Chapter 6: The Ride You Don't Forget
The car door shut with a soft click.
Mira instantly felt it.
That shift.
The outside world—gone.
The inside—too quiet… too close.
"You always get into cars with strangers?" she asked, trying to sound casual.
Aarav started the engine, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Only when they don't feel like strangers."
The city lights streaked across the windshield, neon reflections dancing over his face.
Mira turned slightly toward the window… but her attention kept drifting back to him.
Dangerous.
Everything about this felt dangerous.
"You're very sure of yourself," she murmured.
"I'm sure about what I want."
Her heartbeat quickened.
"And what is that?" she asked, softer now.
A brief silence.
Then—
"You… staying."
The word hung between them.
Heavy.
Real.
Mira swallowed, her fingers tightening slightly against her lap.
"You don't even know me."
Aarav glanced at her—slow, deliberate.
"I know enough to not want this moment to end."
The car slowed at a red light.
Time paused again.
Their eyes met.
Closer than before.
Too close.
And yet—
Not close enough.