" I said NO!" Ruchi's stern reply was still ringing in Anuj's mind, as if it had permanently been lodged there. He cycled slowly along the empty roads of the Delhi Cantonment area, feeling like the proverbial kid who had been caught with his hand inside the cookie jar and had been severely punished for it. A medley of shame, indignation, guilt and desperation rose from his aching heart.

The national capital's army quarters enclave is the only one allocated to distinguished retired army staff; all the others are occupied by those still in service with the government. Spacious, sienna-coloured two-storied houses lined the streets, flanked by geometrical squares of platform and road. As he reached the newly-constructed bungalow blocks near Manekshaw Centre, he parked his cycle inside. His pace quickened, and the December chill failed to deter the handsome, easygoing sixteen-year-old from the bold move he was about to deploy, for the sake of his love.

As he walked further on to enter the block where Ruchu lived, that night's incident flashed in front of his eyes.

"It's New Year, yaar! Ek kiss toh banta hai. C'mon dude, don't be such a ninny. Ask her for a kiss!"

That's how his friends had egged him right before the clock struck twelve on 31 December. The house party was in full swing. It was a close group of friends grooving to the music and having fun. Anuj mustered the courage and walked up to Ruchi.

"You... you look lovely, Ru. I just can't take my eyes off you. Your eyes and your sweet smile make me go so wild-" he paused to see her beautiful eyes open wide and her lips tremble.

"I... want to kiss you," he blurted out, finally. "Can we make this New Year's night a special one?" he asked giving voice to the desire that had been throbbing within him for a while now.

"Huh?" she looked at him in disbelief, as if unsure of what she had just heard. Ruchi was not only his girlfriend, but also his closest friend. She was a bold, beautiful girl who had no qualms about articulating her opinion.

"No, Anuj. I have told you many times that I'm not comfortable yet," she said looking determined. Yet her face had traces of guilt as though she was aware of depriving him of something he had been lovingly seeking.

I am sorry but I need time!"

Yet again, rejected!

Anuj was filled with the familiar feeling of dejection.

Our sub-juniors are planning to lose their virginity tonight and here I am, begging for a kiss!

"What's the big deal, huh Ruchi? It's just a kiss! I know you want me to wait till you are ready. But it is New Year, yaar. I want my special gift tonight!" he sounded rather adamant.

"Anuj, don't create a scene. We are at a friends' place, enjoying this party and having a good time. Let's not talk about this now, okay?" she cautioned him assertively, though there was a hint of nervousness in her voice.

"Please Ruchi, only once. You close your eyes, I will just touch your lips with mine for a second!" He was almost begging her. "I have been waiting for so long! I just want to feel your soft lips," saying this, he came closer to her.

His warm breath caressed her neck as she turned her face away. The night's chill was making it difficult for him to move away from her. Her perfume, her soft glowing skin mixed with the spirit of New Year's eve was a heady concoction, and fogged his mind beyond reasoning.

I can't stop myself and I'm sure she will not be able to resist me tonight too.

He lifted his arms and held her tight as she arched backwards, clearly sensing his intention.

His girlfriend's gorgeous face was a mere inch away from his. His heart pounded hard, clouding his judgment. He wanted to give her a tight hug to settle all her insecurities before giving her the pleasure of her first kiss. And his as well. Oh, it was truly going to be a special night!

"I love you truly and madly, Ruchi. I'm crazy about you! God, I want to kiss you all over your face. I... I just can't stop myself!"

Anuj was overwhelmed with desire and was about to plant a kiss on her pink lips, when it happened!

Thaaaap!

The sound of a tight slap reverberated in the air and Anuj's right cheek exploded in pain.

Placing a pale hand on his chest, Ruchi pushed him away with all her might and Anuj almost fell on the floor.

Anuj's dazed mind was rudely awakened at this unexpected and fierce opposition from Ruchi. He sat still on the floor, gazing at her in shock. She looked furious! The sound of the tight slap drew the attention of his friends standing nearby, adding to his embarrassment.

That's when Ruchi's stern voice boomed, "No means no!"

Shaking off his thoughts of the disastrous New Year's Eve party, Anuj walked close to the guard standing at the small gate. The guard recognized his familiar face and acknowledged him with a smile. He had seen Anuj many times at General Sherawat's house and knew that he was Ruchi's friend.

"Ruchi madam ke ghar jaana hai," Anuj said before hurriedly wishing the guard a happy new year." He walked towards the bungalow, all the while checking his phone for a reply from Ruchi. He had been constantly messaging her from the moment she had left the party, but she had not replied to any of his messages.

After arriving at the bungalow, he stood in the shadow of a tree to avoid unwanted attention from the security guards who patrolled the lane. He looked down at his phone again, but there was only a cold empty space under all his apologies. Even the blue ticks to indicate she had read them were absent. Out of desperation, he started sending her voice messages justifying his act.

"Ruchi, you cannot be so adamant. Think about me also, na? What wrong did I do? I mean... just look at it from my point of view. I just asked for one kiss. It's not a crime! Don't be like this, Ruchi. I am sure you will also like it. Everyone does. Others have done far too many things; it's only a kiss I'm asking for!"

As Anuj touched the send button on his phone, from the corner of his eye he noticed a car entering the bungalow diagonally opposite Ruchi's house. To his dismay, its headlights exposed him, making him visible to the guards.

.... Let's start....

He hid behind the tree and waited to see if Ruchi had checked his message, but in vain.

As he was trying to send another voice note, he saw a security guard walking towards him. Panic struck. He wanted to avoid any unwanted ruckus at such a late hour. He slowly turned around and started walking, with an eye on the guard. To his shock, the guard started walking swiftly towards him.

The night is becoming messier by the hour! I got slapped in front of my friends, Ruchi hates me, and now I am standing in front of her house like a beggar. I can't let it get worse with these guards chucking me out! Run!

He quickened his pace when a voice called out. "Oo Sirji...madam is calling you," the guard, as if understanding his predicament, announced the purpose of the chase. They both slowed down. He approached Anuj, patted his shoulder, and spoke in an assuring voice, "Madam is calling you to her house. Please come with me."

"Finally! After umpteen messages and calls," he sighed in relief.

The guard was puzzled, "You said something? Madam just noticed you and asked me to call you at her house."

Anuj smiled and said, "Nothing. Let's go."

He knew how difficult it was to pacify Ruchi.

She sent the guard to fetch me, so it seems she has cooled down now, he thought.

Nearing Ruchi's house, Anuj thought to himself, I better not cross the line now. Control Anuj, control. Don't let your cheesy behaviour put our one year relationship at risk.

The guard crossed Ruchi's house and kept walking ahead. Anuj immediately stopped him, "But madam's house is this way," he pointed to Ruchi's room on the first floor.

"Not that madam, you were called to this house," the guard pointed at the bungalow opposite Ruchi's. Anuj was startled. He had no idea who lived there. He couldn't fathom that there was anyone who knew him in this retired army generals quarters.

Walking to the gate, he recognised the car parked. It was the one whose headlights had exposed him.

Shit... looks like I might be in trouble.

"Please go inside and wait in the hall," the guard instructed and walked away.

Stepping carefully into the bungalow, Anuj looked at the neat porch adorned by colourful flowers, artfully arranged in a sequence. Even the cobbled path leading to the main entrance was laid to form a beautiful pattern, which shone in the moonlight.

Impressive. Whoever this madam is, she definitely has wonderful taste, he said to himself while admiring the interiors of the stately looking home. As he stepped into the hall, he noticed a wooden showcase stacked with numerous books and trophies. Hmm... seems to be quite a champion, this General sahib, he thought.

A photo montage on the wall caught his eye. Hesitant to walk towards it without anyone's presence around, he contemplated whether to sit on the sofa or just stand there, Eventually, his curiosity took over and he proceeded towards it.

The face in the photographs looked familiar. The lady in the photographs, holding those trophies, was none other than the well-known cricketer Aarya Kapoor. He was surprised. He immediately began to google her details.