'There's this cute guy in class...'

Dear Diana

Dear Diana,
There's this boy in my class who I really like. I always wanted to know him and now finally we've become good friends. We are students of civil engineering and are both 20 years of age. We were part of an assignment and as we worked on the project together, we started spending time with each other. He's cute, he's sweet, he's funny and we have a lot of fun together. He is also really chilled out. I think I'm starting to like him in more than a just friends kind of way. One of my classmates tells me that he kind of likes me. How do I know what is going on in his mind? I have caught him looking at me often in class and smiling. The other day he asked me out. We went to eat masala dosa at a joint near our college. We were comfortable with each other. Does this mean he is interested in me? How do I take this to the next step?
- Upasana


Illustration/Amit Bandre

Dear Upasana,
If he is interested in you, he will drop hints. That he asked you out, is one of the signs. Right now you two are young, so it is better that you be pals first. As he is your classmate, there will be a lot of common things. From examinations to studies to professors to canteen fare, there is no shortage of subjects to talk about. Just go with the flow and there is no big hurry to take the next step. It will happen over time. Presently, studies are your priority so give adequate time to it. Hang out with him and the group. You two can share notes and assignments. Help each other in studies. During vacations and on weekends, plan movie outings and lunches. It is better that you hang in a group for now. Once you get more comfortable with each other, you can then hang out alone with him.