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The hotel room was quiet, only the soft humming of the air-conditioner filling the empty space. Haniya lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, hugging a pillow but feeling absolutely unable to sleep. Her mind kept replaying moments from the bus—their whispers, the way Aarav had looked at her, the warmth of his hand brushing hers. It was stupid how much she missed him already, despite seeing him just twenty minutes ago.
Finally, she grabbed her phone and called him.
He picked up in two seconds. "Haniya? You okay?"
She swallowed. "Aarav… I'm missing you."
There was a pause. Then a soft chuckle came from the other side. "Hani… I'm literally in the room next to yours."
"I know," she said, feeling her cheeks heat. "Still."
That one word made his voice change, warmer, softer. "Should I come?"
She didn't even hesitate. "Yes."
Not even a full minute passed before there was a quiet knock. Haniya rushed to open the door, and the moment it swung open, she threw her arms around Aarav, hugging him tight—so tight he actually froze for a second.
"Haniya?" he whispered against her hair. "What happened?"
"Nothing," she murmured, refusing to let go. "I just… needed you here."
Aarav slowly wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer. "You scared me for a second. I thought something happened."
"Something did," she said softly. "I missed you too much."
He let out a breath that sounded like a smile. "You're unbelievable."
"And you came anyway," she whispered.
"I always will."
She finally loosened her hug, but Aarav didn't move away. He cupped her cheek gently, brushing his thumb under her eye. "You could've just said you wanted company."
"I wanted… you," she said quietly.
Something in him melted.
He leaned down just a little. "Then I'm here."
They walked inside, closing the door behind them. There was something different in the air—soft, heavy, full of unspoken things. Aarav sat on the edge of the bed, and Haniya sat close, her knee brushing his. He looked at her, really looked at her, and the room felt warmer.
"Haniya," he said softly, "why were you missing me so much?"
She shrugged shyly. "Do I need a reason?"
"I want to hear it," he insisted gently.
Her voice dropped. "Because… when you're not here, I feel like something's missing."
Aarav's expression softened instantly. "You can't say things like that and expect me to sit calmly."
"You're the one who asked," she whispered.
He chuckled under his breath. "Fair enough."
He turned a little more toward her. "Then should I tell you something too?"
She nodded.
His voice dropped lower. "I kept thinking about you after going to my room. Your smile… the way you held my hand in the bus… the way you looked at me before entering your room. I wanted to come back and pull you into a hug."
Her heart thudded. "Then why didn't you?"
"I didn't want to bother you."
"You never bother me."
Aarav exhaled, touched her cheek again, and murmured, "Good. Because I'm about to bother you a lot."
The way he said it sent a shiver through her.
He leaned in slowly, giving her every chance to pull back. She didn't. Her eyes fluttered shut just as his lips met hers—soft, slow, gentle at first, like he was afraid to rush anything. Haniya kissed him back immediately, her hands sliding to his shoulders, the warmth of him calming and electrifying her all at once.
Aarav deepened the kiss, pulling her closer until she was practically in his arms. His hand slid to the back of her neck, guiding her softly as the kiss grew deeper, fuller, more hungry. Haniya responded with equal longing, her fingers curling into his shirt.
He whispered between kisses, "You have no idea… how badly I wanted this."
Her breath brushed his lips. "Then don't stop."
That was all he needed.
He kissed her again—slow, then slow no longer. His lips moved with more passion, more emotion, as if releasing everything he had been holding back. Haniya's hands cupped his face, her thumbs brushing his cheekbones as they lost sense of time. Every kiss felt like a confession. Every touch felt like a promise.
Aarav gently laid her back against the pillows, his forehead resting against hers as he kissed her again, softer this time. His hand traced her jaw, her cheek, her hair, each touch careful and warm. Haniya's fingers brushed the back of his neck, sending a tremor through him.
"Haniya…" he whispered, his voice almost breaking. "I don't want this night to end."
"Then stay," she whispered. "Just… stay with me for a while."
He smiled against her lips. "As long as you want."
They kissed again—longer, deeper—interrupted only by their soft breaths. Eventually, after what felt like hours but was probably minutes, Aarav pulled her into his arms, letting her rest against his chest. She could hear his heartbeat, steady and warm.
Her voice was sleepy. "Aarav…?"
"Hmm?"
"I'm really happy you're here."
His hand stroked her hair lightly. "I'm happier."
Slowly, his breathing softened, his body relaxing as sleep pulled at him. He didn't even realize when he drifted off, holding her close. Haniya closed her eyes too, comforted by his warmth, the safe weight of his arm around her.
After some time—maybe half an hour—Aarav's eyes opened slowly. He blinked, realizing he had fallen asleep on her bed. Haniya was still curled against him, breathing softly, her eyelashes resting on her cheeks.
He smiled, soft and quiet, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
He whispered, "You're so beautiful…"
He leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, lingering a moment before pulling away.
Carefully, he slipped out of her arms, making sure not to wake her. He tucked the blanket around her shoulders, gave her one last soft look, then tiptoed to the door.
Before leaving, he whispered, "Good night, Hani."
He closed the door silently and hurried to his own room, his heart still racing—not from the rush…
…but from her.