you own this car? We're filming our vlog here, back off!"
Raman and Ansh stepped forward, but Arpit lifted a hand, silently telling them to hold.
He calmly slid his hand into his pocket and pressed a hidden button.
With a soft mechanical whirr, the Spirit of Ecstasy emblem on the car's hood emerged, glowing faintly.
The girl on the bonnet shrieked as something shifted beneath her. Instinct made her leap off.
People around gasped, then began whispering.
"Wait… that's his car?"
Arpit pulled out his key fob, unlocked the vehicle, and casually slipped into the driver's seat. The crowd hushed. The boys who shoved him stood frozen, faces red.
Phones kept recording.
Some onlookers laughed.
"Those guys really thought they owned it."
"Clowns."
The girl who had sat on the bonnet stared, flustered. She walked over as if hypnotized. Her gaze flicked between the car and Arpit.
He rolled down the window, looked directly at the girl he save from droning, and said with calm authority—
"Madam, get in."
It wasn't for the bystanders. It wasn't for the crowd. That line—sharp and clear—was meant only for her.
She blinked, stunned, then hurriedly opened the back seat door and got in beside Ansh and Raman, who were already celebrating quietly.
As the car moved forward, she finally spoke.
"My name is Madhvi Rathore."
Ansh leaned forward eagerly. "Hi, Madhvi! I'm Ansh. This is Raman. And the guy who saved you—he's Arpit."
She turned to Arpit. "Wait… that Arpit?"
Ansh nodded proudly. "Yup. He's only eighteen. Barely legal. Rich. Brilliant. Low-key superhero."
Madhvi was speechless.
She studied Arpit quietly, uncertain how to respond.
"…I'm twenty-two," she finally said.
Ansh, thrilled, exchanged numbers with her. Raman laughed and winked at Arpit.
Arpit chuckled. "Where do you live?"
Madhvi gave him the location. He navigated through the wet countryside until they reached her gate.
As she was about to get out, she turned to Arpit.
"Wait."
He looked at her.
Without warning, she leaned in and kissed him. Deep. Long. A real kiss. A French kiss.
Raman and Ansh exploded in shock.
Arpit was frozen.
When she finally pulled away, she smiled coyly.
"Consider this a thank-you gift, Mr. Gentleman."
And then she stepped out, disappearing into her home.
Arpit sat stunned. Raman and Ansh were howling in the back seat.
"BROOOOOOO!"
"From CPR to French kiss !"
"Legend behavior!"
Arpit groaned. "Shut up…"
They teased him the entire way home.
At the villa gate, Arpit jumped out and walked quickly inside, red-faced.
"See you tomorrow!" Ansh called.
Raman added, "Sweet dreams, Romeo!"
Inside, Sebastien was waiting.
"Welcome back, Master. Please, refresh yourself. Your dinner is being prepared."
"Thanks…" Arpit said, still blushing.
After bathing and eating quietly, Arpit sat on his bed. The kiss kept replaying in his head.
He finally asked, "Sebastien… Can you tell me everything about Madhvi Rathore?"
The butler raised an eyebrow, then smiled knowingly.
"Of course, Master. Give me five minutes."
Five minutes later, Arpit had everything—her birth records, school history, and even social media passwords.
"I don't need her passwords," Arpit said, waving the sheet away. "I'll just look her up myself."
He opened his phone, searched her Instagram, and scrolled through.
Pictures of her smiling, dancing, posing in sunlight.
He smiled to himself.
Then, surprisingly… blushed.
He locked his phone, lay back, and let sleep take him.
His last thought before drifting off:
What just happened today?
[End of Chapter Six]