Cann sighed, lying down on his bed, but sleep wouldn't come. His thoughts were consumed by Ritika. He couldn't stop wondering-should he tell her about Delitz? Should he tell Delitz about Ritika? But why? Ritika was just his neighbor, his friend. He...
“I love kissing you.” These were the only words Ritika could think of.
Two hours later, she lay in her bed. It was dark outside. She got up, opened the fridge, and grabbed some juice before stepping onto the balcony. The cold air wrapped around her, but that didn’t matter; she just wanted to catch a glimpse of Cann.
And there he was.
“He’s here,” Ritika whispered to herself, wondering, “Why is he always here?”
She felt a rush of excitement and nervousness, recalling his unforgettable kiss. It was as if she couldn’t go on without seeing him again.
Down below, Cann sat beside a small fire crackling in a metal fire basket, scrolling through his phone, perhaps preparing for an event the next day.
“Hi,” Ritika called softly from the balcony.
He looked up, waving, “Hey!”
“Come over here, it’s warmer by the fire,” he said, gesturing to the spot beside him.
Ritika hesitated, but seeing him waiting, she decided to join him.
“Sorry if I’m disturbing you,” she said as she approached.
“You’re not,” he replied calmly, his voice steady and warm.
He slid a nearby chair closer to his, inviting her to sit near him and the fire. Ritika sat down, enjoying the warmth and his presence.
A call interrupted them. It was Ritika’s childhood friend from India, and she answered with a smile, laughing and chatting in a mix of Hindi and English. Cann chuckled along, catching snippets of her conversation, clearly amused by her happiness.
When the call ended, Ritika glanced at him, feeling his gaze on her. She looked away shyly, turning her attention back to the fire.
After a few moments of silence, Ritika laughed and said, “What?”
“Nothing,” he replied, smiling.
She smirked, teasing, “So… do you want to kiss me again?”
“Always,” he said seriously.
Her heart skipped a beat, butterflies filling her stomach. She turned her gaze away, feeling a blush spread across her cheeks.
Ritika looked away, feeling a warm blush spread across her cheeks, but Cann’s gaze lingered on her. The air between them seemed to grow heavier, charged with an unspoken energy. She felt her heartbeat quicken as she heard him shift in his seat, and she couldn’t resist glancing back at him.
Cann had leaned closer, his eyes searching hers. The firelight flickered between them, casting soft shadows across his face. His hand reached out slowly, fingers brushing along her jawline, tracing a delicate line down her cheek. His touch was warm, steady, and grounding, making her breath catch in her throat.
Neither of them spoke. Words seemed unnecessary, almost intrusive, in the quiet warmth of this moment.
Cann’s face was now just inches from hers, close enough that she could feel his breath mingle with hers. She closed her eyes, letting herself fall into the sensation, the anticipation drawing her in. Then, softly, his lips touched hers—a featherlight kiss, warm and tender.
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