"Shubman, what is this?" Aditi scolded, holding up a massive, ornate vase he'd somehow thought would look nice in their living room. "We're not decorating a palace. Put it back!"

"But it's unique, na?" Shubman replied with a sheepish grin. "It'll add character."

"It'll add 'character' to our trash can." Aditi retorted, pushing the vase back into his hands. "Now, come on. I want to look at mirrors."

It was a sunny Saturday afternoon. The kind of afternoon that Shubman would've liked to spend sleeping in his room all day. But who was he even kidding?

His mess of a wife decided that it was an amazing day to continue shopping for the interior for their new apartment. Hence, dragging him to the mall at 12 pm.

As they wandered through the maze of Ikea, Aditi spotted the mirror section. She grabbed Shubman's arm, yanking him towards a tall, gold-rimmed one. "Come here!" she exclaimed, pulling out her phone.

"Ugh, now what?" Shubman groaned, letting her drag him closer until their arms brushed against each other, sending an unexpected spark up his arm. He tried to ignore it.

"Hold still!" Aditi commanded, positioning the phone for a mirror selfie. "Let's make the new house memories start now."

As she leaned in, Shubman caught their reflection in the mirror—their faces side by side, Aditi's bright smile contrasting his deadpan expression.

Click.

"There," she said, satisfied. "Now I'm hungry. Let's go to the food court."

"Yaar, tum bhi na," he muttered under his breath, trailing after her as she led the way to the food court.

They ordered a plate of spaghetti and sat at a table near the window, where Aditi glanced around thoughtfully. "So, what do you think we should shop for next? Curtains? Maybe a new—"

Shubman folded his arms on the table, fixing her with a flat stare. "Mujhe ghar jaana hai, Aditi. Warna main tujhe yahin chhod ke jaa raha hoon."

"Don't be so dramatic," she said, waving him off just as the food arrived. "Okay, let's try this." She twirled some spaghetti onto her fork and took a big bite.

The moment it hit her tongue, her face scrunched up in horror. "Ew!" she exclaimed, spitting it back into the napkin. "Yeh kya hai? I was starving and this is... poison!"

"Stop whining," Shubman said, though he was equally disgusted after trying a bite. "Figure out what to eat next."

Aditi's eyes lit up as an idea struck her. Without saying another word, she grabbed Shubman by the wrist and tugged him towards the parking lot.

"Ab kahan le ja rahi hai?" Shubman asked, trying not to trip over his own feet as she practically dragged him along.

"You'll see!" she replied with a mysterious grin.

In the parking lot, she shoved him into the passenger seat and slid behind the wheel. "Just trust me," she said, starting the engine and speeding off.

They arrived at Marine Drive shortly after, where Aditi parked and jumped out. "Come on," she urged, holding out her hand.

Shubman stayed put, crossing his arms stubbornly. "Tu mujhe yahan kyun le aayi hai ab?"

Aditi sighed, grabbing his hand to pull him along. "Chalo na, drama queen. I brought you here for golgappas."

She approached a street vendor and smiled at him. "Bhaiya, do plate golgappe dena. Ek theek theek aur ek extra spicy."

The first golgappa came out, and without hesitation, Aditi popped it into her mouth. "Mmm," she moaned in delight, the tangy water bursting on her taste buds. She glanced over to find Shubman watching her with an arched eyebrow.

"Kya?" she asked, gesturing to the golgappa in his plate. "Mera muh kya dekh rahe ho? Tum bhi khaao."

Shubman hesitated, then lifted the golgappa to his mouth and bit into it cautiously. The flavors exploded, and his eyes widened in surprise. "Yeh toh actually accha hai!" he exclaimed, quickly grabbing another.

Aditi grinned triumphantly. "See? Spaghetti fail, golgappa win!"

They stood there side by side, sharing golgappas and the occasional elbow nudge. Aditi's laughter bubbled up after Shubman accidentally bit into one that was spicier than he'd expected. "Hah! Tumhara chehra dekhne layak tha!"

"Very funny," he muttered, though he couldn't help but laugh along with her, wiping his watery eyes.

As they finished up, Shubman nudged her with his shoulder. "You know," he said, looking out at the sea, "I think this might actually be the best thing we bought all day."

Aditi chuckled. "Technically, we didn't buy it."

"Fine, the best thing we didn't buy." He glanced over at her. "Happy?"

"Very," she said softly, giving him a playful smile. "Besides, who needs fancy pasta when you've got the world's best golgappas and a... tolerable shopping partner?"

Shubman chuckled. "Tolerable, huh? You're just lucky I didn't leave you in that mall."

Aditi reached over and flicked his nose lightly. "You'd miss me too much."

Shubman froze, his eyes widened, fixed on the Sanghvi girl in front of him who did not seem to know one bit what all was happening inside of him.

His heart stuttered, skipping a beat like it was caught in an awkward rhythm. The sensation was unfamiliar, a strange mix of irritation and something... lighter.

Warm. Almost magnetic. He rubbed his nose out of reflex, but the flick wasn't what he was trying to erase—it was the sudden surge of heat spreading up his neck to his cheeks.

What was that? he thought, trying to focus on the road. But his mind wasn't cooperating. The light, teasing grin on her face as she leaned back replayed in his head, like a slow-motion scene in one of those corny romantic movies he always rolled his eyes at.

Why did it feel like her touch had left a spark behind? Why was his chest tightening, like someone had twisted a knot there and forgotten to loosen it?

His thoughts spiraled further. It's just a flick, he told himself. Why is my heart acting like it's been hit by a cricket ball?

How can she look so calm? he wondered.  His chest felt like it was stuck in a tug-of-war—half wanting to shake off the feeling, half wanting her to do it again.

His heart raced again, this time with frustration—at her, at himself, at this whole ridiculous situation. He didn't even like her like that. Did he?

"Arre ab tum kho gaye! Oh god Shubman you're so annoying."

Shubman rolled his eyes, but a smile tugged at his lips. "Chal ab, drama queen. Let's go home."

As they walked back to the car, hand in hand, Aditi gave his fingers a gentle squeeze, and for once, Shubman didn't pull away.