Author's POV ;

It's been an hour that Amaya has been tossing and turning on the bed as she's not able to get any sleep. She glanced at her best friend who's fast asleep the moment she hit her bed and is now softly snoring.

She chuckled looking at Aranya's face whose mouth was partly open. She forwarded her palm only to lift Aranya's chin but that was a futile attempt as she again started snoring softly, opening her mouth.

"Cute." She exclaimed only to look at the wall clock and it's 1 am in the morning. It's not her first time in her room, she's been here almost 5-6 times but she never got accustomed to it.

She again glanced at her best friend then at the photo frames kept beside her bed which have some photos of them together and obviously she's forced to click those photos with her. She smiled thinking of their school days and how they became friends.

She's a loner from the start while Aranya being the extrovert had forwarded the hand of friendship and from that day she had never made her feel alone.

She got down from the bed and adored the photos on the wall thinking how warm and welcoming these people are as she could notice herself in many of the photos.

She always tries not to meddle with them but everytime she denies either Aranya forces her or Swati invites her making sure she never misses any of their little gatherings.

Tonight, she's here because it was Swati and Aditya's twenty-fifth anniversary. They were partying all night, especially their kids and Amaya was invited too. Swati asked them to stay here as it was late and Amaya couldn't deny her.

"Don't get attached, Amaya." She mumbled to herself.

"Just because they treat you as family doesn't mean you belong here." She further added as a lump formed in her throat and she gulped hard. She walked towards the bedside table only to lift the water jug but it was empty.

She swallowed her saliva but her mouth felt dry. She looked at Aranya and tried to wake her up, slowly patting her cheek but that girl was so tired to even lift her eyelids as she didn't budge. Amaya didn't blame her as it was her parents anniversary and being the enthusiastic one, she danced like crazy forgetting the world.

Amaya sighed in defeat and lay down on bed trying to sleep but she couldn't as she needed some water to calm her racing heart. She held the jug and took slow steps only to come out of the room but much to her assumption it wasn't dark and she felt relieved or else she'd have broken so many things trying to find a way to the kitchen.

She walked a bit ahead, towards the living room which was still decorated only to stay rooted at her place hearing a humming sound.

But soon that humming turned into singing as she heard,"In my dreams you're with me...would be everything I want us to be..."

And he went on singing while Amaya found herself lost in his melodious voice, admiring him from afar as he's vibing to Shawn Mendes's Imagination.

He had his headphones on while doing something on the laptop and a few files were sprawled on the table in front of the sofa.

"Damn....why do I relate so much to this song ??" He exclaimed, arching his head over the headrest of the sofa, running his slender fingers in his silken hair but then his eyes widened looking at the girl standing behind him about whom he's imagining.

"I..I am sorry." Amaya mumbled only to turn and was about to go back when he composed himself feeling embarrassed, then asked,"Wha-what do you want Maya??"

She shut her eyelids tight as her heart again started pounding against her chest - badump badump.

It's not a new thing for her but her heart always becomes a bad musician whenever he's around and her eyes always find their way to stare at him plus the way he calls her - Maya, always makes her fuzzy and giddy.

"Need something??" Sameer asked coming in front of her and his earthy warm perfume hit her nostrils that her realise that he's in front of her as her eyes were still closed.

"Are you sleepwalking ??" He asked, raising his left eyebrow, then snapped his finger in front of her only to make her open her eyes and she shook her head.

"Wa-water." She muttered making him scoff in response as he said,"I ask you something and you always answer me with some other thing."

She looked at him perplexed to which he chuckled and forwarded his hand. She carefully gave him the jug and in the process their fingers brushed sending tingles all through their bodies as they stared eye to eye for a moment.

"Can someone just stop the time." He muttered incoherently but she looked at him confused.

"I'll...I'll get you some water." Sameer stuttered while shaking his head and cursed inwardly to himself.

Amaya followed him absentmindedly towards the dining table and he filled the jug neglecting the six glasses arranged on the table.

She stared at him in oblivion only to smile a little as she said,"You practically filled a jug emptying the jug that was kept on the table."

He snapped his head towards her to find her smiling and her dimples were on display. His lips curved upwards adoring her serene face and obviously the two treasures that only appear when she smiles.

"Here..." Amaya forwarded a glass to him but he took another and walked towards the sofa holding the jug and glass while grinning to himself.

"I...wahter..." She turned to look at his retreating physique but then followed him to the sofa.

"One shouldn't drink water while standing." He said only to pour water for her into the glass and kept it on the table.

"It damages one's knees." He further added only to sit on the sofa and beckoned her to sit then drink.

She gulped the water in a go quenching her thirst then said,"I could've sat there." She gestured towards the dining table and chair making him feel so stupid but he did that purposely.

He wanted have a nice look at her.

"Don't think much." He voiced biting his cheeks inwardly and she looked at the jug in his hand mumbling,"I want more."

He smiled looking into her innocent face then poured some more water for her. She drank it gulping down as if she's thirsty for years, closing her eyes while a pair of brown eyes stared at her adorably.

"Thank You." She mumbled wiping her lips and he replied,"You're welcome."

She stood up and his facial expression changed as if he didn't want her to go but how will he stop her ??

And it seems like god was on his side because the moment Amaya took a step, Coco came hopping towards her and started nibbling her feets.

"Hey, that tickles." Her eyes shined as she picked him up only to sit back on the sofa.

Coco turned his face towards Sameer and flashed his teeth as if saying,"I've got your back."

Sameer smiled proudly hearing her voice as she squished the rabbit asking,"Where's your Mallow??"

The small creature purred at her and she talked with him caressing and cooing but then Sameer's eyes widened as she pecked Coco.

He frowned, staring at his pet but Coco purred again, seeking all the attention from Amaya, as if teasing Sameer.

"Why are you so obsessed with bunnies ??" She asked without looking at him but he smiled atleast she's interested in knowing something about him.

Sameer's POV ;

She wants to know something about me that's so cute and it makes my heart happy. It's the first time she asked something from me.

"I...I don't know." I smiled nervously and she looked at me with shock. I swear I don't know why I love bunnies but yeah I love them.

"Is it because you've cute bunny teeths??" She further questioned and my heartbeat stopped for a second.

She notices things about me.

That's so strange yet heartwarming.

My smile widened as I stared at her but she averted her gaze only to bite her bottom lip and I found that cute.

She's adorable.

"So, you think I'm cute ??" I asked while smirking because there's no harm in teasing her a little.

She snapped her head to me and shook her head. The smile I had on my face vanished but then I heard her say,"You...you're handsome. Just like Aditya Uncle."

"Atleast you think I'm handsome. That's enough and dad, he's sinfully handsome." I mumbled about being happy. She does find me appealing and that's a plus point because I can woo her by playing my face card.

"Btw, what does bub mean??" She asked and her eyes shined. I chuckled at her, making her look away.

She squished Coco's face while asking,"I heard uncle calling aunty with this endearment but I always forgot to ask Anya."

"It's kinda cute." She mumbled softly stroking Coco's back and I swear my pet is having a nice time. I'll have to inform Mallow to keep an eye on her boyfriend.

"It's a short form of, baby." I answered and she looked at me with amusement as she said,"Baby is already so short but it's cute."

"I know right." I chuckled knowing how obsessed my parents are with each other even now. Their love feels so fresh and pure like some teenagers.

It's their twenty fifth wedding anniversary and we all planned a surprise party for them as bua had sent them for a staycation. But the moment they both came home they were like,"This is the day we got to know about your existence."

Everyday they make us feel so special and loved and I'm actually so proud of my parents and want to make them proud.

They deserve the world.

"You tell me how your anemia is. Is it in control ??" I asked and she nodded. She has iron deficiency anaemia and we got to know that when she suddenly fainted while working at Blue Dream one year ago.

"Are you taking your medicine ??" I asked and she looked at me only to smile. I swear I can do anything for that smile and those dimples are to die for.

"Aren't you sleepy ??" She asked and I shook my head showing her the designs I was preparing for a client.

"I wish I could help you but we haven't been taught such designs yet." She mumbled nervously and chuckled at her.

"I can teach you if you...want." I prompted and but she looked at me only to shake her head.

I facepalmed myself inwardly.

I swear I need to control my mouth or else I'll blurt out what I've been hiding for years and that will do nothing but make her silent.

"I..I'll go back to sleep." She mumbled and I hummed in response though I wanted her to stay but she has college tomorrow.

"Good night, Coco." She sweetly said only to peck him again. This is the second time she did it and my pet looked at me in a mocking way.

He's not getting his carrots.

Coco hopped onto my lap but I ignored him as my eyes were on her. She held the jug and walked away.

No good night for me ??

"She's not your girlfriend." My brain mocked and I swear I felt like punching it.

"...Yet. She's not his girlfriend yet." My heart assured me.

Dil accha hai dimaag bekar hai.

( The heart is good, the brain is useless. )

"Suno..." She said and I frantically looked at my surrounding.

(Listen.)

"Who's suno here ??" I asked and she laughed lightly. That sounded so soothing but I realised she had never taken my name. We have known each other from almost a decade but I never heard my name from her mouth.

Strange !!

"Good night. Sleep early, don't overdo yourself." She mumbled making my heart go haayeee and all I wanted to do is to pull her into my embrace and never leave her.

"Good night to you too, Maya." I said and she waved at me only to walk inside Aranya's room, shutting the door behind her.

Why's she so cute ??

I palmed my face, biting my cheeks inwardly feeling so giddy but then cleared my throat to calm myself down as I grazed my hair with my fingers mumbling,"Haule Haule ho jayega pyaar."

(Slowly slowly love will happen.)

"Definitely." My heart cheered but then my eyes fell on my naughty little pet who's looking at me with his innocent eyes.

"You got a kiss from her and now acting innocent." I scolded holding him in the air and he flashed his teeths while he nibbled at my thumb making a clucking sound.

"You are not getting your carrots and I'll not let you meet Mallow." I said firmly, making him look at me and he whined.

Animals do understand our language and they are actually the best mates of humans. I love my two bunnies !!

He jumped onto my chest and nuzzled his face in my neck making me laugh to which I whispered,"Give me her kisses. Then, I won't trouble you."

He instantly touched his face with my lips and I felt so stupid only to squish this little baby of mine.

"Be in your limits okay but again thank you for stopping her. I could actually have a conversation with her." I thanked him only to get up from my seat and he purred.

"Let's get you to your Mallow." I said, kissing his head and carried him towards the garden.

"See how peacefully she's sleeping. You too join her." I cooed at him and he hopped down only to snuggle into her.

Men in love are crazy and I've seen my dadu, my dad and Hridaan fufa doing stupid stuff for their lady love without any hesitation and nowadays Ansh bhai is the same.

I don't know when I'll confess to my lady love.

Will I ever be able to tell her or show her how much I love her ??

I shook my head thinking positively but then pulled out my phone from my pants pockets to turn on my night playlist because I needed to complete the work.

I dashed inside and plopped on the sofa screaming,"Yeh dil dewaana....dewaana hai yeh dil !!"

(This heart is crazy, this heart is mad.)

• Thank You. Byeeisshh 🙋🏻‍♀️