An Innocent Crush ✓

53 | First Kiss.

An appreciative moan escaped Kiara's mouth as she savored the delicious taste of the first bite of toast. The unexpected sound caught Dhruv off guard, causing him to choke on his coffee. Clearing his throat, he met her wide, doe-eyed gaze as they looked at his.

Dhruv couldn't help but smile at Kiara as he asked, "How is it?" Kiara lowered her head and nodded, replying, "It's tasty," while taking another bite of her toast.

Dhruv continued to gaze at her with a smile, still processing the fact that they had confessed their feelings to each other. However, he wondered if Kiara remembered anything from the night before, considering she had been drunk.

“Do you remember what you said last night?” His question brought her to a sudden stop, and a blush of crimson red colored her cheeks and ears. With a burning sensation in her ears, she looked at him and nodded gently, admitting, “Yes, I remember.”

"I'm sorry," she added, her eyes welling up with tears. Dhruv instinctively pulled her chair closer, gently cupping her face in his hands. As he wiped away a tear from her cheek, "Why are you sorry, my love?" He asked gently, the term ‘my love’ caused Kiara to look at him with her doe eyes.

She sniffled, lowering her head, and Dhruv responded with a gentle laugh, planting a tender kiss on the tip of her nose. "Do you remember what I said last night? If not, I can repeat it for you. I love you, Kiara... I love you so much," he confessed, eliciting a small smile from her.

"I love you," he declared, placing a sweet kiss on her forehead. "I love you," he repeated, planting another kiss on her left cheek. "I love you," he said once more, kissing her other cheek, prompting her laughter at the ticklish sensation of his stubble.

Dhruv's smile broadened as he witnessed her joyful expression, oh how he wished to  see her smile every day. Kiara lifted her gaze, meeting his eyes, and whispered, "I... I love you, I love you too," before placing a tender kiss on his cheek, right on top of the mole on his right cheek.

Dhruv let out a sigh, relishing the sensation of her lips on his cheek, his eyes closed in the embrace of the moment. His hands moved tenderly to her waist, and as Kiara withdrew with a smile, she stood up. Gradually, she embraced him, and Dhruv, feeling the warmth of her body, nestled closer, enjoying the softness of her body.

"Is this real?" she questioned, gripping his shirt tightly, afraid that releasing him would make him disappear.

He nodded his head, tightening his hold on her waist, “I can't believe you're here with me, in my arms,” he whispered softly against her torso. Kiara responded with a gentle smile, placing a lingering kiss on the crown of his head and softly running her fingers through his hair.

“Sir—”

“Don’t! Don't call me that again,” he softly murmured against her, lightly nibbling on her skin above her shirt, eliciting a surprised gasp from her before they both pulled back, a bit startled.

Dhruv and Kiara exchanged a glance, their connection deepening with each passing heartbeat. Dhruv, still smiling, teased, "I might need to teach you that 'sir' isn't necessary anymore.”

"How... how will you teach me?" she asked, nervously biting her lips. Dhruv drew her closer, his expression earnest. "Are you genuinely interested in finding out?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow in her.

"I... I'm hungry," she stammered, attempting to pull away from his grasp. Dhruv, with a knowing smile, tightened his hold. "I'm hungry too," he remarked, his gaze fixed on her face. Kiara blushed deeply at the double meaning in his words.

"We've shared our feelings, haven't we? So, what does that make us now?" he inquired, softly touching her waist.

“Uh… lovers?”

“Lovers? So, that makes us boyfriend and girlfriend…” he said in a gentle voice, a slight smile tugging on his lips. Kiara responded with a small smile, nodding in agreement.

“So—”

"Kiara! Are you not going to the hospital today?" Shanvi's voice echoed from the other side of the door, interrupting their moment. Dhruv sighed with a hint of frustration, stood up, and was about to head towards the door when Kiara gently held his hand, signaling him to wait.

"Could you please bring my shorts?" she called out. Shanvi, on the other side of the door already holding Kiara's shorts, smirked and replied, "Sure!” before leaving from there.

Kiara gazed at their intertwined hands, then lifted her eyes to meet Dhruv's face. Taking a measured step toward her, he noticed her subtle retreat. Reacting swiftly, he gently wrapped his arm around her waist, drawing her closer until she bumped against his chest.

"I don't want you to leave," he whispered, his gaze shifting between her lips and eyes, silently seeking permission. Kiara released a trembling breath, tiptoeing to match his height. "Me too," she whispered, holding onto his shoulders with a firm grip.

She closed her eyes as he inched towards her lips, savoring a brief moment before Dhruv tenderly pulled back. Just as he loosened his hold around her waist, Kiara, fueled by a surge of passion, playfully tugged him back into a lingering kiss. Dhruv couldn't help but emit a charming groan, feeling her chest gently pressing against his.

As they parted, she broke the kiss with soft breaths, her cheeks adorned in a delightful crimson hue. Meeting Dhruv's wide-eyed gaze, she found his face adorned with a sweet, bright red blush.

"I... um, can I get another kiss?" he asked, breathless while sucking on his lower lip.