{ 🌧️ Rain outside. Tension inside. One car, one Dhaba, and feelings you can't ignore 😏

💬 Tell me—Will Meera stay cautious 🫣 or throw herself into trouble 😳?
❤️ Vote if you're already hooked on this stormy night! }

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Meera's Pov

The rain had softened into a steady drizzle by the time we spotted a dimly lit roadside Dhaba — the only one open for miles.
Warm yellow bulbs swung from wires, throwing shadows on parked trucks and tired drivers sipping tea.

"That's dinner," Nishant said, pointing ahead. 

I wrinkled my nose. "At this hour?"

He gave me a quick look. "Yeah. And before you argue, you're not getting out of the car."

"What? Why not?"

He parked a little farther from the main area, under a small tin shed. "Because it's late. There are only drivers and delivery guys here. I'll grab the food and bring it to the car. Stay inside, lock the doors."

I opened my mouth to protest, but his tone left no room for debate.
"Meera, I'm serious."

I sighed dramatically. "Fine. Go be the hero then."

He smirked. "Already am."
And with that, he grabbed his wallet and stepped out into the rain.

The sound of raindrops against the windshield was oddly loud once he was gone.
I switched on the radio, but the signal cracked. The wind howled softly through the trees beyond the road.

Five minutes passed. Then ten.
No sign of Nishant.

I bit my lip, staring out into the dark. I can't call him, I don't have his number.

Lightning flashed, and in that brief silver light, I saw movement near the Dhaba. A few men standing near the trucks, laughing loudly, glancing my way now and then.

A chill ran down my spine.

I told myself I was overreacting — Nishant was right there, after all. Still... sitting alone felt unbearable.

I'll just go near the Dhaba. He's probably inside talking to the cook.

Pulling my dupatta tighter around me, I stepped out and hurried through the mud. The air smelled of rain and diesel. I tried not to look at anyone, just scanning for Nishant's white shirt.

{ 💌Oh no! 😱 Meera is out alone... What would YOU do?🌧️}

But he wasn't there.

"Nishant?" I called softly, heart pounding. "Hey— where are you?"

Nothing. Just the hum of the rain and faint chatter from a corner.

I turned, nerves coiling tighter, and just then — a hand landed on my shoulder.

I gasped and screamed, spinning around—

"Hey, hey— Meera! It's me!"

Nishant's voice cut through the panic. He stepped into the light, drenched, his expression a mix of shock and fury.

Before I could think, I threw my arms around him, burying my face in his chest. My body was shaking, tears mixing with the rain. "I—I thought—"

{ 💌Aw! How did that hug make your heart feel? 💖}

He didn't say anything for a moment, just held me, his hand tight on my back. Then he pulled back slightly, cupping my face.

"What were you thinking?" His voice was sharp — angry but trembling. "Didn't I tell you to stay in the car?"

"I just— you were taking too long— I got scared!"

"You got scared, so you came out alone?" His jaw clenched. "Anything could've happened, Meera!"

"I know, I just—"

"Not listening once is fine," he snapped. "But risking yourself like that—"

He stopped mid-sentence, exhaling hard, then grabbed her wrist and pulled her gently but firmly toward the car.
"Get in. Now."

I slid into the seat silently, the weight of his anger — and the fear behind it — sinking in.
He shut the door, ran a hand through his soaked hair, then sat beside me.

{💌 Okay tell me — Who's winning this scare-and-hug moment? 😳💓}

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Meera's Pov

The drive back was strangely quiet.
The rain had eased into a misty drizzle, the wipers brushing rhythmically against the glass. Every few minutes, Nishant's hand would tighten slightly on the steering wheel, as if replaying everything that happened.

I sat turned toward the window, the scent of wet earth seeping through the half-open vent. My heart was still beating fast — not from fear anymore, but something else.

Guilt.

{💌 Oooh, tension alert! 😬

Who's feeling worse — Meera guilty 😅 or Nishant scared 😤?}

He hadn't said a word since we left the Dhaba. Not one.

Finally, I broke the silence.
"You're really not going to talk to me?"

He glanced at me briefly. "Not if you're going to argue again."

"I wasn't arguing. I was... worried."

His eyes flicked to me again, this time softer. "And I was scared."
The quiet way he said it made my stomach twist.

I looked down at my hands. "Sorry. I didn't think."

"You never do," he muttered — but without heat this time. Then, sighing, "Just... don't put yourself in danger like that again, Meera. I don't want to imagine what would've happened if I'd been a minute late."

Something in his voice — low, rough, real — made me swallow hard.

We fell silent again, but this time it wasn't cold. It was thick with something... unnamed.

When we finally reached the small roadside hotel, both of us were drenched and exhausted. The receptionist handed Nishant a single key.

"One room left, sir."

I raised an eyebrow. "Of course."

Nishant rubbed his forehead. "Don't start."

"I didn't say anything."

"You thought something."

I smiled faintly. "You really can read minds, huh?"

He shot me a look. "Only when yours is this loud."

Inside the room, the soft hum of the ceiling fan filled the air.
I went to dry my face with a towel, standing near the mirror. My reflection looked tired — cheeks flushed, eyes puffy from crying.

Nishant had freshen up and was sitting on the couch, scrolling his phone.

"Your mom texted," he said. "She said to rest and not worry about the pooja. She's glad we're safe."

I nodded. "That's good."

A small pause. Then he said, "You should eat. I got some food packed."

I hesitated. "You're not eating?"

"Not hungry."

But a few seconds later, my stomach growled embarrassingly loud.

He smirked. "Seems like someone is."

I glared. "Don't you dare say anything."

"Oh, I won't," he said innocently, standing up. "I'll just feed you since you're clearly starving."

Before I could protest, he tore a piece of paratha and held it out.

I blinked. "I can feed myself."

"Clearly not fast enough."

I tried to snatch it, but he held it higher, teasing. "Say please."

"Nishant—"

"Come on, Meera. It's just food."

{💌 Do you think Meera secretly enjoys this banter? 👀
Or is she one step away from throwing him out of the room? 😂}

He was impossible. And infuriatingly charming.

"Fine. Please."

He smiled — slow, smug, devastating. "Good girl."

He handed me the piece, and I took it quickly, trying to hide the heat rising in my cheeks.

For a moment, everything felt quiet again. Just the two of us, the rain tapping softly outside, and the faint smell of warm food between us.

                                                                  ✨ ☕ ✨

Nishant's Pov

She was still mad — I could tell from the way she avoided looking directly at me. But her eyes kept flicking my way every few seconds.

I shouldn't have yelled earlier. But seeing her scared like that had done something to me. It wasn't just worry — it was this sharp, gut-deep panic.

When she screamed and then hugged me, shaking — something inside me froze.

And now, watching her nibble on that paratha, pretending she wasn't rattled, I couldn't stop the small smile pulling at my lips.

"Stop staring," she said without looking up.

"I'm not."

"You are."

"Maybe I'm just making sure you don't choke on your food."

Her eyes snapped to mine — glare ready — but the corners of her lips twitched.
She was trying not to smile.

And failing miserably.

I leaned back, voice low. "You know... for someone who says she can't stand me, you look awfully cute when you're mad."

Her jaw dropped. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

She groaned, throwing a cushion at me. "You're impossible, Nishant!"

I caught it easily, grinning. "You keep saying that like it's a bad thing."

She rolled her eyes, muttering something that sounded suspiciously like "idiot" under her breath.

After dinner, we talked for a while — light conversation that faded with the rain.
She yawned, trying to hide it behind her hand.

I stood up, stretching. "Sleep on the bed. I'll take the couch."

Meera gave me a sharp, pointed look. "Good. Because if you even think about that bed—"

"Relax," I interrupted with a grin. "I'm not suicidal."

She rolled her eyes and muttered something that sounded suspiciously like 'men and their inflated egos.'

I laughed under my breath and started arranging the couch with a blanket.

{💌 Night vibes... tell me 👀
Who's being more stubborn — Meera under the blanket 😏 or Nishant on the couch 😎?}

From the corner of my eye, I saw her sitting on the bed, brushing her damp hair — the soft light catching every drop clinging to the strands. She looked calmer now, the earlier tension replaced by quiet exhaustion.

A few moments later, she yawned again.

"Tired?" I asked, teasingly.

She nodded lazily. "You talk too much. It's exhausting."

I smiled faintly. "Then sleep. I'll shut up for tonight."

"Promise?" she murmured again, curling beneath the blanket this time.

I leaned back on the couch, switching off the lamp. "Promise."

The room fell into a gentle silence, filled only by the hum of rain outside.

                                                                  ✨ ☕ ✨

Meera's Pov

Half-asleep, I turned once and caught a glimpse of him — stretched out on the couch, one arm resting over his face, breathing slow and steady.

Despite myself, a small smile tugged at my lips.

He could be arrogant, annoying, utterly impossible — but when he'd pulled me close earlier, shielding me without a thought...
When he'd looked at me like I was the only thing that mattered...

My chest tightened in a way I didn't like admitting.

"Goodnight, Mr. Oberoi," I whispered softly into the dark.

I didn't see it, but across the room, Nishant's lips curved faintly upward — that same quiet, knowing smile he always wore when she wasn't looking.

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💌 Tell me — are they really done for the night? Or is the storm just beginning...? 👀

🌧️ One night. One room. One storm raging outside..
💬Are they going to survive being "stuck together," or is this the start of something more? 
👉  Will hearts melt... or tempers flare? 😏                                              

❤️ Vote if you want more stormy, cozy moments like this! 💓
🔁 Share with your fellow slow-burn romance lovers!

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