Hai ..

Hello ..

Happy reading ...

******************

Outside Aman's House - Rainy Night

The rain continues to pour heavily as Aman cries out in pain after his fall.

Aman, clutching his back: “Ahhhhhh!”

His face scrunches up in pain, his hand instinctively holding his back where the impact was the hardest.

Shalini, immediately flustered and panicking:

“Oh no! Sorry, sorry! I didn’t mean to hurt you. Sorry, Mr. Khadoos Sultan, woh inko dekh kar main ghabra gayi!”

(Sorry, sorry! I didn’t mean to hurt you. Sorry, Mr. Grumpy Sultan, I just got startled seeing him!)

She gestures to Goutham, who is standing there with an amused smile, holding the umbrella.

Aman winces, still on the ground, looking up at Shalini with a mixture of irritation and disbelief.

“Ab haath do, aur haan, don’t call me with that weird name 'Khadoos Sultan'!”Aman, gritting his teeth through the pain.

("Give me your hand, and yes, don’t call me that weird name, 'Grumpy Sultan'!")

Shalini smirks as she offers her hand, Goutham joining in to help. Together, they hoist Aman back onto his feet, the pain still evident on his face. Shalini, still enjoying teasing him, can’t resist.

“Ok, Mr. Khadoos Sultan.” Shalini said playfully

(Ok, Mr. Grumpy Sultan.)

Goutham chuckles, watching the two of them bicker like children.

Goutham, curious now, asks Shalini

“Waise tum kaun ho, beta?”

(By the way, who are you, dear?)

His voice is gentle, kind, though there’s a knowing glint in his eyes.

“Main Jeetendra uncle ke paas kaam karti hoon. My name is Shalini.”Shalini responded while walking with Aman toward the house,

(I work with Jeetendra uncle. My name is Shalini.)

“Accha, toh tum mere bete Aman ke saath kaam karti ho? Very good!” Goutham said while grinning .

(Oh, so you work with my son, Aman? Very good!)

Shalini freezes for a second, realizing that she’s talking to Aman's father. Then, her playful nature kicks in, and she can’t resist one more jab at Aman.

“Ji nahi, uncle. Main is ‘begani shaadi mein Abdullah deewana’ ke saath kaam nahi karti, never!”Shalini said  sarcastically .

(No, uncle. I don’t work with this ‘random guy at someone else’s wedding,’ never!)

The moment the words leave her mouth, Shalini realizes what she’s said and who she’s said it in front of. She throws a quick, nervous glance at Aman. His face is darkening, his eyes narrow, clearly not pleased with the nickname.

Aman, glaring at her, voice low and dangerous.

" What did you just say? Say that again? If you give me another weird nickname, I’ll cut your hair in midnight and sell that hair to a salon for money! Then, with that money, I’ll put up a hoarding with your bald picture!"

Shalini imagines it for a second , her bald head plastered all over the city, she glared at him with a grumpy face.

“Toh main bhi shraap deti hoon! Raat ko tumhare ghar ki light chale jaye, machron ke saath tum date karo! Aur aadhi raat ko tumhare kamre mein chuha ghus jaye, aur tumhara bistar chaba jaye!” Shalini said while folding  her arms and lifting her chin

(Then I curse you! May your lights go out at night, and you end up on a date with mosquitoes! And may a rat sneak into your room and chew your bed!)

Their playful fight continues until Goutham steps in, laughing.

“Bas, bas, beta. Kya dono bachon jaise lad rahe ho?” Goutham amused with their banters .

("Enough, enough, kids. Why are you both fighting like children?")

They walk towards the house, still bickering. Just as they reach the doorstep, someone steps in front of them, holding an aarti thali. The flames flicker in the wind, and the sudden sight of fire startles Shalini.

She gasps and stumbles backward. Just as she’s about to fall, Aman grabs her from behind, pulling her to safety.

“Kya hua? Tum dar kyun gayi? Abhi tak toh Jhansi ki Rani ki tarah chillaa rahi thi. Ab kya ho gaya? Chhoti si aarti se dar gayi?” Aman teased about her bravery .

("What happened? Why are you scared? A moment ago, you were roaring like the Queen of Jhansi. Now what happened? Scared of a little aarti?")

Shalini catches her breath, looking a little embarrassed.

“Main... dar nahi rahi thi! Bas achanak se aag dekhi toh... (realizing) Yeh aarti kyun de rahe hain?” Shalini said trying to recover.

("I... I wasn’t scared! I just suddenly saw the fire, and... (realizing) Why are they doing the aarti?")

The man with the aarti is Swamy, smiling warmly as he performs the ritual.

“Aap pehli baar ghar aaye hain, toh aarti karke welcome kar raha hoon, young madam.” swamy asserted while giving aarti to the couple .

(It’s your first time visiting, so I’m welcoming you with a traditional aarti, young madam.)

Swamy steps back after completing the ritual and gestures for them to come inside.

“Ab dono ek saath andar aaiye, Aman babu aur young madam.” swamy implored quickly and went to kitchen to keep the thali back .

("Now, both of you come inside together, Aman babu and young madam.")

Aman shakes his head, muttering to Shalini.

“Yeh pagal hai, inka dhyaan mat do.” he said with an irritated face .

("He’s crazy. Don’t pay attention to him.")

As they are about to enter, Goutham cheekily places his foot in front of Aman. The moment Aman stumbles, he instinctively grabs Shalini’s hand for balance, pulling her along with him as they both awkwardly stumble inside together. Goutham grins in triumph.

“Kisi ki nazar na lage!” Goutham grunted.

("May no one’s evil eye affect you!")

He performs a quick nazar utarna ritual, waving his hand around their heads dramatically.

Reeva, watching from the corner, gives Goutham a thumbs-up, clearly entertained by his antics. Aman, however, is irritated, and without saying anything, he storms off to his room.

They made their way to inside

Shalini, still drenched from the rain, stands in the living room, feeling awkward in her soaked clothes. Goutham, noticing her discomfort, turns to Reeva.

“Reeva, Shalini ko guest room dikhado.”he instructed to reeva .

("Reeva, show Shalini the guest room.")

Shalini is about to follow Reeva when Goutham stops her. He hurries into his room and comes back holding a beautiful saree, one that belonged to Aman’s mother.

“Beta, yeh saree lo aur change karke aao. Dinner karenge.”Goutham, gently offered the saree.

("Dear, take this saree and change. Then we’ll have dinner.")

Shalini feels a bit uncomfortable. These people are still strangers to her, and here she is, wearing someone else’s clothes. But she sees the warmth in Goutham’s eyes and doesn’t want to seem rude. She accepts the saree and follows Reeva to the guest room.

Meanwhile in the kitchen

Aman, having changed into fresh clothes, walks back into the kitchen, only to be greeted by utter chaos. Swamy, in his attempt to create a new dish, has managed to destroy the entire kitchen. There’s flour on the counters, spilled oil on the floor, and a strange burnt smell in the air.

Aman rubs his temples in frustration, scolding Swamy, Goutham, and Reeva for turning the kitchen into a disaster zone. He checks the time " it’s 12:30 AM."

With no restaurants open and the rain making it impossible to order food, Aman sighs. He walks out of the kitchen, only to find himself in the living room.

As he glances at the stairs, he sees Shalini slowly descending, holding the pleats of her saree carefully as she walks down, her eyes focused on making sure she doesn’t trip. She looks stunning, draped in his mother’s saree, her wet hair cascading over..

Aman’s eyes are glued to Shalini as she makes her way down the stairs, her soft footsteps barely audible over the ticking of the clock. The saree, a light shade of pink with intricate gold embroidery, clings to her frame, still damp in places from the rain, but it accentuates her delicate features. Her wet hair, which she’s tried to tame but failed, rests on her shoulders, the occasional strand sticking to her cheek. She’s holding the pleats of the saree carefully, her eyes downcast, making sure not to trip on the stairs.

Aman’s heart pounds loudly in his chest. For a moment, everything else fades away , the chaos in the kitchen, the rain outside, and even his earlier irritation. His gaze remains fixed on her, captivated by the way she looks in his mother’s saree. The soft lighting of the living room casts a warm glow on her, highlighting the gentle curve of her neck and the way the fabric moves with her every step.

Shalini, oblivious to Aman’s gaze, is busy adjusting her pleats, making sure they stay neatly folded. As she reaches the last step, her bare feet touch the cold floor, and she finally looks up.

Their eyes meet. Aman quickly averts his gaze, pretending to look at something on the wall, as if he hadn’t been staring at her the entire time. His expression changes instantly, from being spellbound to indifferent, as if he didn’t care. But his heart tells a different story, still thudding in his chest.

Goutham, standing in the corner with Swamy and Reeva, watches this entire exchange with amusement. He leans toward Reeva and whispers, loud enough for Swamy to hear but not Aman.

“Kuch toh chal raha hai in dono ke beech, dekha kaise usne Shalini ko ghura?” Goutham asserted with a grin

(Something is definitely going on between these two. Did you see how he was staring at her?)

Reeva giggles softly, nodding in agreement. Swamy, though, adds his two cents with his usual humor.

“Haan, haan, lagta hai Aman babu ka pyaar ka dastaan shuru hogaya , aur yeh dono ki " hum aap ke hai koun " wala mode , maine pyaar kiya ka stage aane mein dher nahi lagegi , ” swamy said in his quirky tone

+Yes, yes, it seems like Aman babu's love story has begun, and these two are in the 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun' mode. It won't take long for them to reach the 'Maine Pyaar Kiya' stage.)

“bas swamy uncle aaj se aapko Hindi purane films dekhna band karni chahiye.. reeva amused and said .

("LEnough, Swamy uncle . No more bollywood from now )

Goutham can’t hold back a chuckle, but Aman hears them and shoots a sharp look in their direction. They immediately quiet down, pretending as if nothing happened.

Shalini, still unaware of the silent teasing, walks toward them, smoothing the saree out one last time. Her cheeks are slightly pink, probably from the cold air in the house or perhaps from the weight of the situation , wearing someone’s mother’s saree is not something she’s used to.

Aman, now standing with his arms crossed, looks at her briefly before turning his attention back to Goutham.

:“Khaane ka kya scene hai? Kitchen mein toh warzone bana diya hai Swamy ne.” Aman, with an expressionless face, trying to hide his feelings .

(What’s the plan for food? Swamy has turned the kitchen into a warzone.)

Goutham, still smiling from the earlier scene, responds nonchalantly.

“Haan, pata hai. Swamy ke culinary experiments ka kuch naya level chal raha tha. But now, we don’t have anything ready. Bahar jaa nahi sakte, aur delivery ka koi scene nahi hai.” Goutham grumbled .

(Yes, I know. Swamy’s culinary experiments reached a new level today. But now, we don’t have anything ready. Can’t go outside, and delivery isn’t possible.)

Aman sighs heavily. It’s way past midnight, and the rain is relentless. They’re stuck with no food, and it’s clear that Swamy has made a mess in the kitchen.

“Toh ab kya? Bhookhe marenge?” Aman implored irritatingly.

(So now what? We’re going to starve?)

Before anyone else can speak, Shalini steps forward, her nervousness finally fading. She brushes her damp hair back and looks around the room.

“Itna bada issue bhi nahi hai. Main bana deti hoon kuch.” Shalini asserted confidently .

(It’s not that big of a problem. I’ll cook something.)

Aman looks at her, slightly surprised.

“Tum? Tum khana bana sakti ho?” Aman grumbled with a raised eyebrow .

("You? You can cook?")

Shalini gives him a sharp look, as if daring him to question her skills again.

“Haan, kyun? Tumhe laga main sirf tumhare nicknames sochti hoon?”Shalini said with a little sass.

("Yes, why? Did you think I only come up with nicknames for you?")

Aman opens his mouth to respond but then decides against it, smirking instead.

“Theek hai. Waise bhi iss swamy ka haat ka khana khake waise bhi taste buds mar gaye isse bura kya hi banalogi tum ? " Aman grunted with a sarcastic smrik

(Fine. Anyway, after eating this Swamy's cooking, my taste buds are already dead. What worse can you make?)

Shalini narrows her eyes at him, clearly not liking the challenge. But instead of responding, she turns to Goutham and Reeva.

“Aap log bethein, main sambhal leti hoon kitchen ka.” Shalini said and went towards the kitchen .

("You all sit down, I’ll handle the kitchen.")

Shalini enters the kitchen, taking a deep breath as she surveys the damage Swamy has done. It’s a disaster zone, but nothing she can’t handle. She ties her hair up into a messy bun and gets to work.  she starts cleaning the counters, tossing away Swamy’s failed experiments.

Aman, curious but still pretending not to care, leans against the kitchen doorway, watching her work. He tries to maintain his indifferent stance, but there’s something about the way she moves, the quiet confidence in her actions, that draws his attention.

Shalini starts pulling ingredients out of the fridge and pantry, her mind racing as she tries to come up with a quick meal. The sound of chopping vegetables and the sizzle of oil soon fills the kitchen. The aroma of spices wafts through the air, and Aman can’t help but inhale deeply, his stomach growling in response.

“Lagta hai tum sach mein khaana bana sakti ho.” Aman teased .

("Looks like you can actually cook.")

Shalini doesn’t even look at him as she stirs the pan.

“Tumhe lagta hai main sirf baatein banati hoon?”shalini said casually

("Did you think I only talk big?")

Aman smirks, leaning against the counter now, closer to her. There’s a tension in the air, a charged moment as their playful banter continues.

“Shayad.” Aman said and came out from his foreign feeling and maintained a poker face just like before .

("Maybe.")

Shalini, finally turning to look at him, gives him a small frown  before focusing back on the food. Within half an hour, the kitchen smells of freshly cooked food, and the disaster zone has been transformed into a functioning kitchen again.

Goutham was noticing every single expression in both Aman and Shalini face , and he also remembered how Aman's mother used to cook for them especially for Aman , after their late night banters ..

He very well know how Aman missed her mom's warmth after her sudden demise , a smile lingering on his face .

Aman, Goutham, Reeva, and even Swamy sit at the dining table as Shalini brings out the food. Plates of simple yet delicious-looking dishes are placed in front of them, some comforting dal, freshly made chapatis, and a vegetable curry.

“Thoda simple hai, lekin it’s better than starving, right?” Shalini said while setting the plates down .

("It’s a little simple, but it’s better than starving, right?")

Aman stares at the food, his expression neutral, but inside, he’s impressed. He picks up his spoon, taking the first bite. The flavor is perfect, a balance of spices that warms him up instantly.

" Not bad ithna bhi buri cook nahi ho " Aman groaned after a pause, looking at Shalini.
("Hmm. Not bad. But you’ll still get a nickname, don’t forget that.")

Shalini rolls her eyes, but royally ignored his comment, and started eating the food , everyone can understand that how much she is hungry, still she managed to cook for everyone, Goutham gives her an appreciative nod, while Reeva eagerly digs into the food.

The rain continues to pour outside, but inside the house, there’s warmth, laughter, and the beginning of something new between Aman and Shalini according to Goutham.

After finishing dinner, Goutham, Reeva, Swamy, Aman, and Shalini move to the cozy living room. Although Aman wants to stay away from Shalini as much as possible but maybe the situations and Goutham are not allowing Aman to do that .

The lights are dim, the sound of rain continues as a soft backdrop, and Goutham suggests a movie. Swamy eagerly nods in agreement, while Reeva scrolls through the options on the TV.

“Romantic fantasy! Yeh wali movie dekhte hain. Hero-heroine ke beech pyaar, thoda magic, and of course, ek happy ending!” reeva said excitedly .

("Let's watch this romantic fantasy! Love between the hero and heroine, a little magic, and of course, a happy ending!")

Aman and Shalini glance at each other with an almost identical expression of skepticism, but neither says anything as Reeva clicks ‘play’ and the movie begins. The movie starts with grand, sweeping shots of mystical landscapes, beautiful costumes, and the classic Bollywood formula of melodrama and over-the-top romance.

Shalini crosses her arms, leaning back on the couch, a faint frown on her lips. She’s clearly not enjoying the fantastical love story unfolding on the screen.

Meanwhile, Aman sits a little apart from everyone, also visibly uninterested, eyes glued to his phone.

: “Yeh sab unrealistic cheezein dikhane ka kya matlab hai? Hero ko koi kaam nahi hai kya, bas heroine ke piche bhaag raha hai.” Aman, muttering under his breath.

("What’s the point of showing all this unrealistic stuff? Doesn’t the hero have anything better to do than just chase the heroine?")

Shalini overhears him and nods slightly in agreement, though she’s equally frustrated.

“Yeh galat baat hai... hero-heroine milte hain, movie khatam hoti hai, aur bas? Shadi ke baad ke saare jhagde aur mushkilein toh koi nahi dikhata. Perfectly unreal.” Shalini said quietly to herself

("This is wrong... the hero and heroine meet, the movie ends, and that's it? No one shows the arguments and problems that happen after marriage. Perfectly unreal.")

Goutham, who’s been listening to both of them, chuckles lightly. He’s thoroughly enjoying the movie, but the critical remarks don’t escape him. He pauses the movie, leaning forward slightly.

“Beta, yeh movies hamesha happy ending pe hi khatam hoti hain. Theek hai, shaadi ke baad ke jhagde nahi dikhate, par point yeh hai ki agar do log itni mushkilein paar karke ek hue hain, toh aage jo bhi pareshani aayegi, saath mein face karengey. Aur jab saath dene wala partner ho, toh mushkilein bhi asaan lagti hain.”Goutham stated , with a knowing smile .

(Kids , these movies always end with a happy ending. Sure, they don't show the post-marriage arguments, but the point is, if two people come together after overcoming so many hurdles, then they'll face any future challenges together. And when you have a supportive partner, even hardships seem easier.")

His words hang in the air, leaving a subtle but deep impact on both Aman and Shalini.

“Chalo... kuch toh common hai hum dono mein.” Aman said softly to himself
("Well, at least we agree on something.")

Shalini, though still frustrated with the movie, seems to be processing Goutham’s words. There’s a quiet shift in her expression, as if something has clicked in her mind. She sneaks a glance at Aman, who is now staring at the paused screen, lost in his own thoughts.

One by one, the others begin to retire for the night.

“Mujhe toh yeh movie bahut pasand aayi. Main toh soch rahi hoon, aisa koi movie dekha hai, toh sapne bhi waise hi honge.”reeve said stretching her body

("I really liked the movie. I’m thinking, after watching something like this, I’ll dream the same way.")

“Main bhi chal raha hoon. Sweet dreams, young madam.” swamy said after yawning and waves at Shalini and heads to his room.

Finally, Goutham stands, patting both Aman and Shalini on the shoulder.

Goutham, warmly: “Socho zara, beta. Zindagi mein partner jo tumhara saath de, toh koi mushkil badi nahi lagti. Good night.” Goutham said warmly .
("Think about it, my dear. In life, if you have a partner who stands by you, no problem feels too big. Good night.")

With that, Goutham leaves the room, leaving Aman and Shalini in silence. The words echo in the stillness, and neither of them says a word for a long moment. The rain outside is the only sound filling the quiet space now.

Aman also about to leave , Shalini stops him ,

" I can't sleep in a new place " she said quickly by holding his hand , his gaze fell on her tiny hand which were holding his wrist , Shalini also follows his gaze and sees the same , immediately left his hand
.

He nodded and settle himself in the single couch .

Shalini settled herself in a center couch which is enough for her petite  body ..

Aman shifts uncomfortably on the single couch, still absorbing Goutham’s message. He glances at Shalini, who seems deep in thought, her face unreadable. It’s rare that they’re left alone without some form of banter or argument erupting between them.

Aman, after a long pause, attempting to break the silence: “Toh... tumhe kya lagta hai? Shaadi ke baad sirf jhagde hi hote hain?”finally he spoked up

("So... what do you think? Do you believe there’s only fighting after marriage?")

Shalini, snapping out of her thoughts, looks at him. There’s a moment of hesitation before she speaks, her voice softer than usual.

“Main yeh nahi keh rahi ki sirf jhagde hote hain. But movies mein woh happily-ever-after ka jo concept hai na, woh unrealistic lagta hai. Real life mein problems kabhi khatam nahi hoti... par shayad Goutham uncle sahi keh rahe the. Agar saath dene wala partner ho, toh har mushkil ka hal nikal hi aata hai.” Shalini said thoughtfully .

("I’m not saying there’s only fighting. But the whole happily-ever-after concept in movies feels unrealistic. In real life, problems never really end... but maybe Goutham uncle was right. If you have a supportive partner, there’s always a way to overcome challenges.")

Aman watches her carefully, her words mirroring her eyes . 

There’s a shift in the air between them, an unspoken understanding that lingers for a moment. It’s rare for them to have such a calm, introspective conversation without their usual banter or arguments getting in the way. The earlier irritation over the movie is forgotten, replaced by a more profound connection.

The rain continues to fall gently outside, but inside, there’s a strange comfort in the quietness between them.

As the night deepens, Aman leans back, lost in his thoughts. He glances at Shalini, who has now shifted to looking out the window at the rain.

Aman, thinking: “Yeh ladki... kabhi kabhi bahut ajeeb lagti hai. Lekin mein kyu ithna keecha jara hunn , kyu mera dil baar baar ithni jhor se dhakad rahi hai aaj kal ??

His gaze softens for a moment as he watches her, the rain reflecting in her eyes.

Meanwhile, Shalini is equally lost in her thoughts, her mind replaying Goutham’s words. There’s something about Aman that confuses her, one minute he’s infuriating, the next, there’s a side of him that’s unexpectedly thoughtful.

" Mujhe samajnahi aara ki yeh kya feeling hai , yeh toh maine kabhi expect nahi ki thi , shalu ayisa kuch bhi math karo jo tum khud baad mein regret karne par majbhoor kare " she thought to herself

The night ends quietly, with both Aman and Shalini left contemplating their thoughts. The romantic fantasy movie may not have resonated with them, but Goutham’s words certainly did, leaving a lasting impact on both.

It’s well past midnight. The rain outside has slowed to a soft drizzle, but inside the living room, neither Aman nor Shalini feels the slightest bit sleepy. They sit on opposite ends of the couch, both lost in their thoughts.

For Shalini, the events of the day, her narrow escape from the goons, still play in her mind. Every time she closes her eyes, she’s reminded of the chaos, the fear, and Aman’s timely intervention.

For Aman, it’s a different struggle. He can’t stop thinking about the sudden panic he felt when Shalini was in danger. His heart had raced uncontrollably, his mind spiraling with fear, something he wasn’t used to. His usual composed self was shaken, and he hadn’t figured out why.

The silence between them grows heavy, but then, Shalini breaks it.

“Can I ask you something?” Shalini grumbled hesitantly

Aman, who had been staring blankly at the wall, glances at her and nods, his curiosity piqued.

“Main tumhe aaj bahut irritate kiya… phir bhi tumne mujhe akela kyu nahi choda? Jab goons mujhe le ja rahe the… tum itne ghabra kyu gaye?” Shalini, her voice soft but direct.

("I irritated you a lot today… but still, why didn’t you leave me alone? When the goons were taking me away… why did you panic so much?")

Aman, caught off-guard by the question, shifts in his seat. He takes a moment to gather his thoughts, not wanting to reveal too much of the emotions he doesn’t fully understand himself.

Aman, after a pause, chose his words carefully

“Umm… it’s because you trusted me and came with me. So, it’s my responsibility to keep that trust. That’s it.”

(“Umm… it’s because you trusted me and came with me. So, it’s my responsibility to keep that trust. That’s it.”)

Shalini looks at him, her eyes narrowing slightly as if sensing there’s more to his answer than he’s letting on. But before she can press him further, Aman turns the conversation around.

Aman, clearing his throat, hesitant but curious

“Ab main kuch puchu?”

("Now can I ask you something?")

Shalini tilts her head, intrigued, and nods.

Aman, leaning forward slightly, his gaze steady on her

“Tumne mujh par itna trust kyu kiya? I mean, tum mere saath akeli Lonawala aa gayi. Tumhe dar nahi laga?”

("Why did you trust me so much? I mean, you came to Lonawala with me alone. Weren't you scared?")

There’s a momentary pause as Shalini considers her answer. Her expression softens, and for the first time, she lets her guard down, showing a rare moment of vulnerability.

“Main har baat par itna nahi sochti hoon. Jab kabhi kabhi sab kuch sahi lagta hai… toh sab kuch sahi hota hai.”Shalini said with a small smile.

("I don’t overthink everything. Sometimes, when something feels right… then everything goes right.")

Aman raises an eyebrow, a skeptical smirk forming on his face.

“Koi guarantee hai iss baat ki? When it feels right, everything goes right?” Aman, challenging her

("Is there any guarantee for that? That when something feels right, everything goes right?")

Shalini chuckles softly at his logical approach, shaking her head slightly.

“Guarantee dene ke liye yeh koi fridge ya TV nahi hai, Aman. Yeh zindagi hai… aur yeh unpredictable hoti hai. Aur aisi hi honi chahiye. Tabhi toh zindagi ka asli maza hai.” Shalini, with a playful yet serious tone

("This isn’t a fridge or a TV to guarantee anything, Aman. This is life… and it’s unpredictable. And it should be that way. That’s where the real fun of life is.")

Aman stares at her, the weight of her words sinking in. He hadn’t expected such a philosophical answer from her, but it hits home. His logical, calculated mind finds itself at odds with her carefree, instinctive approach to life. And yet, something about it resonates with him.

The conversation lingers in the air, the two of them sharing a rare, quiet moment of understanding. For all their differences, there’s a strange connection between them that neither can fully explain. Aman, the planner, the one who always has a strategy, finds himself intrigued by Shalini’s approach to life , her willingness to trust her instincts, to go with the flow.

And Shalini, despite her usual stubbornness and headstrong attitude, finds herself drawn to Aman’s steadfastness, his sense of responsibility. It’s a balance she hadn’t expected but one she feels comfortable with.

The night grows deeper, the rain slowing to a gentle patter against the windows. Aman glances at Shalini once more, realizing that maybe, just maybe, there’s something about this unpredictability that he could get used to.