Scandalized doesn't even cover it. The aunties at the next table are staring at us like we just knocked over the wedding cake.

My face heats up instantly, and I drop my gaze, fingers twisting in my lap like they're suddenly the most interesting thing in the world.

Romil leans in, his voice barely a whisper, 'Are you full?' His words, soft and low, brush against me like the quietest breeze in a forest.

'I am. You?' I say, licking my lips, only to blush harder when I realize that I just licked the place he kissed moments ago.

Romil's eyes flick to my mouth, and I know he noticed. Of course he did.

He leans in, his breath warm against my ear. 'Me too. But I think we should get out of here. Pretty sure we've given those aunties enough material to ruin their kids' future sex lives.'

I can't help but snicker, glancing over at the table. They're huddled together, whispering furiously, occasionally sneaking judgmental glances our way.

We stand, tossing our empty plates in the bin and making our escape before we garner any more attention.

'There's still some time left,' I say hopefully.

Romil glances over his shoulder as we walk down the street toward The Lalit, catching me mid-blush. He smirks. 'How old are you?'

'Seventeen. Why?'

'When do you turn eighteen?'

'In two and a half weeks. Why?'

'We shouldn't do it before you turn eighteen.' He says it so casually, hands stuffed in his pockets, like we are discussing the weather.

I swat at his elbow, letting out a small, 'Shut up!'

'I mean, we could if you insist, but technically your consent wouldn't count—'

'I'm done with this conversation!' I cut him off, speed-walking ahead of him, my face burning hotter than ever. Why is it suddenly so hot outside?

Behind me, I hear him chuckle.

As we cross the street, he instinctively shifts to the side closest to traffic, gently nudging me behind him, his fingers weaving through mine like it's the most natural thing in the world. My heart practically puddles at my feet, and before I know it, I'm grinning like an idiot. When he catches me smiling in the hotel's parking lot and asks why, I don't tell him to shut up this time—I shut him up for good.

I rise onto my tippy toes, grabbing him by the collar and tugging him down until my cold lips meet his warm ones. It starts soft, tentative, like we're both holding back, but then his hands slide to the back of my neck, and everything shifts. Our mouths move together, and suddenly it deepens, growing more urgent, with tongues and teeth getting involved, turning the kiss into something dizzying and intoxicating.

We pull back, gasping for air, our breaths mixing in the small space between us. Foreheads pressed together, eyes closed, we stay like that, soaking in the quiet, the warmth, the gentleness of the embrace.

'That was—' I breathe out.

'Exceptional,' he finishes for me.

'Yeah,' I correspond, still a little breathless.

'Your first kiss?' he asks.

'Yes, you?'

'Likewise.'

I pull back, blinking. 'Wait, seriously? You didn't exactly give off 'first-timer' vibes.'

'Judgemental already, huh?' he smiles, but it doesn't reach his eyes.

'What? No! I just—sorry,' I say quickly. 'But why though?' I ask, unable to contain the question.

'Later, methi paratha girl!'

*****

Two days later, I barely make it through the restroom door before Sakshi and Gargi ambush me.

'Spill the tea.'

'All the tea!'

Both of them speak so in-sync I can barely tell who said what. I blink, completely caught off guard as they stand there, arms crossed, lips pursed, like two detectives who've cracked a major case.

'There's no tea!' I say, trying to keep my voice casual. Normal.

'Don't lie to us,' Sakshi plants a determined hand on the sink behind me, effectively trapping me. 'We know something is going on between you and Romil.'

'No!' I counter. 'Who told you that?'

Sakshi says to Gargi, 'Show her,' and squint at me sceptically.

Gargi pulls out her phone. She swipes with laser focus before turning the screen to me, showing a zoomed-in photo of—wait, is that me and Romil?

Kissing at the charity event?

I frown, leaning closer. But after a long, scrutinizing stare, I realize what it actually is. It's the exact moment I turned towards him and our lips barely brushed.

'She's blushing,' Gargi notes, her voice way too satisfied.

Sakshi raises one of her perfectly arched brows, like those little upside-down birds we used to doodle in first grade. 'Mm-hmm,' she hums, all too knowingly.

I arrange my face into something resembling calm and say, 'It was an accident. He was telling me something, and I just turned at the wrong time.' Technically true. 'There's nothing going on between us.' That, however, is a bold-faced lie.

Last night, when Romil dropped me home, we had a brief conversation about how much we were willing to share with our friends. We both agreed—keeping it under wraps was best. For now, we were "just friends."

'But,' I add, when they keep staring at me like I'm about to crack, 'there is a development.'

Sakshi's eyes light up like a cat who's just spotted a canary. 'We're all ears.'

I take a breath. 'We've decided to let go of our old rivalry and just... be friends. There's, like, six months of school left. It's not worth holding a grudge.'

They both stare at me, deadpan, for a full beat.

'You're such a bore,' they say in unison.

Sakshi shakes her head dramatically, then perks up. 'In any case, now I can bring him to my best friend's birthday party!'

'Wait, whose birthday?' Gargi asks.

And I say, 'There is no party,' at which Sakshi cups her hand behind her ear like she's trying to catch a far-off sound, squinting in mock concentration.

'Come on, Gargi,' Sakshi loops her arm around Gargi's waist, grinning. 'We need to start planning the perfect gift.

'How about a little Romil action figure? You know, all wrapped up with a bow to celebrate this new friendship,' Gargi says with a wink, putting heavy emphasis on the last two words.

Clearly, they've taken every word I've said with a grain of salt.

'I've got a better idea,' Sakshi chimes in, her eyes lighting up. 'It's her eighteenth birthday bash. Why not just get a life-sized wax Romil delivered? It will help her in the night—'

'Take a hike, you two!' I say, appalled, bolting out of the restroom before they can tease me any further.

*****

For the first time ever, I have books laid out in front of me, and it's like I've forgotten how to read. The words spread, stretch and sway before my eyes, refusing to stick, while last night's images keep breaking through, no matter how hard I try to shove them away.

I take a deep breath and glance up at the giant doors of the library, thrown open expectantly for the sunshine. A dark silhouette frames the entrance, and my heart jumps with hope. It's him, it sings.

It's him, it swoons.

I force my eyes back down to the page, pretending I didn't see him, like a kid pretending they don't notice the host bringing out the snacks.

A bag lands on the chair across from me. I keep my eyes down, pretending to look engrossed. Unfazed. Normal. All the things I feel anything but.

'Stop acting,' Romil says, settling into the seat opposite me with an easy grin. 'Everybody knows about us.'

I don't look up immediately, stalling for a moment before finally shutting the book with a soft snap. 'What did I do?' I ask, feigning innocence.

'Acting like you didn't see me.'

I roll my eyes, then mutter, barely loud enough for him to hear, 'Like you are the only person on earth.'

'For you, I should be,' Romil shoots back, his grin turning smug. He leans forward, elbows resting on the table. 'And don't forget, we sealed the deal last night. We're officially boyfriend and girlfriend.'

'So?' I ask, one eyebrow quirked challengingly.

'So, your eyes shouldn't wander anywhere else but me,' he says, with a self-satisfied smirk, like he's just claimed ownership of me.

I open my mouth, feigning mock surprise. 'You didn't lay out these conditions before sealing the deal?' I whisper-shout, even though we're in an empty library, making sure I'm giving the full effect of an outrageous accusation. 'That's a scam!'

Romil leans back in his chair, looking annoyingly pleased with himself. 'That's tacit, my dear girl.'

I snort. 'Sure, right. And what else is tacit, oh wise one?' I lean in, now fully intrigued, but also trying not to laugh at the ridiculousness of it all.

He leans closer, his tone suddenly serious—too serious. 'You're not allowed to flirt with anyone else, either. Strictly off-limits.'

I blink at him. 'Flirt? With who? Do I look like I have the energy for that?'

'You've got the looks,' he shrugs, 'and I've seen you talk to people. You have potential.'

I roll my eyes and cross my arms, leaning back in my chair, giving him a level stare. 'Well, if we're really going to go with "tacit" rules, here's mine: You can't talk about us with your friends.'

He holds my gaze for a long beat before breaking eye contact, crossing his arms to mirror me. 'Why?'

'We discussed it last night.'

'But the photo is literally in every RSVP group chat there is. What's there to hide?'

'I don't trust your friends,' I say, with a tone that implies I don't trust them at all.

He sighs, nodding. 'They know we're dating. But I promise, nothing more than that.'

Something tightens at the base of my throat, and I have to take a deep breath to ease it. 'Sakshi and Gargi had an inkling about us when they showed me the photo. But I lied to them.' I look at him a certain way that adds a wordless: because of you.

'You should've told them—'

'Romil, we discussed this,' I snap, pushing back from the table suddenly. I grab the books like they're some kind of shield and head toward the shelves.

As I walk away, he calls out, 'Tomorrow's Sunday...'

I glance over my shoulder. 'Don't bother coming if you're planning to bring a camera crew with you.'