Ritu stumbled. Her heart raced wildly while a surge of panic enveloped her. Just as she was about to hit the ground, a pair of strong muscular arms encircled her waist preventing her fall. She raised her eyes and instinctively gripped his arms for support. Their eyes locked as he pulled her weight up and drew her smaller body close against him. Her cheeks flushed as her fingers clung to the fabric of Jai's shirt.

Could this day go anymore worse than this? Never in her life she felt so helpless and weak like she was feeling right now. It was as if her body had turned against her, betraying her at the most crucial moment. Inside this small pantry which smelled strong of flour and vanilla, her pride was crumbling in front of the man who was causing havoc in her and her family's life. This simply couldn't happen!

Her legs felt strange and wouldn't move at her will. Despite her eyes stinging, tears wouldn't come out. She desperately wanted to go home, but was now stuck in this godforsaken place, with the person who elicited a strong sense of aversion within her. Her heart pounded rapidly from the unexpected proximity of her adversary.

"Easy there," he murmured, while still holding her against his chest in a surprisingly gentle embrace.

She blinked and lowered her eyes, unable to look directly at him; her cheeks ablaze and gaze focused on his neck. "I-" She began but didn't know what to say. Never had she experienced this much humiliated in her entire life. She felt mortified to admit that this was the same person whom she was cursing a few seconds back.

"We need to get out of here," he stated quietly.

He was supporting most of her weight and the warmth that radiated from his body felt strangely innocuous. The air around them seemed to grow heavier. Every breath, every silent moment seemed to stretch as she tried to regain her composure.

Her heart beat against her ribcage rapidly as she choked out the embarrassing words. "I can't walk anymore. I've reached my limit today."

"So I see," he responded in his thick gentle voice. She didn't understand how could he maintain such a gentle tone throughout. She looked up and gazed into his eyes. Now that she was so close to him, she observed his facial features more closely. His deep-set eyes seemed to have untold stories of pain and hardship imbibed in them. There was an inscrutable aura surrounding him. His eyes weren't brown, but a lighter shade of that color, more like sunshine infused honey. She blinked and flushed at their situation.

"Ca-can you put me down somewhere?" she hesitantly asked.

"This room doesn't have a seat," he said apologetically, his eyes focusing on her inadvertently for a fleeting moment that felt far more intimate than words could convey, before he looked away. "Besides, we need to get out of here as soon as possible. The media won't let the matter slide easily."

An awkward silence settled between them. She craned her neck and looked around the room.

Shiny stainless-steel countertops sparkled in the gentle light of the room. They were decorated with many tools like whisks, spatulas, and measuring cups. There were glass jars filled with colorful sprinkles that looked like shiny confetti frozen in the air. Behind a glass door, there was a cold room with shelves holding lots of creamy frosting and delicate pastries. In one corner, there was a big mixing bowl with leftovers of batter from something made recently.

"How can we get out of here? There are cameras everywhere outside." She was damned for having such a conversation in that awkward position.

"We'll have to escape with a disguise."

"But I cannot walk at this moment. How are we going to escape?"

"I've got an idea," he said, his voice steady, expression determined. Then he asked an unexpected question. "What's your height?"

"What?" Her eyebrows curled with confusion as she shifted her gaze and stared at him incredulously.

"Your height," he repeated. "What's your height?"

"What's my height has to do anything with this?"

He tilted his head and threw a meaningful look at her that obviously said, 'Just tell me woman. I'm trying to help.'

She sighed and answered. "5'4. Now tell me why?"

"5'4. Hmm. You're close to Naman. That'll do.'

She was so bewildered at this moment, that she barely could grasp whatever the hell he was saying. "Who's Naman?"

"Someone insignificant to your lot." His response was quick. Then he added, "Don't worry. I'll try my best so that no one could recognize you."

Then, all of a sudden, without a word, he scooped her up in a swift motion. Her hands wrapped around his neck instinctively making her face color instantly. Her body seemingly light and fragile against his strength. The cold intensity of their rivalry simmered beneath the surface as he carried her to the edge of the room.

She was certain she looked like a pink ball of cotton candy right now. Her ears were red and hot, cheeks aflame. "Wh-what are you doing?" She stuttered.

He did not response immediately. Rather walked in long strides, not looking at her face. The sudden action left her flustered as she shifted her gaze and looked ahead of them. There she saw an old worn-out black hoodie hanging from the wall alongside likewise garments. As Jai reached before it, he shifted his eyes on her. "Put this on," he suggested, gesturing toward the hoodie.

Ritu frowned; confusion evident on her face. "How is this going to help?"

"We're going to blend in and make an escape. It'll be easier that way if you put on this hoodie."

Ritu hesitated. The prospect of putting on his hoodie made her uncomfortable. It wasn't like they were on good terms or closely acquainted. In fact, in the present situation, he was the most dangerous of her adversaries. The inexpensive fabric of the hoodie triggered a sense of discomfort. The idea of wearing something that belonged to her opponent, made her skin crawl. Each fiber of the clothing carried a reminder of their social and inimical differences between them. Struggling with her inner conflicts, Ritu stood at a crossroads, torn between the practicality of wearing the hoodie and the strong aversion it stirred within her.

"Hurry," he prodded. "They might discover the backdoor soon. We'll have to escape before that."

Reluctantly, she reached out and grabbed the hoodie hanging on the rack. The fabric was soft but foreign to the touch. However, given their present circumstances, donning it became a challenge. Although Jai remained patient throughout her struggle to do so, she was getting flustered with each passing moment.

Except, she didn't have to struggle for long before Jai stopped her midway. "Wait". He then sank to the floor and sat her on one of his thighs. Great! Could this day go any more humiliating than this? She was now sitting practically on his lap!! She grimaced at the thought while her hands continued to yank on the piece of clothing for her precious pride.

As she adjusted the oversized hoodie on her, her eyes involuntarily shifted toward Jai. He was already looking down at her. They were so close. Could it get any more embarrassing than this? She blinked and averted her gaze.

If only this had been a nightmare, she would have been much more delighted.

Then Jai did something completely unexpected which unnerved her furthermore. He reached forward, pulled up the hood and adjusted it over her head. The gesture surprisingly intimate amidst the chaotic and awkward situation.

"Keep it on."

She flushed and blurted, "I could've done that myself."

As she said so, a palpable silence ensued. She did not like how he was making her feel at this moment! Helpless, mortified, and uncomfortable. And he was an enemy, for heaven's sake!

Inside the pantry, the atmosphere grew thick and heavy, reflecting the resurfacing resentment between them. Every second felt like an eternity. Just as the weight of the silence seemed unbearable to endure, Jai's voice pierced through. "Where should I drop you?" he inquired. Despite the gentleness in his voice, it was lacking any hint of warmth. It felt clear that whatever the hell it was a few seconds back had started to crumble finally. They were on opposite sides, and it was better that way. His question hung in the air, serving as a harsh reminder of their conflicting relationship.

Ritu swallowed her discomfort, realizing that her situation left her no choice but to rely on him for this moment. She cleared her throat, her voice steadier than she felt. "Home," she replied curtly, avoiding eye contact.

His glanced down at her briefly, his lips tightened into a thin line as he acknowledged with a single nod. They both knew the complexities of her predicament – the need to maintain a disguise, the danger of exposure. It was an unspoken understanding that bound them in this impromptu and unlikely alliance.

"There's one more problem," he said making her raise her eyes inquisitively. "You'll have to climb on my back. I can't carry you outside like this. It's too in the eye."

She winced. "I-I understand."

The gesture she had been avoiding since morning, it had come down to this now. She deliberately avoided Irfan, but now she had to do exactly that. God helped her. This was not what she had in mind when she left Ishani today.

"I'll put you down then?" He probed.

She nodded helplessly. After gaining her consent, Jai carefully put her down, supporting her weight, then crouched in front of her facing opposite side. His sturdy muscled back flexed as he waited for her. She bit her lower lip a little painfully before leaning onto him, her arms wrapped around his neck on their own accord. This was exhilarating!

His hands reached behind, grabbing her legs as he hoisted her up the ground and stood up himself. She was painfully aware of the fact that her breasts were in full contact with his back now. Thankfully the hood was still in place. No one could see her crimson face now. She wasn't sure if it was from frustration or embarrassment.

As Jai made it out the door, she carefully tilted her head slightly. The door opened to a dingy alleyway. Almost deserted. Perhaps, the media didn't know yet this side of the building. Even she was fazed witnessing the otherworldly place.

The narrow alley was dark and dirty, with walls covered in old, peeling paint. Trash littered the cracked pavement, and puddles of murky water reflected the flickering light from a distant lamppost. The air smelled of decay and dampness. Broken crates and discarded boxes cluttered the corners, casting eerie shadows. Graffiti covered the walls, telling stories of unrecognized artists. It felt like a place untouched by time, forgotten by the bustling, evolving world outside.

She couldn't resist herself as the words slipped out of her mouth. "Where on earth is this place? Which side of the world are we?"

She heard an incoherent snort from Jai. There was a small pause before he said, "Perhaps, you need to educate yourself on the people living on the opposite side of you cultured society." He emphasized on the last two words. Her brows furrowed at his answer. She knew it was deliberate. For an instance, she thought of chocking him. She was in a perfect position to do so. But then she decided against it. She needed to reach home first, and she liked it or not, he was her last resort at this moment. She didn't know what Pihu was doing though.

As the thought of Pihu crossed her mind, she stiffened. Amidst all this brouhaha, she totally forgot about her. "Wh-where's Pihu? I-I need to see her."

"What?" Jai halted abruptly.

"My-" she hesitated, then settled for, "My friend. She was there with me."

"Seems like she left a long time ago." He resumed walking. "When you started having your panic attack, she worked out a way to disappear."

"Shut up! She isn't like that."

"Really? Then why didn't she come after you all this time?"

She felt lost and bit her lips. She had no answer to that. What could have gone wrong? She knew Pihu well, and Pihu always cared about her. So, what changed now? She tried to think, but no answers came. It was confusing. She knew Pihu truly cared for her. Then, why wasn't she with her at a moment like this? She wished she could understand what was wrong.

Jai seemed to give her some time to ponder on her thoughts and did not say anything else. He maneuvered through the alleyway for a few minutes and it opened at the side of the high road. He made it to the opposite side of the road, then quietly stated, "I have my motorbike parked here."

She looked through the slits of the hoodie. It was indeed a garage for the working-class people. Several bicycles and motorbikes were parked adjacent to each other. She didn't have to response to him at that moment. So, she remained quiet.

The middle-aged garage guard came forward and asked casually, "Who's that, Jai?"

"Naman's friend. Suddenly not feeling well. So, I'm going to drop her to her home."

"Oh, okay. Careful there. It's getting hotter these days. Perhaps she's under weather, or something."

"Yeah, perhaps." Jai cut their conversation short. Then within next few moments, he rummaged through his pockets, found the key and got his hands on his bike. It was a KTM. Although she didn recognise the model, the fleeting twitch of her brows went unnoticed as her eyes landed on the bike. Meanwhile, Jai carefully climbed onto the bike while she was still clinging to his back. Once settled down, she adjusted and put her hands down.

"Hold onto me. It wouldn't be a pretty sight to see you flying through the air while the KTM takes off," Jai muttered under his breath, enough loud for only her to hear.

Her jaws clenched. Nonetheless, she raised her hands and slipped them around his waist. If it was not a day of disaster, she'd have taken a perfect liking to smother him herself.

"Watch your tone while you talk to me. I'm not one of your friends you can mess around with," she responded with seething tone which he did not acknowledge. Instead, he put on his helmet and gave a spare one to her. The KTM came to life soon after she did so and took off down the bustling streets of the city.