That evening, Agrawal House.

The house carried a different warmth today, it looked alive after days. Fresh marigold strings were scattered across the centre table, the faint fragrance of incense lingered in the air, and from the kitchen came the rich aroma strong ginger and cardamom tea.

In the middle of the hall, seated comfortably on the sofa with a basket full of flowers beside her, Kusum Agrawal sat making garlands while continuously glancing toward the entrance every few seconds. The impatience on her face had been growing since afternoon itself.

"Arey..Koi pucho toh.. Humara ladka Ghar aane vala tha ab tak na aaya!!"
(Hey..Won't anyone ask.. Our boy was supposed to come home and he still hasn't arrived!!)

Her voice echoed through the hall. Nobody answered. Everyone in the house was already used to this drama whenever Shobhit was due to return home after a long duty stretch.

"Kisi ko toh padi hi nahi hai humare pote ki.." she muttered angrily under her breath, aggressively threading flowers together.
(Nobody even cares about our grandson..)

At that exact moment, the house help, Seema crossed the hall carrying a steel bowl toward the kitchen. Kusum ji immediately picked a loose flower and threw it at her.

"Ae, Ja zara kisi ko bolke phone karwa humre Lalla ko.."
(Hey, go tell someone to call our boy..)

Seema caught the flower, her face twisting in irritation before she walked straight into the kitchen. The moment she entered, she dropped the flower dramatically on the counter beside Kavita Agrawal and complained in a hushed but offended voice.

"Maalkin aap seh li is papi budhiya ko itne baras. Hum hote na aate hi gala ghot kar maar dete aise zaalim saas ko.."
(Mistress, you have tolerated this wretched old woman for so many years. If it were me, I would have strangled such a cruel mother-in-law the moment I arrived..)

Kavita ji couldn't help but smile while boiling tea in the saucepan. Even after so many years, these daily complaints between Seema and Kusum ji had become a routine inside the house.

"Jao, Yashika ya Nikhil kisi se keh do Shobhit ko call karne..Mai maaji ki chai le jati hun..aur haan aate hue apne sahab ko bhi bula lena Chai ke liye.."
(Go, tell either Yashika or Nikhil to call Shobhit..I'll take mother-in-law's tea..and yes, on your way call sahab for tea as well..)

Seema nodded and left while muttering something under her breath again. Kavita ji carefully poured tea into cups before arranging them on the tray herself.

Despite the servants in the house, there were certain things she enjoyed doing, especially when it came to her family. She adjusted the cups once more before stepping out toward the hall.

The moment Kusum ji saw her, she impatiently questioned again,

"Phone karwaya..kidhar hai lalla.."
(Did you get someone to call..where is my boy..)

Before Kavita ji could answer, a loud voice came from upstairs.

"Lalla will be here in 5, 4, 3.."

Everyone looked upward. Leaning casually against the railing stood Nikhil in his hoodie, headphones hanging around his neck while he grinned mischievously.

And before he could finish counting, headlights flashed through the gates outside. A government vehicle entered the driveway and stopped right in front of the house.

The effect on Kusum ji was immediate.

The same woman who complained about knee pain every morning stood up so quickly that even Kavita ji looked startled. Holding the edge of her saree, she hurried toward the entrance almost faster than everyone else.

The car door opened.
And Shobhit stepped out.

His official aura naturally followed him, but the moment his eyes landed on his family waiting at the entrance, something in his expression softened.

Before he could properly walk in, Kusum ji reached him first and immediately pulled him into a tight embrace.

Kissing his forehead and cheeks repeatedly, she fussed over him without even giving him time to breathe.

"Haaye Mera lalla..kitna sookh gya hai..khata Peeta nahi hai kya dhang se.."
(Oh my boy..how thin he has become..doesn't he eat and drink properly..)

Shobhit chuckled tiredly, one arm wrapping around her carefully while the house help silently carried his luggage inside.

"Bahu.. jaldi aarti lao. Humara sher vapas aa gya.."
(Daughter-in-law.. bring the aarti quickly. Our lion has returned..)

Kavita ji walked forward with the thaal in her hands. For a brief second she simply looked at her son quietly.

There was visible relief in her eyes, the kind only a mother carried after seeing her child return safely home. Shobhit lowered himself immediately and touched her feet. Kavita ji gently placed her palm over his head before performing his aarti with soft eyes full of affection.

Only then did he step inside the house.

He bent once again to touch Kusum ji's feet properly while she continuously caressed his face as if checking whether he had really become thinner. Just then Nikhil came downstairs and hugged him tightly, almost crashing into him.

His younger sister, Yashika followed immediately after, running down the stairs.

Shobhit naturally opened his arms for her. She hugged him tightly while he kissed his younger siblings forehead affectionately.
"How are you Nikhil..Yashi.."

"We missed you bhaiya..."

Their voice came muffled against his chest while Shobhit gently caressed their hair with a small smile on his face.

The warmth in the hall instantly deepened with his arrival. It had always been this way. No matter how lively the house remained otherwise, something always felt incomplete until Shobhit returned.

Just then footsteps echoed from upstairs again.

Mahesh Agrawal descended slowly with his usual composed personality intact. White cotton kurta, spectacles resting perfectly on his face, hands clasped behind his back and expressions naturally stern. His presence alone carried authority strong enough to quieten a room without effort.

Shobhit looked toward him and instinctively straightened slightly. Not just looking at his father but scanning him.
A sudden tension building in the hall.
Untill,

Mahesh ji reached the hall and curling his lips into a smile, he extended his arms toward his son.

Shobhit immediately walked forward and hugged him firmly.

Mahesh ji patted his back with pride and warmth hidden beneath his composed demeanor.

"Badi der kardi aane mein beta, sabko subah se aapka intezaar tha.."
(You took so long to come son, everyone has been waiting for you since morning..)

He pulled back slightly before continuing in the same calm voice.

"Aapki Dadi ne pura Ghar sar par utha rakha tha aur aapki Ma, aapki pasand ki har cheez taiyaar karke baithi ja..Ja mera baccha, fresh ho aa. Aaj sab sath baith kar Dinner karenge.."
(Your Dadi had the whole house on her head and your mother has been sitting after preparing everything you like..Go my child, freshen up. Today we will all sit together for dinner..)

"Ji Papa.."
(Yes Papa..)

Shobhit finally walked upstairs toward his room. The moment he entered, he paused near the door for a second.

Everything had already been arranged perfectly.

Fresh bedsheets. Ironed clothes placed neatly inside the cupboard. His files stacked properly on the study table. Even his watch and perfume had been placed exactly where he usually kept them. His mother had prepared the room long before his arrival, making sure nothing felt untouched.

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

After taking a shower and changing into comfortable clothes, he headed downstairs again.

The entire family was already seated at the dining table waiting only for him. Nobody had started eating yet.

The moment he sat down, Kavita ji immediately began filling his plate one dish after another without pause. Puri, paneer, dal, sabzi, kheer, within seconds the plate looked overloaded.

"Bas Ma..itna toh kha bhi nahi paaunga.."
(Enough Ma..I won't even be able to eat this much..)

A soft laughter spread across the table instantly. Even Mahesh ji smiled faintly while Kusum ji shook her head in disappointment as if her grandson had committed some grave offence by refusing food.

Dinner slowly continued amidst light conversations and familiar comfort.
Then, after a brief silence, Kavita ji finally asked softly,

"Shobhit..beta aap unse milne gaye?"
(Shobhit..son, did you go to meet her?..)

The question immediately caught everyone's attention.
He nodded once while eating.

Nikhil immediately asked, excited. "Kisse Milne gaye the?"
(Who did you go to meet?..)

"Miss Parmar se.." Shobhit replied calmly, eyes set on plate as he continued eating.
(Miss Parmar..)

Yashika's face instantly lit up with excitement.
"Toh phir, hum chalu karein shadi ki preparations.."
(Then should we start the wedding preparations..)

Shobhit looked at her with complete disbelief before leaning back slightly in his chair.

"Abhi haan nahi kaha hai hum dono ne aur..Ye kyun itni excited hai?"
(Neither of us has said yes yet..why is she so excited?..)

Before Yashika could defend herself, Kavita ji smiled softly and explained,

"Iski school time ki dost hai, isi ne btaya uske baatein mein..Aapko kesi lagi beta vo.."
(She is her friend from school time, she is the one who told us about her..How did she seem to you son..)

For a moment, Shobhit stayed quiet. His mind unconsciously drifted back toward the meeting earlier that day. Her calm demeanor. Her simplicity. The way she spoke with respect yet confidence. There was something peaceful about her presence.

"Acchi Hain vo.. but I need time to think."
(She seems good.. but I need time to think.)

Nobody forced him further after that. The family understood him well enough to know that Shobhit never spoke casually about serious matters.

A comfortable silence settled again before Shobhit suddenly looked toward his grandmother, who was peacefully eating puris one after another without concern.

"Dadi..aapki tabiyat kesi hai?"
(Dadi..how is your health?..)

The effect was immediate.
Kusum ji's entire expression changed dramatically as she sighed heavily and placed one hand over her chest.

"Kya batau beta..mera toh din nazdeek hai, ek baar bas teri shadi dekh leti.."
(What do I tell you son..my days are numbered, if only I could see your wedding just once..)

Nikhil immediately lowered his head to hide his laughter because the same woman had practically sprinted toward the gate ten minutes ago.

Shobhit simply stared at her for a moment before sighing helplessly.

And the entire dining table burst into soft laughter once again while Kusum ji continued complaining dramatically in the background.

Meanwhile, inside the Parmar House, the atmosphere was much quieter compared to the chaos of the Agrawal family.

The television played softly in the background while the faint smell of tadka and fresh rotis spread through the small yet warm house. Sitting on the sofa with little Aarav in her lap, Preeti patiently fed him small bites of food while the child continuously played with his toys instead of eating properly.

"Munh kholo...Aaa" she spoke softly, trying to convince Aarav to eat.
(Open your mouth...Aaa..)

Beside her, Sunita ji sat watching both of them silently.

There was always something soothing about looking at Preeti with Aarav. The child remained most comfortable around her despite everyone pampering him endlessly. Whether it was feeding him, making him sleep, helping him study, or handling his tantrums, Preeti naturally did everything without complaint.

In the kitchen, sounds of utensils echoed lightly. Pankaj, Preeti's brother was helping his wife Neha with dinner preparations while she prepared rotis beside him.
The house carried an ordinary warmth.

Simple.
Peaceful.
Comfortable.

But Sunita ji's attention kept shifting toward Preeti every few seconds. Since afternoon, curiosity had practically eaten her alive.

Curiosity about Shobhit but she stayed quite. Frightened if Pretti got angry. Because the people who stay calm and soft every time, their anger when comes out, comes dangerous enough to shatter every thing.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

Sunita ji immediately stood up and hurried toward the entrance before anyone else could open it.

The moment the door opened, Rajesh ji stepped inside looking visibly tired from work. Before he could even properly remove his shoes, Sunita ji took his office bag from his hand and leaned closer toward him.

"Preeti aaj gayi thi us ladke se milne.."
(Preeti went to meet that boy today..)

Rajesh ji instantly looked at her.
"Kisse?"
(Who?..)

"Arey Vo IPS, Agrawal.."
(That IPS officer, Agrawal..)

His brows narrowed slightly at once.
"Toh use pasand nahi aaya?"
(So she didn't like him?..)

"Shubh, Shubh bolo.. Aur Mujhe kya pta, gussa ho gayi toh mere puchne par..Aap pucho na..Kaisa rahe sab kuch.."
(Speak auspiciously.. And how would I know, she got angry when I asked..You ask her..how did everything go..)

Rajesh ji sighed softly at his wife's impatience.
"Haath muh dho lun.."
(Let me wash my hands and face first..)

"Jao aur jaldi aao.."
(Go and come back quickly..)

She practically pushed him toward the room while continuously glancing back toward Preeti sitting in the hall, completely unaware of the secret discussion happening near the entrance.

Nearly ten minutes later, Rajesh ji returned after freshening up. By then, dinner had already been laid on the table by Pankaj and Neha. Steel bowls filled with sabzi and dal were placed neatly in the centre while fresh rotis remained covered beside them.

Preeti had finally managed to make Aarav sleep and carefully laid him down on the sofa with a small pillow tucked beside him.

Soon everyone settled around the dining table together.

The familiar comfort of family dinners quietly filled the space as food was served onto plates. Pankaj discussed something casually about work while Neha smiled softly listening to him. Meanwhile, Sunita ji had only one focus entirely.

She repeatedly gestured toward Rajesh ji with her eyes.

Ask her!
Now ask her!

Rajesh ji ignored her twice before finally clearing his throat awkwardly.
"Preeti Beta.."

Preeti looked up while tearing a piece of roti.
"Ji Papa.."
(Yes Papa..)

"Kesa Raha Aaj ka din.."
(How was today?..)

Preeti answered naturally without thinking much.
"Badhiya Papa..Sabhi teachers Aarav ke baarein mein puch rahe the, bhabhi next function mein mai use lekar jaaungi.."
(Good Papa..All the teachers were asking about Aarav, bhabhi I will take him along to the next function..)

Neha smiled softly hearing that while Pankaj nodded in agreement.
But Rajesh ji still looked hesitant.
"Aur kuch beta.."
(Anything else son..)

Before he could continue further, Sunita ji lost patience completely.

"Arey seedha pucho na usse Milne gayi ya nahi.."
(Just ask her directly whether she went to meet him or not..)

She had intended to whisper.
Unfortunately, the entire table heard it clearly.

Preeti froze mid-bite.

Rajesh ji immediately closed his eyes in defeat.
Sunita ji bit her own tongue realizing she had shouted instead of whispering.
And across the table, Pankaj and Neha quietly tried suppressing their laughter.

For a second, silence settled over the dining area.

Then Preeti slowly placed the roti back onto her plate before inhaling deeply.

"Gayi thi..aur..mili bhi Mister Agarwal se.."
(I did go..and..I met Mister Agrawal as well..)

The moment she admitted it, Sunita ji straightened instantly.

"Toh? Kesa lga vo?"
(So? How did he seem?..)

Preeti looked toward her mother quietly for a moment.
There wasn't irritation on her face anymore.

Just confusion she herself hadn't figured out properly yet.

The meeting from earlier kept replaying somewhere in the back of her mind. His calm personality. His composed way of speaking. The maturity in him. The seriousness. There had been nothing wrong with him.
Maybe that was exactly why she couldn't answer so easily.

"Mummy ek baar mein thodi judge kar lun..I need time to think..ye Maine unse bhi keh diya hai, man ho toh voh dekh le dusri ladki.."
(Mummy I can't judge in just one meeting..I need time to think..I have told him the same, if he wishes he can look at another girl..)

The moment those words left her mouth, Rajesh ji immediately looked at her.

There was no arrogance in her tone.
Only honesty.
Preeti stood up quietly after finishing water from her glass.

"Mera khana ho gya, mai jaa rahi hun mujhe neend aa rahi hai.."
(My food is done, I am going, I am feeling sleepy..)

And before anyone could stop her or continue the discussion further, she simply walked away toward her room.

Rajesh ji remained sitting there silently, lips parting slightly as if he wanted to say something but stopping midway.

Sunita ji sighed dramatically while Pankaj shook his head.

The next morning.

Before anyone could restart the topic again, Preeti left early for school after getting ready quietly. She spoke normally to everyone, helped Neha for a while in the kitchen, checked on sleeping Aarav once before leaving, and escaped the house before Sunita ji could corner her again.

Meanwhile, at the Agrawal House, Shobhit too was preparing to leave by ten in the morning. Dressed neatly and ready for work, he adjusted his watch while checking a few pending files.

Just then, his phone rang.

The call was from the principal of Sharda Vidyalaya.

He answered calmly, listening carefully as the principal requested him to visit the school regarding an important discussion.

For a brief second after disconnecting the call, Preeti's face crossed his mind unexpectedly.

Her composed voice.
The thoughtful hesitation in her answers.
The way she had honestly asked for time instead of pretending certainty.

Shobhit stood still for a moment before picking up his car keys.

And then quietly left for the school.
By the time Shobhit reached Sharda Vidyalaya, the school was immersed in its usual afternoon chaos. Children ran through the corridors in neat uniforms, some carrying notebooks while others laughed loudly without caring about the teachers constantly asking them to slow down. The faint ringing of class bells echoed through the building, mixed with announcements from the office speakers.

Shobhit had barely stepped properly inside the corridor when suddenly someone pulled him sharply toward the side.

Before he could react, his back hit the wall of an empty corridor.
And a soft palm pressed directly against his mouth.

Everything in him stilled for a second.
His eyes lifted immediately.

Preeti.
Miss Preeti Parmar.

Standing frighteningly close.

One hand against the wall beside him while the other covered his mouth completely as if she had just committed some huge crime and was now trying to hide the evidence itself.

For a brief moment neither of them moved.

The corridor behind them remained empty, sunlight falling through the large windows nearby while dust particles floated quietly in the air. Preeti's breathing was uneven, probably because she had almost dragged a DCP into a corner like some schoolgirl caught doing mischief.

Meanwhile Shobhit simply looked at her.

Not speaking.
Not reacting.
Just looking.

Preeti looked around once quickly before whispering in panic,

"Aap..yahan kya kar rahe hain.."
(What are you doing here?)

But instead of answering, Shobhit slowly lowered his eyes toward her hand still pressed against his mouth.

Only then did Preeti realise what she had done.
Her eyes widened instantly.

She immediately pulled her hand back and stepped away from him so fast that her dupatta almost slipped from her shoulder.

"I'm, I'm sorry.."

Shobhit still remained silent.

His composed face gave away nothing at all, which somehow made her even more nervous.

And before he could say anything, Preeti hurriedly started speaking in one breath out of panic.

"Aap yahan kyun aa gaye, kuch kaam tha toh call kar lete..ye humara work place hai hum personal aur professional life bilkul alag alag rakhte hain.."
(Why did you come here, if there was any work you could have called..this is our workplace, we keep personal and professional life completely separate..)

Her words came fast, rushed, almost defensive.

As if she was more embarrassed by the possibility of someone seeing them together than by the fact that she had practically attacked him near the corridor.

Shobhit had just parted his lips to respond when another voice interrupted them.

"Oh Sir..you are here.. thanks for coming to our school once again.."

Both turned.
The principal stood there smiling politely while adjusting his spectacles.

Shobhit looked toward Preeti once.
And in that exact second, realization finally dawned on her face.

He hadn't come there for her.
He was invited by the principal..

The awkwardness on her face deepened immediately.
Before she could quietly escape from there, the principal looked between both of them curiously and asked,

"Preeti Ma'am, you were with dcp sir..do you already know each other.."

"No.."
"Yes."

Both answers came together.
Simultaneously.
Both immediately looked at each other.
The principal blinked in confusion.

"I didn't understand..do you know each other.."

This time Preeti quickly said yes.
And at the exact same moment, Shobhit calmly replied,
"No."

Preeti looked at him helplessly while Shobhit finally looked slightly amused for the first time since arriving there.

The principal stared at both of them for two silent seconds before smiling knowingly.

"Aap dono decide hi kar ke jaante hain ya nahi.. please sir come to my office.."
(You two decide whether you know each other or not.. please sir come to my office..)

And with that, he took Shobhit along with him.

Preeti stood there for another moment, completely embarrassed by the entire interaction before finally returning toward the staff room.

But after that, she couldn't focus properly on anything.

Even while checking notebooks, taking extra classes, or completing paperwork, her mind drifted back toward him repeatedly. His calm expression. The way he didn't react even once despite her behaviour. And most annoyingly,
the faint amusement in his eyes.

By the time school dispersal began, teachers slowly started leaving one after another. The noise of students faded gradually as buses exited the campus.

Preeti too collected her belongings and walked toward the parking area.
But the moment she reached there, her steps slowed.
Shobhit's car was still parked near the side.

He was still here?

Confused, she slowly stepped closer and slightly leaned to peek through the tinted window.
That's when a deep voice spoke from behind her.

"Are you looking for something..Preeti Ma'am.."

For the first time, hearing her own name from his mouth made her breath hitch unexpectedly.

Not "Miss Parmar."
But,
Preeti Ma'am.

She immediately turned around.

Shobhit stood there beside her calmly, car keys twirling lightly around his fingers.

"A,aap..gaye nahi abhi, abhi tak.."
(Y,you..haven't left yet..)

"Kaam toh ho gya tha aapka wait kar raha tha.. chalengi aap mere sath.."
(My work was done, I was waiting for you.. will you come with me..)

His tone remained simple.
Straightforward.
As if asking her this was the most normal thing in the world.

Preeti instinctively lowered her eyes for a moment before replying softly,

"Vo mai..Mummy ko call karke bta deti hun.."
(I..let me call Mummy and inform her..)

Something about that answer made a small smile appear on Shobhit's lips.
Without saying anything further, he opened the passenger door for her.

"Meri scooty.."

"Mai keh dunga kisi ko chhodne.."
(I will ask someone to drop it..)

After hesitating briefly, Preeti finally nodded and quietly sat inside.
The drive afterward remained mostly silent.

Outside, the city moved in its usual rush while inside the car only voice of some reports on radio played at low volume. Preeti kept her hands folded in her lap, occasionally glancing outside the window while Shobhit drove calmly beside her.

After a few minutes she finally asked softly,

"Kahan ja rahe hain hum?"
(Where are we going?..)

"Vahin kal vale cafe par.. chai peene.."
(To that same café from yesterday.. to have tea..)

That was all he said.
And strangely, that simple answer settled something inside her nervousness.

Soon they reached the same old café again.

The familiar warm yellow lights, vintage décor, old Bollywood posters on brick walls, faint smell of coffee and music from another era instantly wrapped around the atmosphere.

This time too they took the same corner table.
The waiter had barely arrived when Shobhit spoke first,

"2 chai.."

The waiter nodded and left.
Preeti looked at him in confusion.

"2..kyun?"

"Maine socha Mai bhi try karta hun..har jagah suna chai ye chai vo..why not I?"
(I thought let me also try..I keep hearing about tea everywhere..why not me?..)

A small smile almost appeared on her lips hearing that.
Almost.
But she hid it quickly by lowering her gaze toward the table.
Soon the tea arrived.

Steam slowly rose from the cups between them while soft old melodies played in the background. Preeti carefully picked her cup and took a small sip.

Meanwhile, Shobhit looked at her quietly for a moment before finally asking,

"Vaise..kuch decide Kiya aapne?"
(So..have you decided anything?..)

Preeti lowered her cup slowly.

"Ab tak..toh nahi.. kal mummy ne pucha toh, sochti hun hi kaha tha.."

(Not yet..when mummy asked yesterday, I said I was thinking..)

Shobhit simply nodded once.

No pressure.
No insistence.

And maybe that was exactly why she felt comfortable enough to continue sitting there.

For a few seconds silence settled peacefully between them.

Then suddenly Preeti spoke without thinking,

"Vese aapne kitni ladkiyon ko date Kiya hai?"
(By the way, how many girls have you dated?..)

The second the question left her mouth, regret hit immediately.
She bit her lips softly and quickly shook her head.

"Nahi..rehne dijiye..mat bataiye.."
(No..leave it..don't tell me..)

But Shobhit answered anyway.

"Maine kal btaya tha aapko, family pressure ke karan hi mai shadi karun, school, graduation aur phir agle hi saal UPSC meri life mein time nahi tha ki mai dating and all karun.."

(I told you yesterday, I am marrying only because of family pressure, school, graduation and then the very next year UPSC, there was no time in my life for dating and all that..)

Preeti looked at him properly after that.
"Iska, iska matlab..aap, aapne kisi ko date nahi kiya.."
(This, this means..you, you haven't dated anyone..)

He quietly shook his head once.
Something flickered through Preeti's expression briefly before she looked away toward her tea.

For a few moments she stayed silent.
Then slowly, softly, she began speaking.

"College time mein..mai kisi ko chahti thi.. uske sath shadi ke sapne dekhe the."
(During college..I liked someone.. I had dreamed of marrying him.)

Her fingers tightened slightly around the warm cup.

"Par.. Mai un sabhi cheezon ke sath comfortable nahi thi, jis intension se vo mujhe date kar raha tha..mai toh bahut immature thi, usne apni needs ke liye, he tried to convince me aur phir at the end break-up ho gya.."

(But.. I was not comfortable with all those things, with the intention behind which he was dating me..I was very immature then, for his own needs, he tried to convince me and then at the end we broke up..)

There was no bitterness in her tone.
Only an old pain she had already accepted long ago.

Shobhit listened quietly without interrupting her even once. Preeti slowly lifted her eyes toward him again.

"Mister Agarwal..mera manna hai, kisi bhi relationship mein, shadi ho ya dating phase.. physical attachment se jyada emotional attachment hona chahiye.. kisi ko pyaar shareer ya paise, ya naukri dekh kar nahi, dil se karna chahiye..shayad esa pyaar karne vale alag bhi ho jaaye toh saath hi rehte hain, kyunki unka Dil kisi aur ko nahi apnata.."

(Mister Agrawal..I believe, in any relationship, whether marriage or dating phase.. emotional attachment should be more than physical attachment.. one should love someone not by looking at their body, money or job, but from the heart..perhaps people who love like that stay together even if they drift apart, because their heart does not accept anyone else..)

The café around them continued moving normally.

Waiters passed by.
People chatted softly nearby.
Tea cups clinked.

But for some reason, Shobhit's entire attention remained fixed only on her.

On the honesty with which she spoke.
On the innocence still present in her thoughts despite everything.
On the strange sincerity that made her sound almost misplaced in today's world.

"Khair..mere in sabke baarein mein vichar kafi purane hai, esa lgta mera man na 90s mein hi reh gayi..bas paida mein ho is generation mein gayi.."

(Anyway..my thoughts about all these things are quite old-fashioned, it feels like my heart stayed back in the 90s itself..I was just born later..)

She smiled lightly after saying that.
And almost perfectly on cue, the old song playing softly in the café changed.

तुम को देखा तो ये ख़याल आया
ज़िंदगी धूप तुम घना साया
तुम को...

The music spread gently through the air.And for the first time since meeting her,

Shobhit found himself silently staring at Preeti a little longer than necessary..