Ansh could not sleep that night. He lay awake in sadness. He was heartbroken that his love has to end before it even started. He had no idea even how would he manage to not feel what he feels for Roli because that came to him as natural as it could. And he has been feeling this way for quite a while.

When they reached the college the next day, the preparations for the college festival were already going on in full swing. Rithvik excused himself to go to the union room for the fest preparations.

After the first two hours of class, Rithvik dropped down beside Ansh. "You won't believe what happened," he started with his usual laugh and happy air. But Ansh did not look up from the notes he was going through. "Ansh.... You listening?" Rithvik asked. But Ansh just got up from his place. "Where are you going?"

"I will sit somewhere else."

"Huh? Why?"

"Because I am not in the mood to talk to you."

Rithvik was surprised because this has never happened between them before. "Is this because.... Yesterday..."

"Yes," Ansh said moving away.

"So what? You would not speak to me at all ever again...."

"No. I will... But I need time. And I believe I have the right to hold grudge against you for one day." His tone was cold. He moved away, As Rithvik was beginning to feel a bit guilty about his actions last night. But he was not guilty enough to change his stand. "You will at least come for Varun Bhai's birthday party, right?" He called out to which Ansh did not reply.

So Rithvik ended up going to Varun's party on his own. It was a boring party and he was sitting in a corner with a bottle of coke when he noticed Dhun. She appeared lost but then she noticed Rithvik and came to sit down beside him.

"Hey..." she said.

"Hey..." Rithvik said in a sad tone, as he was in a down mood.

"You are alone? Where is Ansh."

"We had a fight," He put the coke bottle on the table.

"Oh, what about...?"

"Nothing.... Just." He did not feel like sharing it with Dhun. "I am so fu*king bored...." He yawned.

"Do you want to play a game?" Dhun suddenly asked. "Like old times...."

"Game?"

So they sat and played a game of name-place-thing-animal verbally. Where each took turns to say the names. "Animal starting with W...." Dhun started. "Wombat."

"Huh? What is that?"

"There is an animal named Wombat. W-O-M-B-A-T." She said. "Search."

Rithvik searched on his mobile to find out the animal. "Huh! It's kind of cute, huh?"

"Yeah. By the way, you know, I always wanted to defeat you at this game." She grinned.

"Impossible. I am good at everything." He said. Just then Dhun's mobile rang. She took the call. It was her dad. "Yeah, papa. No, I won't be too late. I am coming home.... Okay."

She hung up. "I need to go."

"Like right now?"

"Yeah...."

"Cool. I will drop you home then. I was planning to go anyway."

"Oh... thanks...."

"Stop, stop, stop," Dhun  said as they were approaching her apartment complex gate. Rithvik stopped the bike. "Leave me here only. If you leave me directly below the apartment, my devil of a brother would be looking out from the window and if he sees that I came with you, he will tease me for ten days." She said, getting down from the bike.

"Why?" Rithvik scrunched his face.

"Just... there is something like that. Anyway, bye. Good night. Thanks for the ride." She said. And waited for him to leave. But he was waiting for her to walk away and hence both did not move.

"What? You go..." Dhun said

"I am not leaving you alone in the middle of the road. You go first, and then I will leave." This was a bit less crowded area and there was nobody around on the road. "Go..." He prompted.

"Don't be so formal. And I can just turn around and go home. It's right there." She pointed to the apartment building,

"I am not leaving a girl in the middle of the road. I know that you are a tough guy, and a true man and all." He laughed, "But no. Go home. I will watch from here." He noticed that Dhun is frowning.

"Is that how you think of me?" Dhun asked, with a tinge of sadness in her voice

"Huh?" He got down from the bike.

"Is that how you actually think of me? As a guy? Don't you find me attractive even a bit?"

"Eh..." Rithvik went silent. This was unexpected for him. "Dhun.... I was joking. And you are cute.... In a way.... I am sure some guy would like you."

"Some guy?" She asked.

"Yeah... I am sure there will be someone who has lost his mind." He patted her shoulder. She pushed his hand off a bit too harshly and stepped back. She looked so disappointed that it was confusing for Rithvik.

"Dhun, dude, I was joking. Why are you taking it so seriously? Chill. Seriously...."

But she just looked sad all the same.

"I am sorry," Rithvik said.

"It's okay." She said, trying to control her emotions. "Not your fault. It is just because it is you."

"What?"

"Because it is you." She repeated.

"Means?"

There was a moment of silence when Dhun seemed in thought whether to say something or not. But then she took determination that she will say it. She looked up at Rithvik's face.

"Means it matters to me if you don't find me attractive at all. I like you." She looked up at him, "Not just as a friend. I have always liked you." Rithvik still looked so clueless. "I am confessing to you, you idiot." She added, "I have had a crush on you since forever."

She let out a deep breath sine she said it out at last. And Rithvik was just shocked. He just stayed looking at her, blinking. She looked up at him for a response. But he just looked shocked.

"I know you don't think of me as a girl. But I am a girl. You know physically and all" She paused as she analysed his expression. "Is it that much of a shock? I thought you knew." Rithvik's expression said he had no idea and that this was a serious shock to him. Dhun was really awkwardly embarrassed. Dhun sighed and looked down. And thought for a second. And then looked up.

"I know a way by which you will see me as a girl." She said, trying to sound casual. "It's a big step and a risk. But I guess I will just take it." Rithvik looked at her confused. Dhun stepped closer to him. "Excuse me for a moment. I will do something. If you don't want to then move back or push me away. Okay?" Rithvik blinked in confusion.

Dhun then grabbed his collar to make him bend to her and kissed him on his lips. Rithvik was totally surprised, and his eyes stayed open. But Dhun's lips moved over Rithvik's lips, soft and hot.

One second passed. And then two seconds. Three seconds. And since he has not pushed her away, Dhun moved even closer and kissed him more intensely. And on this Rithvik held his breath. His fingers curled up. And as the feelings hit, his shock diluted away, and he was liking this. He was still unsure about everything. But he closed his eyes, and kind of clumsy started to kiss her back. Dhun realize that he was letting her kiss him and was kissing her back. He was not moving back or pushing her away. He was showing signs that he wanted it to continue.

Dhun took her hand off his collar and put her hands around his neck. She leaned up to kiss more. As soon as her hand was around her shoulder Rithvik's hand went to her waist. And his lips started working on hers, now not clumsy at all. He was kissing her back now properly now, wanting it as much as she did.

The situation, and how this started was beyond him now. He did not care. And he was enjoying the moment and wanted to kiss her back. So his lips moved over hers, and his hand around her waist pulled her closer. They kissed for a minute or two. Totally lost in the kiss.

And then Dhun slowly moved back. Rithvik looked at her a bit breathless. They looked at each other silently for a second. Rithvik looked as if he is not ready to move away from her, he wanted more.

But Dhun stepped back. "If you get a girlfriend this can happen a lot more, you know." She whispered to him. She took a step back from him. Rithvik could not take his eyes off her.

"You are a healthy young guy and like all of this, right?" Dhun continued, "You have a chance to get all these and... there is a girl right here" She pointed to herself. "So..." She walked backwards. "You don't have to reply now. You can take your time..." She said. And in a few seconds, she was gone. She walked away. Leaving Rithvik, still breathless.