'No' means 'No'!

" 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.

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