You know it's love when even their indecent thoughts about you makes your heart flutter with happiness and arousal.

"Arya?" Nivedya was happy, scared, and shocked to see his cousin at the theatre.

"Let me see." Arya examined Nivedya's nose and asked, "Hmm... How did it happen? I am Dr Arya, by the way." Arya introduced himself to Nimrit.

"Oh! Thank God! He had bent down to pick his handkerchief and I moved my knee to the left unknowingly and it hit his nose." Nimrit sounded sorry and concerned and that didn't go unnoticed by Arya.

Arya faced Nivedya and animated, "Wow! Great choice." Nivedya's eyes pleaded with him to not say anything. Arya smirked and suggested, "It's nothing major but you need to hold a handkerchief near his nose for a while and give a little head massage to ease the pain."

At that prescription, Nivedya realised why his bhui said, "Arya is trying to be a doctor." Nimrit would catch his lie in a second, he knew.

"Yes. Of course, I can do that." Nimrit took out her handkerchief and placed it near Nivedya's nostrils. The square cotton cloth smelled like the scent of a wildflower and Nimrit gently moved her fingers in Nivedya's hair, giving him a weird sensation of compassion.

"I am fine. It's not required." Nivedya protested but Nimrit glared at him.

"You are hurt and I am trying to rectify my mistake. Am I not doing it properly?" Nimrit asked Arya who displayed a more intimate method of massage. Nivedya cursed his brother under his breath for his "help".

"Okay! My movie has started. I will leave. Take care." Arya winked at his brother before leaving.

"Thank you, Dr Arya. But can we get your number in case his pain intensifies? Could we call you, please?" Arya could swear he saw a glimpse of Swarnima in Nimrit at that moment. The love and concern he thought only his favourite childhood sweethearts, Abhey and Nim could have, he saw in Nimrit and Nivedya too.

Arya didn't want to joke further so, he replied, "He has my number. We are family. But don't worry, he is fine." He just prayed the perils Abhedya and Swarnima had to face, Nivedya and Nimrit don't face.

He left the couple and only after reaching a distance turned behind to see Nimrit massaging Nivedya's forehead with one hand and circling her fingers in his hair with the other. While Nivedya was just holding the handkerchief near his nose. "Not this story, dear God!" Arya sent a little prayer before walking inside the theatre.

Nivedya was enjoying the massage with his eyes closed when Nimrit asked in a very sweet tone, "Are you feeling better?" He just "hmmed" in response and Nimrit continued the massage.

Collin came to check them but returned without disturbing his friend who was taking a massage from his girlfriend in a jam-packed theatre. He prepared an entire script for a film that will be titled 'Knee and Nose' to tease Nivedya.

"I am sorry for lying to you," Nimrit confessed while massaging, and Nivedya's brow drew close in confusion. "About popcorn. I thought they were overpriced and I made an excuse I did not want to eat. I finished yours. Sorry."

"Friends share food and you..." Nivedya pulled Nimrit in front and made her sit next to him. "You are my girlfriend. Whatever is mine is yours. If you didn't have enough pocket money you should have told me. I got a little extra this week. I watered the entire garden. Guess, my efforts paid well."

"I do not get pocket money. I just ask for money whenever I want. I had money to buy popcorn but I just wanted to save. However, I am impressed to know you work for extra money." Nimrit held admiration in her eyes for Nivedya. His father was the richest man in Swarnbhoomi but he never showed off and realised the value of money.

"You know whenever you praise me, I feel honoured. I just want to make you happy but all I do is become the reason for your tears. Still, you are sticking by me? I regret questioning you and your choices." Nivedya expressed his feelings sincerely and Nimrit felt giddy with his honesty.

"Nimrit, I want to confess something else too." Nivedya knew if he didn't say it now he will never be able to say it. Nimrit gestured him to go ahead and he exhaled a heavy breath. "Iwasstaringatyourlegs," Nivedya said in one breath but Nimrit couldn't understand a word.

"Pardon me?"

"When I bent down, my eyes fell on your legs and I... couldn't help but stare at them." Nivedya waited for a slap to grace his cheek but Nimrit was just looking down. "Was she observing her legs?" Nivedya thought.
"You have the sexiest pair of legs and I swear these teenage hormones don't help me keep sane." The pink cheeks Nimrit owned mixed heavily with the red of shyness to produce a beetroot-like colour. "I regret acting like a pervert. I will try to not repeat it in the future. Just don't be angry, please."

Nimrit was playing with the hem of her hoodie not finding the right words to say. She should be angry but she was not.

"Say something? Scold me or slap me. I deserve it." Nivedya looked around to see if he was slapped how many people will witness it?

"I do not know what to say. I should be angry... but strangely, I am not." Nimrit covered her face with her hands amusing Nivedya.

He was elated. She wasn't angry. His 'Miss touch me not' was changing, for good. People started coming at the interval of the movie and soon their friends joined them. After asking Nivedya how he was they all headed to the snacks corner.

"What do you want to eat? I'll buy." Nivedya asked Nimrit.

"I appreciate you asking but I do not want you to spend your pocket money on me. Please understand the divide between our families is huge and I know my father will not like me taking favours. So, let us just keep the financial matters aside."

If Nivedya could, he would have kissed her forehead in admiration. Collin had often told him to be careful in choosing his girlfriend because of the money his father owned. He realised Nimrit was way above gaining financial benefits. She didn't even want him to buy popcorn.

"Excuse me, are you all from Swarnbhoomi High?" A boy dressed as the theatre staff asked them and they nodded a yes. "Here are some burgers and fries with the best compliments from him." The boy pointed at a man who was from the Swarnbhoomi Palace. He gave them a pleasing nod and went inside one of the screens. They thanked him and took their trays inside. Nimrit was suspicious and looked around for someone/something.

The rest of the movie was filled with jokes and Nimrit forgot her test that didn't go well. Shawn kissed Aashna taking advantage of the corner seat and darkness but Nivedya saw them and told all his friends making the couple conscious.

Nivedya made a mental note to plan a movie date with Nimrit soon. She got so lost in the movie that she didn't realise what she was doing. Be it eating popcorn or touching Nivedya's arm casually while laughing. She was a delight and a light in the dark. He loved her immensely and irrevocably. He just hoped that their differences settle soon.

The movie ended on a happy emotional note and Aarfa told everyone how she saw Collin wipe his tears. He denied but his friends teased him.

"So what if he cried? Boys can be emotional too. In fact, it only shows how strongly he feels about separation. Collin, I know we are not exactly friends but I promise, we shall remain acquaintances forever." Nimrit forwarded her hand and Collin shook it without any counter comments. He was overwhelmed to see Nimrit take his side.

"Awww!" The triple A pounced on Collin and hugged him tightly. "Friends forever." They said in unison and hugged each other before bidding bye.

With an anxious heart Nivedya requested Nimrit with hope, "Can I drop you home?"

"I think it is best I go with Aarfa. See you tomorrow." Nimrit waved him bye before going in direction of Ararfa's car. "I will come in two minutes," Nimrit told Aarfa and went somewhere. "Thank you for the refreshments, Eklavya sir." Nimrit could identify the shadow of the tallest man she had seen to date and Eklavya could not hide the amusement on his face. He was hiding behind a pillar overlooking Nivedya and his friends. Nimrit was way too smart for her age. "I don't know the reason for your generosity but it was very kind of you to send those refreshments for us. Goodnight, sir!"

Nimrit sat in the car and left with varying thoughts on her mind. Swarnbhoomi was indeed mysterious. It was easy to guess the palace won't sponsor meals at the theatre for random school kids unless it was for someone special. Nivedya? Definitely. She came home and told her father about her encounter with Eklavya. She knew her father was under a lot of pressure and she just wanted to be useful.

"Papa, there was some Dr Arya who examined Nivi and he said, they were family. I didn't ask Nivi because I can't possibly know all his relatives but I thought I should tell you."

"Dr Arya?" Amber showed a picture to Nimrit and she confirmed it was him. "This is breakthrough information Nimrit. Thank you, my girl. I am proud of you." Amber patted Nimrit's head with appreciation and kissed her goodnight.

Amber jotted all the points and started to connect the dots. He slept at four in the morning when Reet scolded him because the case was taking a toll on him.

Nivedya discussed with his mother how Nimrit preferred to save money by not eating popcorn. "I mean... It's good but how much could she save? Just four hundred rupees?"

"Nivi, for some, even that much matters. You should make sure to not indulge in expensive parties that she finds hesitant to participate in." Nandini tried to make Nivedya understand how he could make Nimrit not feel uncomfortable about money matters.

She told Rudra about the incident and he told her, "I know Nandini. Amber, is a stubborn head, loyal to the corrupt. The unit of the Indian government he works for has stopped his salary until he provides proof against the royals of Swarnbhoomi. The man is true to his words. He has proof but is not giving them because of the deal we made. The only source of income for them, right now, I guess, is Reet's salary which is not bad but Swarnbhoomi is an expensive place. Nimrit is trying to do her bit to help her parents. Such an understanding girl. I hope Nivi learns something from her."

"I think he has a "thing" for her." Nandini had a shine in her eyes discussing her younger son's romantic inclinations.

"A "thing" for her? He is... courting her. He was taking a massage from her at the theatre," Rudra had his sources well placed and he told everything he knew to Nandini.

"Rudra, I hope they don't end like Abhey and Nim. Separated by walls of so many differences. Though Nivi is more understanding and I just hope he..."

"They are my sons. Their love is beyond the definition of any dictionary." Rudra kissed Nandini with his proud confession halting their intense conversation.

Nimrit and Nivedya were knowingly and unknowingly helping their families with their motives. In the end, they just wanted to be with each other and for everyone to be happy. Life, however, was no rom-com. It was unpredictable and speculative.

______________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Readers
Which is your favourite Rom-Com? Drop your answer in the comment and see if anyone else likes it too.
Nimrit and Nivedya's families are not exactly friends or enemies but their motives are different and how well the teenage lovers can cope with it time will decide.
Stay hooked!
Lots of love!