I tried to wriggle out of his grip but his arms were too strong. I grunted, giving up. This has become his sickness now. He would cuddle me whenever he got the chance to. I despised it and told him to get off numerous times but he just wouldn't listen, this jerk.  
Admit it, you don't despise as much as before.
Shut up! 
“You didn't have to buy it for me, just because you got money. I'm not your girlfriend and my birthday is still two months late. Gift it to one of your cousins.” 
“Shut it, Nat.” His arms left me, leaving me both grateful and cold. He rubbed the back of his neck, his brows knitting. “I genuinely wanted to get you something so I did. Try to be a little grateful for once.” 
I rolled my eyes. He had no right to be offended when I never hinted to get something for me. “Fine, I'll take it.” I told him finally and his frown lessened. I excused myself to the toilet outside the garage. While I went, something about him buying a dress struck me. It took me back to the night in his parents' apartment. 
If I share mutual love with someone, then I want to treat her right. Go to romantic dinners, shower her with gifts, jewelry... 
I stopped dead on my tracks. 
What if Rithik already fell for... No, that couldn't be it. It was just clothes. Didn't have to dig as much meaning behind it. 
Rithik was on the phone when I came back so I took my time admiring myself in front of the mirror. I liked the dress more and more. Somehow receiving something from a guy you fancied, made it extra precious. When he walked up to me after ending the call, I circled my hands behind his neck, stood on my tip- toes and kissed him effectively, showing how grateful I was. I smiled. “Thank you. If you don't mind, I'm going to keep wearing this today.” 
His arms went behind my hips. “I don't mind, but I was rather hoping you wear it to Uni on Monday.” 
“Fine, I'll wear it on Monday, now stop pouting.” 
At that, his pout disappeared, replaced by a warm smile. Silence fell as we remained in close proximity, staring at each other. His mouth was closed but his dark brown eyes— they seemed almost torn, like they wanted to tell me so many things but couldn't. Somehow it clenched my heart.
Like I said, our arrangement was becoming a fucked up mess. 
“I'm going,” I informed, diverting away his gaze when it became too intense. When he didn't think to mention anything, I took my bag and turned to my heels. He still didn't speak. Atleast not until I neared the exit. 
“Invite me to your college farewell.”
That chill you got when the first beat of the drum shuddered you from top to bottom— that was the effect of his words. I stopped right there and then. By the time I looked back, he already caught up to me, catching my palm in his. “Take me to your farewell as your plus one. If you haven't invited anyone else, that is.” 
“I haven't.” 
“Great!” he grinned. 
“What's great? I haven't said yes.”
“But you will, eventually.” When I refused, he reasoned, saying how it would be once- in- a- lifetime opportunity. His words were eerily similar to my girl friends. Funny how people were expecting me to participate in something as meaningless as a dance. Even Abhishek encouraged me to attend it. Were farewell parties that important?  
Getting tired of this endless charade, I sighed. “Fine, you can come though that doesn't make you my partner or whatever. You're free to choose anyone you like to dance to.”