The week after Valentine's whizzes past like a storm. That Sunday morning, Samrat is with Tanvi inside her residential quarters, the two of them standing next to her writing desk. Their mutual friends, the female Hawks members Sameera and Isha are also present, seated on the bed, observing the said duo with interest.

"Sam, ye kya hai?"

Tanvi looks at the package Samrat holds out for her.

"For you..." Samrat flashes her a small apologetic smile. "Because I upset you and I need to make it up to you."

"Sam, I told you na iski zarurat nahi hai!"

Tanvi throws him a look. Samrat shakes his head. "Tumne keh diya aise, main kaise maan jata? The truth is that I upset you and I need to make it up to you."

"Fir wahi?" Tanvi chuckles but reaches for the package, flipping it open and finding an extra large choco lava cake inside.

"Wow! Sam, you spoil me, always! Ye humare airbase cafeteria mei nahi milta na?"

"I had Ramu Kaka bake it for you." Samrat shrugs though a hint of genuine smile flashes on his lips. "Because you're too good and deserve to be spoiled."

"Oh god!" Tanvi chuckles, breathless. "Sam!!"

Samrat quirks an eyebrow. "Kya?"

"Mere bhai ke alawa mujhse kisi ne aisi baat na ki kabhi. None in my twenty seven years."

Samrat narrows his eyes fondly. "I'm telling you now and I can tell as many times as you want. So, do you like it?"

"How can I not like a jumbo choco lava cake? This is perfect. I love it!"

Tanvi trails off in a fit of girlish giggles. Samrat's lips curl into a satisfied smirk. "I have one more thing for you."

Tanvi blinks at him. "What is that?"

"Guess karo."

He brings his one closed fist for her to see.

"Main guess nahi kar sakti! Open and show me!"

Tanvi tries to pry open his fingers. Samrat holds his fist out of her range. Eventually, he gives in and reveals what he's holding.

A limited edition merchandise featuring her favourite fairy character — a stone studded charm that can be used as a keychain or an attachment to a smartphone.

"Ahhh, oh my goddddd! This is the special edition that I always wanted!! How did you get it, Sam?"

Tanvi's excitement is just as Samrat predicted; it puts a proud smile on his face. He still doesn't give her the charm and smiles smugly.

"I have my ways! Maine itni mehnat ki hai toh, thodi tareef ho jaaye humari. Then this precious treasure will be yours."

"Haha! Oh, Sam! I really don't know tumne isko kaise arrange kiya. Seriously! Aur tareef! Tum chahte ho main tumhari tareef karun? You are saying as if it's the hardest thing for me to do! You're awesome, Sam!"

"Haha, yes, I am! Aur..."

With goofy smiles, Tanvi and Samrat banter back and forth forgetting the others in the room. Little do they know their liveliness brings smiles to the others too. Samrat gestures with his free hand for Tanvi to shower more praises over him.

"You're sooo amazing, Sam!"

"Ahan! Yes! Aur..."

"You're so cool!"

"Aur..."

"Tumse acha jet plane koi udaa hi nahi sakta!"

Samrat flicks his shirt collar lazily. "Yeah... of course. I know... Aur..."

"Haha! You're really so awesome, kind, handsome and talented. You're my best friend in this entire world! I love—"

Tanvi cuts herself in the nick of time. "I love that you got me this gift! Ab ye charm mera."

Tanvi turns away, grabbing the charm and tucking it into her desk drawers. Samrat freezes, unable to react after the sudden turn of events. Meanwhile Tanvi is mentally urging herself to calm down.

Tanz, calm down. Keep a poker face. Keep a poker face. You are a soldier, you can keep a poker face. Come on! Come on!

Samrat narrows his gaze and says her name. "Tanvi?"

She looks at him with a casual smile though inside she's a bundle of nerves. " Kya hai? I really love this keychain. Thanks, Sam!"

Her act is convincing. Samrat merely nods though he has his thoughts. As if she has no care in the world, she sits working on her desk, painting a mountainscape. With no choice left, he watches her, wondering what happened during their funny banter. She loves the keychain? Sure, she does, but was she about to say that? It sounded as if she was about to say she loved him.

Her brush strokes are precise. She doesn't seem flustered but that might be the poker face of a soldier on a mission. If only he could peek into her mind and know exactly what she's thinking...

The other day too, he had the same urge which he quashed. Despite wanting to, he didn't ask why she lied about having a crush on Saumit. He's curious to know the answer, although he has a hunch of his own. Whatever, it's still a relief that she doesn't like that good-for-nothing idiot, Saumit! Truly, there's no one she likes? Ugh, I'm going mad! What am I looking for here? Trying to confirm if she has feelings for me? What will I do about it upon finding out? Maybe I'm better off not digging deep.

Tanvi tries focusing on her painting, but Samrat's gaze on her has her clicking her tongue. She's keeping calm, but how long will she bear it? Samrat is boring holes through her skull, trying to read her mind; it's too much.

"Ugh, Sam! Stop staring at me, it's weird!"

She adds an internal dialogue, although it's my mistake I almost blurted out I love you. Huh. You're still staring at me?

"Sam!"

Samrat snaps to his senses when he hears his name called with more intensity. With deft expertise, he switches topics.

"Uh woh main soch raha tha if you're playing next Sunday's baseball game, Tanz."

"Of course I'm playing!" Tanvi answers, still not looking at him and focusing on her painting.

Samrat sighs, looking around her room. It's becoming hard for him to keep his composure. How does he unlock her secret? He can't ask. It's odd she can confide this so-called secret to Farhan. He sighs again, locating several journals and painted canvases on the shelf next to her desk.

"Tumhare room mein aur bhi girly chizein ikhatta hui hai," he remarks jovially. "Pehle se zyada."

He goes to touch a journal. Tanvi smacks his hand away.

"Sam! Don't go snooping on my things!"

"Arey! Dekhun toh kya paint kia tumne?"

"Bas ab bahut hua! Get out of here, okay? I want to paint in peace."

"Arey, Tanvi, why?"

Samrat tries to resist while she tries pushing him out of her room. Sameera and Isha watch in bafflement.

"I want to have some girl time!" Tanvi declares, dragging him to the door.

"Really?" Samrat holds his footing and doesn't budge, though he clutches the door ready to step out for the sake of his girl pal. "Tanvi, tumne aise hi decide kar liya? Farhan bhi toh aane wala hai! We were all supposed to hang out together."

"Farhan ko bata dena aane ki zarurat nahi hai. Abhi ko bhi bata dena. You guys can have your guy's day out."

With those words Tanvi shoves Samrat, who doesn't resist and obliges her desires by walking out of the room. She sighs out of relief, but as she turns around, she's subject to Sameera and Isha's twin, suspicious stares. Isha is the first one to speak.

"Yeh kya chal raha tumhare aur Sam ke bich?"

Tanvi shrugs, looking at Sameera for backup, in vain. "Kuch nahi."

"Kuch nahi?" Isha drawls, her smirk deepening. "As if we'll believe it. Spill!"

Inwardly Tanvi can't help but think these girls are vicious. Why did I even chase out Sam? I may excel at work but as a person I'm a clutz. I can't hide my true feelings from my friends or the guy I like! As much as I want to tell my girl pals, I'm too embarassed to admit I love Sam. And Sam aur mere beech itni uncertainty hai. Main kaise kuch kahun? Ugh, I'm pathetic! Outwardly she manages a smile.

Isha picks up the drawing journal that Samrat picked earlier and flips through it. The latest portrait catches her eye and she smirks again.

"Oooh Samrat ki portrait! Now I understand, tumne usey isko choone kyun nahi diya..."

Tanvi's jaw drops but she recovers quickly and chuckles. "Guys!"

She looks between Isha and Sameera who are looking at her with raised eyebrows.

"Sameera, Isha, whatever you are imagining na, aisa kuchh nahi hai!"

"What are we imagining?" Isha waggles her eyebrows.

"Arey... whatever you are imagining!" Tanvi somehow maintains her stance with a calm smile. "Aisa kuchh nahin hai. Maine ismein tum logon ki bhi portrait ki hai! Dekho toh..."

Sameera joins Isha and they together flip through the pages of the journal. Isha smirks again.

"Tumne humari bhi portrait ki hai, lekin Sam ke zyada hai..."

Tanvi manages a nervous chuckle. "Guys! Stop it! Last year, Sam aur main zyada sath mein kaam kar rahe the toh... that's it. Come on, don't give me such looks! Aur sawaal mat pucho, please!"

Sameera and Isha shake their heads; but then nod collectively

Isha says, "Chalo, aaj ke liye jaane dete hain. Lekin humare agle girl's day out par tumhe sab kuch batana hoga. And to compensate,  tum woh choco lava cake humare saath baatogi na?"

Sameera nods. "Han. Chalo, ab tum apni painting jaldi khatam karo so we can have our girl's day out."

Tanvi nods at the girls. Heaving a sigh of relief, she gets back to her painting.

***

Outside in the large courtyard within the residential area, Samrat finds Farhan and Abhi, and informs them of the girl's banning them from having a collective day out. He only gets exasperated smiles in response. All three of them are only amused not offended.

Abhi and Farhan plan all the activities that comprise the guy's day out. A good game of billiards in the officers lounge. Horse riding on the grounds, which proves to be an enjoyable experience for the three officers.

By the end of the day, Samrat is free of troublesome thoughts, pleasantly exhausted. He can't help but think just like girl time soothes the girls, guy time can also be therapeutic for the guys.

***

The following day, Tanvi returns to work only to know she's put on the new aircraft project alongside two other engineers. This means I will be working closely with Sam again after a hiatus. Huh. I'm prepared this time! I won't mess up. I will just be my usual self around him. I'm confident that I can keep my crush a secret...

She takes a deep breath.

This doesn't mean I'm giving up on him. I will ensure I get him to accept himself slowly. Then I can tell him what I feel for him...

Her thoughts wander while she's on a break in the AMC (aircraft maintenance centre). A small smile graces her lips as he imagines things going her way. It's an uphill path ahead, probably miles and miles long, filled with thorny vines, but she can't give up or lose hope.

Seriously, Sam. First we were casual friends. You were a colleague who was hiding your identity and agenda. And then over the years we became close friends, I got to know the real you and that made me fall for you. Honestly, it's more than enough for me if you love yourself. But if you can love me too... that'll be a blessing. Can I even hope this will happen? Whatever happens, I'm open to all possibilities now. 

***

🌀TBC 🌀

🌝Word count: 1836 (didn't want to break the chap lol)🌈

💬❣️Up next: SamVi work together! Working with new air crafts, a new boss, and caustic colleagues. A lot awaits them ~ Which leads to a confession from Tanvi eventually...

💬❣️How will the story unfold further? Stay tuned <3 xoxo

💬❣️V & C. Ty for reading ^^