The park was quiet, save for the occasional chirping of crickets and the soft rustle of leaves swaying in the gentle evening breeze. The bench by the lake felt almost sacred now, its weathered wood holding the weight of countless emotions and memories.

Sehra leaned back, her hands gripping the edge of the bench as she stared out at the calm water. Beside her, Abhishek sat with one leg crossed over the other, the silence between them comfortable.

"You know," Sehra started, her voice soft, "when we started this whole... 'date every day' thing, I wasn't sure what to expect. I thought maybe it'd be awkward, or we'd fight like we used to."

Abhishek chuckled. "We still fought."

She rolled her eyes. "Not the same way. This time, it felt... different. Like, we weren't fighting against each other. We were just... figuring it out."

He nodded, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "Yeah. I think that's what made it work. We weren't trying to win. We were just... us."

She turned to look at him, her expression soft. "Abhishek, I'm grateful for you. For all of it. For sticking around even when I made it impossible. For seeing something in me that I didn't even see in myself. You never gave up on me, and I—" She paused, swallowing the lump in her throat. "I don't know if I've ever thanked you for that. So... thank you."

Abhishek turned to her, his eyes warm and steady. "Sehra, you don't have to thank me. You were worth it. Every argument, every stubborn silence, every ridiculous fight over samosas." He smiled, his voice dipping lower, gentler.

"Do you know why they say love is blind? It's not just some cheesy line. It's because love starts even before you can see what's in front of you. Think about your mom—she loved you before she ever saw your face, before she even held you in her arms. That's real love. I didn't fall in love with that pretty face of yours, though let's not lie—you're gorgeous." He smirks here, lightening the mood, before softening again.

"I fell in love with you. The way your eyes light up when you talk about something you care about. The way you argue over the smallest things just because you're stubborn as hell. The way you care so much, even if you don't always show it.

I didn't stay because it was easy. I stayed because I saw you—the real you—and I knew you were worth it. Every single second."

"I never gave up because I knew... you're my person. Even when you didn't see it, I did. And I'd do it all over again, a thousand times, just to sit here with you now."

Her breath hitched, and she felt her cheeks warm as she looked away, smiling to herself. "You're way too good at this sweet-talking thing."

"And you're terrible at taking compliments," he teased, nudging her shoulder.

Just then, a soft patter broke through the quiet, and Sehra glanced up. A few drops of rain splattered against the pavement, quickly turning into a steady drizzle.

"Uh-oh," he muttered, wrapping Sehra's cardigan tighter around her.

Before she could react further, Abhishek grabbed her hand, pulling her up. "Come on, there's a shed near the bakery. Let's get out of the rain."

They ran together, laughing as the rain picked up, soaking them before they reached the small wooden shed tucked near the back of the park. It was old but sturdy, with a slanted roof and enough room to keep them dry.

Abhishek shook out his damp hair, droplets flying everywhere. "I told you the universe loves me more. We made it just in time."

Sehra scoffed, wringing out the ends of her cardigan. "Barely. Look at me—I'm drenched."

"Still cute, though," he said with a lopsided grin, earning a playful glare from her.

She sat down on an overturned crate, hugging her knees to her chest. "You know, I don't hate the rain. I absolutely love it, actually."

He sat down next to her, their shoulders brushing. "Yeah. It's peaceful. And weirdly romantic."

She smirked. "Oh, now you're getting cheesy again."

"Admit it," he said, leaning closer. "You like it."

She laughed, shaking her head. "Maybe a little."

For a while, they just sat there, listening to the rhythmic drumming of the rain on the roof. Sehra tilted her head, resting it on Abhishek's shoulder. "This week... it was exactly what I needed. And now, I feel like I know. I'm not scared anymore."

"Good," he murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "Because you're stuck with me now, Sehra."

She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling despite the dim light. "Promise?"

"Promise," he said, sealing it with a smile that made her heart flutter.

"Seh, do you have a bucket list? Anything you wish to do in the future?" She thought for a second before saying, "I want to visit Singapore, travel to all seven continents, and have a fresh croissant in the countryside of France."

"I also want to go on a night walk near the sea and make sand angels even though I hate sand in my hair and go on a hot air balloon even though I have a fear of heights. And eventually get in good enough shape to do at least a half-marathon."

"And I want to bake cookies from scratch that actually taste good and ride on a motorcycle but not actually drive it myself cause that's stressful and watch paper lanterns float in the sky like in Tangled and watch fireworks on my birthday and dance and play and have my first kiss in the rain."

When Sehra was done talking, she saw her boy leaning on his arm, staring at her. She suddenly felt embarrassed and laughed awkwardly.

"Is that everything?" He asked.

"I think so..."

"Okay. Just let me know if there's anything else you want to do."

"Wait, why?"

"Cause I'll make all those things happen."

Sehra blinked at him, her heart skipping a beat as his words sank in. "You... you'd really do all of that? For me?"

Abhishek tilted his head, his lips curving into a small, lopsided smile. "Of course. Why wouldn't I? You're my person, remember? If it matters to you, it matters to me. And besides," he added with a playful glint in his eyes, "who else is going to make sure you don't trip while running a half-marathon or panic halfway up in a hot air balloon?"

She let out a laugh, the warmth of his gaze dissolving her embarrassment. "You're ridiculous," she murmured, but her voice was soft, filled with an affection she couldn't hide anymore.

"And you're stuck with me," he reminded her, leaning back against the shed wall.

The rain continued to drum against the roof, creating a rhythm that seemed to match the beating of her heart. Sehra glanced out at the downpour, her fingers fidgeting with the ends of her cardigan.

"Did you mean it?" Abhishek asked suddenly, his tone quieter now.

"Mean what?"

"What you said... about wanting your first kiss in the rain."

Her eyes flicked to his, wide and unsure for a moment before softening. "I mean... yeah. It's just one of those silly things, you know? Romanticized and all that. Probably overrated."

Abhishek stood up, brushing his damp jeans as he stepped closer to her. "I don't think it's silly. And I definitely don't think it's overrated."

"You are very pretty." Abhishek suddenly chimed, breaking the comfortable silence that had surrounded them.

"You're gonna say 'pretty stupid,' am I right? It's not like that offends me anyway. After what all we have said to each other, I refuse to believe you actually mean it today too."

"I do mean it. I mean pretty as in ravishing, lovable, attractive, bewitching, and adorable. You are beautiful." Sehra tried to figure out the hidden insult, but it never came.

"You're also caring, understanding, affectionate, intelligent, clumsy, and hate eggplants. You don't like soda but would choose coke over Pepsi. You're always super cold and sleepy that time of the month so you borrow your brother's soft hoodie and make sure to put it through the washer at least three times before giving it back. You fall all the time but somehow don't get bruises. You love looking at pretty Lego sets but don't have the patience to build it yourself. And you somehow always appear in my mind at all times of the day. I see you in every small detail."

"Remember when you said that you would either live in a penthouse in a big city with huge windows where you could see the pretty buildings or live in a small town in Switzerland and walk to a cafe every morning to eat freshly baked pastries?"

Sehra nodded before trying to say something when Abhishek cut her off again.

"I said that I wasn't sure what I wanted in the future. But I think I know what I want now." He leaned forward slightly.

"I want to be the one taking pictures of you staring out the windows or the one who wakes up next to you before grabbing an umbrella and walking to the bakery."

"I want to be able to squirt toothpaste at you and cuddle you and poke you with pens, and make weird noises while you're reading to annoy you.

"I don't really care what I do when we get old and wrinkly as long as I get to do it with you."

"You are my home."

Before she could respond, he reached out his hand, the same playful smirk tugging at his lips. "Come on."

"Come on where?" she asked, eyeing him suspiciously but taking his hand anyway.

"To cross something off your bucket list," he said simply, tugging her gently toward the rain.

"Abhay!" she exclaimed, laughing as he pulled her out from under the shed. The cold rain hit her skin immediately, soaking her all over again. "We just dried off!"

"Details," he said with a grin, spinning her around as if they were dancing.

She groaned but couldn't stop the laughter bubbling out of her. The rain clung to her lashes, streaming down her face, but she didn't care. Not when Abhishek was looking at her the way he was—like she was the only person in the world.

"Sehra," he said, his voice softer now, almost lost in the sound of the rain.

She stilled, her laughter fading as she met his gaze. "Yeah?"

He reached up, brushing a wet strand of hair from her face, his hand lingering against her cheek. "I told you I'd make it happen, didn't I?"

Her heart raced as he leaned in, the world around them blurring until it was just him—the warmth of his touch, the steadiness of his presence, and the undeniable pull between them.

And then, under the pouring rain and the dim glow of the streetlights, he kissed her.

It started tentative, almost shy, as if he was asking permission rather than taking it. His lips brushed against hers so softly it sent a shiver down her spine-not from the cold, but from the sheer tenderness of it. Sehra felt her breath catch, her heart hammering so loudly she was sure he could hear it over the rain.

His hands cupped her face, fingers curling slightly against her damp skin, holding her as if she might slip away at any moment. The rainwater dripped from his hair, cool against her forehead, but the warmth of his touch spread through her, grounding her to the moment.

The kiss deepened, slow but deliberate, like he was pouring everything he felt into it—all the frustration, the longing, the unspoken words from all the times they'd circled each other but never quite collided. Her hands found their way to his chest, palms flat against his soaked shirt, feeling the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath her fingertips.

The world around them faded-the rain, the distant rustle of leaves, the faint hum of the streetlights. It was just them, wrapped in a bubble of shared breath and emotion. His lips were soft yet firm, moving against hers with a mixture of certainty and reverence, as if he'd been waiting for this moment longer than he dared to admit.

Sehra's knees felt weak as she felt him wrap his arm around her waist, pulling her even closer, but she didn't care. She let herself get lost in him, in the way his touch made her feel seen, safe, and cherished all at once. She tilted her head slightly, matching his rhythm, and a quiet sigh escaped her as she let herself surrender to the kiss fully.

Her lips tingled, a reminder of the warmth that lingered despite the chill in the air. She opened her eyes to find him already looking at her, his gaze steady and unguarded, his lips curving into a soft smile.

"Worth the wait?" he asked, his voice low and slightly teasing, though his eyes betrayed the vulnerability beneath.

Sehra laughed, the sound breathless and light, as if the weight she'd been carrying for so long had finally lifted. "Yeah," she whispered, her smile matching his. "Definitely worth the wait."

And then, unable to help herself, she leaned in and kissed him again, this time with all the certainty in the world.

When they finally pulled apart, just enough to catch their breath, his forehead rested against hers. Their noses brushed, their breaths mingling as they stood there, eyes closed, letting the rain continue to drench them.

When they finally pulled back, Sehra let out a breathless laugh. "Well, that's one thing off the list."

Abhishek grinned, brushing his thumb against her cheek. "Plenty more to go. Good thing we've got time."

"Yeah," she whispered, her eyes locked on his. "We do."

And as the rain fell around them, Sehra realized that for the first time in a long time, she wasn't scared of what came next. She was exactly where she was meant to be—with him.

fin