Shay loved days like this when she could forget the whole world and snuggle up against her boyfriend on a lazy Sunday afternoon. She craved these moments when she didn't have to worry about getting ready for school or settling for her private tutor. She could spend the time with Aarav at his house watching movies or taking naps during their study breaks.

It'd been only a week, but it felt like they had been together for years. It didn't seem that huge a difference between being in friendship with Aarav or being Aarav's girlfriend except, of course, the intimacy. Although they were as comfortable around each other as before, they now lived inside their little love bubble. The rest of the world faded around it.

They were seeking each other's presence every minute of the day. Even though it wasn't always physically possible, they stole touches during the class, walked hand in hand in the hallways, and kissed when no one was watching, sometimes at the dock, his car, on the couch while watching movies or studying.

On that note, Ryan was not hanging out with them as frequently as before. He would either spend most of his free school hours in the library or remain cooped up in his room when Shay was around.

Shay did want all of these alone moments with Aarav. But she still missed how three of them used to watch anime together or played video games in the basement, where Shay currently was curled up against Aarav's chest, wrapped in his body warmth and his calming scent.

It was one of those days when she had snuck into their villa in the name of preparing for the upcoming finals. They were doing that, but also relishing each other's presence. Her mother kept her on a tight lease ever since Aarav announced their relationship in front of their families. So, moments like these were rare. Her mind drifted to the conversation they had with her parents just a few days ago.

"If you ever hurt my daughter in any way!" Her father's voice had been harsher than usual, while her mother shot daggers at both of them from across the coffee table. As Aarav didn't want her to go through it alone, so there he was sitting with Shay and Sehgal couple on the same evening when he had an earful from his dad.

"I know my dad, and you guys think of me as the irresponsible twin, but I respect your daughter. I grew up caring for her, and I would never do anything to hurt her. I promise you that in my own life, Sir." Aarav assured her father with his chin high. Her parents regarded Shay with an intense look, trying to search for any hesitation, but there was none.

Shay took a deep sigh, trying to subdue her thundering heart, then spoke up to both of them. "We won't do anything that will sabotage our future, dad. I know we will be off for our dream colleges in a few months, but this new thing between us is forever."

"And we have our entire life to work things out between us. I will love Shay the right way, Sir." Aarav completed her, his fingers finding their way to her sweaty hands under the table. The warm smile on his face and the confident look made Shay proud of having him as her partner.

"It's good to know that you guys have grown into responsible young adults. I wouldn't expect any less from you." Although, her dad sounded a little dissatisfied with their sudden change of relationship. He patted Aarav's shoulder and gave him a nod before leaving.

Her mother, on the other hand, made sure to show concern as openly as possible. Shay had always admired her mother for the dedication she put in her work and family. One look at Aarav's pale face was enough to tell he was more scared of her mother than her father.

True to his words, Aarav was very careful when it came to their love life. It was not that they didn't want to do more than make out with each other every chance they got, but Shay knew they weren't fully ready for the next step. Above all, she loved the innocent closeness more than anything.

Every time she looked close enough to trace the fading scar on his lip, it reminded her how he got it as the first full display of his feelings for her. And she found herself falling deeper for him every time her name spilled out of his lips, laced in maple syrup and sugar.

Her eyes fluttered open, and Shay instantly regretted it. It was too heavenly to press her ear against his sternum and listen to the slow rhythmic tune of his heartbeats that she wanted to snuggle back against Aarav. She wanted to feel the rhythm of his heart in her veins. But the fifteen minutes of power nap was up, and they were supposed to resume Organic Chemistry.

She yawned and looked up, resting her chin against his chest. Shay loved to watch him sleep like that, peaceful like a child without a worry in the world. She loved how his lips tilted upwards in a content smile every time his arms held her closer against his body. His pitch-black hair fell rebelliously over his brow, and long lashes brushed his sharp cheekbones, making him look like one of those handsome guys in the fashion magazine she bought last month.

Shay knew everything about Aarav in the back of her hand. He hated coffee but loved tea to death, not the black one. He loved creamy cups, was in love with South Indian food, and wanted to visit Kerala before heading for college. Her heart suddenly dropped with the mere thought of college. They had not yet discussed that topic openly, but Shay knew what Aarav had been planning. She had seen him searching for business schools in Boston. Was he planning to go that far away from her?

If he wanted to go, she would stand by him even if the idea of being separated made her heart crack a little. She feathered her fingers down the corners of his face and brushed that stubborn hair off his forehead. His breathing stumbled out of rhythm, and he mumbled some incoherent words, falling back into a deep slumber. She let herself believe he was taking her name and placed a butterfly kiss on his lips before pulling away.

The floorboard creaked under her footsteps as she climbed up from the basement, yawning all the way. She needed to fix a cup of black coffee for herself if they were still up for studies. The living room was eerily quiet, and a soft afternoon glow illuminated the room through the kitchen window.

As she turned the coffee machine while putting on the kettle for Aarav's milk tea, her eyes flicked towards the stairs. She hadn't seen Ryan the whole afternoon, and most probably, he was busy coding. Ryan had always been the computer geek among the three of them. Aarav was more into finance and Shay into a bit of both.

The sharp whistle sound of the tea kettle pulled Shay back from her reverie. She prepared a creamy cup of tea for Aarav and black coffee for herself, the smell of caffeine already waking up her senses.

"Do you mind pouring me a cup of black coffee? This headache is killing me." Ryan's voice startled her, and she spilled a few drops of coffee on the counter. She looked over her shoulder to find Ryan walking down the stairs in nothing but a pair of black sweatpants, his black hair bigger than Aarav hanging over his forehead in messy waves. If not for his slightly muscular frame and Celtic tattoo inked over his right chest, she would've mistaken him for Aarav.

Shay poured another cup of black coffee for the broody Tripathi twin, and slid the mug towards him. "Thought you wouldn't show yourself till I left."

Ryan stopped midway through his first sip, then looked at her face for a long minute. His lips finally twitched, and he released a low laugh. "Now, why would I do that?"

"Kidding," Shay said, leaning against the counter and letting her curious eyes take in the patterns of ink over his skin. "When did you get that tattoo? And what on earth do those patterns mean?"

He didn't give her an answer, instead handed her the cup of tea she had prepared for Aarav. "If this is for Aarav, then you better give it to him when it's still hot. He hates it cold, you know." His eyes moved over her shoulder across the kitchen towards the basement as he headed back to his room.

Her gaze shifted from his retreating back to the two cups in her hands as she tried to shake off the intense look in Ryan's eyes. Was it possible that he felt left out while Shay and Aarav were busy in their bubble of love?

When Shay walked back into the basement, she found the boy still consumed in slumber and his phone vibrating with the buzzer tune of the alarm. She placed the cups on the trunk and turned off the alarm plopping down beside the sleeping beauty.

She was about to shake her boyfriend out of his overstretched nap but instead yelped as toned arms wrapped around her waist, pulling in a position so that Aarav could place his head on her lap, grumbling a deep throaty sound.

"Where did you go, Shay?"

Shay chuckled at the adorable way his eyebrows screwed together, his eyes at half-mast as he placed a warm kiss on her stomach. Her body hummed with the heat of his touch even through the material of her summer dress. She let her fingers thread in his tousled hair as she said, "I made tea for you. It's not how you like it, but almost the same look and feel."

Aarav pulled himself up in a sitting position, stretching his long arms above his head and then wrapping them around Shay. He brushed his nose with hers, then reached across for tea. Shay squeezed her eyes, realizing it wasn't hot anymore, but that didn't stop Aarav from sipping it down to the very last drop and grinning at her with puppy eyes. "Best fucking drink in the whole world."

"But it got cold," Shay mumbled, running her index finger over the rim of her cup. "I know you like it hot."

Aarav took the cup from her hand and placed it beside his empty cup, pulling her close again. "Shay, Jaan," he mumbled across her cheek, then nudged it with his nose. "Cold or hot, everything feels heavenly when it comes from you."

She opened her mouth to speak, and his gaze dropped to her lips. "Baby, why are you so cute?"

He chuckled, his warm breath tickling her skin, and he didn't let her say another word, cutting her off with his mouth.

Aarav kissed her, their hands tangled into each other's hair, his hold a little softer at first, then tightening just enough to feed her desire. His touches were like quicksand, sinking her into his electrifying energy as his hands explored the expanse of her torso ever so lovingly. A quiet whimper released past her lips as he nibbled on her bottom lip before stepping away. They looked into each other's dilated eyes, breathing heavily.

Aarav closed his eyes, releasing a deep groan. "I think we should-"

Shay cut him off. "Don't say a thing," she murmured, her breath hot against his chin. Then he moved her over, laying her down on the plush couch, his toned body leaning on top of her, balanced on his both elbows. He looked deep into her eyes as if waiting for her to back away. How could she when he looked at her like she was the only beautiful thing in this world?

So, she bunched the fabric of his black t-shirt and pulled him back into her hold, his mouth brushing her quivering lips softly then unrestrained. Aarav kissed her like she was only for him and him alone, and that thought itself was enough for Shay to release a moan. He reached the back of her thigh, hooking it around his body while his hold never wavered from the dips of her waist.

"You know what I always want to see?" He whispered against her collarbones, leaving butterfly kisses.

"What?" Shay breathed, pulling him back upward so that she could look into his black irises.

He held her face in his palms and kissed her forehead before saying, "I want to see you happy, living your dreams, and always drunk in love."

Shay smiled at his selfless wish and held his head against her heart. She was deeply, insanely, and irrevocably in love with this boy.

***

AUTHOR'S NOTE

This chapter is going to be one of my favorites. I hope you love the sweet moments between the two love birds. If you are enjoying it, please add your comments and votes. They always motivate me to write further. I'll be updating this story twice a week, but I might update more.

Until next time!