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Third person's pov!

Shraddha walked beside Dhruv as they entered the upscale home appliance store, her eyes darting from one shining piece of equipment to another. The store was massive, filled with the latest gadgets, sleek countertops, and modern designs. Dhruv seemed perfectly at ease, navigating the aisles with casual confidence, while Shraddha felt a growing sense of unease.

As they stopped in front of the kitchen section, Dhruv began picking out items one by one. A top-of-the-line blender, the latest model air fryer, an induction stove, and even an espresso machine—he was checking things off an invisible list with methodical precision.

Shraddha's heart raced as the cart filled up quickly, the price tags attached to each item making her increasingly anxious. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore.

"Dhruv, what are you doing?" Tugging on his arm, she whispered urgently.

Dhruv, caught off guard, turned to her in confusion.

"What do you mean? Is something wrong? You didn't like these?" He asked, gesturing towards the sleek gadgets they had just chosen.

Shraddha swallowed hard, her voice tinged with worry.

"It's not about liking them. Basic things are enough, Dhruv. We don't need all of this, and these brands... They are expensive. Let's look for something more budget-friendly."

"Shraddha, we can afford this. It's just kitchen equipment." Dhruv frowned slightly, his eyes softening as he reached out to take her hand.

She bit her lip, her mind racing. This wasn't what she had imagined. She had assumed Dhruv came from an upper-middle-class family, someone comfortable, yes, but not wealthy enough to throw money around like this. The way he was shopping, with complete disregard for the cost, made her stomach churn.

She pulled him aside again, her eyes wide as she looked up at him.

"Dhruv, what business do you have? How rich are you?" Her voice was almost pleading now, like she needed an answer to steady herself.

Dhruv's brow furrowed for a moment before he smiled, trying to ease her worries.

"Shraddha, my family owns a jewellery-making business. It's been in our family for generations. We are comfortable. I promise you, this isn't a strain on us."

She stared at him, feeling the gulf between their worlds widening with every word he spoke. A jewellery business? She had always thought of him as someone hardworking, yes, but never imagined the scope of his wealth. The thought gnawed at her — how far apart they truly were, and how naïve she had been in thinking they came from the same world.

Dhruv noticed the distant look in her eyes and gently placed his arm around her waist, startling her out of her spiralling thoughts.

"Shraddha, stop overthinking." His voice was gentle but firm, grounding her in the moment. "Let's just take this one day at a time. Hmm?" His thumb brushed her arm lightly, a subtle reassurance. Though she nodded, the worry didn't leave her eyes.

Watching her, Dhruv couldn't help but smile. How had he ever thought this girl could be involved in something as sordid as an affair with Sid? She was too innocent, too earnest. He chuckled softly, realising that Diya's suspicion had inadvertently led him to meet Shraddha.

"What's so funny?" Shraddha asked, her brow furrowed in confusion as she noticed the amusement on his face.

"Nothing." Dhruv grinned, reaching out to pinch her cheek gently. "You're just... so cute."

Shraddha rolled her eyes, but her lips curved into a reluctant smile. Dhruv's teasing always had a way of disarming her, even when she was trying to stay serious.

They moved on to check out more appliances, with Dhruv quickly spotting a high-end dishwasher. Shraddha, exasperated, placed her hands on her hips.

"A dishwasher? Really, Dhruv? It's just the two of us! How many utensils are we even going to use?"

"I don't do things halfway, Shraddha. If we are getting a kitchen, we're getting everything." Dhruv shot her a mischievous look.

"You are impossible." She shook her head, rolling her eyes again but couldn't help the fond smile tugging at her lips.

"Hmm, maybe," Dhruv shrugged, unbothered. "But you like me anyway."

Shraddha's heart fluttered at his words, though she quickly masked it by focusing back on the shopping. Despite her concerns, there was something undeniably endearing about Dhruv's excitement. He had never done this before — buying things for a home, setting up a life from scratch — and his enthusiasm was contagious.

As they continued their shopping, picking out pots and pans, utensils, and gadgets Shraddha never even knew existed, she felt the tension easing just a bit. Dhruv was different, yes — from a world of wealth and privilege that she couldn't fully grasp — but he was still the man who had promised her a home. The man who made her feel safe and cared for.

By the end of the shopping spree, their cart was overflowing with kitchen supplies, and Shraddha was exhausted from the emotional rollercoaster. But Dhruv, on the other hand, seemed more energised than ever.

"See? That wasn't so bad, was it?" As they stood in line to check out, Dhruv leaned down, whispering in her ear.

Shraddha shook her head, a tired but genuine smile on her face.

As Dhruv and Shraddha approached the checkout counter, Shraddha couldn't help but stare at the overflowing cart with a mix of amazement and trepidation. They had practically emptied half the store, or so it seemed to her. From large appliances to the smallest kitchen gadgets, they had bought everything Dhruv thought they'd need—and more. She sighed, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Dhruv, however, looked almost boyishly excited. His usual cold, composed demeanour had melted away, replaced by an eagerness that was contagious. Every new item he added to the cart was a step closer to building the home he had promised her—a home he seemed to want to create with everything perfect and new.

"Dhruv, this is too much," Shraddha said softly as they stood in line, her fingers lightly brushing his arm to catch his attention. "I don't even know how half of these gadgets work."

"You'll learn," he said, grinning. "And I'll help."

"You'll help?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Of course. I am an expert at using a blender, you know. And I can definitely push buttons on the dishwasher. Maybe I'll even learn to make coffee with that fancy espresso machine." Dhruv gave her a mock serious look.

Shraddha couldn't help but laugh at his playful tone, shaking her head.

"I am serious, Dhruv. It's just the two of us. We don't need all of this. What are we going to do with a dishwasher, an air fryer, and—" she gestured toward the cart "—a juicer, two types of blenders, and a pasta maker? You don't even eat pasta."

"That's because I have never had homemade pasta. Maybe I'll like it if you make it." Dhruv chuckled.

"This is ridiculous." She shot him a sceptical look.

"Maybe," he agreed, still smiling. "But ridiculous in a fun way, right?"

Shraddha bit her lip, her smile fading as her mind wandered back to their differences.

"Dhruv, it's not just about what we need... It's about—well, your family, your lifestyle. I don't belong in that world. I don't know how to live like this."

His smile softened into something more serious, his gaze locking onto hers.

"Shraddha, you don't have to worry about that. We're building our life together, and we'll do it at our own pace. We're not in my family's world right now—we're in ours. This house, the shopping... it's all for us."

"It just feels like I am so out of place." She looked down, unsure.

"You're not out of place. You're exactly where you're supposed to be—beside me. And I'll make sure you feel that way every single day, okay?" Dhruv lifted her chin gently, his touch light but reassuring.

Shraddha's heart warmed at his words, her anxiety easing slightly. His confidence in her, in them, always managed to calm the storm of doubts in her mind.

"Okay," she whispered, giving him a small smile.

"Good. Now let's get this stuff home and figure out how to make it all work, shall we?" He leaned down, his lips brushing her forehead in a tender gesture.

Shraddha nodded, though the thought of unpacking and setting up all the new appliances was daunting. Still, she knew Dhruv would be there, and that made it easier.

As they moved forward to the cashier, Shraddha glanced again at the massive pile of items they had chosen. The cashier started scanning everything, the beeps of the register marking each item with a price. Shraddha's heart skipped a beat as the total began climbing rapidly. She had never imagined spending this much money in one go—not on kitchen supplies, at least.

"Relax. It's just stuff. What matters is what we'll create with it." Dhruv noticed her growing unease and placed his hand over hers, squeezing gently.

"You say that so easily. I don't think I'll ever get used to this." She gave him a half-hearted smile, still struggling with the reality of how much Dhruv was willing to spend.

"You don't have to," Dhruv said, handing over his card without a second thought. "It's not about getting used to anything. We'll do things our way. You just have to trust me."

Shraddha watched as the transaction completed, the receipt printing out with what felt like an impossibly long list. Dhruv, unbothered by it all, took the receipt and handed it to her with a playful grin. "Souvenir?"

"You're ridiculous." She groaned, pushing his arm playfully.

"Maybe," he said again, his smile broadening as they wheeled the cart toward the door. "But I am your ridiculous."

"I guess I'm stuck with you, huh?" Her cheeks flushed slightly, but she smiled, shaking her head.

"Forever," Dhruv replied, his voice dropping to a more serious, affectionate tone. "You are stuck with me forever, Shraddha."

They arranged for the goods to be delivered to their address by evening and left for the mall next for the remaining purchases.

A/N

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SF❤️