《Short Recap》

I scooted to the side making space for him and glanced at him expectantly.

With a sigh, Vinay lay down, turning awkwardly onto his side to face me. Rolling my eyes, I took his hand and placed it around my waist lightly before closing my eyes.

"Night Vinay." I murmured, sleep already skirting my eyelids.
"Good night, Akira." My mind vaguely registered his voice before I plunged into a dreamless slumber.

●○●

Rays of sunlight filtered through my thin, plain white curtains and filled the bedroom with a gentle golden glow. The window was half open, gentle breeze blowing in and caressing the bare skin of my arms that lay on top of the blanket.

A warm breath tickled the side of my neck, sending short bursts of electricity down my spine and to the tips of my toes.

Vinay was sleeping on his stomach, his head perched on one folded arm and the other slung possessively around my small waist. I smiled to myself cheekily. If someone would have said that I'd voluntarily ask Vinay to sleep next to me a month or two back, I'd have rebuked them.

But in that moment I felt happy, I felt at peace with myself and my feelings.

I'd half expected him to leave after I fell asleep but the fact that he'd stayed had that warm, fuzzy feeling I'd felt yesterday creeping back into me.

"Up already?" Vinay asked, his voice raspy.

"Hmm..." I hummed in response, snuggling closer before closing my eyes.

Vinay scooted closer, tightening his hold around me and buried his face in the hollow of my neck.

"Good morning." He murmured sleepily, his warm lips brushing slightly against my sensitive skin.

"Eww! Get of, you ass!" I squealed, trying to wiggle out of his hold, "Your breath stinks."

"Yours isn't great either!" he retorted, "I think yours is worse than mine."

"Way to woo a girl, Vinay!" I gave him a pointed glare.

"I don't think I need to anymore," he smirked with a glint in his eyes, "I already swept you off your feet."

Rolling my eyes, I shimmied out of his grip and rolled off the single bed.

"Dork." I muttered under my breath, as I bit back a smile and turned away to hide my blush that was rising on my face.

"Hey, the bed's cold without you!" Vinay whined, his raspy morning voice sounding sexier than I had imagined, "Come back."

"Nope," I replied, popping the 'p' as I pulled my covers off the bed and started folding them neatly, "We have college today and I intend to start afresh. No more worrying about TYCHE, just college and the credit activities."

"Yeah, whatever." Vinay grumbled, burying his face deep into my pillow, "You go ahead and work on your utopian self therapeutic ideas; Just let me sleep."

Shaking my head, I grabbed my towel and opened my closet to pick out my underwear.

"I expect you to be out of my room before I finish bathing." I called out over my shoulder, as I opened my underwear drawer, "Also it's your turn to make breakfast today.

"Hmph..." came a muffled reply, before Vinay rolled onto his back all of a sudden and asked, "Speaking of food, would you like to eat out tonight? The basketball season begins next week and I won't be able to go out as much, so..."

"Are you trying to ask me out, Vinay?" I smirked, raising my eyebrow questioningly.

"Maybe?" he replied, sucking his lips into his mouth adorably, "Is it working?"

"Well, I'd say that your charm is a bit rusty but think I'll let that slide because I like you." I smiled.

"Right, charm. I'll be sure to work on that," he flashed me a lopsided grin, "I'll be back from practice at seven. We can go out after I shower."

"Ok, it's a date then." I chuckled, stepping into my bathroom and turning to shut the door, "Now shoo!

●○●

I saw Neel walking over to our usual lunch spot under the large banyan tree on the college grounds, smiling to himself as he texted. Probably Lara.

He briefly looked up and noticed me sitting with Roshni and quickly swerved to go back into the large stone edifice which he had just stepped out of.

Pulling my lips into a tight line, I nudged Roshni who had hardly acknowledged her brother's retreating figure. "Is he still upset with me?"

"Yeah, I guess." She shrugged.

I sighed, my shoulders slumping as I frowned. "Maybe I should go apologize. I really feel guilty for being demeaning that day. Yeah I should probably go say sorry right now."

I was about to get up when Roshni yanked me back hard by my arm, "Jeez Akira! It's all right. He'll get over it."

"But..." I began hesitantly.

"You are not going to apologize for something as trivial as commenting on his choice of girlfriend." She asserted, glaring at me through narrowed eyes "Lara didn't even understand that you insulted her for God's sake! And anyway I think he's just nursing a bruised ego right now so just let it be. He'll be back in no time."

"Fine." I replied, throwing my hands in the air, "I'll wait for two more days. I miss him okay."

Roshni laughed at my little fit, "I'll make sure I tell him that. He'll melt the moment he hears that."

Shaking my head, I opened my tote and rummaged for my pack of wet wipes to clean my hands.

"How's the work on the college magazine coming about. Any good pictures sent in yet?" I asked, changing the topic.

"Well, most of the major events will be in the second half of the semester so there isn't much to do yet. We've only got pictures of the fresher's day and the pre season sports prep. I'm planning to cover some of the big events myself because I want everything to be perfect but there's still time." Roshni replied, leaning forward to take a wipe for herself.

"That's great." I nodded.

"Well, chuck that," she said, turning excitedly to face me, "My sources have informed me that things have been getting pretty cozy between you and your hotshot."

Well, now that certainly was a disadvantage of having all the flats in the apartment complex occupied by people from our college. Gossip always found it's way around.

"He's not my hotshot!" I whined, the reddening of my ears giving me away instantly, "Okay...fine. We've grown kind of close, I guess."

"Oh my lord Akira! You've been keeping things from me!" Roshni yelled, feigning hurt, "Tell me everything this very instant, you sly bitch."

"I will if you keep it low!" I whispered hoarsely, widening my eyes in alarm as I looked around to see if anyone had heard.

"Yeah okay." Roshni replied, raising a hand as  she surrendered, "Now tell me, I'm dying to know. Have you licked his perfect abs?"

I raised my brow pointedly at the last statement.

"Don't give me that look, okay. Not everyone's as lucky as you to get such a drool worthy boy toy. Let me be!" She rolled her eyes.

I huffed at that but chose to let it slide for the moment.

I soon found myself telling Roshni everything about our budding relationship with a wide smile on my face as I reminisced the little moments we had. Despite her explicit commentary here and there, Roshni was a great listener. Honestly, she was far more excited about the entire thing than I was, gushing with enthusiasm and spouting out tips to keep Vinay on his toes.

"Oh my God Rosh!" I managed to say between peals of laughter, "You can't possibly expect me to hide his used t-shirts under my pillow. I don't care about storing the Vinay-ish smell as you put it, it's just downright disgusting."

"Whatever." Roshni rolled her eyes, "So you have a date today, right?"
"Yes. He said it was," I replied, a little unsurely.

"Well, do you want me to come over and help you get ready?" She raised her brow expectantly.

"No!" I said quickly, "No, I mean, I don't want to hype it up that much. I was thinking that I'll wear that baby blue dress I bought last week. I haven't broken it in yet."

"Oh all right." She nodded, slightly hurt but masked it immediately as the bell clanged indicating the end of the free hour.

We gathered our stuff and made our way to the stone building and parted ways at the entrance, her heading to the electrical department and me to the mechanics department.

The rest of the classes passed by, the usual drudge. The cloudy weather outside adding to the stagnant gloom of the day.

At five when the my last class got dismissed, I made my way home buzzing with eagerness for the date.

I honestly did not expect much. I wasn't the kind of person who concentrated on the superfluous aspect of things. For me it was the sentiment, the affection behind an action that mattered. But it was my first real date nevertheless.

I showered quickly, using the peach and vanilla body wash I kept aside for special occasions and rinsed my hair and conditioned it.

After I'd dried my hair I stood in front of the mirror, contemplating  whether wearing I should wear makeup or not.

"Ughh..." I grumbled to myself, "I can't believe I'm getting so worked up for going with that idiot."

After a full blown mental debate with an astonishing three different parties, I decided to stick to eyeliner and clear lip gloss. I glanced briefly at the digital clock I'd placed on my study table, it was six forty five already.

"Argh!" I began to fret, "You need to get dressed Akira!"

I slipped into the baby blue dress hastily, fastening the silver belt around my waist as I kicked open my shoe drawer and pulled out my silver ballet pumps with my right foot.

6:56 PM

Why am I losing my mind over this again?

I heard the front door open and Vinay walk in with heavy steps and shutting his room door.

Shit! He's here.

Do I just walk out casually or should I wait for him to knock on my door? Maybe I should go get a drink of water in the kitchen. No that'll make me look too eager.

Sucking in a deep breath I grabbed my purse and opened the door, picking up my copy of Thank You Jeeves from my side table as I stepped out.

I plopped down onto the couch and opened a random page, just in time for Vinay's door to click open. He stepped out with a towel around his neck, his hair still wet from the shower swept to one side.

"Hey beautiful!" I grinned.

I looked up from my book, and returned his smile, "Hi."

"Well, I'll just grab my keys and wallet and I'll be out in a second."

"Take your time," I shrugged my shoulders, waving a hand, "I'm ready when you are."

In that moment I didn't realize the weight of those words.

●○●

Heyya! My exams have been postponed due to Corona but which gives me a slight breather but it's hardly a consolation for all my failed pre college plans...

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