The Princess

17.

ARANYANI

I could visibly see the red traveling his body. From his cheeks to the ends of his ears.

"Hey, you do not have to if you do not want to," I say, a little panicked.

"It is not that." He sighed and continued, "I want to kiss you."

"Me too." I look up at him.

With the red still tinting his cheeks, he cups mine and bends his neck. His breath fans my lips and I start to anticipate when he will do something.

When for a few moments he just stares at me, I grab his neck, stand up on my tippy toes and place my lips upon his. His lips are soft as they press onto mine, and this feels like everything I have ever dreamt about. The tingle that runs down my spine makes me run my hands in his hair. I tilt my head, and he deepens the kiss, tracing the seam of my lower lip with his tongue.

I open my mouth to give him access. He kisses me like it is his last time and I love every second of it.

He pulls back and rests his forehead on mine. Both of us breathe heavily, our chests rising and falling heavily.

"Was that your first kiss?" I ask.

He hums in reply and I say, "Mine, too." I smile.

He pecks my lips once, twice, three times and I laugh, turning my face away.

"Hey!"

"I like kissing you." He murmurs, kissing my cheek softly.

"You have done that once." I deadpan.

"Yes, and once was enough to make me like it." He says and pecks my lips again.

"But," he continues, "we have places to be. So, more kissing later." He states.

"Okay. Lead the way!" I exclaim.

In the next ten minutes, we pack the picnic basket and get settled in the car, driving off towards our next destination.

"If you could go anywhere in the universe, where would you go?" I ask, turning towards him.

"Hmm. There are too many. How can I choose?" He chuckles, and continues, "I would like to visit your home country." He smiles at me.

"Are you saying that just to impress me?" I question with narrowed eyes

"No! Uh, maybe, u-uh-" I cut off his rambling with a laugh.

"I am just joking, Rys. I would love to take you there. I will show you all of my favorite places!" I grin.

"What is the one movie that weirded you out?" He asks, clasping my hand in his and resting it on my thigh.

"It is more like a movie series, The Hunger Games. I do not even know why, it just did." I shrug, playing with his fingers.

"What is your favorite fruit?" I ask.

"Strawberries." He smiles.

"I saw that today, alright." I smirk at him and continue, "I love all fruits!"

"Favorite holiday?" He inquires.

"Deepawali!" I exclaim.

"That reminds me, you looked very beautiful that day." He compliments.

"Thank you, Rys. And, why did you leave abruptly when we were on video call?" I ask.

He goes quiet for a few moments, making me glance up from our hands.