“A plate of him would be nice. Kidding, I'll simply take one of whatever you guys are ordering.” I responded half-heartedly before diverting my gaze to my object of attention. Rithik got up while talking to someone on phone, moving away from my line of sight. “Aree, where are you going? Don't leave.”
“How about kadi rice?”
“Leave her be, Ayesha. She's a lost cause today. Let us decide.” Khushboo sighed. She then added. “Aren't you glad I brought you here, Nat?”
“So glad I could kiss you right now.”
“Hmm, honestly I wouldn't mind that.”
“Oh my God! Am I going to see some girl- on- girl action tonight?”
“Sure, skank!” I threw a flying kiss at Khushboo while she pretended to catch it. We all shared a laugh before I stole another glance at the heartthrob. Apparently, Rithik ended his call and was on his way towards his friends. I had a hard time deciding whether he looked sexier from the front or behind. Just as he observed around, he caught my eyes. My heart skipped a beat. 
“Shit!” I cussed under my breath, squeezing my eyes shut for a second. I got nervous for no reason. I turned to my gang instead. “So, what did you guys order?”
* * * 
Rithik fell into my peripheral vision a number of times after that. My gaze darted across the herd of students, just to find him. And when I did, I would gape at him for a while, probably envision some imaginary scenarios in my head and then move on. He was just an occurrence. A handsome one at that. 
Until one fateful night two months later. 
I was at a bar by Bandra late evening. It was my first time here. I was supposed to meet a fucker but he changed his plans in the last minute. I decided to stay here anyway and undress my mood with drinks. 
So it was purely coincidental when I spotted a known figure in the bar, sitting all by himself. This Rithik was in pale pink top and jeans today. Could this be my one and only chance to approach him? Was Cupid finally playing cupid to my sexual life? 
Without giving another thought, I sauntered my way towards the bar. I swear I was about to open my filthy mouth but Rithik stood up, making me lose my cool right then. I swayed to the opposite side, turning away from him. 
What was I? A teen flick movie. I failed to initiate contact. Again. Dejected, I started to walk away. 
“Excuse me,” A deep male voice called, rendering me motionless. “Is this yours?”
I turned around to witness Rithik picking something from the ground. It was a pink bracelet. He stood at approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall (or so I heard). It was my first time seeing him up close. It was his first time acknowledging my existence in my crop top and jeans. Heck, it was the first time we locked eyes like this. His eyes shone under the neon lights of the club. Did his eyes always looked this enchanting, this sad? 
“Uh, no, it's not mine...” I answered, looking everywhere else but him. My heart was picking up pace. I gathering myself and added. “You can give it to the security guard under lost and found items.”
His eyes accessed me in suspicion. “Do I know you? I feel like I've seen you somewhere.”
Busted! “You must have seen me at our Uni. Hi, Natasha Patil this side.”
“Rithik Arora.” We shook hands, though his face screamed sceptical all over. “But I'm guessing you already know that.”
“Only the first name,” I told the truth. “You looked fabulous during the fest by the way. Congratulations on winning the third prize.”