'Okay! All serious!' Riya thought.
"Yeah…. You are so chatty today like a grandma.", she narrowed her eyes.
"That's only because you're not being a pretentious prick either"
She smoldered.
"Okay…. So, tell me, why do you hate me so much?", he was curious to know her reason.
"Simple! Because you're obnoxious", she calmly declared and drank her coke.
"Come on.... I know there's more to it."
"Hmmm…..", she contemplated whether to admit the truth, "I….. hate you….. because you have everything that I don't", she pursed her lips.
"Oh, Really! Like what?", he rolled his eyes knowing full well she was lying. Obviously, she was way better than him at everything.
"Firstly, you have both parents. Secondly, they are very kind and caring. You are easy going, lite, which makes people like you instantly. You are rich, good looking, popular among girls and you have a lot of loyal friends around you! You might've not realized this, but not everyone has what you have..... But", she raised a finger and eyebrows, "You have no idea what you've got, and always whine and complain….. That's why I hate you", she finished her honest review leaving him stunned.
He never expected that from her. He always thought she hated him because she considered him weak. His heart raced like crazy, and nerves lit up with joy. He definitely wanted to shout but shunned himself from it.
"Wow! I had….uh…. No idea!"
"You're grinning like an idiot", she pointed out, but he didn't care and continued grinning.
She rolled her eyes ignoring it, "So why do you hate me?". Of course, she knew there were many reasons to hate her, starting with her rudeness, but knowing his reason was important.
"Hm…. I thought you had it easy".
That was his only reply. She keenly observed probing for more but he just continued drinking the beer.
"That's it? That's the whole reason?", she kept the empty tin aside with undivided attention on him.
"Yeah...! You had awesome skills, very strong and never bowed down to anyone. I always had to struggle for everything."
"But looks like you had your own fight which I convincingly ignored."
He noticed her still staring at him, "Looking back... I think I was just jealous….", he finally admitted it. Once he heard himself say that, he felt foolish and chuckled sadly.
"Now looks like I admired you more than hated you."
A moment had passed with both of them quietly looking at each other.
"Do you, um.... Still hate me?", his voice was just a murmur now.
She took some time to respond. "No….. I think you have become better", she broke the eye contact and examined her drink, but could still feel his gaze.
He breathed heavily with every breath getting thicker, "I think you are cute.... Sometimes..."
She looked up again, unbelievably. Nobody ever called her cute. Rude, arrogant, strong, irritating, cold was some of the adjectives she was used to. Not cute!
She didn't know how to react to it, instead spoke what she felt, "I too think you are handsome.... at times...."
They gawked at each other with every second weighing like an hour. His grey eyes with its fierce gaze penetrated her soul, making her feel exposed and vulnerable. His inner self screamed at him to do something. But he refrained himself.
She swallowed hard and raised her right hand to reach his cheek. Her sudden movement perturbed him, but he held a steady eye contact and observed her calmly. Her shaky hand grazed his cheek while her thumb gently stroked his cheek bone. He didn't make even the slightest movement, afraid that would put her off.
She gathered up courage, pushed him back gently and fluidly moved along until his head reached the arm of the couch. She moved closer inhaling deeply, letting the sweet intoxicating smell fill her nostrils. Whatever little anxiety she felt, soothed immediately. He let his hand holding the beer, fall limp at his side, and held the backseat tightly with the other hand.
Their faces were merely inches apart.
She looked at his lips, and then at his eyes, seeking approval. As if on cue, he leaned into her hand, and closed his eyes. His parted lips served as an implicit invitation.
She leaned in and took his lower lip into hers. Leaving her body to be rested on his, she locked his face with both hands and deepened the kiss. He could hear the loud pounding of hearts, but couldn't tell if it was hers or his. She deliciously traced the outline of his lip with her tongue making him fist his hands tighter. She grabbed his hair and softly tugged his lip with her teeth. He let out a low groan almost inaudible as a response. She was making him go crazy. Her core was on fire. He was the only thought that occupied her entire being. It was a different feel she had never experienced before, but she liked it.
In all his relationships, he was always the initiator. This was his first time being at the mercy of someone else and it drove him nuts. He let himself fade completely into her magical touch.
She never imagined kissing would be so great. She had only seen it in movies or series and was scared to try it out before, until him. She somehow became comfortable with him. Currently, comfortable enough to have a first kiss with.
She paused for taking a breath and saw his face, completely flushed. His hair was more ruffled than before, maybe she had messed it up while kissing. He opened his eyes wondering why she stopped. But reassured himself noticing her eyes still burning with passion. Before she could overthink it, her hand began unbuttoning his shirt.
His breath quickened with every move she made.
Suddenly the doorbell rang, making them almost jump.
Riya straightened up instantly, with a serious expression on her face, Dhruv on the other hand, sat up and cleared his throat multiple times.
The doorbell rang again.
Dhruv stood up first, "I'll uh..... Go see…", they both avoided eye contact and pursed their lips.
"Hmm….", was all Riya managed in a cracked voice before quickly combing her disheveled hair.
What was she thinking kissing him like that? Everything would become complicated now, she chastised herself. But why did he let her? Didn't he like Tanya? She started overthinking the moment he left.
Despite everything, if given a chance, she would do that again. The thought made her smile naughtily.
Since Dhruv didn't return for quite some time, she decided to check on him.
Her smile vanished the moment she saw her.
Tanya was totally drenched in rain and stood near the doorway holding a bag.
"Dhruv, Can I please stay here today?", she asked with droopy eyes.