Whenever Nimrit came close, Nivedya felt like a toddler holding his favourite toy. He just wanted to keep her safe and never part with the pleasure of her in his arms.

It was just for a song or two but Nivedya and Nimrit danced like they were celebrating their newly stamped relationship.

As the music changed, most of the elderly couples exited the stage while the younger lot were still having fun. Nimrit took a glance in her parent's direction and heaved a sigh. They were talking to some people and she assumed her father was probably okay with her and Nivedya dancing.

"Nimrit," Nivedya called her and she looked at him with adoration. He didn't know if it was the kohl that made her eyes more captivating or was the sudden change in their relationship that created magic or if it was always like that.

Nimrit cleared her throat to get his attention. "Umm... Sorry about whatever my brother said. He didn't mean a word he said and just wanted to provoke me so that I say..." Nivedya stopped abruptly because he wasn't sure if it was the right time to tell her how much he loved her. He was way past the season of little somethings Nimrit wanted to explore. So he changed the sentence and asked her, "are you happy?"

Nimrit was too flushed to reply and could only smile in response. Nivedya wanted to get a reaction from her but the girl he chose for himself was suddenly behaving painfully shy.

He spread his palm on her waist, and the feathery soft touch that he maintained, transitioned to authoritarian. He did manage to get Nimrit's wide-eyed reaction but his senses troubled him. Nimrit always aroused his horny side and this attempt made something in his pants tight.

To their good luck, the music faded and changed to fast beats. Their friends joined them and Nivedya thought group dance was the best option for him, at that moment. They were being teased with non-verbal comments from their friends but they had prepared themselves for it.

Once the dancing was over, everyone headed to the food counter and filled their plates with the enormous spread of multiple cuisines. With lots of fun and laughter, they were having their dinner and Amber and Reet were happy to see their daughter smiling like never before.

Amber guessed easily that it was more than just friends and fun. He could see his daughter stealing glances at Nivedya and secretly looking at them for any reaction. He wanted to give her space and freedom but the boy she chose for herself was hard to approve of because of his family history. He felt like his life was at a crossroads but he was certain to choose the best path for his daughter.

Sometimes, friends act as the anchors to your romantic relationships and Nivedya's friends were no exception.

He secretly passed a message to everyone that he wanted just a few minutes with Nimrit away from the party and asked them to cover up, in case anyone noticed. Collin instantly came up with a plan and soon Nivedya was showing the swimming pool, of his house to everyone. Everyone was faking excitement and exaggerating their compliments about the beautiful pool.

Nimrit was smart enough to figure out the drama her friends were putting up and asked them, "I know you all have been here before then what is so amusing today?"

All of them looked at each other and Nivedya felt scared. Collin took the lead and said, "Nivi wanted to spend time with you, alone. So he got us along, to cover up. We will stand here and guard, you guys go and do whatever he wants to, do."

Nimrit's expression changed to shock on hearing Collin's words. Before she could question him "do what", Nivedya explained, "It's not like that. I... I... Just wanted to talk to you, it's important, please."

Nivedya's friends left and Collin got smacks from them for his choice of words. Nimrit was standing near a wall and Nivedya stood next to her leaning on the wall. A minute passed but he didn't speak a word. Nimrit felt scared thinking about her parents and decided to leave. Nivedya caught her hand and secured it between his palms.

"Whatever has happened and will happen, I don't want it to get awkward between us. Let's behave normally like before. I mean you can stop being shy, blushing all the time and sneakily looking at me." Nivedya teased Nimrit because he was dying to hear her talk.

An evil idea came to Nimrit's mind and she decided to give it back to Nivedya for making her feel and do what he accused her of doing. "Oh! That is it?"

She took a step towards him and looked directly into his eyes. "You wanted to..." Nimrit mentally calculated and inched closer to Nivedya making him turn red and look past her. He didn't have the guts to see into the ocean of her eyes because of the proximity.
Nimrit whisper talked for special effects. "You wanted to talk to me and behave normally but you, are matching the beetroot. Leave sneaking glances, you cannot even look at me."

Nimrit gave herself full points for Nivedya's fossilised condition. Sure, she loved Nivedya but she loved her newly discovered bold side too. She waited for a few seconds then moved away laughing heartily catching Nivedya's attention.

He looked at her in amusement and understood how he was trapped. She was leaving the pool area with a smile and almost reached the exit when Nivedya pulled her with force.

He hid behind a pole and asserted, "I can fall into the quagmire to see you laugh like that. You look like a dream, and today, you like my morning dream." Nivedya wanted to kiss her but he knew he couldn't.
With utmost honesty in his voice, he continued, "I know, you don't want to name our relation but I will treat you like I would treat my girlfriend."

Nimrit closed her eyes at his words. Her heart was racing just as fast as Nivedya's. He touched her left cheek with the pad of his right thumb while his other hand intertwined with Nimrit's hand. "Treat me however you want but be prepared and get yourself habituated to the craziness of Nivi. A Romeo version of me, no one knew existed will be only visible to you, I promise."

Nimrit distanced from him a little and smiled shyly. "You just asked me to behave normally but if you say things like these and plan to go all Romeo, then how am I supposed to react?"

"Make this the new normal between us." Nivedya didn't leave her hand and brought her a little close to him. "Nimrit, I..."

"We are too young and still getting to know each other. You do not know so much about me. Let us just travel together and let time decide our destiny, please Nivi." Nimrit tightened her grip on Nivedya's hand and he nodded in acceptance. If Nimrit needed time, he was ready to wait.

A collective sound of coughs brought them to reality and they distanced a little from each other. Their friends came and observed them.

Collin examined Nivedya's face and commented, "You didn't even kiss? Then why were you behind the pole?"

"We have decided to know each other better. I hope you all respect that and give us space. And Collin, no unwanted commenting." Nivedya warned his best friend as he could see Nimrit's discomfort at Collin's remarks. Everyone agreed and Collin was made to swear to behave.

It was time for Nimrit to leave and she bid adieu to all her friends. Collin apologised to her for his loose comments that made her uncomfortable and she made a peace sign with her fingers to call off the matter. She waved bye to Nivedya and left with her parents.

The moment Nimrit was out of Nivedya's sight, he fell to the ground and put his hand on his heart. "Is this a dream?" He questioned looking at the stars pensively.

"No, my son. It's the harsh reality of your life. The girl on the wheels will twirl you around her pinky." Collin commented sitting next to Nivedya and sulking like he lost a match.

"Such a drama queen you are Collin. Nivi, trust me this will be the most beautiful dream of your life. Enjoy this phase, bro." Shawn spoke out of the experience and the trio grabbed a mocktail each, to celebrate.

Nimrit wanted to confide with her parents but she feared what-if they disapproved. She couldn't afford to lose Nivedya and end the happiness her heart felt because of him. She was missing him already and had no clue how she will wait until she saw him, next.

Triple-A were waiting for Nimrit at school and as soon as she came, they surrounded her like bees on sweets. They made her remember the time she came to school and was so reserved about talking to boys. Nimrit countered them but they were three against one. Nimrit tried to shift the topic to Aashna and Shawn but Aashna had no problem with accepting openly her relationship and the stuff they had done. When other students started coming, Nimrit sighed in relief.

There is a weird thing about human nature. They hate to love the teasings associated with their love life.

Nivedya's eyes greeted Nimrit and she replied with a stunning smile. He sat next to her and guaranteed he would behave. To Nimrit's astonishment, he did. She felt the urge to ask him but that would mean giving him a reason on the platter to tease her.

"Nim suggested, prioritising studies when in class but what should be done during the breaks, she didn't specify. So..." Nivedya whispered his plan in Nimrit's ear and paused abruptly. "So... how is 'my girl', this morning."

Nivedya bit his lower lip to stop himself from laughing at Nimrit's condition. "Your eyes are already so big, don't widen them more, you look scary." Nimrit's eyes grew bigger at her insult.

Looking at the small frown on Nimrit's face, Collin asked in a dramatised tone of concern, "Aww! Do I hear the knock of the first fight?"

Nivedya threw a pencil at him and he went away laughing from there. Nivedya turned to see if Nimrit was annoyed or okay with his harmless remark. "Ah! Mom!" Nivedya fell off his chair and Nimrit smirked in victory. "You scared me." Nivedya sat back in his chair but he looked shocked by Nimrit's action.

Nimrit laughed at his condition, and asked him with fake concern, "I was just trying to actually look scary. I hope it was creepy enough?"

He couldn't believe the pretty face he admired could look so bizarre if the eyelids were turned up, revealing the redness inside.

Nivedya didn't dare to tease Nimrit in the following classes. She was a perfect mixture of sweet and savage. She could be teased and irritated easily but her comeback could make one dumbfounded.

Days passed with Nivedya and Nimrit's bond growing stronger. Nimrit was now comfortable around Nivedya as her 'special someone' while Nivedya behaved like a perfect gentleman in love. He would play Romeo when no one was around and Nimrit would sometimes gift him her shyness and sometimes her boldness.

They would spend school hours together getting mushy but also concentrating on their studies. Nivedya's Science and Mathematics had improved tremendously and for the first time, Nimrit realised she could be happy to stand at the second spot too. Nivedya's achievements felt like her own and she only prayed for him to be more successful.

Holding hands and sitting close was all they did. Nimrit was not sure if she was prepared for her first kiss or more and Nivedya couldn't point out the reason why Nimrit was still apprehensive to be addressed as his girlfriend. But he respected her choice nevertheless.

"(You+me) to the power of deep conversation is equal to a twice you, plus twice me, plus two kids(of you and me)" Nivedya wrote a 'Nivi-Nimrit' version of a Mathematics formula and showed it to Swarnima. She laughed and called him "crazy". Only Nivedya knew he was beyond crazy and could write a Nivi-Nimrit version of everything he knew.

Nimrit was unusually jolly and had a pump in her mood. Reet was just happy to see her jovial but Amber knew it was love. Love had that effect on people and with first love, the heart always felt fuzzy.

Rudra Nandini's anniversary party led him to scrutinize Swarnima, who was Nivedya's tuition teacher and had never been mentioned in any investigations before. He sensed she was hiding her true identity behind her glasses. He had a gut feeling she was royal or connected to them and hence did not want his daughter to be associated with any of them. But seeing Nimrit happy made his heart melt.
'Nivedya Singh, you better be good.' Amber's subconscious mind muttered and he felt heaviness in his head.

A pair of hands gently massaged Amber's forehead and he felt calm. "So, what are the latest developments, Mr Khanna?"

Amber brought Nimrit in front and made her sit next to him. "You tell me what are the latest developments, Miss Khanna? I know you have lots to tell. So... start."

Nimrit knew Amber could sense changes in her and she couldn't hide the emotions she felt. He wasn't her biological father but he could understand even her gibberish. "Papa, I think... I mean, I know... I like someone... a little more than just, a little."
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Dear Readers,
Nivedya and Nimrit have finally created an us but no love story is a walk on rose petals. What thorns will prick them you shall know soon.
Stay hooked!
Lots of love!