As they both, Rhea and Anaya want to split from the group and then suddenly Vicky rose from his chair and said, "well guys, I just prepared some gifts. hope you all don't mind. whatever it is, just as my wishes for this christmas."
those other boys are mocking Vicky with some strange sounds like, "ohhh..., mmh mmh.., eyeo.."
then he just take out some gifts which are wrapped with gifty paper cover. then, he hand it over for everyone.
later, time passed...
its already end of their way and they finally ready to go on their own ways..
Anaya and Rose got into their hostel..
the hostel room was quiet, like saved for the soft hum of the ceiling fan.
Anaya sat cross-legged, her fingers brushing against the edges of the small package handed over by the Vicky with her name scrawled awkwardly on the tag.
Anaya is excited to see what Vicky had gifted..
while her friend Rose, fast asleep in her bed...
as she opened the cover, a book had shown up...
"A book?" Anaya murmured with disappointment.
she continued, " I thought something else. why did he gave me a book. doesn't he know that i have plenty of books myself."
"oh! maybe its becoz, i like books. thats why he gave this one to me."
"but, i thought he is going to gave me an ornament like a braclet or something like that.." she whispered herself.
"oh! okk.. whatever it is he gave it to me, then i'll keep it safe with me.." she whispered herself and ready slept over on her bed.
as days passed.., the year 2021 has ended up slowly.
today the last day of the 2021 december 31 has ended up slowly. the hyderabad is filled with youth's crowd. here, all the bars are filled with younger generations.
Anaya is busy with her part time job as the last day of her work in 2021. she want take a leave and wanted to hang out with those friends. but ended up in her work.
Rose had closed with Anaya's friends as well.
aswell the new year also spended like that..
then, later days passed,..
Rose had gotten so close even without Anaya's presence.
and Anaya gotten herself into Vicky's things. even with little attachments she got excited.
one day in library, only Anaya and Vicky has been there. while others are on their way to the college.
It was already around 11 a.m.
The sun was warm but not harsh, casting a soft golden glow through the windows of the college reading room. The hum of the fans and the occasional chirping outside gave the place a sleepy, lazy calm.
Anaya sat across the table from Vicky. Books were open between them, but neither of them was reading anymore.
Vicky leaned on the table infront slightly, blinking slowly, clearly slipping into sleep mode. His eyes fluttered once, then shut completely. His breathing slowed.
Anaya glanced at him, unsure why she couldn't look away. Maybe it was the soft way his hair fell over his forehead. Or maybe it was the quietness between them the kind of quiet that didn't feel empty.
She stared at him for a long second, her hand resting near her notebook. Her heart was calm… until suddenly, under the table, something brushed against her leg.
Vicky's leg.
Her eyes widened.
The unexpected touch sent a shock through her body not painful, but sudden. Sharp. Her thoughts scattered like wind-blown papers. Her heart thumped so fast she could hear it in her ears.
"Was it accidental? Did he know? Should I move?"
She stayed frozen.
Vicky, still half-asleep, adjusted slightly again. This time, his leg rested a little closer.
Anaya's fingers trembled on the pen she was holding. She looked down, pretending to read something, but the words made no sense. Her mind was only focused on one thing that electric contact. That closeness. That strange flutter inside her chest she couldn't name.
Moments passed. Long, echoing moments.
Then Vicky shifted and opened his eyes, catching her completely off-guard.
"You okay?" he asked, his voice low, a little groggy.
Anaya quickly looked away, nodding too fast. "Y-yeah. Just… sleepy."
Vicky smiled, stretching lazily. "Hmm. I'm not used to studying right after breakfast."
Anaya just smiled, hoping he didn't notice her flushed cheeks.
suddenly the bell rang...
Vicky yawned again and reached for the pen lying beside his notebook. "Is this yours?" he asked, holding it up.
Anaya looked at it and nodded. "Yeah… I think so."
He twirled it between his fingers. "Oops, I used it earlier. I'll give you a new one."
later, he lightly tapped the end of the pen against his lower lip, absentmindedly chewing on the edge like it was his second nature. It was subtle, maybe unintentional.
But Anaya saw it.
She blinked slowly.
as the time passed, when they finally leaving he handed it over the pen to her casually. "Here."
Her fingers brushed his as she took it. It was such a normal thing. So small.
But her mind wasn't normal anymore.
Her eyes dropped to the pen now resting in her hand. The edge was a little warm. Slightly damp. Her fingers curled around it tighter, trying not to think about what just happened.
"He bit the pen. Then gave it to me. Then I touched it. And now…" she murmured herself.
She froze.
Indirect kiss?!
Her ears burned.
"How could it be an indirect kiss, I've not touched the pen with my lips. Forget it, my brain is really messing with me." Anaya mutmured herself then, cleaned the pen with a tissue.
Of course, it wasn't really a kiss. It was silly, childish even. But her brain wouldn't let it go.
She glanced at him quickly. He was back to scribbling something in his notes, completely unaware of the little storm he'd started in her head.
She shifted in her seat, staring at the pen.
Then, almost without realizing it, she brought it close to her lips and softly brushed it with her tongue.
A whisper of a taste.
like It was faint, almost nothing.
But in her mind?
It happened.
Her face turned red.
She quickly shoved the pen down on the page and bent over her notebook, pretending to focus. Her heart was racing, her thoughts are getting blur.
Across from her, Vicky looked up and tilted his head. "You okay?"
"Hmm?" Anaya looked up and said while her eyes widened.
"You're looking really focused all of a sudden. now are you really focusing.." Vicky whispered.
Anaya forced a laugh. "Y-yeah. Super serious."
He grinned and leaned back. "That's good. I'll finally have a proper study partner."
She nodded quickly, but in her head, she was yelling.
"What is wrong with me?! It's just a pen! It's just—ugh!" Anaya murmured herself.
But she couldn't stop smiling.
Later that night, when she was back in her hostel bed, hugging her pillow, the scene played over and over in her mind. The touch. The pen. The flutter.
She pressed her face into the pillow and whispered softly to herself.
"It wasn't a kiss. It wasn't a kiss."
But deep down, she kind of wished it was...