[Affinity: 60]
[Intimacy: 10/100]
[Relationship: Neighbours, trusted friends.]
'Affinity has gone up another 10 points and now there is this [Intimacy] indicator. This Intimacy level must mean how much intimate can we be without her feeling repulsed or something like that, right?' He thought, his eyes glinting.
'Maybe that's why she has allowed me to put my hand around her shoulders? Should I see if I can... hug her?'
The thought tempted him to test the extent of 10 points of intimacy, but seeing her crying and crestfallen look, he dropped the idea. Although he was perverted, he wasn't an unfeeling scum who can't respect others' emotions.
So, he continued to hold her by the shoulders, letting her cry out her sorrows while also telling her he was here for her.
After a while, her tears ceased, but she didn't move away from him or indicated she wanted him to take his hand away. Instead, she leaned sideways and put her head on his shoulder.
"Thank you for hearing me out." She muttered in a low voice.
As she rested her head on his shoulder, the fragrant scent of her shampoo wafted into his nostrils. This caused Siddharth's heartbeat to increase, and he unconsciously took a deep breath, inhaling more of her alluring scent.
However, very quickly, he composed himself and said lightly, "There is no need to thank me. It's what a friend is supposed to do."
"Huh?" Shweta looked at him in bewilderment when she heard this.
In response, he grinned and asked, "What? You don't think of me as your friend?"
"Ah... n-no. I didn't mean that. I was just..." Shweta was flustered and couldn't form a single coherent sentence. So, she stopped speaking, took a deep breath before smiling at him, "We are friends."
"Good." Siddharth also smiled and then tightened his hand around her shoulders, pushing her into his body.
Shweta's face flushed, and she suddenly stood up, "I-It's late. We should return now."
Siddharth sighed inwardly, thinking that the 10 intimacy points weren't enough.
He then glanced around and noticed it was already almost noon. Nodding, he stood up, "Yeah. Let's go."
After 20 minutes of walking, they arrived at their building.
Their building had no elevator. So, they walked over to the stairs and headed up. As they crossed the first floor and headed to the third floor where their apartments were, they saw a young boy and girl sitting on the stairs, kissing passionately.
Seeing them, Shweta's face flushed. Despite the modern advancements and people adopting the western culture, the society wasn't open minded enough to not feel uncomfortable when to see the people do things which shouldn't be done in public.
When the duo noticed Siddharth and Shweta, they looked frightened. The girl hurriedly stood up and rushed upwards while the boy gulped nervously and said, "H-Hello, uncle, aunty."
Then, without waiting for them to respond, he rushed down.
Shweta glared at him going down but didn't say anything. Just then, she noticed Siddharth looking at her and her stern expression immediately vanished, replaced with an embarrassed one.
Not saying anything, she climbed upwards. Siddharth also didn't say anything.
Shweta's apartment arrived first. She looked at Siddharth and hesitated.
Noticing this, he asked, "What is it, Shweta?"
Shweta wasn't used to anyone calling her by her first name. Furthermore, it was a man who wasn't her husband. So, her face flushed a little before she said, "Um, do you want to join me for the breakfast?"
Hearing this, Siddharth's eyes shone. "Sure." He nodded with a smile. "But I'll need to take a bath first." He said, smelling the unpleasant odour of his sweat.
"Of course. Come whenever you are done. I'll prepare the breakfast in the meantime." Shweta nodded before opening the door and rushing in as though she were fleeing from some predator.
It was only after she closed the door shut she realised her rushing in like this must have looked bad to Siddharth.
'Why did I do it? I hope he doesn't take offense.' She thought, concerned. She didn't want to lose her new friend who she could talk to about the things she couldn't with anyone else.
Outside her apartment, Siddharth grinned. Her sweet and shy personality made him like her even more.
He then walked over to his apartment, which was right next to hers. Opening the door, he was greeting with a messy scenery.
"I need to clean the place. It's too dirty. But... I can't let the beauty wait for long. So, let's first take a bath and go over." He chuckled and entered the bathroom. He couldn't wait for the time when he completed the mission and made her his.
A while later, he was standing in front of Shweta's apartment, dressed in a fresh set of clothes—a lower and t-shirt.
Knock! Knock!
As soon as he knocked on the door, Shweta's sweet voice sounded and a moment later, the door sprang open.
When he saw Shweta, he was stunned. She was dressed in a beautiful, pink coloured, one-piece floral dress. Her black hair cascaded down her back like a beautiful waterfall. Her face was glowing and a light touch of red lipstick adorned her tantalizing, full lips.
Shweta, upon noticing him looking at her in a daze, blushed, which made his heart race.
"Um, come in. The food is almost ready." She shyly said, inviting him in.
Her voice brought him out of his dazed state. Coughing lightly, Siddharth nodded and entered the apartment. Behind him, Shweta closed the door, her heart thumping loudly.
'Why am I feeling this way? This is not good.' She thought. Then, she slapped her cheeks and reprimanded herself, 'Shweta, come to your senses! What would he think if he noticed you like this?'
Taking a few deep breaths, she managed to calm her heart and then followed him.
Looking around the apartment, he saw the beautifully decorated walls and carpeted floor. Everything was in place completely unlike his messy apartment. Seeing this, he looked back at Shweta and commented, "Your home is elegant and beautiful, just like you."
"Huh?" Shweta stopped in her tracks when she heard him. Then, her already agitated heart started beating like drums while her face blushed red like a ripe tomato, looking extremely tempting.
When Siddharth saw her like this, his breathing turned heavy. He wanted nothing more than to rush over, take her in his arms and kiss her, but controlled himself.
Then, looking at her embarrassed expression, he sighed, 'Perhaps I shouldn't have said—'
Even as he was thinking this, his gaze fell on her status, information which made his eyes shine.