She should've been delighted but her heart felt heavy with those words. He was pointing at her reflection while saying that.
He took his hands back as she immediately wiped the incoming tear from the corner of her eyes, looking at him.
"And now, did you decide what to do?" 

She pressed her lips together, "You're joking." 
He sighed at her statement, "Do you think I am? With this face?" 

Getting no response, he pulled her closer and whispered, "I love—"
She gasped, hitting his chest as he groaned, "What?!" 
"You talk too much. Shut up." 
"So, what did you decide?" He smiled as she controlled her own. 

His smile was contagious. 

"I..." She fumbled with her words while his smile stayed in its place. Taking a small breath, she added, "The nature's pretty."
"It is." He nodded, noticing how she swallowed a lump in her throat, coughing from time to time. 
"Why did you suddenly tell me this?" She asked as he hummed, pondering on her words.
"Because... I tried to do it a few times earlier but you never let me finish. And, since you asked it yourself, didn't you want to hear this? I'm in love with you. And I don't need to play dumb when I know you like me too." 

Her eyes widened as he chuckled at her petrified expression. 
"How d-do you—" She stuttered, stopping midway and taking a deep breath as he shrugged, "Isn't it obvious? Am I a kid? I'm twenty-eight, of course, I'd know." 

Seeing his reassuring smile, she relaxed. 
"So... um..." 
"Why are you so hesitant?" He tilted his head.

"Is it too hard to believe the mighty Kabir has feelings for you?"
"Shut up."

He chuckled, leaning forward to take a closer look at her face.

"You're blushing."
"I'm not."
"You're red, Nisha."
"Shut the fu—"
"Ehm, no cursing. We're in a peaceful romantic mood."

"Romantic, my foot." She frowned as he smiled, "Then what did you decide?" 
"What am I supposed to say?" 
"What do you think?"
"You already know I have feelings for you too. What should I say?" 

He sighed, shaking his head.
"You've never dated, have you?" She scowled at his question.
"Am I like you? Having exes around..."
"Who told you that—"
"I have my ways." She ignored his flabbergasted expression as he clasped his mouth shut.
"Uh, you're the only one I've genuinely liked so much. I don't think I even remember the faces of the people my friends term as my 'exes' so that's invalid. You're the only one." 
"Did I ask?!" She gasped, trying to suppress her grin as he smiled. 

"So... what are we now?" He sighed at her question, "Did you lose a few brain cells from that smart brain of yours?" 
"Huh?" 
"We're best buddies, of course."
"But you said..." Her voice faded at the end, confusion taking over her as Kabir smiled, "Do you want us to be something else?"

Seeing the mischievous smile on his face, she scoffed, "Are you delusional?" 
"Not really. If you want..." He came closer to her face, his lips slightly brushing against her cheeks as he whispered, "We can be... more than that." 
Her eyes widened as he let out a soft huff.

His breath hit her skin, making shivers run down her spine. 

Backing away, he chuckled as she asked, "Promise?" 
"About being something more? Sure—"
"No! About being... best buddies. And, the latter one is optional." She didn't meet his gaze, making him laugh. 

She forwarded her thumb as he smiled, pressing his one against her. The little action arising gratifying emotions within her heart as her eyes met his. Like every other time, a more intensified and sparkling sensation sputtered within her, showing her dimensions of the happiness she didn't know existed.

His dark eyes looked straight into hers, conveying an unsaid message. A commitment.

"I promise I won't let you down." 

Her chest expanded at his sincere tone.

"Don't you need me to promise something in return?" She asked as he thought about it, "As long as you stay with me, I don't need any other promise." 

She scoffed lightly, holding back a smile and said, "I promise too... I'll scold you less often."
"Wow, that changed my life." He said with a tint of sarcasm as she took her hand back, scowling at him.
He grinned, "Can I hug you?"
"What—" Her words were stuck midway as she coughed, holding her chest.
"Okay." 

A soft gasp escaped his lips when he wasted no second pulling her frame closer to his, eating up the distance between them — as if he was awaiting this moment for ages.
Her heartbeats raised as his hand settled on her lower back. 
Inhaling deeply, he whispered, "I've always loved your floral-scented shampoo." 
"Huh?" She clutched the fabric of his t-shirt, smiling a little as he nestled his face at the crook of her neck. 

The tingling sensation of his soft breaths falling onto her skin didn't help her uneven heartbeats. She inhaled his refreshing scent and spoke, "I like your scent too. I've always done." 

He shifted slightly, making her think he was about to pull away but instead, his hold around her firmed more. 
"I love hugging you. It feels perfect." He spoke as she closed her eyes.

He was right.

His frame was just perfect for hers. Though he was the one engulfing her with his arms, she felt secure and protective over him over the simple action. 

A sudden sense of alarm rang in her brain.
"Oh shit." She spoke, making him hum. 
"Is everything okay?" He asked. 

Not hearing any response, he was about to pull away but stopped when she let out breathlessly, "There are people around."

 He scoffed, "I thought it was something important." 
"But what if someone comes here and sees us? If it's... the boys or Maa—" 
"Stop talking. Let me enjoy my life right now."
"Huh?" She asked in disbelief as he lazily pulled away, "I fulfilled my years-old wish right now. Feels great."

"What do you mean...?" 

There went her unanswered question.

She watched him take out something from his pocket — confused. A vibrant bracelet crafted with uneven colourful beads dangled on his fingers as he looked at her. 
The magnificent colours aroused a sense of delight within her. 
"And it's for a pretty person." 

Gently grabbing her wrist, he secured the bracelet around it and mumbled, "This is for you." 
"Why, though?" 
"It seemed pretty and reminded me of you."

After a brief pause, he continued, "All vibrant and colourful things remind me of you. You're the vibrant colour I've always admired." 

She stared at the bracelet, feeling heat rush up to her cheeks. Did he realize the weight every word that left his mouth held? 

If validation existed as a person, it would always be Kabir Zaid.

"Thank you." She shyly spoke as he held her hand, "Let's go back."

She smiled a little, "While holding hands? Do you want both of us to get bashed?"
"I'll leave your hands once we reach near them. Are you uncomfortable though?" 

She shook her head, "I'm not uncomfortable. I'm just... scared of someone seeing us like this. I'm comfortable with you." 
He gave her a warm smile which she reciprocated.

As they walked around for a bit while holding hands and sharing their usual chats, Nisha didn't know if she was anxious anymore.
The anxiety his sudden confession had caused her was easing up now. 
It felt like a dream at first and it still did but she felt better.

She felt as if she was in reverie. 

But wherever it was, she was absolutely in euphoria.

—Time skip—

"Someone caught a jellyfish from the sea? Crazy!" Priti said as Nisha let out an exhilarated gasp, "That's awesome! I wanna see it too!" 
She rushed behind Priti as they noticed the few men holding a jellyfish. They were clicking a few pictures with it. 

A thought roamed in her head.

"Isn't it better to just let it go back to where it belongs?" She whispered to herself, seeing how many people kept clicking pictures with those men. 
Priti hummed at her younger sister, "Maybe, it is. But what can you tell them?" 
She looked down, hearing familiar noises from a little distance. The boys were running around.

Her gaze met Kabir's, enlightening a sensation of pleasure within her. 

He gave her a flirty smile, raising his brows. She shouldn't have enjoyed it but her heart automatically leaped within her chest, alarming her internal organs rapidly. 
Fuck.

The next thing she knew, they all were back in the cottages. Her phone pinged with a notification. 
A sense of satisfaction gushed through her as she replied almost immediately.

kabir_95: What are you doing??

nisha00: Taking rest. We're going to have barbeque tonight, right? 

kabir_95: Yeah, I heard that too. What will you wear? 

nisha00: I guess a simple green kurti. I only brought a few kurtas and T-shirts.😐

kabir_95: What type of green?

nisha00: Are you asking for a detailed description? 

kabir_95: I'll just guess it's emerald green.😉

nisha00: ... how do you know? 

kabir_95: 🤪secret, love. 

nisha00: Did you call me love? 😶

kabir_95: Yes.😌🥴😝🤗

She let out a noise, turning off her phone. Her mom gave her a weird look, causing an anxiousness to build up inside her. 
"I'll be outside then. Don't make trouble." Her mother said, exiting the cottage as Nisha heaved out a deep sigh.

Hesitation surfaced at the back of her head. 

The promise she had made was making her rethink about her decisions. She shouldn't have committed to something like that. 
"Only if I knew life had love on the plate for me, I'd never say such reckless shit." Mentally cursing herself, she thought about ways to do something. 
"Technically, I said I'd marry whoever my parents like. I never mentioned dating. Right, so I can date Kabir. But... I have to make my parents go crazy for me to marry him. Only then will I be able to succeed."

Her proud smirk dissipated once she realized how dumb she sounded.

But again, how did she know for sure that he was the one? She loved his company but, was he the one?

Still, she'd like to do something for now considering her mother despised Kabir. An idea popped into her mind as she hesitated to initiate the plan but did it anyway.

A few incoming texts from Kabir surfaced on her screen but she painfully avoided them, sending something on her mother's phone. 

A photo of Kabir receiving the 'Most Talented Intern' certificate from a workshop abroad. 
She added a small text, 'Oh sorry! Wrong person. Shams asked for the picture.' 

"Hope this works..."

"Why do I feel dumber every day though?" She asked herself, not quite understanding her actions. Was she changing? She had no idea.

—At night—

"Oh my, Nisha! Come here!" Atif gestured for her to join their small group of people chattering around as Nisha approached them.
She hesitantly joined them, sitting in the vacant middle seat as everyone stared at her.
"Is something up?" She tried to sound casual but her tone was off. The stares they were giving her were strange.

"Did you pair up with Kabir?" Ajay asked.
"Huh?!" A low gasp escaped her lips as they frowned at each other. 
"I don't think they know it yet. Only we know." Shams whispered to Wahi who nodded, squinting his eyes at Nisha.
She awkwardly looked around, her eyes stopping at a familiar figure wearing an emerald green shirt. 
His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows as a bracelet hung on his wrist. 

Her lips parted but no words escaped as the figure approached her, halting just a few steps ahead. 

With a slight tilt of his lips, he said, "We're matching, Nisha." 

His eyes radiated pure mischief mixed with a glint of satisfaction. She could feel her heart jump out of its ribcage at how ethereal he looked. 
She had no idea emerald green could suit him so well. 

The silver locket on his neck rested just above his exposed collarbones. Why did he leave the first two buttons undone? 

He bent, causing them to come to eye-to-eye level. Unbothered about the intense stares from around, he gave her a wide grin. 
One that held the secret only they both knew. 
"Don't you think I look good in green?" He licked his lips, analyzing her face. From the little detail of her curled lashes to the slight quiver in her lips coated with the minimal pink lipgloss, he couldn't help but feel mesmerized. 

Knowing she was indirectly checking him out did things inside his chest he couldn't ever explain.

She spoke in a timorous voice, "Yeah... you do." 

Her eyes travelled from his face to his loose t-shirt. She could see through a few inches of his chest because of his posture. He noticed her gaze and suppressed a smile.

Backing away, he eyed his friends gossiping among themselves. They showed him a thumbs-up as Shams mouthed, 'Don't you worry! We got your back!' 

"As if I need it." He whispered to himself.

There were a few people who had been guiding them since morning. 
"Most tourists are here. I think it's a big barbeque event for all tourists." Priti spoke as Shams nodded, "Yeah, look they're grilling the fishes so discreetly. Do you want two slices?"
Priti shook her head, "I want one of those naans... they look so good."
"Of course. I'll get them for you. Wait." 

Nisha watched Shams get up and grab the naan plate and eyed Priti.
"You got yourself a man, huh?" 
"Shut up." Priti chuckled, lovingly staring at Shams. She often felt lonely when she watched how happy and in love her sister was. She was happy for her but did life have similar plans for Nisha? She didn't know. 

Her eyes shifted to Kabir who was near Shams.

His eyes were on her and had been for quite some time. He raised his brows at her as she wiggled hers in return.
He broke into a chuckle, looking away.

She couldn't help but feel ecstatic watching his wide grin. It was for her. 

Sitting amidst the light crowd, engulfed by the cold breeze of the spring night wasn't something Nisha imagined in years. Not with her heart doing literal jumping jacks within her heart every time her eyes shifted to the broad-framed male sitting across from her. 
He was far away but their connection was strong and evoked a sense of cautiousness within her.

A few ponds were near, enhancing the scenery while the illuminating lights highlighted her inner feelings. 

The workers grilled fish as people were helping themselves with the food along with the refreshments.

Kabir smiled, sending a text to Nisha.

kabir_95: Come to the table beside the pond.

Taking a deep breath, he stared at the pond when he felt someone sit on the chair next to him. Suppressing his smile, he raised his hands slightly, resting them on top of hers. 

A soft frown appeared on his face as he caressed her hands. 
"Why do your hands feel so rough—" 

A loud gasp escaped his lips when he noticed who was in front of him. 

"Dear, why are you... holding my hand?" Nisha's father blinked, confusion evident on his face. 

All this while, who he thought was Nisha was in fact — her father.

Shit, Kabir.

You had officially fucked up.