After Aashi changed into her night PJ, cotton long brown Tee and white heart printed cotton pants, she made masala Chai and the two friends stood by the balcony enjoying the weather and the warm tea. Aashi also ordered some Chinese for dinner, they were so distracted back at Suchitra's place that they didn't eat much.

Aashi sighed staring at the night sky, - 'I was such an idiot. Matlab, Akash?' She shook her head and looked at Rishabh, - 'Thank you for saving me, else my stupid boyfriend.' She held her forehead. Rishabh raised an eyebrow and she shrugged.

'Seriously? You are still thinking that I am thinking you guys were actually in a relationship.' He taunted her. Aashi pouted.

'You found out.'

Rishabh nodded, - 'At first, I thought we two were serious but after tonight, Na-Ah!' He said

Aashi bit her lip and looked away, - 'You know me too well.' She said. Rishabh smiled.

'Actually, it was so obvious.' He chuckled. Aashi glared at him and slapped his arm playfully. Then, she chuckled with him.

After they had drunk the tea, the two silently stood together. Aashi had her palms resting on the railing. Her eyes widened on feeling Rishabh's palm over hers.

'Sorry.' He was about to move his hand when Aashi held his palm. He looked at her.

'Please don't.' She shook her head. Rishabh nodded and clenched her palm tightly.

I love you, Aashi, I love you very much- Aashi smiled recollecting his words. She turned her head and looked at him.

'So? What have you decided?'

Rishabh shrugged.

'About being in a relationship with me?' Aashi asked him, cautiously. Rishabh's expressions changed, he looked away but doesn't move his hand.

He sighed, - 'I need time, Aashi.' He then looked at her, - 'It is not easy for me.' He said. Aashi inhaled deeply and nodded. She forced a smile and looked at him.

'Sure.' She then turned around moving her hand away. She placed her palms on the railing again. Rishabh sighed sadly.

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

Soon, dinner arrived and the two ate silently. Rishabh kept glancing at her wanting to start a conversation but Aashi wasn't interested. So, he kept quiet. After dinner, Aashi picked up her plate and extended her hand to take his plate when he held her hand.

'Aashi? What happened?'

'Nothing.' She replied dryly and moved her hand from his grip. Rishabh sighed. Aashi ignored him and walked into the kitchen. She dropped the dirty plates into the sink and without sparing a glance at him, she walked into her room. Aashi closed the door, purposefully leaving the door slightly ajar and sat on the bed. She covered her legs with the duvet and placed her laptop on her lap.

A minute later, just how she had expected there was a knock at the door. Aashi smirked but doesn't reply. A second later, Rishabh pushed the door and entered the room.

'Aashi?' He called but she doesn't look up from her laptop and continued to work. He sighed and walked around the bed and stood next to her, on the other side of the bed. Still, Aashi doesn't look up. Rishabh then sat beside her on the bed and looked at her closely before looking at the screen.

'Hello!' He said. No response.

'Hello!' He tapped her shoulder. She shrugged but still doesn't look at him. He shifted closer. Aashi felt goose-bumpy feeling him so close to him.

'Aashi?' He held her hand and she froze.

'What?' She turned her head angrily but was surprised to have his face so close to hers. Staring into his eyes, she gulped.

He held her palm, - 'Still mad at me?' He said softly. With their gaze locked Aashi nodded cutely. Rishabh smiled and held her face. She closed her eyes as he kissed her forehead. Then, he moved back. He caressed her cheek and she smiled at him.

Aashi moved the laptop and closed the flap. She placed it on the bedside table. She shifted and held Rishabh's both palms in between hers.

'I know Rishabh, it is difficult. But please, let us try, na.' She said, he looked away, but she held his cheek and made him look at her, - 'After knowing you have feelings for me, I don't want to be just friends. I am tired of being friends and pretending there is nothing between us.'

Rishabh looked at her, she held his cheek firmly and gazed into his eyes.

'I love you, Rishabh. And I want to be with you, forever. I want to marry you, make babies with you. I just...want you.'

Rishabh kept looking at her. Aashi moved her gaze, she paused staring at his lips briefly before looking back into his eyes. She noted he was eyeing her lips too. He looked up into her eyes again. Aashi shifted closer. She tilted her head and leaned forward. As her lips inched towards him, Rishabh closed his eyes. Aashi looked at him closely, the first time she was so close to him. She felt excited and nervous. Her first kiss.

Aashi closed her eyes as her lips touched his. She felt fireworks explode as their lips touched. She brushed her lips against his lips and teased him. She moved her palm and held his shoulder while her other hand rested on his thigh. Every time, Rishabh tried kissing her, she moved her head back. She smiled feeling him annoyed. But one time when she tried moving he held the back of her head and pressed his lips to her lips. Aashi's gasp gets muffled as he began kissing her. Soon, she relaxed. As he kissed her, she felt giddy like she will faint any moment. She fisted his shirt lest she actually faints. Aashi shifted closer, he held her neck firmly. Following him, Aashi held his lower-lip but accidentally bit his lips.

'Oww!' Rishabh broke the kiss

'OMG! I am sorry, I am sorry.' She chanted placing her palm on his shoulder. Rishabh held his lower-lip and looked at her.

'Aashi. Don't eat my lips.' He joked but stopped smiling when Aashi looked down sadly. She played with her fingers.

'Hey.' He held her palm, - 'I was just joking.' He said seriously. Aashi sniffed and he panicked little. He placed his palm on her shoulder and shook her. But she doesn't look up. Rishabh held her chin and made her look at him. He was surprised to see tears in her eyes. He shifted and held her face.

'Hey, hey, why are you crying? This was your first kiss, na. This happens. Relax.' He assured her. Aashi felt embarrassed, she wiped the back of her nose and nodded.

Rishabh held her hand, - 'You are looking so cute, Aashi.' - She looked at him and noted a glint in his eyes, - 'You have no idea what I want to do with you, right now.' He whispered and Aashi felt her heart flutter. She blushed looking away. Rishabh squeezed her palm but she doesn't look at him. He held her cheek and turned her face to look at him. Slowly, she moved her gaze up. He caressed her cheek with his thumb.

'I love you, Aashi.' He confessed and Aashi's heart did a happy dance. He smiled staring into her eyes lovingly. Aashi closed her eyes as he leaned forward. He began kissing her again, she reciprocated. This time she was careful and better than before. Rishabh broke the kiss, their lips still touching, - 'You are a fast learner, Aashi Verma.' He whispered, his hot breath caressed her lips and she felt the hair on the back of her neck stand up.

'I know.' She whispered back, her voice fluttered. Then, she leaned and pressed her lips to his lips. He smiled into the kiss.