*Aslesha*

"Aslesha Mathur, please meri girlfriend bann jaao".

I stare at him blankly as my mind goes numb.

Did he just say what I thought he just said? Am I dreaming? Wh-what?

I remember what he had said a few weeks ago when we'd gone to Chaddha's farmhouse. I remember it clearly.

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 doesn't do girlfriends but he's willing to change that rule for me. I'll be his first girlfriend. Aur waise bhi maine kal hi decide kiya tha ke I will not pressurise him for love vagera.

But pyaar ke bina relationship?

"It'll be a relationship then Viraj. Relationship me bass do log kissing nahi karte rehte. There's much more" I explain.

"And I feel much more with you. Waise I don't believe in love vagera but agar under extreme circumstances I have to choose one girl to spend the rest of my life with, I'll choose you. You're my best friend. I really like you a lot" he says sincerely and I literally melt at his words.

He does really like me. And I like him too. Love him.

Toh problem kya hai? My inner self asks me getting restless.

"Aur waise bhi ek ladki ne mujhse kaha tha, Tis better to have loved and lost, Than never to have loved at all" he says and I'm really surprised that he remembers it.

"I'm not your type" I say and sigh. It's true.

Vo Viraj hai. The blue-eyed, cricket star and heartthrob Viraj Singhania. Aur Mai Aslesha. Plain simple Aslesha Mathur.

He rolls his eyes. "I don't have a type" he says shaking his head. "If I like you, I like you. And if I like you, you're pretty damn special. Because I hate everyone" he says and my lips twitch upwards.

Damn boy what you're doing to me?

"Viraj.. Are you sure you like me. Me?" I ask softly looking down at my hands and he takes my hands in his and gently caresses them.

He holds my chin and tips my face up so that I look into his eyes. He has such beautiful eyes. Iski aankhe jitni beautiful hai utni toh mai puri ki puri bhi nahi hu.

"Of course I like you. You're fun to be around. Tum itni smart ho. Tum funny ho aur bahot cute ho. You're different. You're crazy. You're perfect in an imperfect way. You always care for others and you're so kind. Tumhari smile iss duniya ki best smile hai. Of course I like you. You're you" he says and my heart rate quickens and I'm not able to look away from his eyes.

Itna keh diya isne. Aur kya chahiye mujhe? This is more than enough. Aur waise bhi bhaagne se pehle chalna seekhna chahiye, hai na? Toh....

"Jaldi ha bolo mere knees dukh rahe hai" he says with a pained expression and I laugh.

I am really in love with this dummy.

"Yes Viraj Singhania. I'll be your girlfriend" I say and he stands up and screams, "Yes!" I laugh as he starts dancing.

"Now lets seal the deal with a kiss" he says leaning towards me with an evil smirk and I put my hand on his mouth and stop him.

"Ab kya?" he whines.

"Maine brush nahi kiya hai. So no" I say shyly and he rolls his eyes and huffs.

"I don't fucking care. Now let me kiss you" he says and removes my hand and crashes his lips on mine.

Holy sweet Jesus!

His lips start moving against mine as his tongue explores my mouth. A moan escapes my lips when he pushes me down on the couch and looms over me. His kisses are so addictive. I can keep kissing him forever.

By the time we break away, I'm breathless and he is panting hard too.

"I could really eat you for breakfast but lets take it slow" he breathes against my lips and gets up. A excited shiver runs down my spine.

Eat me for breakfast? Wow. I'd be really happy to be his breakfast.

Okay hormones, stay under control.

He gives me his hand and I take it as he pulls me up. He purposely pulls me a little too hard so that I crash in his arms.

"Have you kissed a guy before?" He asks and my eyes widen. I shake my head in a no and he smiles proudly.

"You're a really good kisser" he says as he leans down and pecks me on my lips quickly.

"Tum thik ho" I say and shrug. "It can be better" I smirk when his mouth falls open.

I push him away and start walking towards the sink with a big fat smile on my face.

"Tumse training leta hu fir mai. Roz din me paanch baar. Thik hai?" He asks playfully and I bite my lip to suppress my face splitting grin.

"Paanch baar? Tum thode jyada kamzor ho. Dus baar leni padegi fir koi asar ho sakta hai" I smirk.

His mouth falls a little more open. Ha! Two can play this game. I internally do a happy dance.

"You're such a bad girl" he says and lightly bites my shoulder and I push him away chuckling.

He brings a new toothbrush for me and we both brush our teeth. I can't help but think how comfortable I feel with him. I get this newly-wedded-couple feel, who are just doing normal daily routines together and getting to know each other in a whole new way.

Bahot aage ki soch rakh rahi hu. Back to planet earth.

I make cheese omelets for breakfast and Viraj makes coffee.  We finish our breakfast in no time and after that I decide to leave. Viraj is not ready to leave me but I invite him for lunch and promise him that I'll make pav bhaji.

The whole way I'm smiling like an idiot and when I reach home I start dancing around. Jumping from the couch and making my comb as the mic.

I take my time in the shower singing so many love songs and dress up in a white lace dress. This dress Pari forced me to buy. Mai rarely full white pehenti hu kyu ki jis tarah se mai khaati hu, dress kharab ho hi jaata hai.

I start making the bhaji and also make a phone call to papa. He tells me he'll be back at night. I'll tell him about me and Viraj when he's back. I can't hide it from him.

Just when I'm garnishing the bhaji the door bell rings and the smile on my face gets wider. I skip towards the door and then stop.

Okay calm down. Itni excited lag rahi hu jaise ghar Shahid Kapoor aaya ho. Waise Viraj Shahid se kam nahi hai but fir bhi... I take a deep breath and fix my hair a little and open the door.

Viraj gives me a breathtaking smile as he looks at me from head to toe and I motion him to come in.

"Wow. I guess pav bhaji ready hai. Bahar tak aroma aa raha tha" he says taking a deep breath and starts looking around the room.

"Waise mai ice cream laaya hu khaane ke baad ke liye" he grins and gives me the carry bag.

"Shaabaash. Nahi laate toh mai wapas tumhe bhejti" I say and he follows me inside the kitchen.

"Arre ha, aur ek baat" he says behind me and I turn to ask what when he grabs my face and gives me a hot hard kiss.

My eyes widen and I look at him in a daze. "Thanks for inviting me over for lunch" he says and I clear my throat and nod.

"Ab fridge me rakh do ice cream. Waise bhi achanak temperature badh gaya hai na" he smirks and I roll my eyes.

"You're such a jerk" I say keeping the ice cream in the freezer. "Boyfriend se aise baat karti ho?" He says and places his hand on his heart like in great pain.

I internally squeal. Boyfriend! BOYFRIEND!

"Boyfriend baad me pehle tum mere dushman ho. Best enemies forever remember?" I say and he smiles.

"Of course" he says and steps in front of me and leans ahead so that his lips are near my ear. "I hate you so so much because of what you've done to me. I love to hate you" he whispers and the way his lips slowly move against my ear shell make my toes curl.

God dammit!

Hot dammit!

"Khana khaye" he suddenly asks and I feel like punching him when he smirks. He knows the effect he has on me. Bloody tease.

I press my lips together and set the table. I sit in front of him and wait as he takes a bite and moans in pleasure. I sigh in relief.

"You could become a chef if not a dancer or choreographer. I mean.. ummhh tumhare haatho me jaadu hai. One more advantage of dating you" he says and I roll my eyes.

"Waise dekha jaaye toh we know so little about each other" I say suddenly. It's true. Deep baate toh pata hai but general baate nahi.

"What's your favourite dish" I ask. "Goa me rehte hai hum. Obviously sea food" he says and I nod. "And you?" He asks. "Chicken ki koi bhi dish. Chinese bhi pasand hai mujhe" I tell him.

"And what's your favourite colour" he asks. "Blue" I immediately answer looking into his eyes. It's blue. Obviously.

He gives me a knowing smile. "The place you wanna visit before you die?" I ask him. "I wanna travel the world honestly. But fir bhi ek jo place jaani hi hai.. Italy." he says and asks me the same question.

"Kashmir" I tell him. "Oh that place is paradise on earth" he says looking lost in a memory with a faint smile on his lips.

"If not a cricketer, kya bannte tum?" I ask. "Umm.. singer maybe. I don't know. Cricket ke alawa kuch socha nahi" he says and and takes another pav.

"What's your biggest fear" he asks seriously. I think about it for a while. "Losing the person I love" I say.

"Not in the sense ke they're taken away from me by God. But they're here in this world and they don't find me important or worthy enough and just leave me. That's my biggest fear" I say and Viraj's face drops a little.

"Hmm" he mumbles.

Oh shit, ye kya bol diya maine.

"But more than that lizards" I say quickly to change his mood and a smile forms on his lips.

"Itne gande creatures. I'm always freaked out by them. Ek toh kahi se bhi aa jaate hai aur ek hi jagah ghanto tak rehte hai badi badi aankhe dikha ke. Aur bass apni nazar galti se hataa di tab gayab. Tab aur darr lagta hai" I say and shudder and Viraj laughs.

"I'll remember this" he says evilly and I glare at him. "Aise prank ka sochna bhi mat. I'll kill you" I say. "We'll see" he says and I shake my head.

"Remember the time jab maine tumhare geometry box me ek cockroach daala tha?" he asks and I crunch my face in disgust.

"Oh how can I forget that" I say.

"I guess this time I'll replace the cockroach with a lizard" he says and laughs more.

"And I guess I'll break up with you then" I threaten him and kick his leg from below the table.

"You won't paglu. You're crazy for me. I don't blame you though. I'm the best" he says leaning back on the chair and smirking.

I am, I want to say. Instead I tell him to shut up and finish his food.

We talk a lot more and I make a mental note of the things he likes. His favourite cricket players are Dhoni and Tendulkar. He hates it when people keep complaining about shitty nonsense. Hates drama. He is a morning person. Ugh! Doesn't like a lot of sugar in his coffee. He hasn't read a single novel in his entire life. I'm gonna change that. His first crush was Emma Watson when he watched Harry Potter. He doesn't watch TV series because he doesn't get a lot of time. Horror is his favourite genre. What else did I expect? And he loves being around people who are real. Fake people are the worst, according to him.

When we're done eating, he helps me wash the dishes and we decide to watch a movie. "Tum select karo" he says giving me the option of choosing from the CDs.

"Ok lets watch a nice super romantic movie because of course.. girlfriend boyfriend yahi karte hai na" I say tilting my head and batting my eyelashes at him.

"DDLJ ya Kuch kuch hota hai? Umm.. Kal ho na ho? Aashiqui?" I go through the CDs and look at his horrified expression. Hehehe. I put in the CD without showing him. "Done".

He forces a smile on his face and nods. "Of course. Sure" he says.

I wanna burst out laughing looking at his face. I suppress my smile and sit beside him looking at his face closely.

The title Hera Pheri comes on screen and he sighs. He looks at me and pulls me towards him and bites my cheek.

"Oww" I squeal rubbing my cheek.

"You scared the shit out of me" he says putting his arms around me and pulling me in between his legs and snuggling close to me as we settle comfortably on the couch.

I laugh. "Don't worry dummy. I won't make you endure a romantic movie. I know you hate them" I say and lean back into his chest.

"I'd watch it for you paglu" he says softly. I smile at his words.

"Hera Pheri? Isliye tum meri favourite ladki ho yaar. It's my favourite comedy movie" he tells me.

"Ditto" I say and we start watching the movie.

We can't stop laughing throughout the movie. Halfway through it, Viraj suddenly licks my cheek.

"Aye pagal insaan kuch bhi kya karte rehte ho" I say and rub my cheek on his t-shirt.

"Sorry I couldn't resist it. Your dimple was flashing again and again and I wanted to lick it. I've always wanted to lick it" he says sheepishly poking his tongue out again and I push his chest away and start laughing.

"You're crazy" I say as he continuously pokes a finger in my dimple.

"You're beautiful" he says and falls back on the couch taking me with him. I'm lying on top of him but both of us are facing upwards.

"So do you want me to change my relationship status on social media and all for the world to know" he asks  and I frown.

"Of course not. Itna typical hone ki jarurat nahi hai. We'll just go with the flow" I tell him.

"I don't know anything about this whole thing Aashi. Kaise treat kiya jaata hai girlfriend ko and all. Keep telling me okay ke mai sab sahi kar raha hu ya galat. I want this to last" he says and I sigh.

"It's the first time for me too. And even I want it to last" I say and turn so that now we're face to face.

"Really?" he asks like he can't quite believe what I said. "Of course you idiot. You make me happy. I want you with me as long as possible" I say and lean down to kiss him.

I kiss him passionately, pouring all my feelings into the kiss. Telling him this way what I'm not able to say with words.

One of his hands goes near my nape as he pulls me more into him. The other hands grips my waist and a feel a shock of excitement run through me when he runs his tongue over my lower lip.

I bite his lower lip and he groans as his hold on me tighten. He breaks the kiss and sits up taking me along with him so that I'm straddling him and we're face to face.

He is so handsome. Hair all messed up because of the way I've been running my hand through them. His eyes a shade darker and his lips a shade lighter because of the kiss. We just look at each other for a few moments and then suddenly his phone rings.

"Ugh bloody hell" he curses and searches for his phone on the couch. I try to get away but he gives me a pointed look and holds me in place.

He finds his cellphone and gets serious when he looks at the caller ID. "Ha maa" he say immediately after picking up.

"Ok cool. I'll be waiting" he says and hangs up.

"Mom Goa me land ki abhi and she's coming home now. Cab me hai vo" he says and I nod.

"I'm sorry I have to.."

"Sorry kya isme?" I say and kiss his cheek. "You should obviously go now. Your mom needs you" I tell him.

I get up and this time he lets me. "Mai tumhare mom ke liye tiffin pack karti hu. Pav bhaji pasand hai na unko?" I ask and walk inside the kitchen and he follows me.

"Yes" he says distractedly.

"Viraj?" I say and place my hand on his cheek so that he looks at me. I so badly wanna say that I love him but I don't wanna freak him out. He's already disturbed.

"You're gonna get through this. I promise. But you need to stay strong for your mother okay?" I say.

He nods and pulls me into his arms and I gently rub his back and he places his chin on my head.

We stay like that for a few moments as and Viraj kisses my hair before breaking the hug.

I smile and give him the small tiffin and we walk hand in hand towards the door.

"Kal ghar aaogi please. Mom would want to meet you. She was rooting for us since day one" he says and I chuckle.

"Seriously?" I ask and he nods.

"You have no idea how many times she literally forced me to ask you out" he says rolling his eyes and I laugh imagining his mom doing that.

"Okay then kal milte hai" I say and he nods.

He takes my hand and presses his lips on the back of my hand and then leaves.

I'm gonna stay by your side through all of this Viraj. I promise.

~•~•~•~•~•~•

Jis chiz ke liye sab tadap rahe the vo finally ho gaya. Viraj and Aashi are now dating!! Naacho sab mere saath!!!. I know ab tak love declarations nahi hue but they're gonna take it slow. So lets be patient and enjoy this romantic ride with them. Please don't forget to vote and comment. Ily all :)