"Do you think I should cut my hair?" Anju asked, raising her head from the pillow in my lap.

"Do you want to?" I said, taking my eyes off the TV to watch her face.

She frowned "I'm not sure. I want to shorten but Anu will be at my throat if I did that"

"Why?"

"She thinks long hair makes girls more attractive" she answered with a roll of her eyes.

"You looked good in your pony tail" I offered.

"But boys like long hair" she mimicked in a tone I never heard. That must be Anusha.

I narrowed my eyes "Never change yourself for the sake of others, Anju. Not even me"

"That's contradicting" she observed "You don't want me getting into fights"

"Are you serious? The two are very different. I don't like seeing you injured. Or hurt. I don't mind you wearing a drab or going bald"

"Bald?" she said, looking horrified "Bald is not my style"

"That's not my point" I chuckled.

"You do like long haired women" she whispered under her breath.

I sighed. Nisha!

"Are we ever going to get past that?" I enquired patiently.

"That was true though" she mumbled, looking unhappy.

"I don't have a type" I said, unable to control my irritation "If I did, then it must be stubborn, grumpy, easily angered girls who speak without thinking"

A frown marred her face "I am that"

"Yes" I agreed with a nod "And more"

"What more?" she said, raising her eyebrows.

I sighed noticing her watch me intently; like a lot depended on my answer. She looked comfortable with her head in my lap and my hand in hers.

"You are loyal. Honest. Driven. A fighter" To my last comment, her lips puckered making me add "You are a woman, Anju"

"But I'm not beautiful like Nisha" she said sulkily.

I groaned inwardly. I have no idea how to explain that she is too, in her own way but I have no experience praising a girl's beauty. I never had to do that for Nisha because she always knew the effect she had on boys.

Anju on the other hand, didn't.

"I'm not asking you to compliment my looks" she added in a moody voice assuming my silence to be an acceptance of her statement "Just say that I'm not bad to look at"

"Who said you're bad to look at?" I asked gently.

"That's not what----"

"Who said?" I asked in a louder voice.

"You know what happened in college. And there was also the fact that nobody ever showed any interest in me. Well, nobody except Vicky" she mumbled the last part in whisper.

Vicky? I knew it.

I wanted to ask her about him; about what he said to her. But I'm sure I won't like it. Also what he said no longer matters because she preferred me.

Keeping my jealousy aside, I focused on what needed to be said "You really think no boy liked you? I can name at least five who liked you but were intimidated to confess their feelings"

She frowned "That's not true"

"Half of our cricket team was besotted with you when they saw you bat for the first time. Phani for one, had the hots for you and the only reason he didn't pursue was because he was scared of you"

"Why would he be scared?" she asked curiously "I didn't bite people"

I chuckled "You didn't but you had that 'Don't come near me or I'll kick your ass' aura around you. Obviously that intimidated most people"

She looked lost in her thoughts and when she spoke, a naughty smile played on her lips "That means I'm not bad to look at"

"Bad? Baby, you are stunning!" I said in exasperation "It's true that Nisha appealed to most boys but that's only because she was far more approachable with her easy smile and gentle behaviour"

"Both of you are two uniquely different but beautiful sides of the same coin" I added to her growing silence "While she's pretty and gorgeous, you're stunning and sexy"

A slow smile stretched on her face "You think I'm stunning and sexy?"

"You are stunning and sexy"

The grin on her lips brought a healthy glow to her face "I think I'm going to keep you"

"You think, huh?" I laughed and began to tickle her.

She got up from her position to fight me but taking advantage of the situation, I pulled her into my arms and kissed her.

Her lips trembled at first but I took my time coaxing hers to open, seeking her tongue with mine. Red hot pleasure exploded in my body and her arms instantly went around my neck.

Her mouth moved against mine in a fiery battle and I slanted her head to kiss her deep and hard. I put three years of my pent up fury into the kiss and she responded with matching fervour.

My hands roamed along the length of her back before settling on her waist while one of hers massaged my shoulder.

She didn't hold back and gave as much as she got. Our tongues engaged in a delicious battle and my heart exploded with joy at the taste of her lips and the feel of her body in my arms.

When she pulled back with a sigh, I continued placing tiny kisses along her cheeks, chin, jaw and down the length of her throat.

Her smell is intoxicating and I couldn't stop if I tried. My mouth continued to move along her collar bone and a tiny moan escaped her lips when I kissed her neck.

Her body stiffened as she gasped and that's enough for my senses to return.

She's lying on her back on the sofa with me sprawled on top of her and I have no clue how that happened.

We stared at each other in silence, caught in a spell; none of us making a move to separate.

"Did I scare you?" I whispered noting any subtle changes in her body language.

"I scared myself" She muttered.

"With what?"

She pulled my head down, connecting our foreheads "This"

I sighed, relieved of her answer.

"You should get used to it" I commented, placing a feather light kiss on her lips "And this"

Her hand subconsciously ran along the length of my arm and that pleased me. That, and the passion clouding her eyes.

I put that look on her face.

"What are you smirking at?" She asked directly.

"Nothing"

She narrowed her eyes and continued to observe me before settling her head in the crook of my shoulder "I don't feel embarrassed about kissing you like that"

"What?" I asked, not understanding what she's getting at.

She kissed my throat and drew back, wrapping her arms around me "You are my best friend. We practically grew up together. It should feel weird after what we just did. Yet, it feels-----"

"Natural" I completed for her and she nodded.

"I will always be your best friend, Anju. Now, I also have the chance to be more" I said and kissed between her eyebrows.

"Don't you think we shouldn't be like this?" she said, suggesting the position we are in.

"We shouldn't be" I agreed, rubbing my fingers along her cheekbones "But I don't want to move"

She grinned at my confession "You are addicted to me. Aren't you?"

"Totally" I grinned back.

To tease her, I added "Though I have no idea why considering you haven't taken a bath, yet"

It worked and she scowled "You didn't bathe either"

"That's because I don't have clothes here and you didn't want me to leave" I argued just for the sake of it.

"I didn't want you to leave? You didn't want to leave me. Why, you even----"

I kissed her then.

The initial contact surprised her but soon her lips parted and her tongue stroked mine while my fingers threaded through her hair.

"You make a man lose control" I whispered against her lips when the kiss ended.

She chuckled. I straightened up pulling her to sit alongside me.

"I want to take you out" I said, surprising her and myself.

"Where?"

"A date" I said feeling a little silly.

"Why?"

"What do you mean why?" I countered, taken back by her reluctance "Why do people go on dates?"

"To get to know each other" She said first and then in a sarcastic tone added "What more do you want to know about me that you haven't known in fifteen years?"

The logic in her statement brought a chuckle out of me. She's right!

"I want to take you out because you deserve to be pampered and courted properly"

"What I want is, the sofa, TV and you beside me" To my smug look, she added "No. Not for what you have in mind"

"Come on" I pressed gently "Don't you get bored sitting on couch all day long?"

"Nope" she supplied brightly.

"Anju, come on. We can get back in an hour or two"

"I am not moving from this position" she said stubbornly.

I studied her face. Her reluctance makes no sense. Though she preferred her couch in the past, she outright didn't deny going out.

"Are you saying you don't want to go out because you have to bathe?" I asked when the thought crossed my mind.

She cringed and that's all the confirmation I needed.

I can't help but laugh "You're avoiding a date because you want to avoid bathing?"

"I didn't say that" she said in a low voice.

"You don't have to" I grinned at her discomfort "You are dirty"

"I am not!" she said stubbornly.

"Then, will you go on a date with me?" I asked smugly.

She groaned "This is good"

"Why are you so against the idea?"

"I am not really into having a dinner at a quiet place and staring into each other's eyes"

"Who said I am taking you for dinner?" I smiled.

"You are not?"

I shook my head.

"Why not?" she asked, looking suspicious.

"What will we tell your parents? They still think we don't get along"

"We will get back before they return?"

"Yes"

"Where will you take me?" she asked curiously "I have seen almost everything in Vizag"

I grinned getting up from the sofa "Be ready in an hour. You will know then"

Before leaving, I kissed her lips and locked the door on my way out.

Upon reaching home, I realized that I totally forgot about my brother. I should have texted him from Anju's house but not once did he cross my mind since yesterday night.

Feeling guilty, I opened my mobile to find if there are any missed calls from him which is when I noticed the battery's dead.

I have to talk to him.

First, I put the mobile to charge and then went to shower.

When I returned, I switched it on and called my brother.

Before I can greet and apologize, he said "Guess things worked out well"

"Yes. Thank you. And sorry"

He laughed "Forgot about me. Didn't you?"

Instead of answering his question, I asked "Where are you now?"

"Airport"

"I'm sorry you had to go alone. I should have dropped you"

"It's alright" he soothed "I can understand"

"Thank you"

"Are you going to tell mom about the new development or should I?"

"Don't. Anju's father doesn't like me yet. Once I am sure I can convince him, I will confess to mom"

There's a pause followed by his sigh "But she's really hoping you make up with Anju"

"I know" I said dully "Give me a couple of days. I will tell her"

"Fine" he agreed reluctantly.

Disconnecting the call, I put it back on charger and rummaged through my clothes for my first date with Anju.

Only, there isn't anything date-worthy.

I tried on everything that I brought for my 45 days stay here but nothing stood out. I finally settled on a grey tee and camouflage pants deciding there's no other option.

When I returned to Anju's house and knocked the door, there's no answer. For a second, I worried but then I realized that not only is it Anju's first date with me, it's her first date.

If it took so long for me to select the most obvious choice, I can only wonder how she's faring.

With my spare key, I unlocked the door and ventured inside.

"Anju" I called out before I entered the doorway to her room. The door is open and I don't want to make things awkward in case she's in the middle of dressing.

I sighed when I found her in front of her mirror staring at herself with a serene expression on her face. She's wearing a long yellow kurti that reached her knees and white leggings.

She didn't acknowledge my presence making me walk towards her. She stared at me through the mirror when I stood behind her.

With one arm wrapped around her neck and the other around her waist, I inhaled the sweet mango scent of her straightened hair flowing down her shoulders "What are you doing, Anju?"

Her focus shifted to me before settling back on herself "I look good"

"You look good enough to eat" I mumbled appreciatively.

She gave a slow smile "You think?"

I nodded mischievously "Too bad you didn't want to be food"

Her hands settled on top of mine and a wide grin broke on her face.

Realizing that she didn't answer my question, I repeated "Baby, what's going on?"

"Thrice"

"What?" I asked dazedly.

"That's the third time you called me baby" she gave a tentative smile.

"Don't you like it?"

She nodded before a frown settled on her peaceful face "Did you ever call Nisha that?"

I groaned.

Looks like this is never going to end. 

Even as that impatient thought crossed my mind, I frowned at it.

I have no right to be irritated at her for bringing up Nisha when I get jealous at the mere mention of Vicky.

I'm sure there was nothing between them while Nisha and I had intentions of getting serious at one point. Moreover, I didn't spend almost three years feeling abandoned and rejected.

"No. Never" I said when I realized she's waiting for my answer with bated breath.

"You took your time"

"I was thinking if you're ever gonna stop bringing up Nisha"

She sighed "I know I shouldn't but I just couldn't-----"

"I realized I have no right when I myself am jealous of Vicky"

She looked stunned "Vicky?"

To my nod, she added instantly "But he's just a friend. We didn't have anything of that sort"

"I know" I said placing a kiss behind her ear "It's just that nobody's ever taken care of you except for me and when he called you that day, worrying about your whereabouts, I felt like he replaced me during my absence"

She shook her head furiously "No. Never. He took care of me, yes but he didn't replace you. Nobody can"

I tightened my grasp on her before she took my hand into hers and kissed my finger tips.

That small gesture warmed my heart and I suddenly remembered why I am here "Shouldn't we hurry?"

"Yes" she replied with a bright smile.

"May be you should change" I suggested wondering if she'll be alright wearing this.

Her face fell instantly "What?"

Before I can comprehend the reason behind her reaction, she added looking slightly hurtful "This doesn't look good on me?"

"That's not what I meant" I added in hurry without spoiling the surprise "I thought it'd be better if you wore something casual like your jeans and tee"

"Why?"

The shadows in her eyes returned and I chided myself for not being clear. Screw the surprise!

"Will you be comfortable in that when you drive the bullet?" I said directly.

Her face then burst into a myriad of emotions. Confusion. Understanding. Surprise. Happiness. Excitement.

"You're going to let me drive?" she asked with a hopeful grin.

"I promised you three years ago. Didn't I?" I said, marvelling at the enthusiasm in her voice "I'm finally keeping my promise"

Her eyes lit up "Yes yes yes.. Thank you"

"Will you be comfortable in that?"

"It's straight cut. I will have no problem" she said eagerly "Will you be okay sitting behind me?"

I didn't miss the teasing in her voice as I said "My masculinity isn't in jeopardy because I'm letting a girl drive"

Not just any girl.

My girl. 

---

Thank you for reading. Vote and Comment and Share if you like the chapter.

I have to travel early tomm morning to meet my cousins. Corona is still here but people want to have get togethers. More than the blind ignorance, I hate to go because of my anxieties. Fifteen members isn't a lot generally, but for me it is.

I don't know how I will get through it.  

You should see the list of 25 things I wrote I might need for the day before I could start packing. And I won't even be staying at night, lol.

Have a happy weekend, everyone.

- JANAKI