My First Everything

Next Ten Days

For the next ten days, we sorted out a place to shift, explored Mumbai and its famous street food, spent time with Teron and Mateo, went on countless lunches and dinners, and somehow, in between all of that, I got a few moments alone with him too.

Things were easier when there was distance between us. But now, living under the same roof, it was becoming harder every day to stay just friends.

Every time he stood in front of me, an overwhelming desire to hold him close and kiss him consumed me. There were moments when I found myself lost in the sight of his lips, wondering if I would ever be fortunate enough to kiss them. Whenever he drank something, a strange part of me wished to drink from the same cup, just to feel a little closer to him. Deep down, I sensed that he already knew how I truly felt about him.

One serene evening, the four of us were gathered in the living room, sipping cold coffee and casually talking when the topic of relationships suddenly came up. Seizing the opportunity, Sakshi decided to speak on my behalf and asked Teron about his relationship status.

After a brief pause, he admitted that he had been in a relationship before, but it had ended a year ago.

I quietly asked what happened.

Without hesitation, he replied, "She was with me for money." Then, with a faint, bitter laugh, he added, "Drawbacks of being rich, I guess."

Sakshi, being Sakshi, immediately asked, "So... were you guys physically involved?"

"Yes," he answered casually. "There's nothing we haven't done."

For some reason, hearing that made something inside me ache. I hated the sudden jealousy that crept in while imagining him with someone else. And the worst part was—he noticed it. He saw the discomfort on my face and instantly understood what had bothered me.

Trying to lighten the mood, Mateo leaned back and said, "So let me get this straight... we're all good-looking, yet we're still single? That's actually embarrassing."

And just like that, the room burst into laughter again.

Later that night, in a private moment, Mateo leaned closer to Teron and said,

Mateo: You know she's into you, right?

Teron: Who?

Mateo: Smirks Mansi, obviously.

Teron: Curious What makes you say that?

Mateo: Her face when we were talking about your ex. That jealousy wasn't hard to miss.

Teron: Looks down thoughtfully Yeah... I saw. I can sense she feels something for me.

Mateo: And how do you feel about her?

Teron: She's genuine... I really enjoy being around her.

Mateo: Then why don't you give it a shot and ask her out?

Teron: Hesitates I don't know, man. Why complicate our friendship? Emotions have a way of messing things up.

After a brief silence, he sighs softly.

Teron: After knowing all this, I don't even know if asking her to stay here was the right thing to do.

Mateo: Or maybe it was the best thing you could've done. You clearly care about her. Just think about it.

Teron quietly nods.

The next day, he found Sakshi alone while I was upstairs.

Teron: Hey, can I ask you something?

Sakshi: Looks at him curiously Yeah, sure.

Teron: Hesitates for a moment Does Mansi... have feelings for me?

Sakshi: Taken aback Wait... did something happen?

Teron: No, I've just been noticing a few things lately.

Sakshi: Nervously laughs Please don't tell her I said this...

Teron: Assuring I won't.

Sakshi: But yeah... she has a huge crush on you.
Pauses for a moment.
I just hope you don't distance yourself from her now that you know.

Teron: Reassuring Don't worry about it.

Sakshi: Good.

By then, he had already started noticing the little things — the way I look at him, how my behavior subtly changes around him, even the quiet jealousy.

Deep down, he already knows.

And with every passing day, it's becoming harder for me to hide it.