Riya's POV:

When I opened my eyes the next day morning, I found myself cuddled next to Arya on the mattress on my bedroom floor. I flushed immediately. I was glad that Arya hadn't woken up.
I recalled yesterday's events. After the kiss, we both had been really shy around each other. I had run into my room to sleep when Arya asked where he was supposed to. So I put a mattress on my floor and told him to sleep. Little did I know that I would wake up in the middle of the night to go and cuddle next to him.

I tried to get up, but Arya had a firm grip around my waist. I slowly tried to wriggle out of his hold when he stirred.
" Riyaaaaa," he called and I became a statue.

When I realized my parents could enter any moment, I slapped his hand and jumped up, running to the bathroom to finish my morning activities. I didn't even turn back to see if Arya had woken up, it was no concern for me at the moment.

Half an hour later, I was out. And was greeted with a sight of a sleepy Arya stretching his hands over his head. His muscles rippled beneath his shirt and his shirt rose just a tiny bit to expose a bit of his abdomen.
I knew it was pretty obvious to him that I was staring. But I didn't bother. I just walked out of the room.

" No good morning kiss also?" He called.

So demanding I swear.

I ran back in and pecked his cheek. "Good morning."
Then I ran back out before he could stop me.
I sat on my swing and immersed myself in my thoughts as it swayed up and down, waiting for Arya to come so we could go for breakfast together.

The things that had happened in the past few days had all felt like a dream. I never thought it would be so easy. I never thought that Arya would be so romantic. I never thought that the heroes in books could actually come alive.

So immersed in my thoughts, I didn't realize that a boy had occupied the seat next to me.

" Any reason you look so flushed Riya?" Desh asked, with a wink.

I blushed immediately. " Nothing."

" What happened last night?"

"Umm....." I said avoiding his gaze.

" Wait wait...you got your first kiss?"He asked.

Through my peripheral vision, I saw Arya entering the room.
He didn't realize and he continued.

" Omg you're so lucky Ri, he's so hot!"

I started chuckling.
Arya raised an eyebrow at me. Then he came and wrapped his arms around my shoulders from behind.

"What? You find me hot?" he asked Desh. Now it was Desh's turn to blush.

" Desh, seriously stop hitting on my boyfriend," I said confidently. " You have Rahul."

" What?" Arya exclaimed in astonishment. " What do you mean he has Rahul?"

" You're such a tubelight Arya," I said. " Desh is gay."

" And he likes Rahul. Oh. That explains it. The part where he so easily claimed you were his."

" Yeah I still feel like killing him for it," I said looking at him with mock anger. " It was what brought us into all this misunderstanding."

" Yeah," Arya agreed. "It was also what made me get drunk that day," he blurted.

I turned to him in shock. " What?"

" Yeah," he said sheepishly. " I already liked you a lot by then. And the thought of losing you to anybody made me angry and depressed. That drove me to do what I did. I feel ashamed thinking about it now though," he confessed.

" Arya," I said, looking into his eyes.
" You're so cute!"

" Hey you're not supposed to say that to a guy! Take it back right now!"

" Nope, " I said giggling.

" OK I can't stand this mush, I am going," Desh said ready to leave.

" Can't stand it or are you jealous?"

He suddenly got a really sad expression on his face. His eyebrows were turned downward, and his lips were in a pout.

" What? What's wrong Desh?" I asked. It was really unusual to see him so sad. He was a person who always had a bubbly personality and cheered up everyone around him. Seeing him like this was putting everyone else in a dull mood too.

" He's not talking to me," he said quietly.

The moment he uttered that, I knew he was talking about Rahul. It was not possible for Rahul to accept who is so soon. He was a boy who believed that relationships weren't necessary. But I was sure, his liking for Desh would make him come around soon. I was pretty sure Rahul liked Desh. It was kind of evident in the way he behaved.

" Don't worry Desh, he will come around," I said, trying to assure my best friend. " We are all here for you. Don't hesitate to tell us what you're feeling," I said, pointing between me and Arya. And Anandith's there too."

" I know," he said.

" Do you want me to speak to him?" I asked. Maybe I could help? I thought.

" No no don't. That would be awkward. It's alright. I myself told him that I would accept any decision he took. So it's unfair of me to be so upset."

" You can be upset, Desh. Of course you will be. I know you like him a lot," I said, with a slight smile.

Desh grinned and I knew he was back.

" Hell yeah I do, and I am going to see if he can resist my charms."

Saying this he walked upstairs, probably to go find Rahul.

Diya walked up to me with a smile, followed by Tanisha and Anandith.

" Hey," she said. " Good morning lovebirds!!!"

" Good morning Diya, did you know there is another pair of lovebirds standing behind you?"

She turned around and squealed hugging both Tanisha and Anandith.

" Oh my god Anandith you finally asked my sister out? Yay I am so happy you guys are together," she said, smiling widely.

Her screams were so loud that they could wake up the entire household. I hoped to dear god noone heard it. But my luck wasn't in the right place.

I heard footsteps approaching us and my mom entered the room saying
" Anandith...is what I heard just now true?"

" Yes mom."

" How could you hide it from me?"

" Sorry mom."

" Tanisha how could you not tell me?"

" Auntie...."

" Okay okay anyways when did this good thing happen?" My mom said, acting like an excited teenager.

" Mom? Are you alright?" Anandith asked her, skeptically.

" Of course I am. I predicted this happening for a long while. I am just glad it finally happened."

" Mom are you really alright?" I questioned again.

" Do you want me to be not okay with it? Then I can say no right away too."

" Nooo," Anandith said with a sheepish expression.

Mom chuckled. " Thought so."

" Anyways Tanisha, welcome to the family. I always thought of you as my own daughter. I am so glad my boy finally realized his feelings for you."

" Thanks auntie," she said blushing.

" I have boiled the milk. You children can have cereal," she said, then left us alone again.

"OK guys, let's have breakfast!" I declared, moving to the kitchen to bring bowls.

" Don't you want to wait for the others?"

" Nope, it's the holidays after all. Let them sleep."

I poured cereal for everybody and they each added how much ever milk they wanted.

" OK dig in!"

Rahul's POV:

I had been feeling weird things regarding Desh the past few days since he had declared that he liked me. I was pretty sure that I did have feelings for him, but I was somehow not letting myself accept it. It wasn't that I hated him or anything. I knew avoiding him was a childish thing to do. But seeing him everytime made me remember the conversation and the feelings I wanted to forget.

This wasn't me. I didn't want to be like this. It wasn't so easy to behave normally with him either. And I didn't know how to reject his proposal. Not that I wanted to. My heart said otherwise. It was always beating erratically when he was in the room. I was really confused. I needed time. And so I decided to keep to myself. I felt that I would get more time if I didn't talk to him. It would give me some more freedom too, to decide the next step of action.

I didn't realize that I had taken it too far though. I was stuck when Desh entered the room and looked me directly in the eye.

I was sitting on one of the beds in the guest room, having woken up just ten minutes ago. I was staring at the ceiling, thinking when he entered. I didn't even have to look towards the door to know who it was. I had already memorized the sound of his footsteps.

As soon as our gazes locked, he approached me and pushed me onto the bed.

" Whaaaat? What the hell a-a-re y-y-ou doing?" I stammered nervously.

" What's wrong with you? Are you going to stop being my friend too because I said I like you?" He said in a low voice that sounded super husky to me.

His breath ran over my ear and I shivered. His face was so close. My hand itched to brush that fringe away, but I resisted.

My heart started beating rapidly and I was at a loss for words.

" Nooo," I said.

" Then stop avoiding me! " he said.
" I can't take it any longer Rahul. Atleast tell me what you're feeling," he pleaded.

I looked into his eyes. They had definitely lost the glow he usually had. I was lost in them momentarily.

" Rahul do you really feel nothing for me? Does this really not do anything to you?" He said, running one finger down my cheek gently.

I closed my eyes and sighed. It did make me feel so many things. I just wasn't ready for a relationship right now.

" Rahul?" He said, whispering softly.
" Talk to me.."

"Desh, " I said, even more softly. My voice seemed full of emotion.

" I do really like you, that's not something I can hide, but-"

" There's always a but isn't there?" He said a bit sadly.

" Wait, hear what I have to say before you jump to conclusions. This is all really new to me. Even being in a relationship is. I just want more time. I am not ready for this yet."

" Okay," he said, smiling at me. " I will wait."

I don't know what came over me at that moment. But I got up and hugged him as tightly as I could.

" Woh Rahul initiating a hug. This is definitely the first time," he said teasing me. He was grinning from ear to ear and that made me smile too.

" Only for you Desh, only for you," I said teasing him back.
_______________x____________________

Hello,

How was Riya-Arya morning scenes?

So did you expect Riya's mother to be secretly shipping Anandith and Tanisha? Haha what a mom!

And finally Desh and Rahul...hmm..looks like Rahul's confused. Poor boy.

Anyway hope you enjoyed. As always, vote and comment!

Adios amigos,
:) harshini :)

PS: My chapters are going to be kinda short from now on because I have to finish this story by 31st March.