Phoenix Maplewood smile without a reason why

Alya did not laugh, on the principle that she did not like to be the butt of the joke. But the truth was that she did not mind Aditya's teasing - especially since she believed that he really would not have left her behind. "I suppose you think you're funny," she said with a haughty sniff, but her heart wasn't in the jab. It was too much energy to be mean to the man when he was so good at setting her at ease.

"Thank you," she said again, trying not to sound begrudging. What else could she say? "You're a different breed, Aditya," she decided, leaning forward to aim a kiss at his cheek. "Whether you seek repayment or not, I believe I will have to find a way." For her own sake, of course. Not for his.