After the party was over, Aashi left with Akash. They walked through the parking lot and stopped by her car. She turned around and looked at him.

'Okay then.' She bid good-bye and turned face her car. She opened the door of driver seat when Akash held her hand. Startled, she looked at him.

'I was thinking something, Aashi.' He slurred. Aashi recollected Suchitra's words and got slightly worried. Akash was drunk AF.

'Let us stop pretending, let us,' -He tugged her hand and Aashi's eyes widened, - 'Be in a real relationship.' He said with a smile.

'Akash- you- are drunk.' Aashi stammered. She looked around, the parking lot was empty. She looked back at him and gulped.

'Please, Aashi. I really like you.' He left her hand and held her face. Aashi watched his face coming closer to her, he closed his eyes and parted his lips. Aashi frowned and moved her head, his eyes snapped open.

'It is getting late, please leave.' Aashi said avoiding his gaze. He held her elbow and turned her to face him. She gasped.

He tilted his head and spoke, - 'Oh! Come on. The way you were behaving at the party, I know you are interested too.' He titled his head.

'You-you- are getting it wrong.' She replied trying to free her hand.

'Wrong? You were literally all over me and now you are calling me wrong?' – he pulled her closer, - 'Now, be a good girl and give me a kiss.'

Aashi's heart stopped for a minute, - 'Huh! Akash behave yourself and leave my hand.' She twisted her hand, but his grip tightened.

Next, when he spoke he sounded annoyed, - 'Stop it, Aashi. Stop being a w**** and kiss me.' He tugged her arm aggressively. Aashi tried pulling her hand from his grip.

This tug and war continued until someone punched Akash on his jaw. His grip on Aashi's arm loosened as he lost his balance and fell against the car. Aashi freed her hand and felt the blood flow return to her wrist and fingers.

'Rishabh.' Aashi has never been so relieved to see anyone before in her life. He turned his head and glared at her. She gulped seeing the fury in his eyes.

'Hey, man!' Akash slurred standing up, - 'I don't want any trouble. So leave.' He tried to be intimidating but couldn't deter Rishabh. He took a step closer and straightened to appear taller than Akash. He fisted his collar and pulled him closer.

Glaring into his eyes Rishabh said, menacingly. 'Leave, before I bash daylights out of you.' He jerked his collar and Akash fell back. He was very drunk and thought it to be wise to not mess with him. He shook his head and walked past them.

Aashi was so much relieved as she watched him walking away.

'Here.' Aashi turned her head, Rishabh had removed his jacket and forwarded it to her. She kept looking at him and he looked at her. He then gestured towards his jacket. Aashi nodded and took the jacket from him. She wore it.

'Tha-'

'Get in the car.' Rishabh interrupted her, he opened the driver's seat and sat inside. Aashi smiled little and walked around the car. Silently, she sat in the passenger's seat and buckled her seat belt. Rishabh doesn't look at her as he ignited the engine. Aashi watched him turn around, he placed his palm on top of her seat and looked back as he backed the car. Aashi admired him. As he turned to look ahead, his gaze met Aashi's. And they stared into each other's eyes.

Aashi looked away, Rishabh cleared his throat and shifted in his seat.

*************************

Their journey back to her building was absolutely silent. Rishabh parked the car in the parking lot and unbuckled his seat belt. Aashi sighted after he had climbed down the car. She got down as well.

'Here.' Rishabh tossed the car-key, Aashi was startled but she managed to catch the key. Rishabh then turned around and began walking when Aashi called him. He turned. She was relieved he responded. She walked towards him.

'How will you go home?'

'I will book a cab.' He said simply. Aashi nodded, she bit her lip looking away momentarily before looking back at him.

'It's- it's late, so- stay over-tonight?' She suggested. Rishabh kept silent and so she insisted, - 'I feel really lonely in the apartment and- and- I don't want to be alone, not tonight.' She said looking seriously at him. Staring into her eyes Rishabh nodded. Aashi smiled at him and smiled little.

She made Rishabh sit in the living room while she got his clothes, the ones he had left in her apartment. Aashi fished out his casuals from the cupboard and walked out of the room.

'Here.' She said forwarding it to him. Rishabh took it from her and noticed that it had some holes.

'What is this?' He pushed his index finger into the hole and wriggled his finger. Aashi's mouth dropped.

'****' She grabbed it from him, - 'Rats?' She looked at him wide-eyed.

'Looks like you need pest control here.' Rishabh said lightly. Aashi pressed her lips tightly and glared at him. He raised his hand in the air.

'Now what, shit!' Aashi groaned.

'First, you do something about the rats.'

'Rishabh.' Aashi groaned and he held her shoulder.

'Relax.' He patted her shoulder, - 'I will wear this. I am fine.' He pointed at his checked shirt. Aashi looked at it and shook her head.

'No, it is uncomfortable.' She said. Rishabh shook his head and unbuttoned few of the top buttons.

'It is fine now.' He said adjusting the collar. Aashi looked away, her cheeks red.

'I-I-wi-will-make masala chai.' She blabbered not looking at him and hurried into her room. Rishabh frowned and with a confused expression he watched her go. She slammed the door shut and blushed leaning against the door.

Baffled Rishabh thought – Wasn't she going to make Masala Chai?