"Friendship... is not something you learn in school. but if you haven't learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven't learned anything." - Muhammad Ali

"SANA, where were you last night?"

Julia's sudden question made Sana pause for a moment, but then she continued taking pictures of the sky. It was clear and beautiful-a perfect day to capture some shots of the stunning sky. But mostly, Sana was trying to avoid Julia. She knew Julia had noticed she was missing from the tent all night and had asked this question as soon as Sana woke up, just before lunchtime.

Sana didn't answer. She didn't talk to her. She had been avoiding her until now.

"Sana, I'm talking to you," Julia pressed. "I'm your best friend. I care about you. I was worried about you, dammit."

"The curious soul she is," Sana thought, shaking her head.

Julia stepped in front of her, blocking her view of the sky. "Talk to me," she demanded.

Sana took a deep breath, slipped her phone back into her jacket pocket, and finally looked at her. "I wasn't feeling sleepy, so I went outside to get some fresh air. Happy?"

Julia grabbed Sana by the shoulders and whispered, "Sana, if you think I'm a fool, I'm not. I checked outside, but you were nowhere to be seen. I-"

Sana cut her off, "If you saw I was missing, then why didn't you inform our teachers? Why didn't you look for me?"

Her voice was laced with accusations, as if Julia hadn't cared enough to search for her. After all, when she returned, Julia had been sleeping like a log. Now she was acting like she cared.

"Seriously, Sana?" Julia asked in disbelief, stepping away from her. She was hurt.

"Sana, how could you think like that? I did check. That's when I ran into Payel and Karan outside Vyas's tent. They told me he was missing too. And it didn't take me a minute to figure out that you were with him," Julia said, the hurt evident in her voice.

Sana realized her mistake. "Julia, I'm-"

"No," Julia interrupted, her voice sharp as her eyes brimmed with tears, and so did Sana's. "Don't say sorry."

"But I am sorry," Sana said, feeling guilty for accusing her best friend like that.

"Sana, I know you like Vyas. Maybe more than like. And that's okay with me. But I won't forgive you for thinking that I don't care about you," Julia said, her voice filled with pain.

"No, please," Sana tried to take her hand, but Julia jerked her hand away. "Julia-"

Julia continued, "Sana, I know he's a jerk, but I also know he won't hurt you physically. You're safe with him. That's why I didn't inform our teachers. But I did wait for you. I stayed awake until 5, but then I don't know when I fell asleep, waiting for you." She finished.

"I'm so sorry, Julia. Please forgive me," Sana cried, feeling overwhelmed with guilt.

"Fuck off." Julia ran into their tent, crying. She never thought Sana would think so little of her, that she didn't care about her safety. "How could she?"

"Dammit!" Cursing herself, Sana ran after her. When she entered the tent, she saw Julia lying on her side, hugging a pillow and crying.

Sana felt even guiltier for making her cry.

How could I?

Sana quickly joined her on the bed, hugging her from behind. But Julia pushed her away forcefully, which Sana didn't mind. She knew Julia was hurt.

She had hurt her.

"Julia, I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I swear, that wasn't my intention. I never doubted you or our friendship. I was just frustrated with everything. I was zoned out. I'm so sorry. Please forgive me," she cried, feeling miserable.

"Please leave me alone, Sana. I need time," Julia begged, still sobbing.

"Take as much time as you need, but please don't end our friendship. You're so important to me, and you know that." Saying this, she left the tent to give Julia some space.

"Sana, where are you going?" Siya called out, but ignoring the curious eyes around her, Sana ran toward the forest again.

This time, she didn't go too deep. She just wanted to be alone, to cry her heart out for hurting Julia. Julia wasn't just her best friend-she was like a sister. And today, she had hurt her, made her cry.

"It's all because of him. My mind's been so consumed by his thoughts that I've started lying to her. I even doubted our friendship, hurt her, and made her cry." Sana sobbed, guilt crushing her.

She knew Sidharth had nothing to do with it-it was all on her. But in her guilt, she found herself blaming him for consuming her mind, her body, her thoughts.

In the morning, when she finally fell asleep, she had another vivid dream-one that made her wake up hot and bothered. She dreamt she was back in that place from last night, naked on the tree log, and Sidharth feather-lights, making her come with his mouth.

When she woke up, her body was on fire, her panties soaked. She had orgasmed in her sleep from that damn dream. Ever since she woke up, she couldn't stop thinking about it, about him. It was so vivid, so real.

And because of all that, she'd made a huge mistake-hurting Julia.

"I hate you," she whispered through her tears, hiding her face in her hands. "For messing with my mind, Vyas."

"Sana."

Hearing his sharp voice, she quickly wiped her face and looked up. Sidharth stood a few feet away, his expression murderous. He looked pissed. But why?

"Why do you keep following me, Vyas?" she asked, standing up and brushing the dirt off her jeans.

He walked over, standing close-too close. His anger was still clear in his eyes.

"Why do you keep coming out here?" he shot back, arms folded across his chest. He was definitely pissed off.

"I needed some alone time," she said simply.

There was no way she was going to admit how much he was messing with her mind and body. Even now, she could still feel the memory of his fingers on her skin, his lips brushing against her, his hands on her waist. The memory of last night was still fresh in her head.

"Just for 'alone time' you came here? When last night you were scared of wild animals?" His voice was harsh.

"Why did you come here, Vyas?" she asked again.

She knew why. He cared about her-whether he admitted it or not. He always followed her to make sure she was safe. Maybe it wasn't as a friend, but for the sake of humanity at least. The tough-guy persona he put on was just a facade. Deep down, he wasn't as bad as he pretended to be.

"You're stupid." That was all he said.

He knew what she wanted to hear, but he wouldn't admit it-that he cared about her safety.

"Why do you follow me, Sidharth?" she asked again. She wasn't backing down that easily.

"Stubborn girl," he thought.

"Let's go back," he said firmly, grabbing her hand and pulling her back toward camp.

"No." She pulled her hand away.

He frowned. "Sana, let's go. It's going to get dark soon."

"No," she repeated, just as firmly. "Did you sleep?"

"Yes. Happy?" He gave her a fake smile. "Now let's go." He grabbed her hand again and started dragging her with him.

This time, she let him.

"Did you really sleep, Sidharth?" she asked again.

"I did," he said, sounding genuine.

"For how long?"

"I'm not answerable to you."

"It's just a simple question, Sidharth. I didn't ask for your body count or anything," she said, annoyed. She immediately regretted it when she saw the teasing look in his eyes.

"Oh, do you want to know my body count?" he teased.

"No." She really didn't. She hated the idea of any of those girls.

"Good, because I haven't kept track. But I know your body count. One," he said with a smug smile.

"Asshole," she muttered.

"That I am." He winked and kept walking.

"It's nothing to be proud of, you know that, right?" she mocked.

"Of course." He nodded, looking at her briefly before turning his gaze back in front of them.

Sana noticed he was still holding her wrist, and a small smile appeared on her face. His hand was so much bigger than hers, but they fit together perfectly. She loved how he held her, like he had a right to. At least, that's what she wanted to believe.

"I didn't see you at breakfast. Were you sleeping?" Sidharth asked, breaking the silence.

"Yeah," she replied. "And I didn't see you at lunch either. Were you sleeping then too?"

"Yeah."

"I think we can talk like normal people, you know?" she suggested, trying to make conversation.

"I guess so," he shrugged.

She smiled. "Do you still hate me?"

Sidharth stopped walking and looked back at her. "I guess not. But if you keep poking into my personal life, then yeah, I'll probably keep hating you. So, it's up to you what you want from me."

She nodded, understanding. "I want friendship," she said softly, telling him what she really wanted.

"Interesting thought, but not possible," he replied, looking ahead as he started walking again.

"Why not? You think I'm not worth it?" she asked, hurt creeping into her voice.

"Don't be sad, for God's sake. You know I don't have friendly feelings for you. But we could be fuck buddies if you want." He said it so casually, like it was a normal suggestion.

She stared at him in shock, unable to believe how nonchalant he was about it. Like it was no big deal to offer her something like that.

"You're unbelievable," Sana scoffed.

"Take as much time as you want to say yes,' Sidharth said nonchalantly, a smug look on his face, as if he had no doubts.

Sana crossed her arms, determined to resist. "How do you know say yes?"

"Because you want me," he replied without hesitation, his voice steady and confident.

"No, I don't" she shot back, her voice firm.

"Yes, you do." He stepped closer, his gaze challenging.

"No, I don't!" she insisted, refusing to give in.

"Yes, you fucking do," he said, his voice dropping to a low, heated tone.

Sana's heart skipped a beat at his intensity, but she kept her stance. "No, I don't!" she said stubbornly, trying to ignore the way her pulse quickened around him.

Sidharth smirked, his eyes darkening with amusement. Without saying another word, he closed the space between them, pulling her by the waist until their bodies were pressed together. His hand slipped under her t-shirt, his fingers teasing her bare skin, sending shivers up her spine.

Her breath hitched as his lips ghosted over her neck, soft, teasing kisses landing on her sensitive skin. Sana's body betrayed her, leaning into him as his touch drove her mad.

"'Still saying no?" he whispered against her ear, his voice a low growl.

She gasped, her mind racing and her body trembling under his touch. She could feel the heat pooling between her legs as his fingers pressed into her waist, and when his lips brushed the spot behind her ear, she couldn't hold back the small moan that escaped her lips.

"S-Sidharth.." she stammered, her body arching into him.

"Just say it, Sana," he murmured, his lips leaving a trail of feather-l ight kisses down her neck.

"N-no" she barely managed, but her voice lacked conviction.

He chuckled, knowing he had her. His hand slid higher under her shirt, his fingers tracing the curve of her waist, making her shudder. "Liar," he teased, his lips now grazing her jawline.

Sana's body was on fire, every nerve ending reacting to his touch. She couldn't hold back anymore. "Okay, okay!" she blurted out, breathless. "I'll say yes!"

He pulled back just enough to meet her eyes, a victorious smirk on his face. "Told you," he said simply, like he'd always known the outcome.

Sana's cheeks burned with embarrassment. She felt like a desperate teenager, the exact kind of girl she thought he hated.

"I... I'm sorry" she mumbled, looking down, ashamed of how quickly she gave in.

But instead of mocking her, Sidharth did something unexpected. He gently cupped her face, leaned in, and kissed her forehead sweetly and softly. It wasn't teasing or heated, but tender. Her heart fluttered at the simple, affectionate gesture, and a small smile tugged at her lips.

"What about you?" she asked, her voice quiet, her heart racing. "Do you.. want me too?"

Sidharth didn't respond immediately, his face unreadable. "You already know the answer," he said after a pause, his voice smooth but vague.

"No, I didn't." she countered, watching him carefully.

He shrugged, still not giving her a straight answer.

Sana frowned, not willing to let him get away with it. "I bet you're bluffing. You don't actually want me." She was pushing him, hoping to get a rise out of him.

Sidharth's eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening. "You really want to test me, Sana?"

"Maybe I do," she taunted, refusing to back down.

That was all he needed. With a swift, fluid motion, he grabbed her by the waist again, pulling her flush against him. His breath was hot against her skin as his lips hovered dangerously close to her neck. His hand slipped back under her t-shirt, fingers brushing teasingly along her waist, making her shiver.

"You think l'm bluffing?" he whispered, his voice low and dangerous.

Sana's breath caught in her throat, her body reacting instantly to his touch. "S-Sidharth.." she gasped, her legs growing weak as his lips ghosted over her skin.

He smirked against her neck, planting soft, barely--there kisses that made her tremble.

"Admit it," he murmured, his lips brushing against her ear, sending a jolt of pleasure down her spine. "You want to hear me say it, don't you?"

Her mind was a haze of desire, and she nodded helplessly. "Yes.."

Sidharth's lips curled into a smirk as he pulled back, just enough to look into her eyes. "I fucking want you, Sana D'Souza." he said, his voice raw and full of hunger.

The words sent a thrill through Sana, her heart racing as his admission finally came. But before she could process what he said, Sidharth leaned in and bit her cheek lightly, making her wince in surprise.

But then, just as quickly, his lips replaced the bite, sucking gently on her skin, soothing the sting and making her moan softly in response. He chuckled at her action, his lips lingering on her skin before he finally pulled back, leaving her dazed and breathless.

"Now you know," he said, his tone casual, as if they hadn't just shared a charged, intimate moment.

Before Sana could say anything, he turned and continued walking ahead like nothing had happened. She stood there for a moment, stunned and blushing like mad, her hand coming up to her cheek where he had kissed her.

Her heart was racing, and she couldn't help the small, giddy smile that crept onto her face as she watched him walk ahead. She was a blushing mess, holding her cheek, her body still buzzing from his touch.

It took them about half an hour to reach the campsite. As they neared the group, Sidharth let go of her hand, making her feel a twinge of sadness. But she quickly put on a small smile when he turned to face her. They stood there silently for a moment, Sana waiting for him to say something. She could sense he had something on his mind.

"What?" she asked, not hiding her impatience.

He smiled briefly before his expression turned serious. "Next time you run into that forest, I'll bend you over my lap and spank you. Then fuck you against that tree," he said, his voice low and serious, the words laced with a promise.

A vivid image flashed in her mind, sending a thrill through her stomach and a pulse between her legs. She quickly squeezed her thighs together, trying to calm the sensation, but Sidharth noticed.

He smirked, stepping closer, cupping her face gently, and caressing her cheek. The touch made her shiver, her eyes fluttering closed in anticipation. She forgot about the people around them, too caught up in the moment.

He bent down to her ear and whispered, "Baby girl, do you fantasize about me?"

He already knew the answer, but he wanted to hear it from her.

Sana couldn't respond, lost in the way his fingers stroked her skin-soft, teasing, and utterly intoxicating. She craved more, and he knew it.

"You want more?" he whispered, brushing his lips teasingly against her neck.

"Yes," she moaned softly.

His smirk widened. "But first, tell me you fantasize about me," he demanded, kissing her neck softly.

She gripped her jacket tightly, trying to suppress the sounds that wanted to escape her.

"Tell me, baby, that you crave me," he whispered, his breath warm against her skin.

"Yes, I do," she admitted, her voice shaky as she tilted her head, giving him more access.

But just when the moment intensified, Sidharth pulled back, leaving one last lingering kiss on her neck. She frowned in disappointment.

"Why do you always do this?" she asked, frustrated.

"I like the way you crave me," he murmured, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek. "See you later, baby girl," he winked, then walked away, leaving Sana all worked up.

"He'll be the death of me," she muttered to herself, blushing as she touched the spot where he had kissed her cheek.

But then she remembered Julia was still mad at her. Her smile faded, and she headed toward the tent, hoping Julia had finally calmed down so they could talk and sort things out.

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