Kabir's pov:
Finally.
Rhea was mine.
After everything… after the distance, the silences, the nights I stayed awake replaying every memory of her — she was here, in my arms, her lips on mine, her promises sealing the spaces I thought would never heal.
Nothing in my life had ever made me feel like this.
Not my name. Not my power. Not the endless things handed to me because of the Malhotra legacy.
This — her — was different.
And I swear, no victory had ever felt as intoxicating as the moment she whispered she loved me.
We were still standing there in the rain, her arms wrapped tightly around my neck, my hands locked around her waist like letting go wasn’t even an option anymore.
I kissed her again, softer this time — just because I could.
And God… I hadn’t expected her lips to taste this good. Warm. Addictive. Like something I could get drunk on and never come back from.
I’m already addicted.
I wanted more.
I wanted to taste her again, to feel that soft little sigh she gave against my mouth when I deepened the kiss. To pull her closer, feel her melt against me until neither of us remembered where one ended and the other began.
But I held myself back.
Because no matter how recklessly I loved her, I didn’t want her to feel uncomfortable. Not tonight. Not in this perfect, fragile moment we’d fought too hard for.
So instead, I rested my forehead against hers, catching my breath as the rain poured around us like the sky itself was blessing what we had.
And then… the terrace door creaked open.
I stiffened instantly, one protective hand still on her waist as I turned toward the sound.
I wasn’t ready to share this moment yet.
Not with anyone.
The terrace door creaked open, and I instinctively shifted, keeping one arm securely around Rhea’s waist as if someone might try to rip her away.
And then… Anaya’s voice broke through the rain.
“Rhea!”
I let out a quiet breath, half in relief, half in irritation.
Of course, it had to be them.
Anaya and Arjun stepped onto the terrace, both immediately getting soaked by the rain. Anaya’s eyes widened the second she saw us — her best friend tangled up in my arms, both of us drenched and breathless.
Arjun, being the idiot he was, smirked like he’d just won a bet.
“Well, well, well… looks like our bad boy Malhotra does have a heart after all.”
I rolled my eyes but didn’t move my hand from Rhea’s waist. Not now. Not after everything it took to get here.
Rhea pulled away slightly, her cheeks flushed and wet from the rain — and maybe a little from the kiss too.
Anaya rushed forward, grabbing her arm.
“I swear to God, Rhea, if you ever ghost me for something like this again, I’ll murder you.”
Rhea laughed softly, and that sound… I swear I’d do anything to hear it on repeat for the rest of my life.
Arjun came up beside me, elbowing me like we were back in school or something.
“You confessed, didn’t you?” he grinned.
I gave him a sideways glare.
“None of your damn business.”
He snorted.
“Her lipstick on your mouth says otherwise, bro.”
I swiped a hand across my lips, smirking despite myself.
Anaya grabbed Rhea’s hand.
**“We’re all soaked, idiots. Let’s get inside before we catch a cold. And you”—she pointed at me—“you behave.”
I raised a brow.
“I’ll try. No promises.”
Rhea bit her lip, fighting a smile, and my heart did that stupid skip again.
And in that moment — with the rain pouring, my best friend smirking, Anaya scolding me, and Rhea’s hand still in mine — it felt like maybe, just maybe… I’d finally found the one thing worth risking everything for.
The terrace door creaked open, and I instinctively shifted, keeping one arm securely around Rhea’s waist as if someone might try to rip her away.
And then… Anaya’s voice broke through the rain.
“Rhea!”
I let out a quiet breath, half in relief, half in irritation.
Of course, it had to be them.
Anaya and Arjun stepped onto the terrace, both immediately getting soaked by the rain. Anaya’s eyes widened the second she saw us — her best friend tangled up in my arms, both of us drenched and breathless.
Arjun, being the idiot he was, smirked like he’d just won a bet.
“Well, well, well… looks like our bad boy Malhotra does have a heart after all.”
I rolled my eyes but didn’t move my hand from Rhea’s waist. Not now. Not after everything it took to get here.
Rhea pulled away slightly, her cheeks flushed and wet from the rain — and maybe a little from the kiss too.
Anaya rushed forward, grabbing her arm.
“I swear to God, Rhea, if you ever ghost me for something like this again, I’ll murder you.”
Rhea laughed softly, and that sound… I swear I’d do anything to hear it on repeat for the rest of my life.
Arjun came up beside me, elbowing me like we were back in school or something.
“You confessed, didn’t you?” he grinned.
I gave him a sideways glare.
“None of your damn business.”
He snorted.
“Her lipstick on your mouth says otherwise, bro.”
I swiped a hand across my lips, smirking despite myself.
Anaya grabbed Rhea’s hand.
“We’re all soaked, idiots. Let’s get inside before we catch a cold. And you”—she pointed at me—“you behave.”
I raised a brow.
“I’ll try. No promises.”
Rhea bit her lip, fighting a smile, and my heart did that stupid skip again.
And in that moment — with the rain pouring, my best friend smirking, Anaya scolding me, and Rhea’s hand still in mine — it felt like maybe, just maybe… I’d finally found the one thing worth risking everything for.
---
Rhea's pov:
I was still standing there with Kabir, both of us drenched and tangled up in the rain, when Anaya and Arjun came barging in like a storm of their own. I could practically feel my cheeks heat up the moment Anaya scolded Kabir to behave.
God.
Could I just disappear right now?
His hand was still holding mine — and neither of us made a move to pull back. It felt… too perfect to let go of.
Before I could gather myself, Anaya grabbed my arm with a dramatic sigh.
“Come with me, Miss Romeo,” she muttered, dragging me toward the restroom.
I didn’t even get a chance to protest.
The moment we stepped inside, Anaya turned, her face breaking into a wide, mischievous smirk.
“Ooooh… so my best friend finally had her first kiss, huh?” she teased, wiggling her eyebrows. “Come on, tell me — how was it?”
I groaned, feeling my face turn impossibly red.
“Stop it,” I smacked her arm lightly. “It wasn’t like that… it just… happened.”
Anaya snorted.
“Please. I have eyes too, Rhea. I saw the lipstick mark on Kabir’s lips, okay? Don’t even try to play innocent with me.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but words failed me.
Was I seriously that obvious?
“Oh really?” I tried to bluff. “I didn’t notice anything.”
She rolled her eyes like I was the dumbest girl alive and then grinned again, leaning closer.
“Also… can we take a minute to acknowledge that this Malhotra idiot literally fulfilled your bucket list wish?”
I blinked, confused.
“Huh?”
She sighed dramatically.
“Your first kiss. In the rain. Rhea, you literally wrote that in your bucket list notebook, remember?”
And just like that… it hit me.
I did.
A stupid, silly wish scribbled on a page months ago — my first kiss should happen in the rain. And it did.
With him.
I felt my cheeks heat up all over again as my mind replayed the kiss. The way his hand cupped my face. The way he whispered my name like it meant something.
I probably looked like an idiot blushing this hard, but I couldn’t help it.
Anaya burst out laughing.
“God, Rhea. Stop blushing or else your Ran-”
She cleared her throat dramatically.
“—your Romeo might follow you here to check if you’re okay.”
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help laughing too.
“Let’s go before you say something even more embarrassing.”
We left the restroom together, still laughing like idiots, and headed back to our table at the café — where I was pretty sure a certain someone was still waiting for me, hand half-raised, like he couldn’t stand being away for even two minutes.
And I knew then.
I was completely, recklessly, stupidly his.
---
Kabir's pov:
I swear, if I could’ve stayed on that terrace with her forever, I would have.
That kiss… that moment… it felt like my entire world shifted. Like everything I’d ever chased, fought for, or claimed meant nothing compared to having Rhea in my arms.
But of course, our self-appointed chaperones had other plans.
Anaya practically dragged Rhea away, shooting me a death glare that probably should’ve scared me but honestly just made me smirk.
Arjun and I made our way back to our table inside the café, water dripping off us like we’d been caught in a damn storm — which, technically, we had.
Arjun was grinning like an idiot, and I knew what was coming before he even opened his mouth.
“Well, well, well…” he drawled, dropping into his seat across from me. “Malhotra finally let his heart out, huh?”
I rolled my eyes, grabbing a napkin and scrubbing my wet face.
“You gonna shut up about it or do I have to break that overgrown nose of yours?” I muttered.
He just laughed, leaning back in his chair like the smug best friend he was.
“Bro, don’t even pretend. You’re practically glowing. If it wasn’t raining, you’d be shining like a full-on Bollywood hero right now.”
I scoffed, but I knew I wasn’t fooling anyone.
Because yeah — I probably was.
“I swear, man,” Arjun shook his head with a grin. “I’ve known you for years. Seen you mess with girls left and right, acting like you didn’t give a damn about anything. And now? One Rhea Sharma walks into your life, and you’re out here kneeling in the rain, catching feelings like it’s your job.”
I smirked, unable to fight the small, satisfied grin tugging at my lips.
“Yeah,” I muttered. “And you know what? Best damn feeling I’ve ever had.”
Arjun clutched his chest dramatically.
“Waah, Malhotra sahab. Dil jeet liya aapne. Romantic hero of the year award confirmed.”
I flicked a spoon at him, making him duck and laugh.
But truth be told… beneath all the teasing, all the sarcasm — I was still stuck in that moment on the terrace. The way her lips had felt. The way she’d looked up at me, all shy and stubborn, like she still couldn’t believe I was hers.
I ran a hand through my wet hair, grinning to myself like an idiot.
And right then — as if the universe timed it perfectly — I felt her presence before I saw her.
The sound of soft laughter.
Anaya’s teasing voice.
And the faintest scent of rain-drenched lavender.
I looked up — and there she was.
Rhea.
Eyes a little nervous. Cheeks still pink. And mine.
God help me, I was so gone for this girl.
The second she stepped into the room, it was like the rest of the café faded into the background.
I swear, I felt her before I saw her — like some part of me had been wired to her since that damn kiss.
Rhea walked in beside Anaya, hair damp, cheeks pink, avoiding my gaze like she hadn’t just kissed me breathless ten minutes ago in the rain.
And damn, she looked beautiful.
Like trouble. Like mine.
Arjun, of course, spotted them too and leaned over, grinning like an idiot.
“Dekha? Yahi hota hai pyaar ka asar. Ab bechari sharma rahi hai,” he teased, loud enough for Anaya to hear.
Anaya shot him a glare.
“Bas kar Arjun, warna café se bahar fekwa dungi.”
I smirked, loving the chaos.
But my eyes didn’t leave Rhea — not for a second.
She finally reached the table and took the seat opposite me. Wouldn’t meet my gaze. Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of the table like she was trying to look busy. But I could see the faint blush on her cheeks and the way she bit her lip when our eyes accidentally met for half a second.
I leaned back in my chair, resting one arm lazily on the backrest, watching her like it was my favorite hobby.
Which, apparently, it was now.
Under the table, I shifted my hand forward — slow, careful — until my fingers brushed against hers.
She stiffened for a heartbeat, then looked up at me.
And in that moment, I didn’t smirk. I didn’t tease.
I just gave her a small, soft look. The one that meant I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.
And to my surprise, she didn’t pull away.
Instead, her hand quietly slid into mine under the table, her fingers curling around mine in the kind of gentle grip that felt louder than any words we could’ve exchanged.
Arjun noticed something and opened his mouth to comment, but Anaya elbowed him so hard he nearly choked on his drink.
I chuckled, tightening my grip on Rhea’s hand.
And right then, in that crowded little café, with our best friends bickering and rain still lashing against the windows, it felt perfect.
Messy. Reckless. Complicated.
But ours.
And for the first time in years… I didn’t want anything else.
---
Rhea's pov:
The second I stepped back into the café, I could feel his eyes on me.
Even without looking, I knew.
Kabir Malhotra.
Sitting there like he owned the world — or at least, this moment of mine.
My heart was still racing from that kiss. From the way his arms had felt around me, the warmth of his touch against my rain-soaked skin.
And now… I had to sit across from him like I wasn’t falling apart inside.
Anaya was still grinning like the nosy best friend she was, and Arjun looked like he couldn’t wait to open his big mouth and start teasing again.
I took the seat opposite Kabir, my eyes firmly fixed on the table.
God, I could still feel the ghost of his lips on mine.
Arjun leaned forward.
“Dekha? Ab bechari sharma rahi hai.”
I would’ve glared at him, but honestly… he wasn’t wrong.
I was blushing.
Anaya handled it like always.
“Bas kar Arjun, warna café se bahar fekwa dungi.”
I bit my lip, fighting a smile.
And when I finally glanced up — just for a second — I caught Kabir watching me.
But it wasn’t his usual cocky smirk or smug challenge.
It was… soft.
Like his entire world had narrowed down to me.
And I hated how easily my heart melted for that look.
Under the table, something brushed against my hand.
I froze.
His fingers.
Tentative. Warm. Steady.
I glanced at him again, but this time he didn’t look away.
He just gave me this small, unreadable look. A promise in silence.
And I don’t know what took over me — maybe it was the way my chest ached for him even now, or the leftover heat of the rain on my skin — but I didn’t pull away.
I let my fingers slip into his.
Quietly. Like it was the most natural thing in the world.
His grip tightened, not too much. Just enough to say I’m here.
Anaya was too busy arguing with Arjun to notice.
Thank God.
And as the café buzzed around us, the rain tapping softly against the glass, and his hand cradling mine like it belonged there… I realized something.
I was falling.
Fast.
And this time, I wasn’t scared.
I should’ve known it was too much to hope for peace.
Especially with these two sitting across from us.
The moment Anaya noticed how pink my cheeks still were — and how suspiciously quiet Kabir was being — her eyes narrowed, and that wicked smirk spread across her face like a warning.
And Arjun… God help me, that boy lived to stir drama.
He leaned in first, elbows on the table, grinning like a wolf.
“Toh Rhea ji… terrace ka mausam kaisa tha?”
I nearly choked on my drink.
Kabir, the shameless idiot, didn’t even flinch. He just sat there, looking completely smug, one corner of his mouth lifted like he was enjoying this way too much.
I shot Arjun a death glare.
“Shut up, Arjun.”
Anaya wasn’t about to let it go either.
“Haye haye… lipstick mark toh waise bhi proof tha, ab terrace ka mausam bhi yaad aa raha hai. Mazaa aaya na, bestie?”
I buried my face in my hands, wishing I could sink through the floor.
Kabir finally spoke, voice low and lazy.
“Kya karun… mausam hi kuch aisa tha.”
The audacity.
I kicked him under the table. He didn’t even flinch.
If anything, his smirk widened.
Anaya laughed so hard she almost fell off her chair.
“Dekha Rhea? Tera hero toh full filmy nikla. Barish, confession, kiss… next kya? Shaadi ka date fix kare kya?”
I groaned.
“Anaya, stop it before I strangle you.”
Arjun was wheezing by now.
“Waise, ab toh Rhea ko bhi confess karna chahiye. Public demand hai.”
I could feel my face burning up, and when I dared to glance at Kabir, he was watching me with this maddeningly soft look in his eyes. Like he didn’t care about the teasing, or the people around us, or the fact that the entire café could hear our best friends lose their minds.
Just… me.
And I swear, it was unfair how one look from him could calm my storm and throw me into another at the same time.
Anaya clapped her hands.
“Okay okay, bas. Maan gaye hum tum dono ko. Ab kuch order kare ya terrace pe aur bhi mausam enjoy karna hai?”
Kabir raised an eyebrow at me, grinning.
“Main toh hamesha ready hoon.”
I rolled my eyes, but my stupid heart fluttered anyway.
And just like that — in a small, rain-soaked café with two loud-mouthed best friends and one dangerously addictive boy — it felt like the world was exactly how it was meant to be.
Messy. Loud. A little embarrassing.
And perfect.
The rain had slowed to a soft drizzle by the time we all stepped out of the café. The sky was dark, the streets glistening under the faint glow of the streetlights, and the air smelled like wet earth and secrets.
Anaya and Arjun were still bickering about who had embarrassed me more at the table, walking ahead toward Kabir’s car like they owned the night.
And Kabir…
He fell into step beside me.
Not saying much.
But somehow, that silence spoke louder than any teasing words back in the café.
We reached the car, and as if it was the most natural thing in the world, he opened the passenger door for me.
I slid in without a word, my heart stupidly light in my chest.
The others climbed into the back, still laughing about something Arjun had said, but I barely heard them.
The car started, soft music humming through the speakers — one of those old, mellow Hindi love songs I wouldn’t have pegged Kabir Malhotra for.
But it fit.
God, it fit so perfectly.
For a while, none of us spoke.
The world outside blurred past, rain streaking softly against the windows, headlights reflecting off the wet roads. It felt like a dream I was afraid to wake up from.
I glanced at Kabir, and he was driving with one hand on the wheel, the other resting lazily by the gear. His hair still a little damp, jaw sharp in the dim light, a small, content smile playing on his lips.
As if he could feel my gaze, his eyes flickered to mine for a second.
And just like that… the world shrank again.
Down to that look.
No teasing.
No noise.
No past.
Just… us.
He reached out, his hand brushing mine on the seat between us — not a grab, not a demand. Just a simple, quiet touch, like asking if I was still his.
I turned my palm upward, letting our fingers slip together.
And he smiled.
A small, crooked, heart-ruining smile.
I looked away, cheeks warm, a shy grin tugging at my lips as the car cut through the night, the music low, our friends laughing softly in the backseat.
And for the first time in a long time…
I felt safe.
Wanted.
And home.
Right there — in his car, on that rain-soaked street, with his hand in mine.
The drive back was quiet.
The kind of silence that wasn’t awkward — it was soft, heavy with unspoken things.
We didn’t speak much, but just feeling him beside me, so close, so real… it was enough. More than enough.
Anaya had already rushed inside the hostel earlier, probably to avoid the warden’s glare. Arjun was leaning against the hostel gate, distracted on a phone call with someone, leaving me and Kabir alone in the car under the misty, rain-soaked night.
But I knew I had to go.
I turned toward him, my voice coming out softer than I intended.
“I should go now.”
He didn’t say a word.
Instead, he leaned in, and before I could process it, his lips pressed gently against my forehead.
Warm.
Protective.
Mine.
Then his hand found mine, lifting it to his lips. He kissed my knuckles so delicately, like a silent promise.
“Rhea,” his voice was low, rough like gravel yet achingly tender, “I’m always with you. No matter what anyone says about me… before believing a word, come to me first. Okay?”
I felt my throat tighten, but I managed a small nod.
He smiled — that rare, heartbreakingly soft smile of his — and then before I could react, he leaned in again, his lips brushing against the curve of my neck.
A shiver ran through me.
Not because I was cold.
Because it was him.
Then he reached for my seatbelt, unbuckling it gently, and stepped out of the car. A second later, he was by my side, opening my door like some reckless prince out of the wrong kind of fairytale.
I stepped out, the cool night air brushing against my skin, but his arms found me instantly.
A quiet, firm hug.
His voice was a whisper against my hair.
“I love you, Rhea. And I’m going to miss you. A lot.”
I smiled against his chest, my hands clutching the fabric of his shirt.
“Love you more,” I murmured back.
He pulled away slightly, cupped my face, and kissed my forehead one last time.
And I swear, in that moment, it felt like the entire world slowed down for us.
“Bye,” he whispered.
“Bye,” I replied softly. “Text me when you reach home, okay?”
He nodded.
Just then, Arjun strolled over, still half on his phone, grinning like a menace.
“Chalo bhi, lovebirds. I need to get home. Save your romance for tomorrow.”
Kabir shot him a glare, but couldn’t hide the faint smile tugging at his lips. He ruffled my hair one last time before walking to the driver’s seat.
Arjun winked at me as he passed.
“Bye, Rhea. Dream of Malhotra, okay?”
“Shut up, Arjun,” I mumbled, but couldn’t help the smile that slipped out.
And then they were gone.
Their car disappearing down the wet road.
I stood there for a second longer, heart too full, then turned and made my way back upstairs to my room — the air still heavy with rain and memories.
And his scent.
---
Kabir's pov:
The drive back home felt like a blur.
Arjun wouldn’t shut up.
The moment we pulled away from the hostel, he leaned back in his seat, grinning like the idiot he was.
“Bhai… tujhe dekh ke toh lagta hai Malhotra khandaan ka naam badalne wala hai. Ab pyaar Malhotra ke naam se jaana jayega.”
I rolled my eyes, though I couldn’t wipe the stupid smile off my face if I tried.
“Bakwaas band kar, Arjun.”
But he kept going.
“Woh kya keh rahe the? ‘Love you, Rhea.’ Haye, romantic hero!”
He clutched his chest dramatically, pretending to wipe a fake tear.
“Aaj toh dil jeet liya, bhai.”
I shook my head, but deep down… I didn’t mind his teasing.
Because tonight — for the first time — it didn’t feel like some game.
It was real.
She was real.
And she was mine.
By the time we reached my house, Arjun was still talking.
“Tera mood dekh ke lag raha hai, Malhotra mansion ke terrace pe ab romantic candles lagne waale hain.”
I smirked, shoving him as he got out of the car.
“Nikal yaha se, gadhe.”
He laughed, gave me a mock salute, and drove off.
I walked into my house, tossed my jacket aside, kicked off my shoes, and headed straight to my room. My mom must’ve been asleep by now — thank God, because explaining this ridiculous grin on my face would’ve been impossible.
I grabbed a towel, peeled off my rain-soaked clothes, and took a quick, hot shower.
Even under the water, I couldn’t stop thinking about her.
That kiss.
The way she blushed.
How she held my hand under the table like she belonged to me.
And she did.
Mine. Only mine.
I pulled on a black hoodie and track pants, ran a hand through my damp hair, and flopped onto my bed.
The room was quiet.
Too quiet.
I grabbed my phone from the side table, unlocked it, and opened our chat.
She was online.
A small smile tugged at my lips as I typed.
“Reached home. Missing you already, Princess.”
I stared at the message for a second, then hit send.
I knew she’d probably be lying in bed too, heart still racing like mine.
Somehow, that thought made my chest ache in the best possible way.
I tossed my phone onto the bed, lay back against the pillows, and closed my eyes — still smiling like a fool.
Yeah, Malhotra… you’re done for.
---
Rhea's pov:
lay on my bed, the room dim, the soft hum of rain still whispering against the windowpane.
Anaya was already fast asleep, curled up on her bed like a little kid, while I was wide awake — my heart refusing to calm down.
I stared at the ceiling, a dumb smile playing on my lips.
Everything that happened tonight kept replaying in my head like some half-dream, half-fairytale.
The drive.
The rain.
That kiss.
The way he whispered I love you, Rhea like it was the most natural thing in the world.
I sighed, grabbing my phone off the nightstand.
3 unread messages in the group chat where Anaya was teasing Arjun about his terrible flirting attempts. I ignored them.
Instead, I opened Kabir’s chat.
The last message from me was just a shy “byee” hours ago.
And then — just as if he knew I was thinking about him — my phone buzzed.
Kabir Malhotra: Reached home. Missing you already, Princess.
I swear my heart stopped for a second.
I bit my lip, trying not to smile too wide because if Anaya woke up and saw my face, she’d never let me live it down.
I stared at his message for a few seconds longer, rereading those words like some hopeless idiot.
Princess.
God, how does he even come up with these things?
Why does it sound so dangerously good when it’s him?
I took a breath, my fingers hovering over the keyboard before typing back.
“I missed you the second you left. And I’m still blushing, Malhotra. Goodnight.”
I hit send, hugged my pillow tight, and closed my eyes.
My heart felt full.
Messy, overwhelmed, a little reckless.
But so, so happy.
Somewhere out there, I knew he was smiling too.
And that — just that — was enough for tonight.
---
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