Best Friends and Cousins? (An Indian Love Story)

Chapter 10

The. View. Is. Amazing.

I don't realise that I stopped breathing in awe. The view is just breathtaking, but I forget to take a breath.

I come back to my senses when Nikhil wraps his arms around my shoulders and rests his chin on my head. I lean back into him.

"Enjoying the view princess?"

"That's a new name." I say, smiling to myself.

"Mhmm, you're just so beautiful when you are genuinely happy. It has a positive physical effect on your face, almost as if you are glowing from the inside. You are the princess of my life, and I will, one day, definitely ask to make you my queen but as long as I am prince, you are my one and only princess." I give him a look.

"Look, I know it is hard to believe. I didn't want to lose our friendship. I've seen enough beautiful ones crumble to pieces because of this complex emotion called love."

"Be careful. Love is a strong word."

"Not strong enough to express my feelings for you." There a moment of silence which is, thankfully, not awkward. There is no scope for awkwardness between us, though there may be some in the future. I blush at the thought of moving in with Nikhil. It is not possible so soon though.

"Thank you." I say quietly.

"For what? Giving you what you deserve?" He asks sarcatically.

"For making not just one, but two of my firsts so memorable." I kiss his cheek.

"Oh, babe, you wouldn't even want to know how memorable I want your other first times to be." He smirks and nuzzles the side of my neck.

It takes me a while to realise what he's hinting at. I hope my face doesn't look as flushed as I feel.

"NIKHIL!" I swat his forearm lightly.

He chuckles softly, but turns serious, his face still close to my neck. "Neha, I don't want to hurt you or push you away. If I am doing anything that is making you uncomfortable, or if you feel we are going too fast, please stop me. We've got plenty of time to do everything. I want to give you everything you deserve in the best way possible."

One look at his face tells me he is being completely honest. I partly turn around and put my head on his chest, right over his heart. I'm still leaning against him, but on my side this time, as we both look out onto the scenery spread out in front of us.

I suddenly feel something weird. I look up at Nikhil, my eyes wide. He frowns down at me.

"Everything okay? Am I making you uncomfortable?"

"Nikhil, I...we might have to go home. We can come back almost as soon as I'm done, but I really need to go."

"Is it really that important?"

"I...uh...I um...I need to check on something." I look up at him, locking my eyes with him

"Oh...that is not an issue." He looks flushed. "You can check here. There's like a hidden cubicle sort of thing behind the back wall. And I got your bag. I figured you women always have some emergency supplies in your bags, and it was on the shoe rack. So I just grabbed it." He reaches behind, into one of his many pockets on his bomber jacket, and pulls out the small bag I always carry around. 

I look at him, into his eyes, before kissing his cheek and whispering into his ear, "Best. Boyfriend. Ever." I go into the cubicle, which is not really cramped. Perfect for two people who want privacy. I blush at the thought of everything that could happen in this cute cubicle. I quickly check on myself and go back out, swinging on my bag.