But suddenly Rohit's eyes widened in shock as his lips met Virat's...

Thumb?

Okay, I know you guys are as confused as Rohit. So, let us rewind a few seconds back, to when Rohit was busy being panicked, and he didn't notice Virat slyly slipping his thumb between their lips, cleverly interrupting the almost-kiss. The angle they stood in, however, created an illusion to any distant observer—it appeared as though their lips had indeed met.

Rohit, startled by Virat's unexpected action, blinked in surprise and relief simultaneously at the quick thinking of Virat. With a mischievous glint in his eye, Virat pulled back and turned to face Nisha, who was now watching them with a mixture of skepticism and amusement. With a casual yet teasing tone, Virat addressed Nisha, his voice light and amused, "There you go, Nisha. Are you satisfied now?"

Nisha stood amidst the gathering, her expression a blend of skepticism and something more intense, her eyes narrowing as if she was weighing the authenticity of what she had just witnessed. After a few moments of tense silence, she  crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow, a hint of jealousy flashing in her eyes. "That was nothing," she said, her tone challenging. "If you're going to prove something, you need to do better than that."

Virat's response was a low chuckle, his grin widening with a hint of amusement and confidence. "Oh, really?" he retorted playfully. "What do you suggest we do to convince you?"

"If you're so confident, why don't you actually do a proper French kiss to him? Or maybe you're just all talk," she taunted, a sly smile playing on her lips.

Rohit's eyes darted between Virat and Nisha, feeling confused and nervous. Virat, however, seemed unfazed by Nisha's challenge; instead, he seemed to relish it. He glanced back at Rohit, his gaze simultaneously teasing and reassuring. "Well, Ro," he murmured, his voice softening slightly, "are you up for proving her wrong?"

Before Rohit could gather his thoughts to respond, Virat leaned in again, his intent clear. But Rohit, thinking quickly, placed a firm hand on Virat's shoulder, halting his movement toward a potentially compromising act. Rohit's voice was smooth, almost too casual given the circumstances. "Ah, but babe," he interjected, his tone playfully low, "let's keep our private moments for the bedroom, shall we? There are quite a few people around here."

Turning his attention squarely to Nisha, Rohit added with a grin, "And Ms. Whatever-Your-Name-Is, if you're that interested in watching people kiss, might I suggest a good romantic comedy? It might satisfy your curiosity. Now, if you'll excuse us, Vikas bhaiya seems to be calling us."

He flashed a forced smile at Nisha before turning towards Virat and casually placing a hand on his shoulder, "Come on, Vi," he said with a fake grin, his tone laced with amusement. "Let's not keep Vikas bhaiya waiting any longer."

Saying that he guided more like dragged Virat out of the hall, and once outside, Rohit glanced around swiftly, his mind racing for a solution. He wasted no time, heading towards the nearest room with a sense of urgency dragging Virat behind him. As soon as they were inside, Rohit closed the door behind them with a soft click and turned around.

Meanwhile, Virat blinked in surprise as Rohit dragged him into the nearest room, closing the door behind them with a soft click. Virat's mischievous grin was now replaced with confusion. "Whoa, Ro," he began, his tone a mix of curiosity and amusement, "what's the rush? I thought we were having a good fun out there."

Rohit looked at Virat with a deadpan expression and said sarcastically, "Fun? Huh, fun? Really... your idea of fun is bloody worrisome."

Virat's confusion melted into a sheepish grin as he realized Rohit's tone. "Oh come on, Ro," he chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. Rohit cut him off, his voice firm and a hint of exasperation in his eyes.

"Don't 'come on, Ro' me, Vi. You almost kissed me out there."

Virat rolled his eyes playfully, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "Ro, stop behaving like you haven't kissed anyone before," he teased, his voice laced with mock innocence.

Rohit looked at Virat, his expression a mix of exasperation and amusement. "Yes, I've kissed someone before, you idiot," he retorted, a smirk forming on his face. "But it was only one person, and she's now my soon-to-be wife, so excuse me if I don't find your idea of 'fun' all that enjoyable."

Virat's grin widened as he walked over to the black leather couch and casually sat on it. "Stop whining and complaining, bro. If anything, I should be the one complaining that my first kiss was with you."

He winked playfully, clearly enjoying the banter. Rohit looked at Virat with a smirk, his eyes glinting with playful defiance. "Really? Says the person who goes around kissing every girl he sees. Heck, even a girl he sees five minutes ago—the next moment, he's kissing her," he shot back, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Virat chuckled, unfazed by Rohit's remark. "Ah, Ro, it's called being charming, it is good for health, like gyming" he replied with a wink. "You should try it sometime."

Rohit rolled his eyes, "No thanks. Do you realize how in the hell, am I gonna explain to Rits, about why you almost kissed me at your family function?"

Virat leaned back, his grin widening mischievously. "Unlike you, Rits is cool. She will understand."

Rohit glared at Virat, his frustration barely contained. "Yeah, yeah, samajhdaar insaan ki dumb aulaad," he retorted sharply. "You could have made up a story about how you're in a long-distance relationship to dodge Nisha's challenge, but no, why use your brain when you can just cause chaos instead, right?"

Virat chuckled, clearly amused by Rohit's reaction. "Oh come on, Ro," he said, leaning back on the couch, his tone casual. "Where's the fun in that? Besides, a little excitement never hurts anyone."

Rohit sighed, rubbing his temples. "Fun and excitement, huh? Well, next time you decide to spice things up, leave me out of it. I've got enough on my plate without adding your antics into the mix."

Virat's grin didn't falter. "Relax, bro. It was just a bit of harmless fun."

Rohit, rolling his eyes dramatically, quipped with a half-smile, "Harmless fun? Sure, next time let's aim for slightly less 'heart-stopping' and more 'PG-rated,' okay? My pulse is still recovering from that near lip-lock Olympic event."

Virat leaned forward with a playful glint in his eyes, responding to Rohit's dramatic plea, "Oh, come on, Ro! Where's your sense of adventure? Life's too short to always play it safe, you know."

Rohit rolled his eyes dramatically at Virat's response, ready with a witty comeback. But just as he opened his mouth to retort, Virat's phone started buzzing loudly in his pocket, interrupting the banter. With a hint of annoyance Virat fished out his phone from the pocket of his black trousers, but the moment he saw the caller ID, his face lit up with a smile Virat quickly pressed the answer button and put the phone on speaker, knowing the caller could provide a welcome distraction from the playful tension with Rohit.

Before Rohit could ask whose call it was, Virat greeted enthusiastically, his voice filled with warmth, "Hey Rits What's up?"

Rits's voice came through the phone, warm and familiar. "Hey, Vi! I was trying to reach Ro, but he's not picking up. And he is not even replying to my messages. Just put the phone on speaker, I need to say something to him."

Upon his mobile being mentioned, Rohit quickly fished out his mobile from the pocket of his black trousers and as he checked the screen, his expression soured. "Shit, the battery is dead, Rits," he said as he sat beside Virat.

Virat chuckled softly, shaking his head in mock disappointment at Rohit. "Dumbhead, you could've just asked me for the charger," he teased, his tone light and playful.

Rohit shot Virat an annoyed glance, his eyebrows furrowing. "I was about to ask, but then Nisha and your drama happened," he muttered, irritation evident in his voice.

Ritika's curiosity aroused at the mention of an unfamiliar name, as she began, "Sounds like I'm missing out on something interesting." There was a hint of laughter in her tone, Virat grinned mischievously at Rohit's discomfort, knowing exactly how to play along with Rits's curiosity. "Well, Rits," Virat began with a playful tone, "you know how it is at these family gatherings. Nisha threw down a challenge, and your dear fiancé here," he gestured toward Rohit, "was almost swept off his feet."

Rohit shifted uncomfortably, his cheeks reddening slightly as he tried to downplay the situation. "It was nothing like that, Rits. Just some silly dare," he muttered, avoiding Virat's teasing gaze.

Virat, enjoying himself immensely, leaned closer to the phone's speaker, his voice lowering conspiratorially. "Oh, come on, Ro. Don't be shy. Nisha practically dared us to kiss!" he exclaimed, unable to contain his laughter.

Rohit's eyes widened in horror, realizing Virat was not going to let him off easy. He stammered, "Vi, that's not... I mean... It wasn't like that!"

Rits's laughter echoed through the phone, clearly amused by the situation. "Oh my god, you guys! Seriously got dared to do what?" she exclaimed, finding the whole scenario both hilarious and mildly concerning.

Virat nodded enthusiastically, playing up the drama. "Yep, Rits. Your man here nearly had his first kiss after courting you, with me," he teased, shooting Rohit a playful wink.

Rohit buried his face in his hands, mortified beyond belief. "Rits, it was all a misunderstanding. Vi loves to exaggerate," he mumbled into his palms.

Rits laughed softly over the phone. "Now I really want to know what happened. Vi, spill it!" Her tone was playful yet eager, clearly enjoying the intrigue.

Virat cleared his throat, his voice filled with amusement as he began recounting the incident to Rits. As Virat recounted the incident to Rits, detailing Nisha's challenge and the playful banter that ensued between him and Rohit, Rits's laughter gradually built up. At first, she listened attentively, occasionally interjecting with amused exclamations or questions. As the story unfolded with Virat's characteristic flair for drama and Rohit's deadpan responses, Rits couldn't help but find the whole situation hilariously absurd.

Virat's playful narration, combined with Rohit's attempts to downplay the incident, painted a picture that Rits found both entertaining and endearing. By the time Virat finished off recounting the details of the incident, Rits burst into laughter, unable to contain her amusement at the comedic turn of events. Through the phone, her laughter rang out, a mix of disbelief and sheer enjoyment. "Oh god, you guys! Seriously?" That's hilarious! And poor Ro, I can imagine his face."

She giggled, picturing the scene in her mind. Virat joined in, his tone playful. "Yeah, Ro was like deer caught in headlights for a moment there. But he handled it like a champ, didn't you, Ro?" he teased, nudging Rohit who rolled his eyes with a smile. Rits, still giggling, replied, "You guys are something else, you know that? Always finding new ways to entertain yourselves."

Rohit, now more relaxed knowing Rits found it funny, whined, "Rits yar, if not real, then at least show fake possessiveness, for crying out loud your soon-to-be husband almost got kissed by his best friend."

Rits chuckled softly over the phone, her voice warm and amused. "Oh, Ro, come on. I trust you both completely. Besides, I know Vi's antics by now." Her tone softened with a hint of playfulness. "But if it makes you feel any better, consider me fake-possessive for a moment. Just imagine I'm glaring daggers at Vi right now." She couldn't help but laugh lightly at the situation.

Virat, who was clearly enjoying the banter, added with a grin in his voice, "Ah, Rits, you know you love me too much to be possessive. PS, don't worry, your man is safe with me." He chuckled, clearly enjoying the light-hearted teasing. He glanced at Rohit with a grin, adding in jest, "At least for now."

Rohit rolled his eyes playfully at Virat's remark but couldn't suppress a smile. "Thanks, Rits. And don't worry, I'm not planning on letting Vi get too carried away," he replied, his tone light and reassuring.

Rits laughed again, her voice warm, "Good to hear, Ro. Now, enjoy the rest of the evening you two and try not to get into any more 'almost-kiss' situations, okay?"

"We'll do our best," Rohit promised with a chuckle, sharing a look with Virat who nodded in agreement. After exchanging a few more light-hearted remarks and promising to catch up later, they ended the call.

Virat glanced at Rohit, a grin playing on his lips. "Well, like I said, Rits is cool. She'll get it, and she really did get it."

Rohit shook his head, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips. "You're impossible, you know that?"

Virat's eyes twinkled with mischief. "And yet, you still love me."

Rohit chuckled despite himself. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Just promise me next time you get one of your brilliant ideas, you'll at least give me a heads-up."

"Deal," Virat agreed, still grinning. "Now, shall we head back before someone starts wondering where we disappeared to?"

Rohit nodded, taking a deep breath. "Let's go. And please, for the love of God, try to behave."

"No promises," Virat teased, standing up and heading for the door.

As they walked out, Rohit couldn't help but think that despite the chaos, life with Virat around was never dull.

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So, we are at the end of the book officially . I hope you guys liked it and I tried my best to make it funny, hopefully you guys had a good laugh over this chap.

Do let me know your thoughts on this chapter.

PS. In few hours or by tmrw morning, I would be publishing my
Rohika book, do look forward to it too :)

XOXO!