His head was resting on my shoulder on the bus, and my heart was entirely fixated on him. I didn''t even realize when, amidst weaving dreams with the rhythm of songs, the bus neared our destination. Gently, I placed my hand on his to wake him up. He stirred out of sudden, and end up rubbing his eyes in an innocent, half-asleep manner, looking at me with his sleepy eyes with such tenderness that my heart skipped a beat by looking at them. His nose had turned a soft pink, and his half-closed eyes held a unique beauty-but I couldn''t lose myself in his charm just yet.


    In a soft tone, I told him we had to get off the bus. He ran his fingers through his hair, adjusted his clothes a little bit, and stood up. First, he took my bag from the overhead compartment and handed it to me, then slung his own bag over his shoulder and moved forward. I followed behind him shyly looking him from behind ... His hairs upto his neck looks so cute on him, but now I was determined this time to take better care of him ....his beauty Plus cutesness and shoulder all the responsibilities myself so this time I will win over the contract of taking care of him with myself.


    As we reached the bus stairs, I nudged him gently forward and bent down to pick up my trolley bag which was placed in front. By picking up I realized It was heavier than I had expected, so I struggled with it carrying down to the bus entrance stairs. Seeing me struggle,he quickly grabbed the bag from me, laughing softly by showing his pearl teeth, and said, "Let me handle it. You can''t manage this too!"


    "Wait!!!!!!" I shot back with mock annoyance, "Do you think I can''t handle anything with myself?? .....I''ll manage.... just fine....No thanks !" Smirking mischievously, I took hold of the trolley handle and dragged it along determinedly on the busstand road.


    Now, we needed to find an auto-rickshaw to get to my flat area. The bus stand place was crowded, and several autos were parked nearby. I grabbed Krishna''s hand, guided him into one of the autos, and climbed in beside him. The auto driver loaded our luggage for us. After sitting on auto''s seat I was still holding Krishna''s hand absent mindedly , suddenly he placed his other hand over the our hand and, with a playful smirk with sarcasm, said, " That''s actually a Good thing ....you held my hand like this....; I was scared I might get lost in this heavy crowd!"


    I pulled my hand away instantly and clutched my shoulder bag instead, turning my face to the other side to hide the smile spreading across my lips.


    The auto was having some extra seat for other passenger, so a couple of other passengers climbed in with us later on. I didn''t mind them-except for one girl who kept glancing at Krishna. That annoyed me..... Not that I was jealous....! But really, who stares at someone like that? It was inappropriate...... Krishna, oblivious as ever, wasn''t paying attention to her; he was engrossed in gazing out the window, his eyes were wide with childlike curiosity at everything outside.


    When we finally reached the base of my apartment building and had retrieved our luggage, I noticed that girl giving Krishna another lingering look. It irritated me, but I brushed it off. The auto drove away, but her presence lingered annoyingly in my head. Lost in thought, I suddenly felt a tap on my head. Krishna, smirking, asked, "So, where''s your room?.... Here, ....or did you leave it back in the auto?"


    His teasing voice brought me back to reality. No matter who will look at him, he will remain mine. That thought warmed my heart as I glanced at him.


    My flat was on the fifth floor-the topmost level. The other two neighbors on my floor weren''t home, that was quite happy topic for me as it will give me some time to figure out what excuse to make about Krishna''s presence in my room.


    As we reached the lift, we discovered it was out of order ....Under maintaince. My heart sank.... I had neither the energy to climb the stairs nor the strength to lug the heavy trolley bag, especially with Krishna around. But he didn''t wait for me after finding out the lift is not working ....He put his light bag over his shoulder and he calmly started climb up the stairs, leaving me behind to handle the luggage.


    Frustrated, I muttered my frustration under my breath and followed him with the trolley and shoulder bag with a lot of struggle over the stairs. Krishna turned back, grinning mischievously. "Didn''t you say earlier you could handle everything alone....? do you need me now for something???"


    After struggling up one floor, I gave up and asked for his help. Even then, he didn''t make it go easy. With a smug smile, he grabbed one side of the trolley and handed me the other. "hold other side tightly!" he said, taunting me as we climbed the stairs. Huffing and puffing, and listening to his endless teasing, we finally reached the fifth floor. Dusting his hands off dramatically, he declared, "If I do all the work alone, then humans like you will grow lazy. Look at you-just by doing a little work, and here you''re already out of breath!"


    "Alright, alright!" I retorted, unlocking the door with a pout. "You''ve helped a little only; no need to keep rubbing it in."


    He examined the corridor and doorway curiously before saying, "Oh, so now my words are taunts? There was a time when you used to complain I didn''t talk enough over my idol, and now when I do by standing in front of you, it bothers you???? What kind of double sided human you are!!!" He mimicked me mockingly and laughed with his with teeth.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    As he was about to step inside with His still grinning face, quickly I grabbed his arm and pulled him back with his bag and said "Wait!!!!" I said dramatically. "I''m always ready to listen to your sweet nector like words, but for now, just stay here for two minutes!!!! Please...."


    Krishna stood confused at the door, his face was mixture of curiosity and suspicion, I quickly opened my bag and pulled out something special-a small pot (kalash) I had carried it all the way from home for this special surprise. I filled it with rice from a packet I had packed and carefully put few rose petals in my palm that I had saved for this special moment. Placing the pot right at Krishna''s feet, I stepped back, holding my phone up to record the scene.


    "What''s going on here?" he asked, standing in place with a puzzled expression.


    "You''re having your griha pravesh (housewarming ceremony)," I said dramatically, a mischievous grin on my face. "I want to capture this unforgettable moment when you..... stepped into my heart... sorry....I mean, my apartment-for the first time!"


    Hearing my words, he gave a shy, embarrassed smile, but played along with me. He entered the apartment with a slow, dramatic step, just like a new bride entering her marital home for the first time...Like a Indian television serial. I stood behind the camera, tossing rose petals at him and giggling uncontrollably at the sheer absurdity of the moment. His laughter filled the air, too, a melody I could never tire of.


    But then, just as the video was shaping up perfectly, he ruined it by exclaiming, "Miss Cameraperson, can you please forget me for a moment and focus on the layer of dust on this floor and desk!!!! ....Do you really expect me to live in such filth??? Don''t forget, I kept you in a grand palace, and now you are forcing me to live in this mess!"


    I quickly stopped the recording, grumbling under my breath, "Seems like I''ll need to find you a grand bungalow to meet your royal expectations."


    "If that will come within your budget, then please do it urgently !!!!" he teased, by pulling my cheek affectionately before wiping his dusty hands on my arm. He then wandered off to explore the apartment.


    Suddenly, he grabbed my phone and said loudly by playing with his hairs, "Now show me the video you just recorded! Let me see how amazing I look on camera."


    I couldn''t help but laugh at his confidence. Who else could praise themselves so unabashedly? Without a word, I handed him the phone. Thankfully, I had already deleted all the chats I didn''t want him to see, so I felt safe. But luck wasn''t on my side. Or maybe he was just too determined to catch me off guard.


    As he scrolled through the videos, he suddenly opened Instagram. "Let me check out this ''most popular thing'' of the this current era" he said, squinting at the app. "What''s so special about it that people waste their precious time here?"


    Watching him navigate Instagram...At first I was confident that there is no kind of chat to hide from him, but after a while I began to panic because he stumbled upon the Reels section and started scrolling with a serious face.


    "Ah-hhhha! So, this is how you spend your time-watching new boys all day!!!" he said, his tone dripping with mock accusation.


    Oh God, how was I supposed to explain? They weren''t random boys! They were from edits of movies, anime, and dramas that I used to watch! And anyway,... If he really want to check my phone ...Then he must start with youtube .... the real problem was that he hadn''t opened YouTube yet-there, at least, I could justify my interests towards him. But here? I looked guilty without reason.


    "No, it''s not like that!!!" I tried to snatch the phone, but he held it high, scrolling through more Reels and giving me sly side glances.


    "but your Instagram videos don''t justify your answer!!!" he retorted, clearly enjoying my flustered state.


    Before I could explain further, a K-drama kissing scene popped up on the screen before us. Embarrassed beyond measure, I quickly turned my face away, pretending to be utterly fascinated by the corner of the room as a excuse. Krishna, however, turned off the phone and handed it back to me may be with awkard expression .... I don''t know as I didn''t have courage to look into his face.


    "Take it and finish your office work" he said, his tone deliberately sarcastic.


    Without looking at him, I grabbed the phone and muttered, "I''ll get you some water. You must be tired after the long journey."


    I hurried to the kitchen, internally facepalming and berating myself... I was hitting my head with my own hands out of embarrassment. What would he think of me now? My stomach churned with nervousness as I filled a glass of water, took a deep breath, and returned to the room where he was sitting.


    He took the glass, drank a sip, and said, "Now, quickly bring me something to eat. I''m starving....So hard..... And set out my clothes-I need a shower. It''s so hot here!"


    "Where am I supposed to find your clothes?" I asked, genuinely confused.


    "You''ve taken on the responsibility of keeping me here, haven''t you? So, find a way for my clothes too!!" he teased, raising an eyebrow.


    "But... what about the clothes in your bag? What did you bring in the bag?"


    "Why does that matter to you...Right now.... I want to wear some fresh washed clothes after bath?" he said, smirking. "Just go look for something, and don''t forget to sort out warm food. I''m heading for a shower now."


    As he walked away by putting empty glass on the table, I stared after him in disbelief. One problem hadn''t even passed, and another was already here. Where was I supposed to get fresh clothes for him so quickly? ... As I don''t have stock fir boys clothes !!! ...And cooking wasn''t an easy option either as I am not a pro cook yet-if I ordered food on the first day, he''d mock me endlessly for that too.


    Standing in the middle of the room alone, I sighed deeply, wondering how I always managed to get into such impossible situations in front of him.


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    How will female lead proove herself in front of him ???... What will happen next !!!???