S H I V I K A's P O V —

I flickered my eyes to open them as I felt my throat drying. I want water. Sitting straight on the bed, I gulped my saliva through my dry throat as I glanced at the wall clock. 2:30 am. It read. My eyes went to the night stand beside the bed as I found the water jug empty. A deep sigh left my lips.

God, now I have to go downstairs and bring a bottle. I huffed not wanting to go as I was being lazy but I needed water to calm my throat or else I won't be able to sleep peacefully. I glanced at the girl sleeping beside me. Mouth opened while her hands were hugging a pillow. I shook my head and hopped down the bed before wearing my crocs. I rubbed my eyes and made my way towards the kitchen.

Entering the kitchen I slid my hands on the wall to find the switch board as it was very dark. I couldn't see anything. And I finally found the switchboard with so much struggle. But my eyes widened as I felt a hand on mine.

"AHHHH--"

A scream left my mouth but the hand was now on my mouth making it shut but i was still trying to take the hand off my lips. It was a man's hand. I gripped on that hand and wiggled as the person wrapped his arms around my shoulder making my heart beat rise.That scent. It was familiar but I was too focused on taking that hand off but his grip was stronger.

" Shhh!! It's me, shivika. "

I heard a familiar voice. Atharv? And finally he switched on the lights making me get a clear view of the kitchen. I turned my head towards him who was standing behind me while his one hand wrapped around my shoulder and one still covered my mouth. My heart skipped a beat. I felt heat rushing towards my cheeks.

His messy hair while his deep dark brown eyes locked with mine. If perfect was a person, it would surely be him. He was dressed in a white tee with black pajamas. Realizing our position I tried to speak but his hand was covering my mouth making it hard for me to speak.

"mmmmmm...mmm"

"What?"

He asked while his brows touched together. I motioned my eyes towards his hands as he realized that he was still covering my mouth. He bit his tongue and moved back a little. I fixed my posture as he scratched his nape. We were still staring at each. I don't know why but once I look into his eyes, it's hard for me to look away. I can stare into his orbs for years without looking away. His eyes are magical.

Our eye contact broke when we heard dadi's voice.

" are kon hai vaha!! "

My eyes widened thinking how will she react if she saw us together? She will surely get a bad idea and on top of that it was past midnight. It was because of how loud I screamed. She is a soft sleeper. I peeped out of the kitchen and found her coming towards our direction.

" oh shit! She can't see us together!"

I mumbled as I held my head. I looked in his direction and found him looking at me with a raised brow. He understood from my reaction and the next moment I was dragged by him to a corner where she couldn't notice us.

My eyes enlarged at the proximity between us. His breath was hitting my lips as he had trapped me between his arms. His one hand around my waist and one above my head. He wasn't looking at me but was checking if dadi was still there.

My breath hitched as he moved closer to me and grabbed my waist tightly.

"These kids! Light kholke hi chale gaye."

(They didn't turn off the lights)

Her voice was inaudible to my ears as I could only hear my heartbeat. Heat rushed towards my cheeks as finally his eyes met with my wide ones. He stared right into my soul. His stare and the closeness between us was making it hard for me.

My knees went weak when he moved closer to my ears and now his breath hit my neck making me shiver. I closed my eyes, feeling him this close to me.

" Breathe, miss avasthi. "

He whispered with his deep voice near my ears as I realized I was not breathing. My chest heaved up as I finally took a deep breath and he moved his head back to where it was earlier, still close enough to my face.

I knew I was no less than a tomato right now as the lights went off. Dadi went away. I gulped the nervousness in my throat as he smirked looking at how badly his effect was on me. Mother Earth please swallow me.

I cleared my throat as I wiggled in his arms , making his grip loosen and taking this opportunity , I ran away. I don't need any water now.

A T H A R V's P O V —

A chuckle crawled up my throat as I stared at her running figure while leaning on the wall and a smirk was visible on my lips. I love how her cheeks turn red and the reason is me. I never knew I would have such an effect on someone this way. Though she has no less effect on me. My heart was still beating so fast as I felt it with my hands on my chest.

Never a girl did something like this to my poor heart but her. I have always ignored girls even in my school and college days as I was always an introvert so it was hard for me to maintain conversation which led me to have very few friends. But with her, I feel a wave of comfort rushing in my body.

I never felt nervous talking to her. Lol i am talking like we have known each other since idk how many years and it has only been a day hardly. We just shared a few words but her eyes speak so much that I feel I have known her for years.

Her deep hazel eyes are the art I want to stare at for a lifetime, without even blinking. Her appearance itself is an art by god. God truly spent a plentiful time in making her. Indeed.

I took a deep breath to calm my heart down as i made my way towards my room. I was smiling as her flushed face was flashing in front of my eyes. I opened the door of my room and closed it behind me.

"She is cute though."

"Who is cute?"

I jumped at my place hearing two voices. I placed my hand on my chest as I saw my pain in ass sibling lying on my bed with a disgusting smirk dancing on their lips. I sighed deeply before giving them a glare and sat down on the couch near the bed.

They both straightened their postures and looked at me with a raised brow making me look at them confusingly.

" what? "

"You didn't answer us bhai. Who is cute? Shivika di?"

My eyes widened as I snapped my head towards her direction. How did she know? I cleared my throat and straightened my position.

"N-no, w-why would i call her cute? Kuch bhi?"

I said avoiding their gazes on me.

Itni raat mein bhi chain nahi hai dono ko.

" Then who is cute? Tell us. "

This time arav bhai asked.

"The cat. Yeah I saw a cat downstairs outside the window. She was very cute, yeah the cat. "

I made a quick excuse. I sighed internally. But they both weren't satisfied and started looking at me more closely.

God, is it an investigation room or what? Why are they both investigating me and that too at 3 am?

"Why are you guys here? Just go to your room, I am sleepy."

I said pushing them from my bed as they both stumbled a little. I threw myself on the bed and pushed my head into the pillow.

"Han han, abhi tak shivika se romance karne tak nind nahi aa rahi thi tujhe ab achanak se kaise aa gayi?"

(Yeah ofcourse, you weren't feeling sleepy while romancing with shivika and now suddenly you are sleepy?)

Heat rushed in my body as I felt my heart beat rise. How did he know? Did he see us?

"Chalo bhai, Dekhne dete hai inhe shivika di ke sapne. Apna kya baad mein inki kher lenge. "

(Let's go bro, let bim dream about her, we will see him later)

Nitya said as they both dramatically sighed. I didn't look in their direction and pretended like I was already asleep when I heard their footsteps fading away and soon the door closed.

Finally they left.

I turned around and stared at the ceiling while my hands below my head. A smile spread on my lips as a thought of her hit my mind. What is this feeling? Why am I feeling this way? Whatever it is, this is new. Although we just met, I feel an instant connection with her. A connection which I cannot name. A connection which makes my heart alive.

A connection which gives me a reason to smile. I don't know when was the last time I smiled this much but her presence makes me smile and I don't know the reason behind it. But maybe I will discover it soon too. Maybe I will be able to give this connection a name. Maybe soon.

Her mere thought makes my heart so calm that I don't need my anxiety pills for it. I feel at peace looking into her hazel orbs. I felt relaxed taking in her fragrance the time she bumped into me in the morning. A chuckle crawled up my lips when I remembered the morning scene.

Her embarrassed red cheeks, the way she tugged her hair strand behind her red ears. Oh god, what is she doing to me? Ahh my heart is beating so fast, I need to calm it down.

I grabbed another pillow and hugged it while squealing at the feeling. Whatever this feeling is, I love it. I feel good about it. It's unique, it's beautiful, she is beautiful. Very beautiful.

And with her in my thoughts, I had the peaceful sleep I didn't have in these years.

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TO BE CONTINUED...

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