~Kritika~

"Don't make a sound, shh."

"Sorry."

I opened one eye and heard footsteps trudging towards me. I quickly shut them back.

"Okay, on the count of three.. 1..2..3.."

At that moment, I bolted upwards startling Ayaan and Riya, who were hovering over me "Merry Christmas!" I yelled causing them, especially Ayaan, to almost fall off the bed. I laughed, rubbing the remainders of sleep from my eyes.

"Di." Riya squealed, throwing her hands around me

"Hi baby." I cooed at my five year old cousin "when did you get here?"

She seemed to think for a bit "Some time ago."

"Yeah, it's almost noon." I heard Ayaan say causing my eyes to widen. I glanced at my alarm clock and it read 8:09. I narrowed my eyes at him before pushing him off the bed for real this time "Liar."

He rubbed his butt but grinned through the pain nonetheless "Close. You've been asleep for ages."

"I was tired, okay?" I mumbled, yawning. Yesterday had been quite eventful, but I wasn't going to sulk around. Not this time. Especially when it was Christmas.

"I woke up at what, five?" he stated, shaking his head at me.

"Aww, little Ayaan's in Christmas spirit." I teased. I heard giggling from behind me and I felt someone fiddling with my hair "What are you doing, Riya?" I asked, feeling little hands tug my hair once again. She just giggled and I felt one last tug before she tumbled into my lap.

"Reindeer clip." she said, pointing to my hair. She then pointed to her own black, curly hair and sure enough I saw a sparkling clip in her hair "now we match." she said proudly "Ayaan bhaiya won't wear it."

I clicked my tongue at my brother who was still on the floor for some reason "why didn't you wear the clip, bhaiya?" I teased

He narrowed his eyes at me "Because.. It's for girls." he said, more to Riya.

"Well, you'll make a very pretty girl." I said. Riya regarded him for a second before nodding in agreement.

"And you'll make a handsome boy." he said dryly before getting off the floor and grinning evilly at me. He was wiggling his fingers and that could only mean one thing. I sent him a don't-you-dare glare.

"Riya, let's play a game." he grinned "it's called let's tickle Kritika."

"No." I warned him "don't you take another step. One more step and you're dead. Dead."

He raised his hands in apparent defeat, before plopping down and ruffling my hair "Scaredy cat."

"More like ticklish cat." I said, letting him ruffle my hair. I wouldn't admit it out loud, but it felt good having Ayaan back. I smiled to myself.

"Let's play hide and seek." I heard Riya yell suddenly. I internally groaned, what's with kids and hide and seek? Their version usually consisted of them hiding at the most obvious places and you pretending that you can't find them, letting them win in the end.

"Riya I.."

"Please?" she pleaded, grabbing my arm "please?"

I sighed, giving in "Okay. But Ayaan has to come play as well."

"Why me?" Ayaan whined

Now Ayaan was to one subject to her persuation "Please?"

"Okay, on one condition." he said

She frowned "what?"

"This." Ayaan said and threw her over his shoulder and started spinning around. She let out a little squeal, causing me to laugh at them.

"I'll go freshen up a bit and join you in a while." I said loudly, over the squealing.

"We'll be downstairs." I heard Ayaan say as they disappeared down the stairs. I shook my head smiling, getting off the bed.

I padded into the bathroom, turning the tap open. I braced myself for a second before splashing the icy cold water onto my face. That instantly woke me up.

Wiping my eyes, I caught my reflection in my mirror. My hands instinctively reached towards my hair, where I saw the clip poking at an odd angle. I grinned at my reflection, adjusting the clip but letting it stay in my hair. I looked absolutely silly, but I didn't care.

Christmas. I finally felt happy and was hoping to stay that way.

****

"Close your eyes, and count till ten." Riya said to Ayaan as he hilariously squatted on our porch, with his eyes closed "..and remember, no cheating." she warned.

"Yes, ma'am." Ayaan muttered

We all were currently in our backyard. Well, if you could call it one. With its numerous trees and small shrubs, it looked more like a garden. Not to mention it's fairly large size. Maybe one of the reasons why Riya chose this place to play. For a five year old, she did have a lot of brains.

I felt someone tug my arm and realized that Ayaan had already counted till ten. I scurried away from him, hunting for a hiding spot. I spotted a very shady tree on the other end of the backyard, surrounded by flowering plants. Perfect.

I hopped over the small plants, almost tripping in the process before successfully securing a spot behind the tree.

"Hi."

I let out a little shriek before looking behind me "Riya?" I hissed "what are you doing here? Go hide someplace else." I said waving my hands at her dismissively.

"But, I want to hide with you." she whined.

"Twenty." I heard Ayaan exclaim "here I come."

"Riya.." I grumbled "okay, shh, don't make a sound."

"Shh." she said, nodding her head.

"I see you." I heard Ayaan sing out and peeked out of my hiding spot to see he was far from it

"No, you don't." Riya protested and I shut her mouth quickly. Thankfully, Ayaan didn't seem to notice. I looked at Riya and made a shh noise again "Do you want him to win?" she shook her head and placed a finger on her lips in apparent emphasis.

I sighed, sitting down beside the tree. It overlooked the street beside, where I saw a man pass by jogging, shooting me a weird look.

"What's taking him so long?" I grumbled to myself after what it'd seemed like five minutes. I was contemplating on getting out of my hiding spot and letting him win deliberately. It was better than sitting here and dying of boredom.

"I see you." I heard him sing again, though it was far far away, and I slapped my forehead.

I stood up, peeking out from behind the tree slightly "I see you." he was looking in the exact opposite direction to us. I sighed, ready to accept defeat.

I opened my mouth but somehow someone beat me to it "Kritika?"

I held back a shriek but jumped nonetheless on hearing the voice behind me "What on earth are you doing?"

I glared at him, motioning him to stay quiet but he shot me a confused look instead "I'm sorry wh--whoa!"

I'd grabbed a hold of his collar and made him cross the fence. It wasn't that high, neither was it picketed so it wasn't much of a problem.

He shot me a long look "What on ea--"

This time I'd slapped a hand over his mouth, effectively shutting him up.

He mumbled something against my hand and then I suddenly felt something warm and wet against it. It was my turn to yell.

"Eww! You-you licked my hand." I hissed, wiping it against my sweater.

"You weren't letting me speak." he shrugged "I repeat, why on earth are you crouched in your backyard like this?"

I held a finger to my mouth, peeking out from behind the tree to see Ayaan looking into the trashcan, and then placing the lid back, scratching his head. I shook my head at him, even though he was turned away from me.

"Riya, where are you?" Ayaan wondered out loudly "I miss you."

"I'm here bhaiya!" I heard her say and before I knew it she was had scurried out from being the tree and towards him "I missed you too."

"Riya." I hissed, ducking before he could see me. I smacked my forehead, shaking my head to myself.

Cheap move, Ayaan.

I heard someone clear their throat and I mentally groaned. Why won't he just leave? "Hi."

"Hey.." I mumbled, not looking at him at all.

"Okay.." he trailed unsurely "..will you look at me?" I sighed, turning to shoot him a glare "What?"

"I'm sorry." he muttered

"It's okay." I muttered back

"I was an asshole." I chuckled at that

"Still are." I said under my breath

"True.." I heard him mutter "tell you what, you could chuck me at another french man for that." he said and I felt a smile tug at my lips. I still wasn't looking at him though. "Listen.. I really didn't mean whatever I'd said." he said

I finally looked at him, trying to gauge his expression. He did appear extremely guilty "You're forgiven." I said quietly "and I'm sorry... You don't have to apologize. I mean, you were right in a w--" I stopped myself "you know what, there's absolutely no point arguing over this. I know you didn't mean it. I forgive you." I reassured him "I really do."

He eyed me carefully "So.. you don't hate me?"

I snorted "Ofcourse not, idiot. Best friends, remember?"

His eyes glinted in an odd way, as if in thought. That, or he was secretly a vampire.

Blame this thought on Stacey and her obsession of The Vampire Diaries.

"So you don't hate me?" I smacked my face at that "Seriously? What are you, a broken tape recorder? Ofcourse. I. Dont. But ask me again and I'll be forced to change my mind." I warned

"So.." he continued nonetheless "..from that logic, does that mean you love me?

My heart skipped a beat at that, but I internally scolded myself. Of course, he didn't mean it that way.

I cleared my throat loudly "So, how's things between Bri and you?" I said, my throat suddenly dry and scratchy.
He gave me a long look and I forced myself to stareback at him "W-Why are you looking at me like that?" My hand sub consciously reached towards my face "okay seriously, do I have ink on my face?"

Ayaan had painted a huge X right across my face before and I hadn't known

Until I'd gone to school.

He shook his head and sighed. I shot him another confused look. "Then what?" he just sighed in reply

Okay, Is this guy on drugs?

"I-i didn't.." he paused, sighing deeply "she didn't.."

It suddenly dawned upon me "She said no?" I questioned, bewildered. Is that why he was drunk? I thought he'd been celebrating but.. oh my god. "I'm so sorry L-"

"No, no. You're getting it all wrong." he interrupted

I squinted at him "So.. she said yes?"

"No.. I mean, yes. I mean.. Gah! This is so messed up." he said, pushing his hair back in frustration. I wrinkled my nose taking in his appearance "you stink." I said "..literally. When is the last time you showered?" I asked, noticing that he was wearing the same jacket from two days ago, when we'd bumped in the gift store. I knew it because it had one button missing from the front, where he had ripped it while he'd tripped on the road. Sure enough, a stray thread was still hanging around that hole.

"Don't ask." he muttered "that stupid doctor was holding me behind. And didn't let me go until morning today. And.." he tugged at his shirt under the jacket "this is what the boys brought for me in the name of a change of clothes."

"That reminds me." I said, pausing to whack his arm "I still haven't forgiven you for everything. Getting drunk? What were you even thinking?"

"I-- you know what, forget it. Forget everything. Now, can we concentrate?"

"Concentrate on what?"

He gave me a long look "I came here, straight from the hospital. Straight from there. Does that not mean anything to you?" he asked me, eyeing me almost.. carefully?

I blinked "You came here to.. apologize? Didn't I already forgive you..?" I said unsurely. It seemed to not be the answer he was expecting as he slapped him forehead and looked at me again

"Wow.." he muttered under his breath but I still heard it anyway "you really are dense."

My jaw dropped "H--"

"No." he cut in "No. Now you listen to me. Loud and clear. I came here to say something and I have to get this out, okay?" I opened my mouth but he beat me to it again "..what are you doing to me?"

"What do you m--"

"Shut up. You came barging into my life, literally. Hard to believe it's been just six months when it seems like eternity. In these six months, I've probably had more adventure than in the past twenty one years."

Okay he's seriously on drugs.

"But I--"

"One minute, life was all normal. Then you came, bringing a whole bunch of crazy with you. And boy, you left no stone unturned. Your clumsiness, your mindless banter, even your bloody sleep talking, you did anything and everything which could've driven be to the brink of insanity."

"I--"

"This is random but remember that day after my birthday? The sandwich you'd made? It was downright awful. Awful. I'd lied, because that hopeful childish glee you had on your face when you'd asked me how it was, I couldn't trample that. I've never been so sensitive to someone's feelings. But somehow, just somehow I couldn't do that to you. But I was never like that. I'm one of those people who speak their mind. But you.. you.."

He was basically rushing over his words, and I was having a hard time keeping up. It was like he was ranting, and I was having a hard time trying to stop him.

"Your laughing at every little thing and suddenly going all serious and philosophical, being highly sarcastic yet caring about everyone's feelings no matter who they were, it all drove me crazy. Still does. How can someone be so happy? So much positivity, that to many it would look almost fake. Like a façade.."

"Liam I--" I tried again. A failed attemp really.

"So much positivity, that to many it would look almost fake. Like a façade. Except, it's not. And that's what's unbelievable. Bloody.."

I'd had enough. He had been wanting for what seemed like hours and there was only one way of shutting him up, sowing his mouth shut. I closed my eyes. I had to make him stop talking.

And so I did

~Liam~

"Jesus, woman." I groaned, cupping my jaw. Just as I was about to tell her, shed slapped me right across my face. To say that I was caught off guard would be an under statement.

"You wouldn't stop talking." She said, her noise turning red partially because of the cold and partially because of embarassment. I wanted to kiss her right then and there "I didn't know what to do." she said, looking guilty "Sorry."

"God." I said, rubbing my throbbing cheek. For a girl, she sure did slap hard.

"I had to shut you up because you wouldn't stop talking." she said defensively.

"Ever heard of the term,.. shutting someone up with a kiss..?" I said as sarcastically as I could

Her jaw dropped open a tiny bit but she quickly pursed her lips "But why would I do that? Pfft!"

I gawked at her "Did you not hear anything I said?" I asked, bewildered. She flinched, clearly not expecting me to tell.

"You were speaking too fast." she said defensively. For one moment I thought she was bluffing but then I realised she wasn't. She hadnt heard my pathetic confession "Im sorry Li, really. But what were you trying to say..?"

I sighed "So you want me to say it, don't you?" I muttered more to myself. Either she's really good at lying or she just wants to see me embarassed.

"Say what?"

"That I love you, you bloody dummy!"

Silence.

Her facial expression clearly spelt out that she hadn't expected any of that. Then suddenly, she got up and began walking away. I didn't have time to react as she quickly walked out of sight and soon enough I heard someone holler "I found you-- wait, where are you going? Kriti? Kritika? Where are you going? Kr--"

I'd finally realised what was happening and got on my feet, stumbling out from being the tree to see a guy with his back to me, looking at the street with confused eyes. Suddenly, his eyes caught me and he looked even more surprised "Who the hell are you? Have you been hiding there the whole time? Tell me who you are, or I'm gonna have to call the police." He looked vaguely familiar..

I didn't wait to reply. I quickly ran out of the garden hearing an indignant cry of Hey! behind me. I ignored it and the wind lashing at my face and walked forward.

I spotted her just a few feet away from me and I made a run for it. She was walking fast, and I called to her but she didn't stop walking. I reached forward and grabbed her arm and spinning her around. I came face to face with a familiar face with an unfamiliar expression. She looked at me so coldly I almost did a double take to see if it really was her "What do you want?" she said coldly.

"What do I want? What do I f..god damn it! I want an answer. Why the hell did you walk away like that."

She shot me another cold glare before continuing walking. I grabbed her arm and she shrugged it off. I walked fast and stood in front of her forcing her to look at me

"I don't want to talk to you." she said in a scaringly calm voice.

"But why--"

"Because you are an asshole." she spat "who do you think you are? You could be the bloody king of Persia but I won't let you break my best friend's heart like that. Till yesterday, you loved her and suddenly you love me? Seriously? Do you not respect anyones feelings at all? What kind of a person are you?" she spat

I was taken aback for a second but I recovered quickly "What are you.. what are you saying."

"I'm saying that just leave me be, and don't you dare play with Brianna's heart. Don't you dare."

"Just listen to me.."

"No, I don't want to listen to anything. Just leave m--"

"Listen to me." I yelled, grabbing her arm. She looked angry but she shut up immediately "I'm not playing with anyone's heart, okay? The thing I had with Brianna was not love. I didn't love her, and you know it. You know you do. I realised it late, I admit. But I wasn't too late, and I thank god for that." I said, leaving her arm. I closed my eyes and sighed before looking back at her " I love you. I realized it late. Well, I wouldn't have if Brianna hadn't pointed out, but that's not the point here. The point is." I took in a deep breathe "as horribly cheesy and over used this line is, I can't think of a better one to express myself. So as ridiculous as I sound saying this, I love you. I so do."

She didn't react, her face back to a neutral expression. My heart sank a bit but suddenly she looked at me and then wordlessly sat on a bench beside the pavement. I sat down beside her as quietly as possible.

"Why."

I looked at her and saw that she was already looking at me "Why, me?"

"Why? Why?! Are you kidding me? You're the best thing that's ever happened in my life, you idiot. At first, yoo were, well, just a friend for the lack of a better term. And not just any friend, you were the one I could say anything to, things I hadn't shared with anyone, not even the boys. Not even my own patents " A tear fell down her cheek but she wiped it away quickly "Heck, You've got me wrapped around your little bloody finger. You know, I can't even say the f-word without feeling guilty about it. See? F-word! I can almost feel your imaginary glare on me all the time." I earned a smile for that "..if you needed more reasons, I could go on all night. Easily."

A tear fell. Then another. Then another. A small sob escaped from her lips and it was the most heart breaking sound in the entire world.

"I hate you.." she sobbed "I hate you for making me feel like this. So.. V-vulnerable. I hate being like this. I hate everything.. Everything. I hate that I bumped into you that day. I hate that you saved my life, three times. Which reminds me, we're even." she said, wiping her nose and sniffing "I hate that I somehow end up embarrassing myself everytime in front of you. Y-your stupid corny fifty shades jokes, your amazing, amazing campfire cones but your equally horrible cooking skills. I hate everything. I hate the way I felt when you'd told me that you were going to tell Brianna that you.. you know. I felt.. heart broken. And I hate feeling that." she sniffled "and most of all, I hate that you chose the corniest way of proposing today." she said

"Sorry." I grinned and she surprisingly smiled, looking at me through red rimmed eyes "But.. I'm scared. Your idea of love is very different from my kind. I.." she looked down at her lap

"Look at me." I said and she looked at me, eyes brimming with fresh tears "do you honestly think that in the past hour I would've gotten drunk, almost get blown off, fight with a nurse and run away from the hospital to say all those things horribly corny things to you if I didn't mean them?"

I reached forward to wipe a tear off her cheek with one of my gloved hands and she froze. I sighed, withdrawing my hand "I know, I did say all that to you. But this is different. It's not like it's gonna be you today, and someone else the day after. The way I feel about you isn't gonna change so easily."

She looked at me sadly "And what if it does?"

I thought for a moment "Then you can chuck me at another French man any time."

"First of all, that joke isn't always funny. Second of all." she sighed "So you're saying it will?"

"Kritika." I groaned, rubbing my face "..I don't know how to make you belief."

To my utter surprise, she let out a quiet laugh "This is so random, but remember that penguin fact Niall told us about?" she said quietly, wiping her eyes "life would be so much easier than way." she laughed quietly and bitterly, shaking her head to herselves "that way you'll fall in love once and be with that one person forever. At least, it would save you the heartbreaks." she whispered, but it was loud enough for me to hear.

I suddenly had an idea, I searched my pockets. It has to be here somewhere here "Yeah, about that stupid fact." I said, searching my front pockets "remember what it said?"

"Yeah, it said that when a male penguin falls in love, he searches for the perfect pebble before presenting it to the female, or something like that. Why?"

I frowned, when I didn't find it. Then, I suddenly remembered. I reached into my inside pocket and felt something cool against my fingers. I took the stone out, it glowing a pale blue as I got of the bench and on one knee. She looked at me like I'd suddenly grown an extra head "what are you doing?"

"We might not be penguins, but I want to give you this." I said, opening my palm and revealing the stone in my palm

"Wait.. Isn't that the.. E-Erudite?" she said, looking confused

"You and your memory. Appatite." I corrected, laughing causing her to grin sheepishly "...for the lack of a better stone, or lack of a better gift." I said, grinning at her "I want you to have this." I said, holding it out to her "Kritika Awasthi, will you be my penguin?"

The result was just as I'd anticipated. A smile bloomed across her face followed by giddy laughter. She was clapping her hands gleefully, and I didn't care that she was laughing at me.

"Oh my god.. Your f-face." she made out in between breaths "so cheesy.. So freaking cheesy. I c-can't.. I can't. Penguin. A freaking penguin. I can't.."

"I know. I was mentally cringing while saying it all." she just continued laughing and it was the most beautifully weird sound ever considering she was borderline gasping for air "hello? I haven't gotten all day woman.." I said, grinning nonetheless "..my knee is beginning to hurt."

She rolled her eyes, grinning "Get off the ground, you big silly oaf." she said, reaching down and pulling me up with surprising strength. I stumbled lightly, causing her to erupt in another fit of giggles.

"You're an idiot, you know that?" she said, shaking her head.

I grinned "You love me, anyway."

"Sadly, I do." she said, her grin mirroring mine "come here, silly."

She threw her hands around me pulling me in a hug. I wrapped my arms around her, lifting her up lightly and she let out a startled squeal. As soon as I put her down, she pulled back and smiled.

She pulled my cheek "you're an idiot."

She slapped me, thankfully not too hard this time.

"What was that for?!"

"For making me cry." she said, punching my shoulder.

"I have that sort of effect on most girls, don't worry." I said, smirking. She aimed another punch at me but I dodged it right in time. She frowned.

"Smile." I instructed and she surprisingly complied.

"Why?" she asked, the frown returning

"This." I said, kissing her cheek right where her dimple showed

Her cheeks turned rosy "I-i wh-what you. I-i." she stammered

"I've always wanted to do that." I said and she punched me again, though I could tell she was fighting back a grin.

"Cocky idiot." she said, aiming another punch at me. I caught her hand and looked her in the eye. She looked so beautiful, her curls were flying around in the wind and I saw what looked like a shiny reindeer clip in her hair.

Despite all that.. I wanted to..

"Can I kiss you?" I blurted out, and she was clearly not expecting that.

"What?" she said quietly

"Can I kiss you?" I said, feeling more brave.

Her eyes widened "Okay." she squeaked "but, I'm not very good at this, considering I have no experience whatsoever." she said truthfully, though I could see her nose turning red again "I've never been kissed, and you know it." she muttered, looking at her feet.

I tapped her nose, causing her to look at me "It's okay. I haven't done this for quite some time either." I grinned

She narrowed her eyes at me "Are you laughing at me?"

I shook my head, laughing anyway "just follow my lead."

"Ass."

"Shh." I said, stepping closer to her.

She looked up at me and audibly gulped

I grabbed her face lightly and heard her gasp. She froze, eyes squeezed shut. "Hey, look at me." I said and she opened her eyes "relax. It's okay." she looked at me for the longest moment, our breaths mixing in the cold, before nodding again.

She relaxed but stayed right where she was. I took that as my cue. I leaned in, closing my eyes just before our lips met for the briefest second. It was only a second, but I'd felt a thousand emotions course through me at once. I felt strangely accomplished, like I'd won a lottery or something.

Wow, definitely cheesy.

I pulled back and saw her eyes were open, they widened for a second as she looked at me. She looked at me with wide eyes and I could tell that she was shocked. "I need to pee." she suddenly blurted and then slapped a hand over her mouth.

I couldn't help it. I burst out laughing, clutching my stomach "Shut up." she muttered, looking anywhere but at me. That just caused me to laugh out louder.

"You done?" she said annoyedly after my laughter died down

"No." I said, laughing again "jesus, you're so cute." I said, pulling her cheek but she swatted my hand off annoyedly.

She wordlessly turned back and started stomping back towards her house. I caught in step beside her "Sorry." I said, clearing my throat to keep from laughing.

"Yeah, yeah laugh all you want." she muttered "it was my first kiss, do cut me some slack, will you?"

"You're right. I'm sorry." I repeated, throwing an arm around her. Thankfully, she didn't flinch away.

She smiled softly, but frowned immediately after "Ayaan must be so worried." she said, more to herself.

"Wait, that was Ayaan? Your brother, Ayaan?" That's why he looked so familiar..

"Long story." she said, waving her hand dismissively

"So.. How did I do?" I whispered in her ear and she shrugged "Alright. How did I do?"

"Alright." I mimicked her and she kneed my stomach. I clutched it, doubling over for a second.

"I did way better than your cheesy proposal, Penguin." she said, grinning at me.

"Yeah, right." I snorted, bumping shoulders with her

She stayed silent "Oh and, get ready to face Ayaan. Thought of how you're gonna explain all this to him?"

I groaned "Oh crap."

"Oh shut it, Penguin." she teased "lll be right there, he won't eat you."

"Let's hope."

"You'll be alright, Penguin."

"You're not gonna let that one go, are you?"

She grinned "Nope." she said, popping the p.

I shook my head, smiling.There was comfortable silence for some time as we walked down the street

"Liam.?"

"Hmm?"

"You said something about me sleep talking, earlier..." My eyes widened just a fraction "how do yo--"

"I love you, you know that right?"

She was silent for a moment."Hmm. And I love you.."

I released a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding.

"But you're so not off the hook."

Aw, crap.

~Fin~

XXXXXXXX

//nbk//

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