Under faint moonlight peeping through the white tent, two teenagers were sharing chocolate that was infused with attraction, jitters, and varied emotions. Nivedya and Nimrit were not just bonding over chocolates but conversations that included all small and major details about themselves. They were kindling a beautiful relationship of friendship before declaring it love.

Nimrit discovered her comfort in talking with the opposite sex or was it just Nivedya she felt so easy to converse with, she couldn't decide. Nivedya had always studied in a co-ed school and grabbed a lot of attention but what he was experiencing with Nimrit was an adventure of a new variety. He felt ecstatic.

They kept talking ignoring the numerous yawns while Nivedya narrated tales about his pranks and tricks, Nimrit just laughed and giggled. She admitted she wasn't mischievous and had always been a good girl but she was ready to explore the fun side of life with her 'new partner' Nivedya.

In her heart, Nimrit knew she couldn't be so free in her life. She skipped telling about the sad part of her life to Nivedya. He didn't need to know. He was content with his life and she prayed it to be filled with his choicest desires.

At around four, in the morning, Nimrit couldn't keep awake and slept with her back resting on the stool. Nivedya stopped talking and observed her. She was the one for him he knew but one healthy conversation was all it took for him to stamp it confirmed.

He loved arguing with her, fighting with her, teasing her, seeing her whining like a baby, clearing her doubts whenever she felt jealous, watching her smile but most importantly keeping her safe and happy. However, the thing that made him emotional was how Nimrit called him "Nivi". The entire world called him by that name but the way it sounded from Nimrit's mouth was like poetry.

He was in love with her and there was no denial. He knew she liked him too but he wasn't sure if she wanted to be romantically involved with him. Her father was overprotective of his daughter and that might affect her decision. Nivedya kept looking at the dazzling gorgeousness in his tent. Every nerve connected to his heart thanked Shawn for his plan.

With the chirping of the birds, Nimrit got up with a jerk. She saw Nivedya lying with one hand under his head wide awake. She blinked her eyes twice then asked in raspy morning voice, "You sleep with eyes open? Or you didn't sleep at all?"

Nivedya came out of his dreamland and skipped answering. How could he tell her he was busy looking at her sleeping figure killing the urge to pull her in his arms and kiss her senselessly? The sexual attraction he felt towards Nimrit was very enticing for him.

"I will go in my tent before everyone is awake. I hope no one comes to know." Nimrit got up quietly and was about to unzip the tent.

"Nimrit," Nivedya stood behind her and whispered. Nimrit didn't turn back but stopped. "This was by far the most memorable night for me. I don't know what the future holds for us but I will never forget a moment spent in this tent on the Red Cliff with the prettiest girl, I know."

Nimrit wanted to hug Nivedya so tight that he glues to her and no one can separate them. But she didn't. She just turned to face him and looked into his eyes. She hoped he could read her and understand the feeling was mutual. They stood for a few minutes like that when they heard someone calling Nivedya.

"Nivi, let me in," Shawn whispered and Nivedya quickly unzipped the tent. Shawn came inside panting heavily and said, "Everyone is almost awake. It's risky for Nimrit to leave."

Nimrit's worry and Shawn's guilt were visible. "Why fear when Nivi is here." Nivedya opened his hoodie and threw it on Nimrit. "Wear it. No one will know."

"Yeah right. Have you seen the height difference between us? I am so screwed." Nimrit bit her nails and peeped a little from their tent and to her bad luck, she saw a tall figure right outside their tent.

Eklavya walked inside their tent and the kids were scared like a goat in front of a lion. "Come with me, I will escort you to your tent."

Nimrit looked at Nivedya and he nodded his head. "Eklavya Sir, it's not her fault. We were just... talking."

"Rules are made for a reason and one must obey them. If you are not wrong, don't give explanations. Talking or doing whatever the world might think in such situations, you should be careful. For now, I will help you because you are good kids, I know." Eklavya explained them and helped Nimrit reach her tent without anyone's attention.

"Sir, thank you so much for trusting and helping us." Nimrit went inside her tent thanking Eklavya.

Aashna was desperately waiting for her and she hugged Nimrit as soon as she saw her. She apologised to her for the trouble she had to go through because of them. Only if she knew how thankful Nimrit was for the most ardent night of fervent emotions.

Nimrit kept the little panda keychain safely in her bag and changed for trekking. The reporting time was seven and they were already late. Nimrit and Aashna reached where all the students had assembled.
Shakti divided the students into two groups and gave them a map. They were supposed to trek and find hidden articles mentioned in a list.

"If  you find the listed items, you will be able to cook your breakfast. So, if you are feeling hungry, look well for the articles. Good luck." Shakti led one group while the other teacher was in charge of the second group.

The teacher in charge of Nivedya and Nimrit's group instructed them, "Now, group 2, stay with your partners, no fooling around. Observe the map and look closely, everywhere."

They began trekking but Nivedya and Nimrit were too shy to look at each other. The stage between realisation and confession is like a homecoming.

Everyone was walking and after half an hour they only had two items from the list. Nimrit touched Nivedya's arm and pointed at a bush. "I can see something there."

Nivedya looked in the direction Nimrit indicated and they walked to the spot. Looking closer they saw that it was a packet of biscuits hanging from a tree. Nivedya untied it and they showed it to the teacher. They gave a high five to each other to celebrate their victory.

"Sir, can I see the map, please?" Nimrit requested the teacher and read the map. She made some mental calculations and said, "the next item is... here." She pulled out a crate of eggs and smiled wide.

"Woah! How did you find it so quickly?" Collin took the crate from her hands and asked her in excitement.

"Spell Swarnbhoomi for me, Collin." Nimrit had a shine in her eyes because she cracked the code the teachers had smartly planned.

"S W A R N B H O O M I?" Collin replied in a duh tone and Nimrit walked four steps back and removed a few stones. Packets of bread were kept there and Shawn helped her pick them up.

The teacher patted Nimrit's back and appreciated her, "Well done, Nimrit. This was for us, teachers so, that we don't forget where the items are but you are way smarter then we could think. Now tell your friends the secret."

"The items are hidden according to the number of steps and letter count. For example, S is the first letter in Swarnbhoomi, so we walked for roughly nineteen steps and only then we could locate our first item. W is four letters ahead of S when we found our second item but A is 23 steps from W so it took us time to locate our third item which if you notice, was located behind because from W you move back to A. The difference between R and N is just four and I moved backwards because N comes before R. Umm... yeah...  I am not sure sir if I was able to explain it clearly?" Nimrit stopped speaking when she was unsure if her explanation made sense.

In a few seconds, the students were running around and soon they found all items. They shouted in glee and trekked down quickly to the end spot. The teacher helped them cook breakfast and kill their hunger.

Serving a buttered toast to Nimrit, Nivedya remarked, "That was some brilliant act there,"

"I know of a certain someone who can't stay without food for long. And I have been told by very reliable sources that they can turn the world upside for food. I just saved the Earth." Nimrit taunted Nivedya's foodie nature and took a bite from the toast he served. Nivedya took the toast from her hand and took a bite from it. "Hey, that was for me."

"I am famished, get me some food now and save the world else you will be standing on your head." Nivedya took her plate and started eating. Nimrit shook her head in a 'you are impossible' way and went to get a plate of food for them.

Collin elbowed Nivedya and raising his brows teasingly he asked him, "My son, what's cooking? Babies?"

"Shut up, dude. Don't spoil things with your silly comments."

"Spoil? Your accusations hurt me." Collin fake cried but Nivedya ignored him. Nimrit gave a plate to Nivedya and left.

Nivedya caught her hand from behind and said, "Where are you going? Sit."

"Sitting with those who will help me save the world." Nimrit retorted and Collin laughed at Nivedya.

"Oh! Nivi, thank God. You got food. I am starving." Janice sat next to Nivedya and took a slice of apple. "It was so tough for us to find the items. I'm so tired." Janice put her head on Nivedya's shoulder and closed her eyes momentarily.

Nimrit moved away from there cursing the liberal norms of a co-ed school. She was not eating but just thinking, looking at Nivedya and Janice from afar. "School is not at fault, Nivi should maintain a distance. I got a plate for him with so much love and he didn't think twice before sharing it with Janice."

Nivedya saw in Nimrit's direction and she quickly looked elsewhere to avert meeting his gaze.

Collin understood the situation and suggested, "Nivi, I think you should talk to Nimrit. She got a plate for you especially and you didn't think before eating with Janice? It must've hurt her."

"Hurt her? Janice is my friend and was starving. Her team was in the woods for more than two hours, hunting for food. The least I could do is share my food. I would have done that if Nimrit was hungry or anyone else for that matter. Besides, I don't think she is even thinking about it. It's normal." Nivedya dismissed Collin's suggestion and disposed of his paper plate in the dustbin.

Nivedya saw Nimrit eating quietly while all their friends were chatting. "Could Collin be right? But why would she feel bad for helping someone? Is she by any chance, jealous?" Nivedya was biting his nails while thinking about Nimrit and observing her intently.

"Nivi, dude, stop looking at Nimrit like that! You are not alone." Shawn prompted Nivedya and he lowered his eyes. "Do you like her?" Shawn asked him directly.

"Way past just liking," Nivedya admitted and Collin spit his soft drink because he never thought Nivedya would disclose so easily.

"I knew it. Woohoo!" Collin shouted out loud and did some crazy steps to celebrate. Nivedya tried to stop him but best friends are happier for you than you, yourself are.

"Collin, why are you dancing like that." Aarfa asked him.

"My best friend found a girl for himself." Collin declared happily, making Nivedya the center of attraction and question. Everyone clapped and pestered him to tell the name. Though the triple-A were sure it was Nimrit but they wanted Nivedya to confirm. Nimrit's heart was beating at a pace faster than it did when she skated at top speed. 

"He's just making it up. You know after every trip someone is linked to someone because of the time they spend together but it means nothing and you all know it. We are all friends, classmates and that's just it. Ignore Collin and his stupid theories." Nivedya dismissed the matter and eyed Collin to stop immediately. He did because Nivedya just put his leg on the axe, intentionally.

Shakti called all the students and that put a halt to the matter. Everyone gathered except for Nimrit because she was still trying to understand whether Nivedya meant what he said or did he just want to avoid the questions so he said, "time they spend together... means nothing."
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Readers
Nivedya and Nimrit had a time of their life while talking to each other and they cherished it too. But will Nivedya be able to clarify and explain to Nimrit that he just said "it meant nothing" to avoid suspicions?

Read in the next chapter and find out!

Stay hooked!
Lots of love!