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Naina's breath hitched as she froze feeling him behind her, his voice still ringing in her ears. Her body was set on fire with the proximity as his hand still stayed wrapped around her arm, clutching her tight enough so she can't leave, but soft enough to not hurt her.

She felt herself being pinned to her place as he came in front of her, his hand still around her arm. His gaze was dark, his tone calmingly serious, "Tell me, Naina, did you feel something that night?"

He was direct. He was already in a turmoil ever since her lips had left his, and he didn't want to waste time in beating around the bush.
He needed to know what's in her mind. Now.

She looked at his piercing gaze. It was a mixture of confidence, authority and strength, while her eyes oozed confusion, nervousness and shyness.

What would she say to him?

That she herself doesn't know why her body betrayed her and did something she wouldn't even dream of doing in her wildest dreams, or that she let go but still kept thinking about the warmth she felt when kissing him ever since....

Or the direct answer to his question.
She did feel something that night.

Her eyes met his, as an attempt to put to play the act that she had been scripting in her mind. The act of not caring.

"I didn't." She said oddly boldly. Her eyes tried to meet his but she knew she couldn't, so they flickered towards him for a second when replying, then she looked away.

His heart and mind knew she was lying. Her avoiding gaze answered everything, "You didn't?"

"N...No." she replied instantly. This was getting difficult for her, "Let me go now." Her eyes were looking at him for a second and then at his hand, which was still wrapped around her arm.

"I will let you go, once I have the honest answer to my question. I'm asking you again, Naina, did you feel something that might?" His tone came out more authoritative this time, as if he were begging for an answer but commanding one too.

She gulped, her breath was uneven. He chuckled at the evident attempt of lying, before using his other hand to caress her jaw, "You felt something that night. You're feeling it right now too. You try to pretend you don't remember it, or you say you don't feel anything, but you do."

Naina let herself out of his grip, pushing herself back harshly. She didn't want to yell or become loud in her actions, but she had to let him know.
It was the only way of convincing herself of the harsh truth in front of her. The difference of worlds between him and her.

"I didn't feel anything. I...It was just something done under the influence of alcohol and I'm sure it happens to others as well." She said, gathering every bit of confidence she might have collected to pour the words out in a convincing manner.

"It was something common, and... you've been to more parties than me, so you would know. This happens very causally. Everyone forgets about it within hours, you.... You should as well." She continued, pouring everything in a go.

He looked at her. She was speaking boldly which caught him very off guard. He expected hesitation and nervousness, but he got bold replies, and a very clear one.

He wasn't expecting this.

Taking his silence as a boost of confidence, she carried on, compelled to strengthen her case and mask herself entirely, "Don't ask me this... again, you know my answer. It won't change. It was just something causal, it happens to anyone. It could have been someone else like Meera instead of me, so forget about it. Goodnight."