"दीवानों की ये बातें दीवाने जानते हैं
जलने में क्या मज़ा है परवाने जानते हैं
तुम यूँ ही जलाते रहना
आ आ कर ख़्वाबों में"

The sun dipped low, casting a warm, amber glow across the narrow streets of Fazilka. Aarohi’s laughter rang out as she tore down the street, her steps quick and light as she chased Shubman, both barely able to catch their breath between fits of laughter.

“You are so dead, Gill!” she shouted, her voice carrying over the quiet buzz of the evening.

Shubman shot her a cocky grin, darting around a corner and vanishing from her sight. “Only if you can catch me, Aaru!”

She huffed, rolling her eyes, but sprinted faster, determined. Shubman was always getting into trouble, always finding some way to push her buttons, and tonight was no different. Their latest escapade? Smuggling handfuls of sweets from the local vendor, who had just turned his back to answer a customer. Shubman had dared her—claimed she wouldn’t have the guts. So, naturally, she’d snuck in beside him, snatching a pile of toffees just to prove a point. Now, they were both half-stuffed with sweets and thoroughly out of breath.

Finally, Aarohi rounded the corner, spotting Shubman slouched against a wall, hands on his knees, panting. She slowed her pace, pretending to approach casually, until—

She lunged forward, grabbing his arm before he could escape again. “Got you!”

Shubman winced in exaggerated pain. “Alright, alright! Let go before you break my arm!”

“Serves you right,” she shot back, crossing her arms with a triumphant smirk. “One of these days, your plans are going to get us into real trouble.”

He shrugged, nonchalant. “Trouble’s half the fun,Ro. What’s the point otherwise?”

She sighed, unable to hide her smile. It was always like this with him—wild ideas, narrow escapes, and memories that made her laugh long after they’d happened. They’d sneak out to catch fireflies, play pranks on neighbors, and take dares that left them both grinning like fools.

As the streetlights flickered on, Shubman and Aarohi strolled side by side back home, still sticky-fingered from the sweets and plotting what adventure would come next. Because with him, there was always something.