***Piya's POV.***

"Does your head still hurt?" I ask Veer as he winces a little when the sun's sharp rays fall on his eyes.

"No, I am fine. I called Rihaan and asked where they were staying. He sent me the location. Let's take that rickshaw." He says and I nod.

"I need clean clothes." I say and follow his lead.

He still hasn't let go of my hand and I feel this warm fuzzy feeling building inside my heart non-stop. If someone had told me yesterday morning that Veer was going to confess his love to me, I would have killed that person for playing such a cruel joke with me. But now that I am holding his hand, I am coming to terms that this is indeed my new reality.

We are in a relationship.

Forgiving Veer was very easy because of three reasons. First that I love him, second that he loves me, and third that I don't want to think about these things again and waste my time reevaluating the things that don't matter anymore.

Bottom line for me is that we are together and I know Veer would never let me get hurt ever again. I know better to trust him for all those things he did to earn that trust than to doubt him for one mistake which isn't that big in front of his love. And I don't want him to feel guilty too.

We reach in front of the gate of the hotel and see every one of our friends waiting for us. Rihaan and Subu are looking at us with expectation in their eyes while Dev looks curious and, on the other hand, Kanika looks very calm. As soon as Veer is done paying the rickshaw driver, he takes my hand and turns around, only to come to a stop because of our audience.

I almost feel he would let go of my hand, but instead he tightens his grip and looks down at me with a smile.

"Are you okay sharing this news with them?" He asks and I nod with an excited smile.

"What about you?" I ask.

"I would be more than happy to boast about it." He says with a boyish grin, which makes me fall for him even more.

Our friends' lips turn into big smiles when they see us smiling and walking towards them hand in hand, clearly declaring our relationship. And as soon as we reach them, Subu launches herself at me and gives me a big hug. Rihaan does the same to Veer and Dev slaps his back hard.

"What happened to your head?" Kanika asks.

"A small price for something valuable." He says, giving me a smile.

"Let's get in." Subu says.

"In a minute. But before that..." I say, then look at Kanika, "Can I have a word with you?"

"Sure." She says and stays behind while others get in.

"Hmm..." Veer thinks for a second, then says to us both, "Take care."

Kanika looks me in the eye and folds her arms as she asks, "So... what do you wanna talk about?"

"Let's have coffee." I say.

"Woah! You gave me your confession and now your first date, too. Woo! I am lucky." She says.

"Why can't you be serious for a minute?" I say.

"Let's talk here only and quickly because then I have to choose a design for Subu's wedding gown." She says.

"What? Why?" I ask in confusion.

"Just a bet." She says and I sigh, "Now come on. Finish up with your complaints or scolding or whatever you want to do."

I take a deep breath and say, "Thank you."

"What?" She asks with a frown, "Have I heard you right? Are you saying thank you to me?"

"Yes." I say.

"But why?" She asks, "From what I know, and I totally believe, is that Veer must have told you everything before confessing. I know his ever so pure conscious won't let him lie to you anymore. So why are you behaving like this? Why aren't you furious with me?"

"Well, I can be that but... I decided to forgive you like you did back then when I beat you in that scuffle we had and also I got Veer now. And not to forget, you tried to help us get together whatever your reason for that might be. And also there is no point dwelling on this thing anymore. I got what I wanted and more than half of it is all thanks to you. So it is all water under the bridge now." I say.

"Okay. But just a question and please give an honest answer." She says.

"Sure." I say.

"Do you feel like punching me for making you jealous?" She asks.

"Very much so." I say.

"Ahh! That's great. Let's have that coffee." She says, swinging an arm around me.

"But I don't want it." I say.

"But I deserve your first date." She says as we go in.

"Done with your talk." Subu asks as soon as I enter the room and I nod, "So give me all the juicy details of what happened. Come on."

"Fine." I say as I know Subu won't leave unless I tell her everything, so I do.

"Wow! It must have been kind of cute the way he would have begged you to not leave him, but it is good that you are together. We all make mistakes as we are human first, not a man, not a woman, just a human. And I know it is easier to point out someone's mistake than what good virtues they have." She says and I nod.

"I have known Veer for the longest time and the eight-year gap won't change my views. He must have changed during this time, I know that, but in heart he is still the same. And I also want to know about all those changes he got in these years when we were apart, to know better." I say.

"So did you kiss?" She asks, and I stop short for a second.

"No." I say.

"What?!" She says, "But why not?"

"Come on, Subu, we were friends 24 hours ago and with this sudden change, we can't just pounce on each other. We need a little time to get comfortable in this new dynamic. And also we blushed a lot just thinking about it." I say.

"That doesn't mean you don't want to kiss him, right?" She asks teasingly.

"I need a shower." I say and rush to the bathroom while Subu laughs behind me.

I close the door and look in the mirror with red cheeks. I am so silly. When I used to think about stuff like this, I didn't get this nervous or shy, but somewhere in my heart I thought this won't happen. But now that there is a strong possibility of it, my heart is pounding at just the thought of it.

After the shower, I took a quick nap and then later on Subu woke me up for dinner. When I got down, I saw everyone had purposely left the space beside Veer empty. Veer smiles up at me as I take the seat beside him and everyone howls in excitement, making us embarrassed.

"Stop it, guys." Veer says, then turns to pass the sabzi to me, "Here."

"Thanks." I say.

"Aww! It is so good that you have practiced these things. After marriage, it would be easy for you to settle in Veer." Dev says.

"Yeah. Our Piya will die with happiness by eating the food she would make but would be served by your hand." Rihaan joins in.

"And maybe fed by you too." Subu now teases too.

"Go ahead. Feed her, Veer." Kanika says.

"Guys! That's enough." Veer says, glaring at them, but his smile in the end spoils the effect and we were teased non-stop throughout the dinner.

Veer and I were taking a walk outside when Veer asked, "So would you like to go on a date with me?"

"Sure." I say immediately, then bite my tongue.

"Okay. Then tomorrow be ready by 10." He says.

"But aren't we leaving for Manali tomorrow?" I ask in confusion.

"Yes. We are. But I have planned something for us." He says with a big grin.

"What?" I ask, getting excited by his excitement.

"It's a surprise." He says.

"Come on. You can tell me. I am your friend." I say with a smirk.

"So sly. But no. I will not tell you." He says and I pout.

"Fine. I am so excited for the surprise now that I don't think I will be able to sleep tonight." I say.

"Want me to help you?" He asks, and I look at him to find his face so close to mine.

"How?" I ask in a daze.

"Lullaby." He says with a smile and I chuckle.

"I am going now." I say and turn to leave when he grabs my hand.

"There is something I have to give you back." He says.

"What?" I ask, but don't look back.

I feel him close behind me and my heart starts racing just by the heat of it. But it stops when he kisses my cheek ever so lightly. His lips feel warm against my cheek that I feel like the complete fireplace has settled itself on my cheek.

I look back at him when he steps back and says, "I am returning the kiss you gave me that night. Good night."

"What's that?" I ask with a frown and Veer turns to see what it is and I take advantage of that and kiss his cheek and start to running away while saying, "Return it back tomorrow."

When I get back to my room, I giggle at myself.

"First love is so... exciting." I say to myself and wait for the night to get over soon so I can go on my first date soon.