"I swear if I die by the end of this test, it's because of these studies", she cursed under breath as she took her favourite spot next to the window with her coffee in hand. Starbucks was unusually crowded and thankfully her go-to spot was empty. It was always her and coffee and the problems.

Opening her maths textbook, with some courage that she gathered since her mocks were round the corner and frankly maths was the subject she'd studied the least she put one of her earphone on and 'attempted' the questions failing many and solving less.

Looking around to see if any spot was free, he tried his luck but in vain. Seeing a seat near the window,he made his way to see a girl engrossed in her work. First he thought to ask but seeing her with her earphones on and so into the work he realised that she was alone and probably didn't even sense him near.

"Somebody f**king kill mee!", she said under her breath as she realised that someone had come and sat opposite. Looking up slightly she tried to see but her poor breath hitched the moment she saw him.

He looks deliciously handsome and those eyes- wait are they blue? No green! No waitt maybe grey- Shoot how many colours man!

"If you're done checking me out, could you please pass the stirrer", he said smirking, one more girl! Being the Greek god that he was, he was accustomed to such staring but this girl was different- her eyes had a childish glint that attracted him.

She was no less herself, did she even put make up? It dint look like it. Her messy hair and that exceptionally beautiful face! Was she some sort of goddess like the ones we read about?

"Keep dreaming I wasn't checking you out!", she said realising that she was staring at him for too long and passed the stirrer.
"Oh please every girl checks me out!",he said as this one hurt his ego.
"This one dint",she said closing her book and keeping it aside.
"Hey", He was going to retaliate when his phone rang and he had to go.
"Nice to meet you mr green eyed stranger",Anika said as he got up and passed a sarcastic laugh.
"Nice to meet you too"
********
3 months later

"Shivaay! What are you doing? This is Starbucks for Gods sake!",Anika said trying put some sense in this boyfriend of hers who was adamant on not letting her move from his lap- even though there were the other seats empty.
"Yaa it's Starbucks!", He said inhaling the intoxicating smell of her hair and nuzzling into the crook of her neck.

Surprisingly, both Shivika had turned up to Starbucks the next day convincing themselves that it was for work but deep down both of them had a slight desire to meet each other. Seeing each other again, they both felt happy for some unknown reason but neglected it. And that's how the scooter of their love life was kick started by the regular coffee dates. Spending time together, both of them knew this was more than friendship but were too afraid to accept it. As they got to know each other they developed understanding for each other and unknowingly feel deeper in love with each other. From knowing her favourite coffee with the correct amount to sugar to knowing his password for his MacBook, they probably knew each other better than anyone did. Anika still remembers the day, the day that changed her life, for the best.
********
Entering Starbucks, which was nearly empty, Anika thought she had entered into a closed shop and was going to walk out when the lights dimmed off. Seeing no customers of employees around Anika knew she had entered the wrong shop and was going to run off when she heard his voice. There he was a red heart balloon in his hand and himself down on knees.

"Anika I don't know all those cheesy pickup lines and all but all I need to tell you that you are the most beautiful girl I have ever met with the purest mind and heart. Your smile makes my heart flutter that laugh of yours is the most melodious music I have heard. Hazel brown eyes that have those mischievous glint in them are the most expressive pair of eyes that I have ever seen. You are so beautiful not just by looks but by your attitude, by your way of life. So I want to tell you that a simply gorgeous girl with a gifted heart has stolen Shivaay Singh Oberoi's stone hearted and turned it to something that beats- by you, for you and wants you. I love you, really really love you so Will you be my girlfriend Anika Malhotra?"

Finishing the most ravishing speech that Anika has ever heard, it took her a few seconds and some calling from Shivaay- who had hope filling his blue orbs to come back to senses and when she did, Anika instantly ran up to him, made him stand and hugged him as tightly as possible mumbling a soulful "YES!". Hugging her twice as tightly, he lift her up and circled her around.

Picking her lower lip, he pulled her into a passionate kiss expressing how ecstatic he was about the whole of the affair. Even though taken by shock, once composing she responded with equal passion and zeal fighting for dominance. The deeper his tongue went the warmer her insides grew and more butterflies filled her stomach. Ruffling his hair she pulled him more into her while he rested his hands on her petite waist securely. Pulling back, they touched their foreheads trying to get their breathing normal. Rubbing his nose against hers, he mouthed a 'thank you' while Anika just smiled back.

"So you did all this?", Anika asked as Shivaay held her up and nodded.
"Oh my god this is so not you!", she replied chuckling and he raised his eyebrows.
"Ek toh do so much and then also receive sarcastic comments!",He pouted while Anika pecked his pout and hugged him again mumbling something that made feel as if on cloud nine!

"I love you Shivaay! So muchh"
********
"Babe what are you thinking?", Shivaay asked noticing Anika in deep thoughts.
"Nothing it's so weird that Starbucks is such an important place in our life!"
"Well you are weird so..."
"Shut up! You are weirder than me",Anika replied smacking his arm while he just hugged her tightly.
"However I am, I am yours!", he replied pouting while she pecked it and said, "I love you!". The peck however then turned into a passionate kiss- it was his way of replying an I love you back.

______________________________
It wasn't love at first sight
exactly, but it was familiarity.
Something like, Oh,hello,
it's you. It's going to be you.

~Mhairi McFarlane
~Bliss~