I'm crazily preparing for my tenth board exam. I need to get excellent marks. And yeah, this is one of the study holidays in-between my ongoing exams. Just three more days and it will get over though!

Social science is my final exam and currently, I'm in the process of storing everything in the textbook in my brain.

"Thikki, you need something?" Vicky leaves his room and plops beside me on the couch, settled in the living room. I love to study in an open space rather than isolating myself in the room.

"No," I blurt out with a small smile. Vicky had completed his third standard last month, he is eight years old now.

Shaking my head, I then commence focusing on my textbook again. "The East India company restructured the Mughal revenue system across India in such a manner that it increased the financial burden on the...." I quit studying when I feel Vicky's gaze on me.

I glance at him doubtfully. His eyes are wide whilst he maintains his stare steady on my face. "Is something wrong?" I question and he wiggles his head a bit, negatively. "It's just, you are so beautiful Thikki.." I giggle at his compliment.

"But not more than Deepa" he sighs and looks straight. I know I shouldn't fetch hurt by his words, but damn does it disturb my heart! Ah. My female ego is infuriated.

"Is she your crush?" I enquire and he smirks before replying. "Yes...I like her a lot!" He dreamily smiles and I feel bad. Really bad.

"Did you propose to her yet?" I ask more and he shakes his head. "I'm afraid that her husband would kill me," he says in an apprehensive manner. what!!?? Husband??

"Huh?" I'm so confused. "Araee Thikki. Are you stupid? Don't you know our famous Deepa mam?" My mouth hangs open at the realization. Oh yes, the model alike teacher who catwalks over all the corridors in the school as if it's a ramp.

Almost every boy has a crush on her. Even the guys belonging to my class do too. Damn, I thought my Vicky was different... however, turns out that he is just as same as them!!

How can he crush on a teacher!? It's weird. I've never had a thing for my teachers..... oh well, I wouldn't say it's a crush but our Maths sir is so handsome.

"Vicky...go and play video games. I need to study" I divert the topic we are into. I don't want to get distracted right now.

"Mm... don't stress yourself too much. You will do great in the exam Thikki..." He pats my head and I grin and place a kiss on his cheeks, though I know he hates it genuinely.

"Ehh...stop doing that." He rubs the spot where I had planted my lips with an angry look. "Why are you always doing it, knowing well that I loathe it?" He queries in irritation. "I don't know, I guess I got habituated to it" I shrug casually.

"Whatever, don't spread your saliva on my cheeks for another time" I gasp at his words. "How dare you!" He rolls his eyes, not minding the view of disbelief that has been stretched over my countenance.

"Vicky. Mind your words. I've never done that..." I frown. "Then why are my cheeks getting wet every time you kiss me? It's really gross!" he twists his face to a disgusted look and I bit my inner cheeks to control my fury.

"You think it's gross? Then let it be. I would do it again and again just to irk you more" He furrows his eyebrows at me, and we both glimpse at each other challengingly.

A few minutes later, our staring contest terminates and we both burst out into laughter. "Don't think I'm allowing you to salivate on my cheeks again just because I'm cracking up now." He mutters in between his laughs.

Ceasing my snickering, I utter, "I don't care. I would never stop kissing you Vicky" I wink at him and leans closer to him, simply to offend him. He squints his eyes, retaliation replacing the laughter.

"Thikki. You don't know what I'm capable of..." he mumbles lowly, making me stifle my smile.

"Oh please execute your talent out.." I bestow him an encouraging look. And in the next second, he stands up from the couch and dashes into his room.

Wow...he certainly does run like an athlete!

.....................