*Aslesha*

We eat all the snacks that Viraj brought sitting on a mattress on the top of the hill and then after some time start descending down.

By the time we reach the bottom, my legs are aching badly and the weather has become really hot.

Viraj is walking with ease in front of me. "Stop stop stop" I breathe. "Mai aur nahi chal sakti".

"Again with the mai aur nahi chal sakti shit" he says the last part in a high pitch trying to imitate my voice.

"If I had the energy right now, I would have definitely slapped you" I say leaning against a tree.

"Oh come on! Stop acting like a girl" he rolls his eyes.

"I am a girl" I state.

"Ha kya?" He says and continues walking ahead as I stand there with my mouth open.

"Mujhe uthaao naa" I whine.

He stops and looks back at me. "Are you serious? This is not a scene from the stupid romantic novels you read. Vo dikhaate nahi but real me vo bichaare heroes ki peeth tuut jaati hai" he says and chuckles.

"Don't call my novels stupid" I shout at him.

"But they are stupid" he smirks.

"You're saying that because you've never read a novel" I say.

"Don't want to" he shrugs.

"Mai tumhare liye stage pe Kathak ki and you can't even pick me up. Ab mere per tuut jaayenge aur mai langdi ho jaaungi. Fir mai kabhi Kathak nahi kar paaungi. Hey Bhagwan ab mai kya karu? Kon meri madad karega iss matlabi duniya me?" I whine and look up to the sky and shake my head for a little more dramatic effect.

"Never ever try your career in acting. Mazak me bhi nahi please. That was horrid.. sheee" he says suppressing a smile.

I scoff and start walking towards him, dragging my legs like there are 50 kgs attached to them.

"Jesus! Hop on paglu" he says turning around.

I giggle and run towards him and hop on his back. I encircle my hands and legs around his neck and waist. He places his hands behind my knees to hold me properly. Along with the empty basket.

"You are such a pain in the ass" he says walking. I hit his arm as a smile touches my lips.

"Don't hit me or else I'll drop you" he warns.

"Fine fine" I say. This is so much fun.

"Jaldi chalaao driver. Isse tez toh kachhua chalta hai" I say chuckling.

"Utro, utro tum" he says and leans backward but I tighten my hold around him and squeal.

"Haa faad do mere kaano ke parde bhi" he says and I laugh.

I'm finding this whole situation funny.

"Sorry sorry" I say still laughing.

"Ha ha ha very funny" he says but I sense the smile in his voice.

"This position would be much more fun agar tum aage hoti and we'd be face to face" he mutters under his breath.

"I heard that, pervert" I say as my eyes widen. That position..

It would seriously be much more fun.

Ok hormones, shut up!

"It was meant to be heard. Wanna try it?" he asks.

"I can't believe tumse itni ladkiya patti hai. Dekhti kya hai vo tum me? Baate toh bilkul gandi karte ho" I say and roll my eyes.

That's totally false. Sab kuch achha hai yaar.

"Dikhaau kya dekhti hai?" he asks with an evil edge in his voice.

"Shee yaar" I say and he shakes with silent laughter.

The girls he must have dated must've had the time of their lives. Kabhi bore nahi hote honge iske saath. He really is perfect.

"How many girlfriends have you had?" I blurt and right then regret it. Such a desperate questions ugh!

"What? Achanak ye sawaal kyu?" he asks and chuckles.

"Um.. aise hi" I say trying to sound nonchalant.

"Sach bataau toh I've never had any girlfriend" he says.

"At least aise jhut bolo jo thoda toh believable ho. Itna confidently jhut bolte ho. Agra se nahi aayi hu mai" I say.

"Arre sach me! Girlfriend matlab kya. Someone you really like and you see a future with them and stuff. I've never had a relationship of that kind in my life. I just date girls. Kuch din ghumna firna aur fir ta-ta bye bye. I don't wanna sound like a jerk but seriously girls don't give me a reason to stay. So many expectations aur demands. So yes, dated a lot of girls but kabhi kisi ko girlfriend ka tag nahi diya" he says.

I listen to all of it and just nod in response. So he's never fallen in love. Never really liked a girl. Does he not believe in love? Has the relationship of his mom dad made his thinking like that?

My hands unintentionally tighten around him.

"William Thackeray in one of his novel says, 'Tis better to have loved and lost, Than never to have loved at all.'" I whisper.

"Oh" he simply says.

Just then we reach near the gate which is wide open and chattering can be heard inside.

When we enter inside, there is a car parked in the front and our friends are getting down. Chaddha, Sid, Shabnam and Joel.

Sid is the first one to look at us. "There you are!" he says.

Everyone turns around to look at us and smiles.

"Nikaal Rs. 1000" Chaddha says to Sid but his eyes are on us with a smirk.

"Fuck dude" Sid mutters under his breath and hands him two 500 notes.

"Tum log aur thodi der gussa nahi reh sakte the kya? Ek dusre ki baaho me ghum rahe ho" Sid snaps at us.

Oh I'm still on his back.

I quickly hop down and roll my eyes. "Thank you guys. Tum logo ke wajah se bet jeeta mai" Chaddha says and I scoff.

"Hum dono pe bet laga rahe the? Sid tu bolta na mujhe. Fir mai aur gussa rehta isse agar tu aadhe paise mujhe deta" Viraj says slapping his back.

"I'll remember that next time" Sid says.

"Your house is beautiful Neel" Shabnam says dreamily.

"It's my parents' but thanks. Chalo sab andar. Fresh vagera ho ke khaana kha lete hai and then tayyari me lag jaayenge. The others will be here by 7" Chaddha says and we all get inside.

The house now gets filled with laughter and energy. I heat the food in the microwave by the time everyone selects their bedroom and freshens up.

During lunch it's like always. Fun and laughter. We eat our lunch as the boys insult Viraj about how usse Rudra ki packing karte time uski chaddiyaan bharni padi.

I sigh. Boys..

The hours pass in a blur and it's soon 6.30.

I go to my room to change in the dress I especially bought for this party. It's a simple maroon dress which hugs my upper body perfectly and is layered down. It's mid-thigh and backless.

I leave my hair open and go down to the living room. "Wow Aashi you look beautiful" Shabnam says. She is wearing a beautiful maxi dress. "Tum bhi kam nahi lag rahi ho" I say.

I feel someone's gaze on me and turn to look at Viraj who is looking at me intensely with a small smile. I smile back shyly and take in his appearance.

Grey shirt with the front two buttons open as always and black jeans. Should I mention again that he looks handsome as hell. Oh god.

He looks at his phone and then grins.

"Guys guys guys. Tej ka message aaya hai. They are reaching in 10 minutes. Everyone lets get in position" Viraj announces and my excitement level gets doubled.

I look at the decorated room around me. Balloons, streamers, tassels, candles. Sab set.

"Hey cake toh laa ke rakho beech me" I shout. Quickly we keep the cake on the table in the middle of the living room and turn the lights off completely.

I go and hide behind a window curtain and someone comes in after me.

"Kon hai?" I ask looking at the outline of his figure in the dark. There is a intoxicating musky wood and spice smell that he is carrying and from the moonlight that comes through the window I see blue eyes.

Of course.

"The love of your life" he answers.

"Oh Neel tum ho kya? Fir thik hai" I say suppressing a smile.

"WHAT" he shouts in the silence and his voice echoes around the room.

"Shh.. shut up dummy" I whisper as the sound of a car comes from outside the house.

We stand there with bated breaths and I have a sudden urge to pee. Kya yaar ye hamesha kyu hota hai? Lukaa chhupi khelte time bhi bachpan me jab mai chhipti thi tab itni zor ki susu aati thi ke kya bataau. Aur abhi bhi. Oh fack!

"Kya hua tumhe?" asks Viraj looking at my face closely.

"Susu aa rahi hai zor ki" I say and he puts his fist in his mouth trying to hold his laughter.

We get to attention when the door opens and I hear Saumya's voice calling, "Daadi?"

We jump out together as the lights turn on and scream "SURPRISE!".

Majnu's face is priceless as he stumbles back in shock and slowly takes in all our faces and surroundings.

"Saale harami log. What the hell" he laughs.

"Happy birthday Majnu. Did you think we'd forget your birthday like that" I say going towards him and pulling his cheek. I hug him tightly and then everyone is surrounding him, wishing him and hugging him.

"Thank you yaar. Thanks to all. You guys are the best I guess I'm gonna cry" Rudra says and we all laugh.

"Waise pura plan tere Pari Rani ka tha" I say nudging her with my shoulder. Rudra looks at her lovingly.

"Nahi ha. Sabne bahot mehnat ki hai" she says shyly.

"Okay now come on cake kaatte hai, isse pehle ke mai khud hi kaat ke khaa jaau" Sid says.

Then the cake cutting is done as we all sing happy birthday to you. That's a ritual without which a birthday is not complete.

I go upstairs towards my bedroom to pee and Pari comes with me to change her dress. We'll be sharing this room. I also take the gift that I bought for him.

When we go downstairs everyone is sitting around a table. Daaru peena shuru bhi kar diye.

I sit on one of the chairs beside Saumya.

"Majnu here is your gift" I say handing him the gift wrapped box.

"Aww moti I love you. Thank you so much" he says and tears open the wrapping.

He removes a navy blue windcheater and I look at his reaction closely. A smile forms on his face. "You remember" he says and I nod.

Once in college he was saying about buying a windcheater because his umbrella doesn't protect him at all from the rain.

The others give him gifts too and now only Viraj and Pari are left. "Mai last me dena chahti hu" she says.

"Fine. Ye le bhai" Viraj says grinning like a devil and everyone eyes him.

Rudra slowly opens the gift like he is scared that something might attack him from inside.When he looks in the box he frowns and removes a cloth and a card.

"To my langotiya yaar.. Happy birthday you magnificent bastard" he reads.

Huh?

"Kya hai ye?" he asks looking at the cloth.

"Arre mand, langot hai" Viraj answers and everyone burst out laughing.

Why am I not surprised? Ye pagal aisa hi kuch de sakta hai.

"Ok now my turn" Pari says and takes a breathe and hands him a small box.

He unwraps the gift paper and inside is a beautiful watch. "This is beautiful. Thank you so much meri Pari Rani" he says and removes the small card placed inside.

He reads it and collapses on the floor. "What the hell! Rudra kya hua? Oh my god" Pari rushes towards him and we all do too.

What the hell is this?

We all surround him and he opens one eye. "Is this real?" he asks Pari. A intense blush forms on her face and she looks away.

"After all this time, I guess I've fallen in love with you" Rudra reads looking at Paro and sits up.

Oh. My. Fucking. God.

"Say it" he says taking her hand in his and the whole room goes silent. Everyone is shocked and we wait for Pari to say something.

"I love you" she whispers shyly and as soon as the last word leaves her lips, Rudra leans ahead and hugs her tightly. We all start cheering and the boys are whistling.

He buries his face in her neck and I think he's got emotional and is on the verge of crying.

He leaves her and grabs her face with both his hands. "This is the best gift ever. The best birthday. Thank you so much Pari. I really really love you" he says and pulls her in his arms again.

"But maine diya hua gift bhi achha tha ha" Viraj says and everyone laughs.

We decide to have dinner and everyone loves the chicken and cheese spring roll and prawns chilli rice that I made. Tej puts on some music in the background.

"You are an excellent cook" Viraj says and he comes towards me. I'm sitting on a chair and he sits in front of me on the floor. He gives me a bottle of beer and I eye it for a moment.

"Le lo. Sab apne hi log hai" he says and I take the bottle from him and start drinking.

I look around the living room to see everyone enjoying. Joel and Shabnam are nowhere to be seen. Ahem ahem. Pari and Rudra are sitting on the sofa talking about something and cuddling. I need to have a talk with her. Mujhe batayi nahi kamini.

Tej is telling us some weird facts again and we all are laughing. I'm so lucky to have friends like these.

My eyes automatically fall on Viraj. Is he a friend. More than a friend? I'm really having a battle with myself. What are all these emotions and why am I thinking about him in that way?

"Lets play cards" Joel says coming in the living room with Shabnam with a pack of cards in his hands.

Viraj stands up and looks at me. "Utho zara" he says as everyone takes their places.

"Mujhe utha ke khud baithoge? What a gentleman" I scoff.

He takes my hand pulls me up and then sits down and again pulls me down before I have a chance to say something else.

"Hey!" I poke my elbow into his ribs.

"Shut up" he says.

Again, a very inappropriate position for friends but I don't wanna get up. It's not like I'm sitting on his lap or anything. I'm sitting on the chair but between his legs.

Bike vagera pe aise hi baitha jaata hai. Toh no problem. I take one more large sip of the beer.

"Easy there" Viraj whispers and takes the cards. I look at the cards as they put some money on the table.

"Jugaari, bewde, harami friends. Oh what on earth did I do that God blessed me with people like you" I say sarcastically looking at the boys.

They avoid my remark and concentrate on the game like it's a game of chess.

I look at Viraj's cards. Queen of spades, queen of hearts and a diamond 10. I don't understand anything but I still sit there not wanting to leave this position.

Viraj places his chin on my shoulder and a shudder runs down my spine when I feel his breath on my bare shoulder. The fact that I'm wearing a backless dress is not helping.

I need to get away. I take a beer bottle and Viraj eyes me but I get up and go outside the house for some fresh air.

I go outside and sit on the swing set. It's really cold here. I sigh and rub my arms. Such a long day. I'm starting to feel tired now.

"Hey" I hear a voice behind me. It's Pari.

"Aa gayi dost ki yaad finally kamini" I say as she sits beside me and giggles. "You didn't tell me bitch. Kab se tha ye tera plan ha?" I ask her.

"You know I've always loved him Aashi" she says shyly.

"Ohho! Baate toh dekho" I say pulling her cheek and she grins.

"Tune bhi toh nahi bataya tera aur Viraj ka kya scene ho gaya tha beech me jab tu itna off ho gayi thi usse" she asks and I sigh.

"It was just a misunderstanding. It's fine now" I say with a smile.

"I can see that. More that fine actually hai na" she says and I slap her hand and look away. "Shut up Paro. Kuch bhi kya" I say.

"Oh my my. Did Aslesha Mathur just blush. Wow. Kuch toh scene hai tum dono ka hai na" she says nudging my arm.

"No.. matlab I don't like him.. actually I do.. I mean who doesn't like Viraj Singhania. He is Viraj Singhania after all. So I don't know. I'm confused" I say.

She smiles with a I-know-it-all confidence and I know it's time to change the topic.

"Rudra kaha hai?" I ask. "Teen Patti. Dekho pehle din hi mujhe bhul gaya" she pouts.

"You thought" Rudra comes and hugs her from behind kissing her cheek. Aww they are so cute together.

"Now I regret saying what I said. I don't love you now" she says suppressing a smile.

"You so do sunshine" he grins and I just look at them as they whisper sweet things to one another.

Relationships are beautiful. Will I ever have a love story of my own? With the person I've started to like, it seems impossible.

"Um I'm tired guys I'll just leave" I say as their display of affection reaches a higher notch. Well, ye sab definitely nahi dekhna mujhe.

I go up to my room and take a shower. Changing into my comfy pajamas, I go to sleep. This is my last night here. This trip has been amazing. We'll be leaving tomorrow evening but for now I'm exhausted.

~•~•~•~•~•~•

I feel something muscular and hard but yet soft under my hand. I caress it lightly. Ye kya hai?

Someone groans beside me and I yelp and sit up. The other person yelps too and I quickly turn on the lights.

"VIRAJ! Of course you idiot.. aur kon ho sakta hai" I say rubbing my eyes and looking at the clock. It's 3am. "This is my bedroom" I say putting my hands on my hips.

He is wearing a blue t-shirt and white pajama shorts.

Don't stare! Don't stare!

"Tumhari roommate ne mere room pe kabza kar liya" he says simply and switches the lights off and lies down on the beg again.

Pari waha kyu gayi? Oh ha Rudra aur Viraj room share kar rahe the. Um okay..

"Kab tak khadi rahogi waha. Yesterday we slept together. Ab kya hua?" he says and yawns and taps the place next to him.

I go and lie down beside him and face him.

"Best enemies forever saath me nahi sote Viraj" I whisper trying to calm down my erratic heart.

"You are not my enemy. You are someone really very special to me. My dancing queen, my sleeping pill, my support system, my best girl" he says as his eyes slowly shut close.

My heart goes into a frenzy hearing those words. My best girl. Jyada ho gayi hai shayad isse. My emotions are becoming too much to handle day by day.

I absentmindedly run my hand through his hair and he lets out a contented smile.

"Good night Aslesha" he whispers in sleep.

"Nighty night" I say and close me eyes, listening to the steady breathing of Viraj.

This is wrong.. but I've never felt something more right.

~•~•~•~•~•~•

I'm really sorry for the late update.. but I had told you guys ke mujhe thoda time lagega update karne me. Aur chapter mera kal subah se ready hai but wattpad me thodi problem chal rahi hai.. publish hi nahi ho raha.. So here's a brand new chapter for all my lovely readers. Aslesha's starting to develop feelings for our blue eyed cricket star.. ye toh hona hi tha. We all are in love with Viraj like her right? Please vote and comment if you're liking the story.. ily :)