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Chapter 36 - Chapter 36 : Not just friends anymore

[POV: Bunny]

The moment Aarav left my room, I sat still. My heart was racing, not from nerves—but from relief.

He remembered.

He felt the same.

He always had.

I pressed a hand against my lips… like holding back the ache of how long I had waited to hear that.

Then… my phone buzzed.

Aarav:

"Wear something warm. We're going out. Just us."

I stared at the screen. A date? No. Not yet.

But something was different.

It wasn't fake.

It wasn't an act.

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[Later – rooftop, night – POV: Aarav]

I booked the whole rooftop. Simple lights, quiet music, no fancy setup—just us.

Bunny stood there, wearing that soft grey sweater and loose hair falling down like waves I wanted to drown in.

Aarav (teasing):

"You're late."

Bunny (smirking):

"You didn't even tell me the time."

She walked closer, eyes glancing at the stars before settling on me.

Bunny:

"So… what's all this?"

Aarav:

"Just… wanted to spend time. Not acting. No one watching."

She looked away for a second. I could tell her heart was loud.

Aarav (softly):

"I meant what I said. Last night. All of it."

Bunny (quiet):

"I know."

She looked up at me then.

Bunny:

"Tell me again. Not as a memory… say it now."

I stepped closer, gently brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

Aarav (eye contact, slow):

"I've always been in love with you.

Even when you didn't know it.

Even when I told myself to move on—I couldn't."

She didn't speak. She didn't need to.

Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

Then, she said something unexpected:

Bunny (smiling):

"You still owe me a real kiss, CEO."

Aarav (blinking):

"Now?"

Bunny:

"Not now. Not when I ask.

When your heart can't hold it in anymore."

Aarav (laughing softly):

"Then stay close. That moment's dangerously close."

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[POV: Bunny – later that night]

As he dropped me home and walked me to my door, neither of us spoke.

But I felt it.

Something had changed.

Not just a moment…

Something real had begun.

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To be continued…

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