Listen " Tera hone laga hoon" while reading this chapter.💌

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Author's P.O.V..

Leaning casually against his black SUV, Abhimanyu checked his watch -in impatience. Dressed in a slate grey Henley tee, paired with dark jeans..he looked effortlessly sharp. Yet there was a restless calm in his posture, a rare flutter in his heart.

And then he saw her. Ananya draped in a black sleeveless kurti embroidered with delicate red and green mirror work that caught the sunlight like scattered fireflies. A pristine white sharara flowed gracefully with her every step, soft and voluminous, paired with a sheet white duppata draped elegantly over one shoulder. Her long hair was left open, lightly tousled by the breeze. A soft pink blush on her cheeks and unmistakably breathtaking smile.

Abhimanyu's breath hitched. For a second, everything else dimmed. The bustling tea stall, the passing scooter's, the sound of a distant honk -all faded. All he could see was her. His gaze, softened as his lips curved into a small smile, filled with adoration and something deeper -something unspoken.

Ananya met his eyes as she approached, her steps slowing, her heart hammering like a secret. She noticed the way he looked at her -as if she had just stolen the breath right out of him. A soft blush bloomed on her face, and her eyes dropped for a second, unable to hold the intensity. She stood in front of him, a little shy, a little glowing.

" Hi," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper, yet enough to stir something inside him.

" Hi," he replied, voice low, warm with a slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips. " Chale?" he asked, breaking the silence gently.

She gave a small nod...without another word, Abhimanyu moved swiftly and opened the door for her. Ananya gave him a fleeting glance -half gratitude, half something else -and slipped inside, adjusting her duppata carefully.

He walked around and got into the seat, stealing one last glance at her before starting the car. For a moment, their eyes met again -two people, suspended in something tender , heading out together into a world where words were often too small for what they felt.

The gleaming glass doors of the mall slid open with a soft whoosh as Abhimanyu and Ananya stepped inside. The air -conditioned comfort wrapped around them, a contrast to the mellow heat outside. The mall buzzed softly with weekend shoppers -laughter ,footsteps, and the occasional pop song playing overhead blending into the background.

But the moment Abhimanyu crossed the threshold, a quiet shift rippled through the atmosphere. A few staff members near the entrance straightened, their causal postures snapping into alertness. Within seconds, the floor manager, appeared from the side corridor with quick, respect strides.

" Welcome...Sir, Mam" he greeted with a polite bow.

Behind him, a line of neatly dressed mall staff gathered near the entrance, standing with hands folded, their expressions respectful and slightly awed.

" Thank you." Abhimanyu said with a small smile... Ananya nod gently.

" Sir, if there's anything you or ma'am need, we'll be happy to assist -" The manager asked.

" Thank you but that's not necessary... please continue your work, this is a personal visit." Abhimanyu cut in with a soft finality.

They walked side by side, their pace unhurried, their presence together drawing a few curious glances. Abhimanyu led her into a boutique filled with delicate gift items -handcrafted candles, silk scarves , elegant decor. After browsing for a while, Ananya selected a sophisticated ivory clutch wrapped in subtle golden embroidery.

As they exited the story after buying the gift, Abhimanyu turned to her, slipping the gift bag into the car's backseat.

" I've got some time," he said, glancing at her with a deliberate lightness in his tone. " Actually, the whole day is free. If you'd like to go somewhere else..we can."

Ananya turned to him slowly, surprised. " Are you sure?"

" Yeah," he said with a gentle smile.

She hesitated for a second, the smiled -soft, thoughtful. " Okay...then I want to go some places... there's an old street near fort -it has an affordable book market, some antique art stalls. I haven't been there in a while. Also a tiny bakery hidden behind a bookstore that has the softest nolen gur rasgulla I've ever tasted. If you're comfortable."

His gaze was steady. " Sounds perfect... let's go."

They got into the car again -Ananya folding her duppata delicately before sitting. Abhimanyu shutting the door after her like it instinct. For a second, silence filled the space between them -warm, comfortable full.

Ananya's eyes sparkled as she drifted from stall to stall, flipping through poetry anthologies and illustrated journals. She eventually picked up two books -one on Indian miniature art and the other, a worn copy of the The Little Prince.

Abhimanyu, silent but observant, watched her with quiet amusement as she spoke to the bookseller, haggling gently with a charming pout that made the vendor laugh and give in.

Next, they strolled toward a line of open -air art stalls. Ananya admired the hand-painted canvases, pausing in front of one with swirling shades of blue and gold. She bought a small abstract piece.

As they stepped away, walking slowly towards where Abhimanyu's car was parked a little farther down the lane, Ananya suddenly stopped mid-step.

Her eyes lit up. " Pani puri! " she gasped.

Before Abhimanyu could register, she instinctively grabbed his hand, excitement bubbling through her. " Chaliye khate hai."

For a second, everything around him stilled. Her fingers wrapped around his, warm and unhesitant, made his heart stutter. Something melted.

He looked down at the joined hands, the corners of his lips curving into the softest smile he didn't know he was capable of.

Realizing it a beat too late, Ananya blinked, flustered. " Oh-I'm sorry," she mumbled, trying to pull her hand back...but his grip tightened gently. He looked at her -his eyes steady, voice low.

" Let's go," he said, hus smile deepening. Ananya stilled, breath caught in her throat, then slowly nodded with a shy smile of her own.

They walked to the roadside stall, and Ananya beamed at the vendor." Bhaiya, do plate Pani Puri!"

She turned to Abhimanyu, eyes glinting." Aap meetha paani lenge ya teekha?"

He tilted his head slightly." Whatever you prefer." 

Her nose scrunched a little, amused. " Teekha lagana, bhaiya," she told the vendor, then looked back at Abhimanyu with a hint of concern." Aap kha toh lete hain na teekha?"

Abhimanyu raised an eyebrow." You're doubting me?"

Ananya shook her head quickly." Bas pooch rahi thi!"

The vendor handed over the first puri. Ananya popped into her mouth, letting out a satisfied sigh." Mmm...yeh hota hai asli weekend treat."

Abhimanyu followed with one of his own, maintaining his cool expression despite the sharp tang of spice bursting across his tongue.

Ananya grinned wickedly." Competition karein? Jo zyada teekha khayega, voh jeetega..aur harne walo ek wish puri karni padegi."

His smirk grew. " You're on."

One after another, they ate -Abhimanyu's composure cracking ever so slightly, eyes watering just a hint, while Ananya powered through with a triumphant sparkle in her eyes.

" Bas bas! " he finally surrendered, shaking his head, letting out a breathy laugh.

" Haha...dekha humse koi nhi jeet sakta isme." she chuckled.

" I lost ..so tell me what you want? " Abhimanyu asked , eyes warm.

" Hmm..voh hum aapko fir kabhi btayege..abhi ke liye meetha khane chale? " she said, while wiping her hand with a tissue.

Abhimanyu. " Okay.. let's go."

As they walked to a nearby sweet shop...the air inside smelled of rosewater and cardamom. The counter gleamed with rows of juicy rasgullas, barfi, syrup-soaked jalebies etc.

As Ananya took the first bit, her eyes closed in bliss. " Iske bina toh life adhuri hai." she declared dramatically.

Abhimanyu chuckled softly, watching her like she was the only person in the world who mattered. " Itna pasand hai ye?" he asked.

" Bahut. Ye toh mere favourite hai," she replied, still chewing her eyes twinkling.

He didn't say anything. Just smiled -a rare, unguarded one. They headed back to the car and slid into their seats, the city lights casting a warm hue on the windshield. Just as he buckled up and reached for the ignition, Ananya suddenly gasped. " Books!"

She turned to him. " Meri books! Sweet shop pe rah gayi! Main le aati hoon-"

But Abhimanyu stopped her. " Ruko. Tumhe jaane ki zarurat nhi hai. Main le aata hoon."

Ananya blinked. " Are you sure?"

He nodded. " Yes, you wait here."

She gave a soft smile and nodded. " Okay."  Abhimanyu stepped out, the car door clicked shut behind him.

A moment later, the phone on the dashboard buzzed. She looked at it - Abhimanyu's phone. The screen lip up: Aarav calling.

" Oh...unka phone toh yahi reh gaya," she mumbled, hesitating. She reached for it, paused midway. Not good. I shouldn't.....but then her brows furrowed. What if it's urgent?

She swiped to answer before she could say something.. Aarav's voice came in cheerfully from the other side. " Aur mil gaya tere dil ko chain ab usko dekh kar.. vaise bahane banane ki kya zarurat thi bol deta Ananya se tujhe uski fikar ho rahi thi.. uss party incident ke baad, dekhna chahta tha voh theek hai.. khush hai..safe feel kar rahi hai ya nahi."

Ananya's breath caught. lips slightly parted. Heart skipped a beat. She smiled -a shy, overwhelmed smile -as something tended swelled in her chest. He came for me. All this...just to check if I was okay. For a second, her works stilled in that quiet realization.

Just then, she spotted Abhimanyu returning with the books in hand. With a start, she quickly cut the call and placed it back where it was.

He slid into his seat and handed her the books. " Thank you," she said, voice softer than before.

He gave a small nod, then turned the key, the engine humming to life. They drove in silence for a few minutes.

Ananya stared out the window, the world passing in blurry lights, but her mind was replaying Aarav's words on loop. He planned all this...just to see me. Just to know I was okay.

She glanced at him -his profile calm, focused on the road. Her gaze softened. How can someone care this deeply...this quietly? What kind of man worries like that.. without ever saying a word?

She felt butterflies -not the restless, nervous kind, but the warm, safe kind that came with being seen, valued.

He noticed her looking and glanced over, Ananya quickly turned the console with a shy smile. " Music ? "

She turned on the radio. The radio buzzed softly, then came alive.

Shining in the settin sun

like a pearl upon the ocean...

Come and feel me, oh, feel me...

Ananya turned her face to the window, resting her head lightly against the seat. The light caught in her hair, making it glow like strands of honey. Her eyes softened.

Abhimanyu kept his eyes on the road, his grip relaxed on the steering. But his heart...it wasn't calm. The music, her silence, it was stirring something inside him. Something warm.

He glanced at her briefly. She wasn't looking. He allowed a tiny smile to surface.

Thinkin' 'bout the love me make,

and all life's sharing....

Come and heal me, oh, heal me..

Hua jo tu mera , mera.

tera Jo ikraar hua

toh kyun na main bhi keh doon...keh doon.

Hua mujhe bhi pyaar hua...

Ananya closed her eyes, the soft air brushing past her cheeks like a caress her fingers reached up to tuck a stray curl behind her ear. The lyrics whispered to her soul -each word feeling like something she couldn't admit our loud from of him yet.

She opened eyes, glanced sideways at him -just for a second -and looked away quickly, lips curling into a soft, flustered smile.

Tera hone laga hoon...

khone laga hoon......

jab se mila hoon....

Abhimanyu smiled too-his fingers tapping lightly on the steering matching the beat.

Ananya looked at him again -this time a little longer, a little softer.

"How can someone make you feel so much... without even touching you?" she thinks.

Shining in the settin sun,

like a pearl upon the ocean

Come on feel me, oh heal me...

Ananya bit her lower lip, heart fluttering. She turned back to the window, eyes half closed again, arms folded softly as if hugging the moment.

Abhimanyu, stealing another glance now, saw the way she let herself feel the air, the music , the peace...and his heart whispered. " Maybe I was meant to find her like this. Quietly. Slowly."

Waise toh mann mera pehle bhi raaton mein.

Aksar hi chahat ke sapne sajota tha..

Ananya eyes drifting shut as the cool air brushed her skin gently, as if carrying the exact feeling this song wrapped in melody. she smiled at herself. A quiet, dreamy smile that only comes when the heart feels seen.

She thought of how often she'd imagined moments like this...

But never like this. Never with him..

Pehle bhi dhadkan yeh dhun koi gaati thi...

Par ab jo hota hai, voh pehle na hota tha...

Abhimanyu's jaw had softened. Like he too, was lost in a daydream of a future he didn't know he was ready to imagine until now.

Abhimanyu glanced at her then-eyes warm, a little amused , a little mesmerized. She didn't notice. She was lost in her own little world, head tilted slightly up, cheeks glowing, lips parted in thought.

And that's when it hit him. He had never seen anyone make silence look so beautiful.

Hua hai tujhe Jo bhi jo bhi, mujhe bhi iss baar hua...

Haan toh kyu na main keh doon keh doon.

hua mujhe bhi pyaar hua...

He looked away, biting back a smile. His fingers tapped the steering again, matching the beat. But his mind kept whispering the words over and over .

Ananya opened her eyes, turned her face toward him. Their eyes meet again. Only for a second.

Tera hone laga hoon

khone laga hoon..jabse Mila hoon

Shining in the settin sun

like a pearl upon the ocean

Come on feel me, oh heal me...

She looked away quickly -blusing, fiddling with the fabric of her kurti. He chuckled under his breath, watching the road again -but there was a softness in his eyes that hadn't been there before.

Everything between them now was soft, unspoken and shimmering with possibility -like moonlight dancing over still water.

Abhimanyu's car came to a gentle half near Ananya's house. She tried to unbuckled the seatbelt. It jammed.

" Wait let me.." Abhimanyu leaned in , his hand brushing against hers as he reached for the buckle.

In that moment, the world slowed. Their eyes met. Close. Too close. Breaths caught mid-air.

For a heartbeat, it was just them -her breath hitching and a silence thick with electricity. Ananya blinked, a shy smile tugging at her lips , the flush creeping up her cheeks giving her away.

Then, the wind whispered through the open window. A few strands of Ananya's hair flew across her face.

Before he even realized what he was doing, Abhimanyu gently brushed them away, his fingers grazing her cheek. Soft. Careful. Unthinking.

Ananya's breath hitched again, this time louder. Her heart thudded so hard she was sure he could hear it. His touched lingered for a second too long.

Then Abhimanyu blinked, like waking from a dream. Trying to calm his heart too.

Ananya snapped out of it, eyes wide, face flushed." Bye" she said , almost stumbling out of the car, shutting the door behind her before he could say anything more.

He sat there for a second, watching her disappear. A ghost of a smile played on his lips.

🍁🍁🍁

The hall was elegantly lit, filled with soft laughter, clinking glasses, and warm music floating through the air. Vaani and Sorav's anniversary party was in full swing.

Prisha, dressed in a pastel pink chiffon saree with soft curls falling over one shoulder, gracefully navigated the room, exchanging hugs and chatting with Vaani one of her college friend.

She picked up a mocktail from a writer's tray and turned..

THUD! SPLASH!

A cold drink spilled across her saree. She gasped. The glass slipped from the man's hand too.

" Tum?" Prisha's eyes widened as she took  in the man before her. Manik, in a crisp shirt and blazer, groaned audibly and rolled his eyes.

Manik. " Not again. Bhagwan ko koi dushmani hai kya mujhse?"

Prisha hands on hips. " Tumhari aakhein hain ya shirt ke button se dekhte ho?"

" Meri toh aankhein hi hai..but lagta h tumne button lagaye hai .. aur waise tumne GPS tracker fit karva liya hai kya? Jaha jata hoon, tum wahi tapak padti ho- stalker alert." Manik said with a mock gasp.

Prisha. " Stalker? Konsi galat femi mein ho ..tumpar toh google bhi interest na le. Aur haan, ye kya kiya? Meri dress kharab kar di tumne!"

Manik defensive." Arey madam, drink gira murder thodi kiya hai? Aur voh bhi galti se ....itna kyu bhadak rhi ho."

" Kyu na bhadku tumhari wajh se dress khrb ho gayi meri...kitni mehnat lgti h ready hone mein pata bhi hai? " Prisha frustrated.

Manik, catching the situation, smirked devilishly and dipped two fingers into the cake. He smears a bit of cake on her cheeks. " Lo ho gayi match tumhari...sakal bhi ab dress se ..ab khush?"

Prisha stunned, then furious." You? You think it's funny? Wait.." she didn't think twice. She lifted the entire cake from the platter and smashed it right onto his face.

Manik stood frozen, cake all over him like a Creamy ghost clown. People around burst out laughing.

" Ab tumhari shakal bhi ho gayi match... tumhare dimag se." Prisha smirked.

Manik scraping off frosting from his eyelashes. "  Dimag ke bina peda hui thi kya?"

Just then, Vaani and Sorav arrive , wide-eyed.

Sorav." Are are! Kya haal banaya liya dono ne? Bhai humari anniversary party ko kurukshetra kyu bana rahe ho?"

Manik wiping his face. " Saari galti iss ki hai" pointing his finger towards Prisha.

Prisha." Meri nhi iss Chikungunya ke machar ki..or iski party m kisne bulaya"

Sorav laughing." Maine.. he's my friend Prisha...and manik she is Vaani's friend."

Prisha raising eyebrow to Sorav." Jiju , aap bhi kya langooron se dosti rakhte ho.."

Manik mock offended, to Vaani. " Bhabhi, aapne bhi kis zehreeli nagin ko pal ke rakha hai? Constantly ready to attack!"

They glare. Vaani and Sorav chuckled. " Chal, tu mere sath -change kar le," Vaani said to prisha.

Sorav to Manik, holding back laughter."  Tu chak bhai, muh dho le phele."

Manik muttering. " Muh nahi, poori life dho Leni chaiye iss party ke baad."

Prisha from behind. " Wahi karo, cleansing zaroori hai...dimag ki na shi km se km life ki toh cleaning ho tumhari." .

And with that, both storm off in opposite directions - muttering in frustration.

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