Leena had joined the table of three with Vritti, sitting beside bewildered Vihan. "Thanks for your help," she expressed with a tender and composed tone, applauding him with warm eyes that seemed to intensify the warmth in his body.
Her unexpected presence, especially sitting so close to him had caught him off guard. The thawing feeling in his chest made him squirm in his seat, attempting to steady his gaze and compose his thumping heart.
He nodded, bashful, accepting the book she handed him and placing it in his bag. "I also need you to come with me to a bookstore," she calmly added, peering at him with expectant eyes.
"What?" he exclaimed, eyes wide open, never having imagined such a scenario. "I lost my English book and want a few more. Since you're good at studying as well, you could suggest some other books for me," she explained, sensing a peculiar emotion on his face. "Do you have other plans?"
"Yes, I mean, no! I can come with you," he stuttered, earning a smirky smile from her. "That's good then," she stated, not anticipating her plan to take an unexpected turn.
"Oh, I have an idea. We can all study together after we visit the bookstore. I'm behind on a few subjects, and it would be nice if Vihan and Leena could help me," Saanvi suggested with a warm smile, causing the calm expression on Leena's face to stiffen.
Saanvi's persuasiveness led Leena to bring everyone to her place after visiting the bookstore, leaving her feeling bewildered and slightly wronged. "Well, that didn't go as planned," Vritti whispered with tension in her tone, standing by the entrance while Leena unlocked the door.
"What can we do?" Leena's tone was calm yet disappointed. Swiftly, she welcomed everyone inside, offering seats on the couch.
The house was adorned in cream and white lights, and featured family pictures and paintings, earning admiration from everyone as Saanvi and Ridhan occupied the middle couch, Vihan taking a seat alone on their right couch.
"I appreciate it," Leena stated as she went into her room to change after informing them. "Make yourself at home; I'll bring something to drink," Vritti offered, leaving to get water.
"Have you been here?" Saanvi asked Vritti, who was placing the tray on the glass table in the middle of the couches.
Leena stepped out of her room, catching everyone's attention, especially Vihan. He continued to stare at her as if she were the sole star in the vast sky. Ridhan quickly noticed and shook him back to reality, making him avert his eyes from hers to the wall of pictures in front of him, peering as if he'd create a hole in it.
"Of course you have. You're her closest friend. What am I even asking?" Saanvi quickly corrected herself, making everyone giggle as Leena took a seat beside Vihan. "That's my mother, father, me, and my dog!" Leena spoke very quietly, meant only for his ears, watching him gaze at the picture.
"They look very young," he whispered, adjusting himself to the closeness between them while she picked up the glass of water from the tray and offered it to him. "Your dog is very cute," he added, accidentally touching her fingers as he grasped the glass.
"Yeah. He's dead, though," she responded calmly to the touch, unlike him, who seemed to be caught in a whirlwind of emotions.
"What?" he exclaimed, making her smile a bit at his astounded reaction. "He had gotten old," she replied, staring at his bewildered but beautiful eyes. He appeared shocked and sorrowful as if he could feel the death of her closest friend. It made her feel something peculiar, like a flicker.
Her eyes traveled from his sorrowful face to the mole near his lips, instantly getting swept away by memories from the previous night and every dream she had of him.
"That must have been heartbreaking for you," he softly spoke, making her twitch her eyes away from him. "Yeah. I didn't have the appetite after his death and lost a lot of weight," she spoke with struggle, trying to calm herself, and changed the topic, "Everyone, would you like to eat something?"
With unanimous agreement, Leena found herself in the kitchen, quietly boiling water for the noodles, her restless mind wandering back and forth between memories and the encounter just perceived.
It was as if the walls were talking to her, singing songs of his beauty in her ears. Suddenly, Vihan stepped in, his low greeting pulling her out of her thoughts."Hey," he said, his tone soft.
She quickly turned off the stove, mentally chiding herself for her weird reaction. "Do you want something?" she asked, noticing him licking his lips. "No. Vritti sent me to help you," he stuttered, halting before her, making it harder for her to hold back. "You didn't have to," she responded, taking a step back, feeling her hands sweating.
"No. I also wanted to help you," he stated, his eyes fluttering, his feet stepping ahead. "That's very nice of you," she replied awkwardly, feeling her stomach twist.
However, the whirlwind of emotions wasn't one-sided; he, too, was caught in the storm of his own feelings. "So, tell me what you need help with?" he asked.
"Why don't you handle the fruit peeling, and I'll take care of the rest?" she suggested, swiftly passing him the bag of fruits. "You can wash them over there," she pointed him towards the sink. He nodded and rolled up his sleeves, revealing the softness of his skin to her eyes.
She intended to avert her gaze but ended up fixating on his features. His hands moved skillfully in the flowing water, handling the apples with a blend of firmness and gentle care, his eyes focused with a softness in them.
She couldn't resist staring at his beautiful and tender hands, causing her to lose composure.
And almost instinctively, she moved closer to him, surprising him as he turned to place the apples on the plate. She then gently cupped his face with her palms and planted a soft kiss on his lips, making him drop the apples in surprise.
His soul seemed to shake, his body stiffened, his eyes widened, and his hands were left hanging in the air. Yet, she persisted, kissing him with a softness that finally prompted a response from him. He kissed her back, sliding his hands softly to her waist, closing his eyes, and savoring the sweetness of her lips.
It was as if the world had paused between their lips, their breaths the only audible sound, and all they could feel was each other. He kissed her with a purity emanating from his heart.
Their passionate kiss continued, with no space between them, until a voice interrupted, pulling them away from each other. "Leena, could you make it a bit spicy?"
"Okay," Leena replied, inhaling heavily and quickly shifting her gaze from him to the turned-off stove, clenching her fists. She couldn't believe she did that. It was never in her plans. She regretted it yet loved it at the same time.
What kind of a feeling is that?
The kiss introduced burning awkwardness between them, simultaneously pushing them apart and drawing them closer as she chose to sit a bit away from him, directly in his line of sight, slurping noodles. She noticed him stealing glances. She too couldn't keep her eyes away from him.
"Why don't we continue studying together?" Saanvi suddenly suggested, pulling Leena's gaze away from Vihan. She added, "I think it will be fantastic if we study together every day. It will benefit all of us."
From that day on, his eyes were consistently shy around her, yet tried to look for her everywhere more than before. His days had grown full of desperation and a yearning for more, something he never needed before.
On the other hand, she had been dreaming of him more often, on the verge of doing something audacious. She too tried finding opportunities to be alone with him, whether in college or at her house, but no suitable moment presented itself. Someone always interrupted them.
She just needed to be near him or talk to him freely, thinking it might calm her down and provide the answer she had been looking for.
Like this, another day arrived, with everything seemingly unchanged. He continued casting desperate and longing glances at her in the college, while she met his gaze with determination, attempting to decipher her own feelings. However, something changed.
Due to a leakage issue, Leena declined the group study at her place. Consequently, everyone decided to gather at Vihan's house, the closest to the college.
"You have a very cozy house," Vritti remarked at the same color and lights his house occupied as Leena, sitting on the couch beside the glass door, which held the garden outside, with Saanvi and Ridhan on the middle couch.
"Thanks," he replied shyly, observing Leena sitting beside Vritti with radiant eyes, glancing at him and then at Vritti. "I haven't found a way to talk to him since that day," Leena whispered to Vritti as she watched him leave with Ridhan to get water.
"Are you that desperate for his milky skin?" Vritti replied, earning a dissatisfied look from Leena. "Don't look at me like that. You said his skin is so milky."
"Well, he does have milky skin," Leena responded, frustrated, observing him return with a tray of water. "You're acting weird, you know. I thought you didn't like him," Vritti remarked, noting the affectionate look on Leena's face as she gazed at him.
"I don't. I just—" Leena paused, contemplating her words. "I just—what?" Vritti mocked, prompting her to continue. "I don't know. But I don't think I like him. He's not someone I would usually fall for," she replied, her gaze fixed on him as he pulled out his books, and sat in front of her.
The day progressed with everyone engrossed in their studies, offering and receiving help. Leena, however, remained in a daze, staring at him.
"Anyone want to smoke?" Vritti abruptly asked, surprising everyone with the sudden change in tone. "No? Alright. Come, Leena," she added, pulling her up from the couch. "Where can we smoke, Vihan?"
He gestured towards the garden, where they stood with burning cigarettes. "You know, I was thinking, why don't you stay here?" Vritti suggested in a hushed tone.
"Stay here?" Leena asked, intrigued. "Yeah. It's the most suitable spot. No one can disturb you if you're alone with him, and what place could be better than his house?" Vritti affirmed.
"You're nuts but correct. But I don't want to make him feel uncomfortable. What if he doesn't want me here? Even last time, I don't know what came over me, and I kissed him," Leena questioned, expressing uncertainty.
"Have you noticed the way he looks at you? He's practically yearning to have you alone," Vritti remarked, prompting Leena to chuckle and exhale smoke. "Alright, I'll have a conversation with him about it," Leena decided, releasing the smoke as she gazed at his drying clothes.
"Can you guide me to the bathroom, Vihan?" Leena asked as soon as she walked in through the glass door, prompting him to stand up quickly. "Yes," he nodded, leading her away from everyone's view to the restroom in another room.
As soon as she felt shielded from everyone's eyes, she came to a stop, causing him to halt two steps ahead and turn around. "What's the matter?" he inquired, observing her standing serenely.
"Could I stay here today?" she asked calmly, surprising him. "I'd like to spend some time with you," she added, taking a step forward. "Do you really want to?" he questioned as if he could not believe what she was saying, looking down at his feet.
"I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want to," she assured, gazing at his lovely features once again. "It's been days since I've been this close to you," she added, surprising both him and herself.
Why did I say that?
"I mean, can I stay here for today?" she dismissed, astounded. He nodded quickly in response making her gently lift his face by his chin, and ask. "Why do you always look away from me?"
"Am I scary?" she added, watching his doe eyes sparkle and shy away again. He quickly shook his head, denying, and grasped her forefinger, holding it tighter as his heart thumped strongly in his chest. "I just don't know how to react in front of you."
*****
END OF THE CHAPTER
His face was now blushing red, his lips palpitating, his eyes fluttered onto hers, his ears burning hot.Yet, even though he felt bashful about kissing her, he puffed up his chest with courage, clutching the bag strings tightly, and softly began inching to her lips.She could not name such an expression on his face other than beguiling and with a soft smile, she softly interrupted his lips as she pressed her palms around his cheeks and whispered. "You have to hold my face in your palms first."Another jolt of astonishment sizzled through his nerves, prompting him bashful more than ever. How dumb could he be? He thought in his head and instantly planted his palms on her cheeks, making her snicker even more."Why don't you be a little gentle?" She whispered and slipped her fingers from the back of his neck, into his hair.He promptly softened his palms, sending chills down her spine while she was gently drawing him closer.It felt as if she had been grazed by love and affection, a warm feeling taking over her senses.If his hands felt that good, how good would his lips feel? She could not wait any longer."Now, kiss me!" She boomed, peering into his eyes for another few seconds before he sealed his lips onto hers.He remained still for a second. He was taking in the feeling of kissing and once he had taken that feeling, he began running his mouth, opening it, and closing it with tenderness.Their lips created beautiful music that softly echoed in the room, their tongues joining in to enhance the melody.He hummed in between the kiss, pressing his thawing body closer and closer to her. That was the feeling he could not stop. That feeling always took over his senses and turned him weak before her.Because even though he was kissing her, she still had her claws deep into his skin. And that feeling grew strong with each passing second, ready to turn him weaker when she suddenly pulled her lips back."I didn't realize being kissed by you for the first is a better feeling than sleeping with you for the first time." He wasn't looking into her eyes just because he had kissed her, but when he heard those words, he couldn't help but lift his head and gaze into her eyes with realization.First time? Is this what she meant?"By first time, you meant the first time we had sex?" He questioned, ready to seal his realization with the print of agreement and she answered, "Took you long enough to realize."That is when he drew a breath of relief, which she could not ignore, and questioned, "Are you troubled with something?""No- no." He quickly denied the accusation with a stutter, shaking his head as well, and added, "I'm just tired."A smile curled her lips as her brain traveled back to the things that they did the day before. "Of course." She simply smirked, and grasped his face in her palms, "Why don't you come to my place, we can relax."The look in his eyes shifted from troublesome to full of perception and astonishment, like he knew what would happen once they were back alone.She quickly read his eyes and chuckled at his dazed face. "I will not do anything, I promise."Her words lead him to bite down his smile, unaware of her upcoming words, "unless you want me to." And there he was, hiding his eyes from her once again."Okay, go, classes are about to begin." With a blissful smile, she said and gingerly opened the door for him, watching him smoothly slip from her adjacent body to the door. And before he could dis-sapper, she added, "I'll wait for you by the gate."throughout the whole day, he kept revisiting the classroom in his head, smiling by himself, thinking about her words and the warmth in between them.He could still feel her so close to him, while his lips were palpitating with the remanence of the kiss. And each time he looked at her, he'd find her smirking or teasing him through her eyes.Later that day, they were in her apartment, sitting on the couch where she had teased him to the point where his brain had stopped working: they were sitting beside each other, watching tv like any other couple would. But they weren't a couple yet.Her focus was fixed on the characters' choices on the TV, while there was a hurricane brewing inside his chest, making him feel like he'd throw up.He kept stealing glances at her and thinking of what would become of him that night. He kept thinking of that lingerie and wondered where it had gone too, for she did not think he'd want to take the lingerie.He kept thinking about more and more stuff when suddenly she stood up from the couch and left for her bedroom.His eyes at that, fell wide open and kept staring at the door of the bedroom, thinking what would be the surprise now and could he take it without soiling himself into a mess?Then suddenly she appeared from the bedroom with a blanket in her hands. "It's getting colder." She said and sat back on the couch, covering him with the blanket along with her."Come here." She added as she stretched her arms for him to lie in. Hesitantly he did, unable to deny - not wanting to either.He was once again in the same position, except for the lingerie and the cold air chilling his skin."You're still scared." She sensed it through the stiffness in his body, her hands resting on his abdomen. "Don't worry, I promised. I will not do anything."It was yet another new side of her, which he did not assume existed. She was acting like a normal girlfriend with a nourishing character."Just calm down and rest. We will cook something to eat or maybe order something." Her hands rubbed his abdomen with care and gentleness, prompting his mind and body to calmer.As much as he was astounded by yet another one of her characters, he adored it the most. He loved the care he was receiving from her gentle hands and gentle tone."You know, my mom used to massage my head every time I had a headache. She still does every time I visit her." A new piece of information, which made her seem like a normal being."And she also cooks nice food." She added, while he rested his head on her chest and turned his eyes up at her.She seemed so different - beautiful and pure which made his heart sink deeper into his chest. He was feeling warmth and a tingly feeling rushing into his veins like a drug, making him addicted."Your mother seems so nice." He spoke with a slight dullness in his tone. Because it was the type of guardian he never had."Yes, she is. My dad is the total opposite of that. He is tough and strict. But he's also very nice." She responded as she slipped her fingers into his hair, prompting his eyes to close and numb at the sensation, like the cold air in the summer."I think I take after him the most." She went on, massaging his head while her passionate and burning eyes were gazing at his slumbered eyes like he was a statue of perfection. He was beaming purity like the rays of the sun."I think that is why I like you."_______________END OF THE CHAPTER----- Love, author!Connect with me and early and exclusive work: https://queenbeewritess.carrd.co/----Love, author! ❤️