Adrenaline rushed through every vein of his body and his thumping heart wasn't of any help either. He had to remind himself that it was rude to stare at someone. But what could he possibly do when she was looking so breathtakingly beautiful in that green dress. She had her hair open and her dress complemented her wheatish skin tone quite well. And coincidentally or not, he had opted for the same colour t-shirt himself.
His reverie broke as Ragini snapped her fingers in front of his face.

"Where are you lost?" she asked.

"Umm... Nowhere... So ready to go?" he asked as he held out his arm and she smiled and dangled her hand through his as they both made their way towards the party.

***********************************

Sanskar walked back to where Ragini was since he had gone to fetch them a drink. From the moment they entered, he had noticed almost every men in the hall staring at her and he was sure that given a chance, they wouldn't mind acquainting her.
As he took his steps towards her, he noticed a man in his late twenties approach her and initiating a conversation. He couldn't understand why, but a pang of jealousy was creeping through him with each step he took. He was only a few steps away from her when someone blocked his way.
It was a lady in her early twenties, wearing a dress that hardly covered her.

"Hi" she said with a sly smile and Sanskar nodded acknowledging her presence.

"I was thinking.... Maybe we could have a drink together" she said seductively, running a hand along his arm.

"Umm... Actually, I'm here with someone" he said quickly leaving passing an awkward smile.

"Shall we dance" Sanskar heard the man ask Ragini.

He immediately stood beside her and handed her one of the glasses. Sanskar slid his arm through her waist and looked at the man with a small smile.

"I'm sorry gentleman, but she is here with me. So, if you could please excuse us" he said, a slight smirk playing on his lips as he saw the crestfallen look on the man and walked away from there along with Ragini.

They stood by the counter, chatting and enjoying their drinks when the music changed to a slow rythm and the lights went dim, setting the ambiance.

"May I have this dance" Sanskar asked holding out his hand. Ragini's cheeks turned a light shade of scarlet as she gave her hand in his and he led her to the dance floor.

Sanskar kept his hands on the small of her back and pulled her towards himself while she placed both her hands on his shoulders. Both swayed with the music, lost in each other's eyes. Everything and everyone around ceased to exist, it was just the two of them.

The music filled their souls and Sanskar dragged her closer to himself, his grip around her tightening while Ragini clutched his shirt in a vise grip. He twirled her around and brought her back to himself, his hand on her bare back sending shivers all through her body. He could feel her breathing turning uneven and he himself had his heartbeat galloping.
Their reverie was broken with the claps that erupted throughout the hall. The spotlight stationed on them and the crowd cheered for the two.

They separated soon enough, the recent affair making it awkward for them. Sanskar noticed Ragini's face redden and a smile that could be missed if not given proper attention, play on her lips. He rubbed his nape, looking around. Each second spend with her intensified his feelings by folds but only if he could point out what they were.

Sanskar grabbed onto Ragini's wrist, making his way out, not wanting to attract anymore attention.

***********************************

They walked through the garden, talking random stuffs, about nothing in particular. Sanskar was enjoying being around her, the way her nose scrunches when she talks of something she isn't fond of, how her eyes lit up when it's about the things she love. The pointless talks seemed to make the most sense. At that moment, he felt like he could turn the world upside down, just to be near her.

They sat by a bench, the garden aloof with no-one but themselves. Her beauty enhanced under the moonlight and the slow wind had her hair moving in rhythm. She looked so angelic at the moment. As if in a trance, Sanskar moved a hand towards her face and gentle stroked her, his fingers moving from her forehead, tucking a loose hair strand behind her ear.
She looked up at him confused and found him staring at her with such intensity that her cheeks heated up. She was locked with his eyes and both lost in eachother.

His hand moved to her nape and she clutched on to his lapels. Their heads moved as if on their own, their breath mixing with the other and stopped for a moment before their lips crashed and they moved against eachother harmonically. Her hands found their way from his lapels to his hair and the need to caress each other's lips grew more than the need to respire.

Their moment was broken by the footsteps approaching and both looked shocked as they realised what transpired between them. They immediately straightened themselves, looking everywhere but the other, a fiddly silence spreading around. Soon two figures emerged out of the hallway hand in hand. As soon as Shanaya spotted Ragini, she darted towards her and hugged her, almost knocking the air out of the latter.

"I'm so happy Ragu...Guess what!" Shanaya screeched and breaking the hug grabbed onto Ragini's hands, her eyes shining with exuberance. "He proposed me" she continued, holding up her palm to show the solitaire.

"Congrats Shay" Ragini said beaming.
Both Sanskar and Ragini congratulated the newly engaged couple, happy for their friends.

"I've a lot to apprise you. Come on let's go to our room. Good night guys" Shanaya said almost dragging Ragini with her. Sanskar stared at her retreating figure and just as she was about to disappear from his sight, he saw her turning her head, giving a one last glance at him.

That night Sanskar couldn't gather much sleep. All he could think of was what they shared not so long before. Each time, a wave of rapture spreading through every vein of his body.

***********************************

The next day, all the four went exploring the place, going trekking. Shanaya and Ayan lost in each other, enjoying the bliss of taking a step further in their relationship. As for Ragini and Sanskar, they were talking as usual, as if the moment of intimacy never materialized. The fact that both, never for once, showed any tension helped as well.

Sanskar stood on the snow filled lands, the cool breeze caressing him, sending a chill down his body. He stretched his hands inhaling the fresh air, when out of nowhere he got a heavy blow on his rear. He turned around startled and found Ragini laughing, a snowball held in her palm, aiming at him.

"Don't you dare throw that snowba-, goddammit! You are gonna pay for this" he cried picking a hand full of snow and balling it. He lunged forward and Ragini ran for her dear life laughing all the while.

Sanskar saw Ragini halt, huffing for breath and Sanskar took the head and threw the ball. Call Ragini lucky or Sanskar unlucky, but the former ducked just in time to miss the hit and the ball smashed on to Shanaya who stood right behind Ragini, talking to Ayan.

From where he was standing, Sanskar saw Ragini covering her mouth with both her hands looking between the two of them and burst out laughing. Ayan was trying hard to stifle his laugh while Shanaya looked startled for a moment and gazed around hunting for the source that hit her, her face turning red. As for himself, Sanskar stood rooted at his spot waiting for the earth to swallow him.

Shanaya rolled a snowball for herself and threw it aiming at Sanskar, the ball rightfully hitting it's target. Within no time, all that the four of them were doing was snowballing each other. By the end of it, they were lying on the snow, exhausted, but their face radiant with merry.

***********************************

It was the last day of their stay in Manali, the past few days were filled with exuberance that none seemed happy about going back. The relaxing nature, the falling snow and the company of one another, everything seemed so beautiful to let go. They spend the day strolling through the streets, chatting and enjoying themselves.

As the evening approached, Shanaya and Ayan decided to spend their time together for the rest of the day. As for Ragini and Sanskar, having nothing else to do, they chose to have a walk through the snow covered mountains.

They walked, talking, until they reached somewhere on the mountains without people around and settled themselves on a rock, watching the sun starting to go down, with a promise to come back soon. Their eyes sparkled as the reddish-yellow flames spread across the white snow.
Ragini inclined her head on Sanskar's shoulder taking in the pristine beauty whilst Sanskar involuntarily wrapped his arm around her. They sat there in silence as the last ray of sun faded behind the mountains and the now dark sky lit with the multitude of stars guarding the moon. The silence way more comfortable than words could ever be.

***********************************

Sanskar bit the insides of his cheeks to prevent his smile from breaking out. It has been almost three months after their return from the hills and with each passing day and each moment spend with Ragini, he had felt something deep inside him. Something way more intense than any other emotions he had ever experienced.
Finally, after a lot of contemplation he was sure of what his heart wanted and he couldn't wait to tell this to Ragini. Because somewhere in the corner, he knew her heart felt the same.

His eyes darted from the road for an instant to glance at Ragini, who was trying her best to pull the information out of him as to where they were going. After a few failed attempts, she huffed and turned the other side and Sanskar couldn't stop the smile that etched at the corner of his lips.

The car pulled by the woods in the outskirts of the city and Ragini looked at Sanskar confused at their destination. He passed her a smile as he got out of the SUV and walked towards her door, opening it for her. She joined her hand with his as she stepped out of the car and Sanskar led her into the woods.

"Sanskar, tell me atleast now where you are taking me?" Ragini asked as Sanskar pulled her through the woods. He stopped and turned to her, his eyes holding hers. " Do you trust me?" He asked, his eyes intense and she nodded. He smiled at her and they continued walking without any interruptions.

The woods led to a clearing and Sanskar gazed at Ragini, who stood mesmerized at what laid ahead her. A small waterfall that cascaded into a river, with flowers and bushes adorning its surrounding. Butterflies filled the place with their grandeur and a soft breeze soothing the soul.

Sanskar saw her walking towards the river and he stood there giving her, her time to appreciate the scene. She knelt by the riverbank, running her fingers through the gentle water, enjoying the coldness it provided. After a moment, she got up and turned to find Sanskar on his knees. Her eyes widened at the sight of him in the position and Sanskar looked at her with nervousness evident in his features.
He took a deep breath calming his senses and released it gently. His eyes held hers and he found words tumbling out on their own.

"Ragini, I'm not good with words, but I want you to know that what I'm about to say doesn't come from here..." he said pointing to his brain and then directed his hand towards his heart "...but from here. From the moment I met you, you were always on my mind. My heart started beating faster around you. I had adored every second I spent with you. And the kiss that we shared, though it happened in the spur of the moment, I want you to know that I don't regret it and never would I ever. Instead I want my life to be as beautiful as that day, to be able to spend my best and worst with you. I want to shout to the world that you are mine and I'm yours." He stopped taking out a ring from his pocket and holding it out to her. "I wish to spend every ounce of my life by your side. I promise to hold your hand, no matter what. I promise to love you with every bit of me till this water starts flowing in the opposite direction. I love you, forever and always.

Sanskar could see her eyes glistening under the sun and her face clearly showed her surprise and then, Ragini's eyes fill with tears and they tripped down her cheeks as her face exhibited different emotions. "What took you so long?" she managed to ask, chocking on her words, overcome by emotions as she held out her hand for him, smiling through her tears. Sanskar grinned as he looked at her extended hand and promptly slid the ring on her finger. He immediately stood up and engulfed her in his arms as she held on to him with the same passion. "I love you too" she uttered overwhelmed and he clutched her closer.

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Heya guys,

Happy friendship day😘😘

Ignore the typos.

Hope this update didn't disappoint you all. Drop in your comments and make the 🌟 shine.

Until next time...
Stay blessed and stay happy 😘😘