Time passes quickly when you're in love, and that's exactly how the last month flew by-like the blink of an eye.

Every moment with Karan felt effortless like we were caught in our little world. Our dinners turned into movie nights, our casual conversations into late-night talks that stretched until dawn.

It was hard to believe how quickly everything had changed. A month ago, I was just Pashmina Kohli, the girl with the thick glasses, always blending into the background. But with Karan, I felt seen in a way I hadn't before. He made the ordinary seem special, like even the smallest gestures-brushing a strand of hair from my face, or sending me random texts-felt like little bursts of happiness.

Also, you won't believe it, but right now I was sitting with the popular group, and they welcomed me with open arms. It felt surreal to be included like I was finally breaking out of my shell. Even Summer Martin, who I had always thought was just a typical mean girl, wasn't as bad as I'd imagined. We were laughing and chatting occasionally and I realized that maybe I had misjudged her.

Guess it's true what they say: never judge a book by its cover. They were all so friendly, and for the first time, I felt like I belonged. It was refreshing to connect with people who were previously just faces in the crowd.

I was sitting there, listening to them talk because no matter how much I tried to break out of my introverted shell, a part of me still wanted to stay quiet. To keep me calm and prevent me from feeling overwhelmed, Karan held my hand under the table, gently rubbing the back of my hand.

Joseph licked his lips and looked up from the paper he was reading. "Guys, the ball is on December 23rd! Have you found your partners yet?"

Peter dramatically rested his head on the table, letting out a deep sigh. "Samantha, I fancy her, but I don't know if she'd even want to go with me," he admitted, glancing around at his friends.

Joseph, leaning back in his chair with a playful smirk, replied, "Come on, mate! Just ask her. What's the worst that could happen?"

Lily, sitting nearby, chimed in enthusiastically. "Seriously, Peter! You're making this way harder than it needs to be. Just tell her how you feel!"

Peter shook his head, worry etched on his face. "But what if she says no? That would be so awkward for me."

Megan burst out laughing. "Awkward? Do you mean like the time you tried to impress her by quoting Shakespeare? That was a classic!"

"Shut up! That was one time!" Peter protested, trying to hide his embarrassment. "And it wasn't that funny!"

Joseph chuckled, clearly enjoying Peter's discomfort. "It kind of was, though. But honestly, if she likes you back, you've got nothing to worry about."

"Exactly!" Lily added, her eyes sparkling. "You've got to take the chance. You'll regret it if you don't."

Peter sighed again, looking unconvinced. "Alright, alright! I'll think about it... maybe."

Megan leaned in, a teasing smile on her face. "Just make sure you don't wear those awful shoes again."

"Yeah, mate. Those are a hard pass for the ball!" Joseph laughed, unable to contain himself.

Peter groaned, rolling his eyes in defeat. "Fine! I'll figure it out. You lot are impossible!"

Summer smirked and turned toward Karan, a teasing glint in her eye. "Karan, what about you, hmm?"

I smiled at Summer, then turned to look at Karan, who met my gaze and leaned in to plant a soft kiss on my cheek. "Of course, my forever date," he replied, a warm smile spreading across his face.

My heart did a flip at the term "forever date," but a part of me couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed. What a boring move! Just because I was his girlfriend didn't mean he could skip out on the classic romance flowers, no grand gesture, just a casual mention of the ball.

I forced a smile, feeling frustrated, and knew I needed to let go of that frustration. The only place that could help, besides Karan, was my comfort spot-the library. Kissing Karan's cheek, I stood up, leaving him looking confused.

"Where are you going?" he asked.

"Well..." I was about to finish my sentence when the group chimed in together, "To the library!"

I shrugged, smiling at Karan. "Well, they're right."

Karan chuckled, shaking his head in mock disbelief. "You're going to leave me here with these jokers?"

I laughed, glancing back at the group. "What can I say? Sometimes, a girl needs her alone time with a good book."

As I made my way to the door, I could feel their eyes on me, some of them smirking and whispering among themselves. I turned around to see them suddenly go quiet, and there was Karan, smiling at me, blowing a kiss my way.

I felt my cheeks warm as I caught the playful gesture, and I couldn't help but grin back at him.

But a second later, I blushed as I noticed the teasing glances from all of them, their grins widening as they exchanged whispers. Embarrassed, I quickly turned around and made my way to the library, trying to ignore the laughter that followed me.

Once inside the library, I took a deep breath and greeted the librarian, who was always happy to see me. I made my way to the last row, where it was quieter and more secluded. Today, I was diving into Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, my favourite in the series. I mean, it had Cedric Diggory, after all.

I removed the book from my bag, the cover well-worn from countless reads, and settled into a cosy corner. I adjusted my glasses and flipped open to the first page, only to find a letter and a rose tucked between the pages instead of the first words I always read.

My heart skipped a beat as I recognized the familiar handwriting. A smile spread across my face as I carefully unfolded the letter:

I covered my mouth with my hand, letting out a gasp. Did he really just do a sappy romance novel proposal? My heart raced as I felt a gentle kiss on my temple. Turning to see Karan picking up the rose he had placed in my book, I couldn't help but smile.

"Will you be my Cho Chang to my Cedric Diggory?" he asked with that playful grin I adored.

I let out a pout, tears welling up in my eyes as I leapt into his big arms. "Did you really just do one of those sappy romance novel proposals you always said you hated?"

He laughed, holding me tightly while wiping away a tear that slipped down my cheek. "I may have said that, but for you, I'd do anything-even get a little cheesy."

I buried my face in his shoulder, overwhelmed by the sweetness of the moment. "I can't believe you did this. It's perfect!" I lifted my head and looked into his eyes, feeling so grateful for him.

"You're like one of those mafia guys in books who would do anything for the girl, even if they hate it," I chuckled through my tears, marvelling at how well he knew me.

Pressing repeated kisses on my cheek, he muttered, "Whatever mafia, Cedric, or sort of character you want, I'll play for you any day."

Holding his cheeks, I kissed his nose softly. "Well, just be Karan Thappar for me. That's enough."

He blushed and hugged me tightly, burying his face in my neck. "Mhmm, I guess I'm becoming your favourite Kohli."

"I guess so," he said, sighing contentedly as he placed a soft kiss in the crook of my neck.

A shiver ran down my spine at his touch, and I couldn't help but smile. At that moment, everything felt perfect. Karan had a way of making the world fade away, leaving just the two of us wrapped in our little bubble of happiness.

I was so wrapped up in that bubble of happiness that my mind couldn't decide what to wear for the ball. My thoughts were a chaotic swirl as I tried to choose the perfect dress. Just when I felt like I was drowning in options, the doorbell rang.

When I opened the door, I was greeted by three of my favorites-Mom, Nush Bhabhi, and Paaji. I excitedly hugged Mom and Nush, thrilled to have them there to help me pick out something special.

As I turned to see Paaji frowning in the background, I laughed. "Even I am here, Mina," he said, crossing his arms.

"Of course, you are!" I teased, knowing he would just be there to keep the peace and crack jokes. "But I think I might need more feminine expertise right now!"

"Feminine expert, for what?" Nush asked, pulling the bags inside with a teasing smile.

I bit my lip, glancing at Paaji, who was pretending to look uninterested.

"Well, for the ball, I'm going with my boyfriend," I said, trying to gauge his reaction.

Paaji's eyes widened dramatically as he pulled me inside and spun me around, making me sit on the couch. "You got a boyfriend, and I didn't know? Do you two even know about it?" he asked Mum and Nush Bhabhi, clearly hoping they would say no.

But his eyes widened even more when both of the ladies nodded yes. He turned to me, looking incredulous. "Seriously, Mina? Everyone knows! Except me? Who is it, is it that Karan guy?"

I nodded meekly, "Yes, Paaji." I knew he would tease me about my crushes, but when it came to boyfriend topics, he tended to lose his mind-and that was definitely happening right now.

His eyes darted between me and the others as if he were trying to piece together the puzzle. "I can't believe it! My little sister has a boyfriend!"

I smiled reassuringly. "Trust me, Paaji, he treats me really well. And you know what, Bhabhi? I think he might be in love with Paaji even more than you are!" I said, teasingly. "Whenever Paaji is mentioned, that man could go on writing entire love letters about him."

Nush Bhabhi burst out laughing, while Paaji looked both amused and bewildered. "Wait, what?" Paaji said, his eyebrows raising in surprise. "You're telling me your boyfriend has a crush on me now?"

"Absolutely!" I nodded, giggling. "You should see his face whenever I talk about you-it's like he's starstruck. You're officially his hero."

Paaji shook his head, unable to suppress a smile. "Well, at least he has good taste."

Well, Paaji got a live taste of Karan's good taste when he came to pick me up for the ball. He had no idea Paaji was here; I wanted to surprise him. When I opened the door, he immediately wrapped his arms around me, murmuring, "I swear, you look more beautiful than yesterday. It's like you get more beautiful every day."

He pulled me tighter, the flowers he brought for me brushing against my bare back. I felt my cheeks flush as I hugged him back, completely lost in the moment, unaware that my family was watching us from the living room.

Paaji's eyes were wide with surprise, and I could sense his excitement as I caught a glimpse of him through the glass near the door, practically buzzing at the sight of this sweet exchange. I stole a glance in his direction, feeling a mix of embarrassment and amusement. Meanwhile, Karan remained completely oblivious to our little audience, focused entirely on the moment we were sharing.

As he pulled back slightly to look into my eyes, his expression suddenly changed. His eyes widened when he noticed a familiar figure from the corner of his eye. His mouth turned into an "O" shape as he saw his idol standing right there. Without a moment's hesitation, Karan went straight toward Paaji, offering him the flowers he had brought for me.

I chuckled, watching him get completely lost in a trance. I swear, my boyfriend is an absolute cartoon. Paaji accepted the flowers, a teasing smirk playing on his lips as he raised a single eyebrow, clearly enjoying how much Karan was fawning over him.

"Oh, so you bring flowers for me now?" Paaji quipped, looking between Karan and me. "What about your actual girlfriend?"

Karan laughed nervously, his cheeks a little flushed as he realized what he had done. He turned to me, his face full of embarrassment and amusement. "I didn't mean to-" he started, but I cut him off with a teasing grin.

"It's okay! Just don't forget who you're actually taking to the ball," I said, laughing as I leaned against Karan's strong biceps. He bit his lip, clearly embarrassed.

"Oh, Pasho, I know that! It's just... you know..." he stumbled over his words, glancing at Paaji, who was still revelling in the moment.

"It's just that he loves you, Paaji," I said, completing his sentence with a playful smirk. "And probably more than Bhabhi," I added, turning to Nush, who was chuckling from the corner along with Mum.

Karan's eyes widened even more as he took in the vibe of another celebrity presence. Nush moved closer to Paaji, placing a hand on his shoulder and hugging him lightly. "Trust me, he's your match on game days, but he's mine for everything else," she said, chuckling at Karan's stunned reaction. Karan looked back and forth between them, a mix of awe and disbelief on his face, while I couldn't help but laugh at how flustered he was getting.

Karan's expression shifted from shock to a sheepish grin as he tried to regain his composure. "I guess I'm just surrounded by legends today," he said, scratching the back of his head, clearly still flustered.

Paaji crossed his arms, pretending to look serious. "You better treat my sister right, or I might just have to show you a thing or two off the field."

Karan's eyes widened, and he nodded quickly, trying to play it cool. "Of course, Paaji. I promise to treat her like a queen." He glanced at me, and I couldn't help but smile at his earnestness.

Nush chimed in, her tone light-hearted. "Just remember, Karan, she has a whole cricket team behind her. They might not know her well yet, but they'll be ready to fight for her at the drop of a hat if her brother calls." She nudged Paaji playfully, who pretended to flex his muscles in response.

Karan chuckled nervously at the warning when Mumma Kohli stepped in to rescue him. "Oh, stop scaring the poor boy!" she said with a warm smile, playfully swatting at Paaji.

Karan looked relieved, glancing at Mumma with a grin. "Thanks, Aunty. I appreciate the backup," he said, his voice a little more relaxed now.

Mumma Kohli smiled back at him, clearly happy to see how well he was fitting in. "Just make sure you treat my daughter right, and everything will be just fine."

Karan nodded earnestly, his gaze shifting back to me. "Pashmina means a lot to me, and I will make sure she knows that every day," he said sincerely, his eyes filled with determination.

I smiled and stood on my toes to kiss Karan's cheek, feeling giddy with happiness. But just then, Paaji let out a dramatic sigh. "Uff, too much PDA for today!" he exclaimed, shaking his head as if he couldn't handle any more lovey-dovey moments.

Nush playfully slapped the back of Paaji's head, interrupting his theatrics. "Stop it now! You two should get going to the ball, or else he'll keep this drama going all day," she said, shaking her head with a laugh.

Karan and I exchanged amused glances, knowing exactly how true that was. Paaji pouted but couldn't hide the smile tugging at his lips. "Fine, fine! Just remember, Karan, I'll be watching," he said, crossing his arms in mock seriousness.

I rolled my eyes, grabbing Karan's hand. "Come on, let's go before he starts with more of his warnings." Karan nodded, chuckling as we headed towards the door, the excitement for the ball bubbling inside me.

The ball felt like something out of a dream-a glittering evening where reality blurred into magic. Picture an entire hall transformed into an enchanted wonderland: lights strung like twinkling stars above us, a melody in the air, and an elegance that seemed to touch everyone, turning the most ordinary people into royalty, if only for a night. As I stood by Karan, the world seemed to slow down-every smile, every swirl of a gown, every fleeting glance made me feel like I had stepped right into the pages of one of those fairy-tale stories I'd grown up reading. It wasn't just the music or the sparkle that made the night; it was the sense of possibility. Just like at Hogwarts, this ball was about something more than fancy clothes and dancing-it was about magic in its truest form, the kind you find in the people around you.

As we slowly danced at the end of the event, Karan's forehead rested against mine. "I hope your back is okay after having to bend down that much," I joked.

He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Oh, please. It's worth it just to be this close to you," he replied, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

I squeezed him a little tighter, my eyes fluttering shut as I nestled against him. "Being close to you is the best feeling in the world," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. "I honestly don't know what I'd do without you."

"Hope we don't find out the latter, do we?" he said, his voice shuddering and body trembling slightly.

I looked up to see his brow furrowed, moisture gathering in his eyes as we continued to sway. "Are you okay?" I asked, concern flooding my voice.

He forced a smile, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Just a little overwhelmed, I guess," he admitted, his voice trembling slightly. "It's just... being this close to you makes everything else fade away. It's beautiful but scary at the same time."

I pouted, holding his biceps as I looked up at him, my eyes turning moist. "You're scaring me now with your words," I admitted, my voice trembling slightly.

His expression softened, and he quickly reached out, cupping my face in his hands. "I didn't mean to frighten you," he said gently, concern etching his features. "I just get lost in how I feel sometimes, and it can be overwhelming. But you don't need to worry. I promise I'm here for you."

"Promise you won't leave your Pasho to deal with the world alone without your love?" I asked, hiccuping slightly, my emotions bubbling to the surface.

Karan pressed his lips against my forehead, a gentle gesture that seemed to encapsulate his feelings for me. As the song's final notes floated softly around us, he leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "I promise you, Pasho. Karan Thappar is here to stay, in love and only for you."

Promises are meant to be kept, yet they can be as fragile as glass-beautiful, but easily broken. Mine shattered into a million tiny fragments, leaving nothing to piece together. Each promise I held dear felt like a delicate treasure, and when it broke, it scattered in all directions, disappearing like morning mist.