Amaya's POV ;

I carefully filled the chocolate inside the croissants and I swear I feel like crying because it's the first time I made them so perfectly.

"They look amazing and the smell is so refreshing Amy." Aunty praised me and I looked at her but then she cupped my face only to plant a kiss on my forehead.

I swear I work here just to be close to her. She's that motherly figure in my life that I never had.

"Did you taste it ??" She asked and I shook my head.

"Arey, sometimes you should treat yourself if you achieve or learn something new." She mumbled, then brought a croissant towards my mouth and I ate it without hesitation or else she'll scold me.

"It's yummy." I babbled and she tasted it too to give me a look of approval then patted my back but soon wiped my mouth with a tissue. I kept looking at her awestruck.

"Sahil...you too taste it." She said feeding my coworker. He's two years younger to me and calls me di and I love it because I never had any siblings.

In all these years the love they have showered on me unknowingly is actually giving me strength and I can live happily if I ever part my ways from them while keeping them close to my heart.

And all thanks to my best friend, Aranya. She is an exact copy of Aditya uncle while her brother is a perfect combination of both of their parents. He got his eyes from aunty while straight sharp nose from uncle that make him look so handsome - drool worthy tbh !!

But why am I thinking about him?

"I'll send a picture to Raj. The blunder you created while preparing the frosting is insane. He had done the same, years ago." She exclaimed while laughing. I don't know from where she got all this love and care but she's an ideal woman.

I love and respect her so much!

"Go and check the customers." She said to him softly and he nodded with a nervous smile.

"I'll arrange these on display." I said to her and she nodded in affirmation. I walked out of the kitchen but then stumbled a little. I glanced at my shoes to find the laces were open.

There's a huge plate on my hands and I can't even keep it somewhere because there's no place. I huffed in anger thinking how much of a clumsy and stupid person I can be ??

I thought to walk carefully and was about to step ahead but then a familiar scent hit my nostrils and I heard,"Wait, let me do it."

"You...you don't have to." I retaliated but before I could comprehend anything he tied them but what amazed me was that he checked my left shoe laces as well.

"Done." He said with a smile that reached his chocolate brown eyes. And that smile melts my heart - swoony and pretty.

He looked at me for some seconds and I averted my gaze lowering my head as he's tall like a khamba. I always have to arch my neck to look at him whenever we are standing infront of one another.

"Thank You." He walked past me taking a croissant from the tray so smoothly make me gape at him. He entered the kitchen to meet his mother while I just stared at his retreating physique for some seconds.

What is he ??

Whenever I'm in trouble, he's there. I find him and feel him almost everywhere. He's exactly what his name is, Sameer - a slow comforting breeze of air.

My heart again started thumping loudly but I shook my head ignoring all of it because that's what I've been doing for years. I walked towards the counter and Sahil helped me to arrange the croissants but there's a commotion inside the shop.

Practically a hustle of people.

The reason?

The Indian basketball team's heartthrob Hridyansh Sanghi is here and our customers - especially the ladies and girls are getting selfies and autographs from him.

He gave them autographs and photographs one by one, then came to the counter as he asked,"How are you Amy ??"

"Good, bhaiya." I replied with a smile. He's wearing a mask but obviously these boys are too handsome to not get recognised. I mean they have a family with exceptionally good genes. God had literally created them with special care.

"There's no truffle cake ??" He frowned as his eyes went through the display and I glanced at Sahil but he's not here.

"Sahil messed it up a bit. Aunty is preparing it." I said and he smiled only to dart his eyes towards the kitchen door.

"So, you finally got time to meet your biggie girlfriend." Aunty complained as she came out holding a slice of truffle cake only to twist Ansh bhaiya's ear.

"You're my only girlfriend Suu." He yelped only to hug her.

"What about Jiya??" Aunty asked with a teasing look and he blushed.

Do men blush ?? I never knew that ??

It's actually cute !!

"She's my fiance." He exclaimed proudly and involuntarily a smile appeared on my lips. Aunty kissed his forehead only to bless him as he's going to get married after few months.

I don't understand how they all have a good relationship with one another while my maternal uncle and aunt are just so evil. The thought of them brings so much pain to my heart.

That's a touchy topic to me.

I stared at them but I got startled when I heard someone whisper,"Excuse me."

"Huhh!!" I instantly turned my face only to gulp hard. It's him - again. His voice made me shudder as I looked at him stunned.

His intoxicating earthy fragrance hit my nostrils and I turned my face aside because the proximity didn't felt right but my eyes widened as my lips brushed against his cheek in the process.

My palm came over to cover my mouth as I stepped backwards but he stood rooted at his place while shutting his eyes -- tightly. He licked his lips and I averted my gaze from him.

What the heck just happened ??

I glanced at him to find him muttering something then he exhaled deeply only to slide the glass and took out two more croissants.

"I..I'm sorry!!" I mumbled but he didn't look at me just said,"It's oh-kay." He didn't even spare me a glance but I noticed his whole face turning red as he walked away.

He must be feeling disgusted but I swear I didn't do that intentionally. I was so into adoring Aunty and Ansh bhaiya that I didn't notice him. I just hope they didn't saw what stunt I pulled off some minutes ago.

My eyes followed him and he silently went to a table only to devour the croissants. It's a bad habit to stare at someone when they are eating. I averted my gaze as his eyes met mine and I felt so stupid.

What the heck was I doing??

"Amy, can you please bring three oreo smoothies?" Ansh bhaiya asked and I nodded nervously.

Did they notice what just happened??

I think they didn't or they might think I'm taking advantage of their generosity and is hitting on him.

I just hope Aunty will not scold me and throw me out of this place because I need to work. This place feels so safe with all of them around but I need to keep a good distance from them - especially him.

I prepared smoothies for them and walked towards the table to find them discussing something.

I silently kept the smoothies on the table only to hear a thank you from him as Ansh bhaiya and Aunty were busy discussing something. I smiled apologetically at him but he smirked while looking at me. My heart again started racing and I cursed him in my mind.

Why does it happen when he's around?

I don't feel anything when I'm around his two brothers and not even with the boys of our college. Though, I maintain a good distance from them because I don't want any unwanted headache. I've already so much on my plate but then this human, he's different.

He makes me feel things that I don't know what to name and I can't even tell Anya about all this because what will she think of me?

My head felt so foggy as I walked back to the counter. I was about to clean the counter when Sahil said,"I'll do the rest dii. Your work time is over."

"Thank You." I mumbled and dashed inside the kitchen to remove the apron and kept it nearly at its place. I grabbed my bag and walked towards Swati aunty to inform her.

"Aunty, I'm leaving." I mumbled gaining her attention and she gave me a smile but then asked,"How will you go to the hostel??"

"I'll take an auto or something." I replied but then she shook her head only to say,"Sameer, go and drop her. Take some waffles for Anya as well."

He instantly stood up making my heart go all badump badump and this will continue until I reach my hostel. Moreover he must be cursing me in his mind about what happened between us some minutes ago.

"Aunty...I'll go on my own." I mumbled just to avoid him but Aunty refused to hear my plea only to insist more and I don't know why but I can't say no to her.

"Sahil, pack two chocolate shakes and some double chocolate waffles." He said to Sahil.

"Here..." Sahil handed the package and I waved at Aunty as we both exited the bakery.

"Are you two planning to walk together all your life ?" We heard Ansh bhaiya's voice and turned to find him standing at the threshold of the bakery.

"Stop reading my mind, bhai." I heard his voice, who chuckled as I looked at him. I was confused because sometimes I don't understand what he says.

"I give you two all the blessings." Ansh bhaiya screamed and threw something towards him while grinning. He caught it and it was bhaiya's car keys.

"Just don't hurt my beautiful car." He further added but this person beside me ignored him as he walked towards the car that was actually so beautiful.

He opened the passenger door for me but I hesitantly said,"I'll...I'll sit at the back."

He looked at me agape and then glanced at himself only to say,"Just because I'm wearing black and white clothes doesn't mean I'm a driver."

He's utterly cute !!

"I never said that." I mumbled looking at the ground because I couldn't make eye contact with him. Whenever our eyes meet I feel like he can see my soul through my eyes and that thought itself dreads me.

"But you did portray me as a driver." He mumbled and I looked up at him. But soon averted my gaze as I noticed mischief in his beautiful brown orbs.

He chuckled and gestured to me to get inside. I sat on the passenger seat feeling all giddy. He's so cunning !!

"Here, drink it." He said, forwarding a chocolate shake towards me as he sat on the driving seat.

"What's with you feeding me every time we meet ??" I asked without taking the shake.

"Because I can't do anything else." He mumbled and again I didn't understand a thing but a shiver ran down my spine.

What the heck is this feeling ??

What he said felt odd. This feeling feels so odd but do I like it ??

Maybe...maybe not ! I just don't know !!

Sameer's POV ;

She looked at me perplexed and I groaned inwardly because I hate my mouth. It blurts out the weirdest thing in front of her. I again forwarded the chocolate shake to her and this time she didn't deny it. She took it and started sipping it with the help of straw.

My eyes unwanted went to her lips, those lips I felt a few minutes ago. They just brushed over my check and I was already yearning for more. I avert my gaze or else I'll lose my sanity.

"There's waffles as well. Have it with Anya." I mumbled placing the packet at the back seat only to feel her gaze on me. I glanced at her but she instantly looked away.

"The croissants were really good." I mumbled and she just hummed in response.

I know, I messed it up but when I'm around her I lose control over myself. My heart beats like crazy, my eyes dart towards her on their own, my arms just want to hold her in my embrace but dare she understands a thing.

I sometimes wonder what if she'll fall for any other guy ??

I don't even know what she thinks of me. If she thinks of me as a brother then I'm doomed. I took a deep breath calming my idiotic overthinking mind and started the engine as I glanced at the back to check if there's any car or not.

"Don't you have a girlfriend ?" I snapped my head to her after hearing this. She glanced at me but then again turned her face away.

Why is she so cute ?? Why ??

"I asked you something." She asserted but obviously without looking at me.

"Ask me that while looking into my eyes." I said but then noticed she forgot to put on the seatbelt. She was busy looking out as she took a deep breath and I forwarded my hand to grab the seat belt only to pull it infront of her then leaned ahead to fasten it.

I lifted my gaze and her face was just a few centimetres apart as she looked at me with wide eyes. Those deep black spherules met with my brown ones making me realise that I can drown myself in them. My heartbeats stopped for a moment as I started taking in her beautiful features.

Eyes widened, small nose and those perfect petal like lips. Her hot breath fanned over my philtrum sending chills all over my body as I've never been this close to any woman -- romantically.

I wanted the time to stop. Right here, right now !!

I inched a bit closer and our nose brushed against one. She closed her eyes tightly at the mere contact and here I'm anticipating for more. I eyed her perfect, soft petal like lips and on her bottom lip there's two droplets of chocolate shake. I had an urge to......honking sound.

Lound honks !!

"The fuck !!" I muttered realising what I was about to do but thanks to the car driver who honked at the right time. I pulled myself away and drove the car only to tap on my chest as this little heart of mine is going wild.

"Control Sameer...she's yours." I muttered to myself, calming my ragged breath, then glanced at her to find her fanning herself with her palms while looking outside. Her cheeks had turned red like a tomato and I smirked thinking I do have some effect on her.

I came out of my bubble and turned the ac towards her making her snap her head towards me and turned the ac towards me.

I chuckled and blurted,"I know I'm hot, baby." I said the last word inaudibly.

"Baby ?? Where does that come from?" My mind asked and I was stunned too. What the fuck am I doing.

"From me." My heart replied, going all dreamy for this precious human beside me.

"Self obsessed." She mocked and I chuckled only to look at her then replied,"No Maya, I'm self aware."

I winked at her and she looked at me gobsmacked just to ask,"Wh-what's gotten into you ?" Then realisation hit me and I again reminded myself that I've to make her fall in love with me not to make her hate me.

"I'm sorry...it's just, nevermind." I mumbled and she simply nodded. An eire of silence passed and I didn't like that.

My fingers tapped on the steering wheel then I remembered her question to which I further initiated as I said,"You were asking something."

"Huhh ??" She gave me a blank look and I reminded her,"About my girlfriend."

"Oh haan, don't you have a girlfriend?? I mean you're good looking, successful and well behaved." She said only to concentrate on the straw of the chocolate shake.

"Well, not everyone notices my qualities like you do." I answered feeling so proud of myself. She called me well behaved and that's a compliment not just for me but for my beautiful mom.

"I mean the only girls you're around are either Aranya or me apart from your mom and bua." She further added while shaking the cup to know if there's more inside or not. That was literally adorable.

"They are the ones that matter to me." I answered and she again passed me a confused look.

"There must be someone. Ansh bhaiya is also going to get married and next will be your turn so you must have someone in your heart." She asserted and my heart screamed,"It's you. It's always been you."

She's being pushy here but I liked it as she's actually talking, talking to me without any hesitation. I thought she might feel guilty of what happened inside but here she's trying to know about my dream girl.

"There's someone." I answered and she looked at me with a smile. Will she have that same dimple wali smile when I tell her that I like- no I love her ??

"See, I knew it. She must be lucky." She exclaimed and I shook my head saying,"I'm the lucky one here."

"I knew it." She repeated her words only to look out of the window. Her face didn't have that little glow and her smile dropped.

Is she sad because I love someone??

"What happened??" I asked reluctantly because I didn't like her silent self. I enjoyed our talk. I can talk nonsense just to hear her soft voice.

"Where should I keep it? It's empty." She asked forwarding the plastic cup of chocolate shake but I took it from her and shaked it a bit only to feel there's some more at the bottom.

I sucked on the straw and I was right there's more inside it. I looked at her saying,"There's more in it !!"

"But it didn't come out." She replied innocently and I chuckled only to say,"Suck a bit harder."

I bit my lips realising what I just said but she carefully took the plastic cup from me muttering,"You don't have to eat or drink my leftovers everytime."

"It's unhygienic." She further said struggling hard on the straw to get the last sip.

I forwarded my hand and beckoned her to give me the cup as I parked the car out of her hostel. She placed the cup on my palm and I opened its cap removing the straw as I said,"There's nothing called hygienic and unhygienic between friends."

I forwarded her the cup and her eyes shined as she looked at the last sip that had all the chocolate chunks and she drank it making me chuckle. She's adorable and I look at her all day and all night.

"Maya, we are friends. Right??" I asked, looking at her expecting an answer in affirmation and she smiled flashing her dimples then nodded with,"Yes."

"Friends Forever." She mumbled with a smile and my heart felt so relieved. At least she doesn't think of me as her brother or something like that.

"Indeed Forever." I repeated only to beckon her to hook her pinky finger with mine.

She smiled in disbelief and that made me chuckle but then hesitantly she locked her pinky finger with mine and I vowed to not break this promise.

A promise to myself to be with her in every situation -- and to find our forever.

Whether we belong together or I'll just have to keep her in my heart forever ??