Mehendi & Moonlight || Ana

Chapter 28:: Dreamy Reverie

She should've been delighted but her heart felt heavy with those words. He was pointing at her reflection while saying that.
He took his hands back as she immediately wiped the incoming tear from the corner of her eyes, looking at him.
"And now, did you decide what to do?" 

She pressed her lips together, "You're joking." 
He sighed at her statement, "Do you think I am? With this face?" 

Getting no response, he pulled her closer and whispered, "I love—"
She gasped, hitting his chest as he groaned, "What?!" 
"You talk too much. Shut up." 
"So, what did you decide?" He smiled as she controlled her own. 

His smile was contagious. 

"I..." She fumbled with her words while his smile stayed in its place. Taking a small breath, she added, "The nature's pretty."
"It is." He nodded, noticing how she swallowed a lump in her throat, coughing from time to time. 
"Why did you suddenly tell me this?" She asked as he hummed, pondering on her words.
"Because... I tried to do it a few times earlier but you never let me finish. And, since you asked it yourself, didn't you want to hear this? I'm in love with you. And I don't need to play dumb when I know you like me too." 

Her eyes widened as he chuckled at her petrified expression. 
"How d-do you—" She stuttered, stopping midway and taking a deep breath as he shrugged, "Isn't it obvious? Am I a kid? I'm twenty-eight, of course, I'd know." 

Seeing his reassuring smile, she relaxed. 
"So... um..." 
"Why are you so hesitant?" He tilted his head.

"Is it too hard to believe the mighty Kabir has feelings for you?"
"Shut up."

He chuckled, leaning forward to take a closer look at her face.

"You're blushing."
"I'm not."
"You're red, Nisha."
"Shut the fu—"
"Ehm, no cursing. We're in a peaceful romantic mood."

"Romantic, my foot." She frowned as he smiled, "Then what did you decide?" 
"What am I supposed to say?" 
"What do you think?"
"You already know I have feelings for you too. What should I say?" 

He sighed, shaking his head.
"You've never dated, have you?" She scowled at his question.
"Am I like you? Having exes around..."
"Who told you that—"
"I have my ways." She ignored his flabbergasted expression as he clasped his mouth shut.
"Uh, you're the only one I've genuinely liked so much. I don't think I even remember the faces of the people my friends term as my 'exes' so that's invalid. You're the only one." 
"Did I ask?!" She gasped, trying to suppress her grin as he smiled. 

"So... what are we now?" He sighed at her question, "Did you lose a few brain cells from that smart brain of yours?" 
"Huh?" 
"We're best buddies, of course."
"But you said..." Her voice faded at the end, confusion taking over her as Kabir smiled, "Do you want us to be something else?"

Seeing the mischievous smile on his face, she scoffed, "Are you delusional?" 
"Not really. If you want..." He came closer to her face, his lips slightly brushing against her cheeks as he whispered, "We can be... more than that." 
Her eyes widened as he let out a soft huff.

His breath hit her skin, making shivers run down her spine. 

Backing away, he chuckled as she asked, "Promise?" 
"About being something more? Sure—"
"No! About being... best buddies. And, the latter one is optional." She didn't meet his gaze, making him laugh. 

She forwarded her thumb as he smiled, pressing his one against her. The little action arising gratifying emotions within her heart as her eyes met his. Like every other time, a more intensified and sparkling sensation sputtered within her, showing her dimensions of the happiness she didn't know existed.