Aaradhya Kannan has watched romance movies. If she was honest, all the movies she loves has romance and love. To her— love was an complicated idea, it gave people joy and sorrow at the same time.

She hadn't been exactly lucky at the love sector with her heart getting broken down into pieces— she almost lost interest in her 'hopeless romantic' self.

However, now, Aaradhya feels herself falling for someone her management is warning not to.

Shubman Gill carried around charm with his sweet smile so easily— it only is a surprise if someone does not fall for his charms.

Now, she was in her room with Meera, who came over to help her be less insane about her (fake) date with Shubman Gill.

"Can you wear a saree? no, it would take hours drape it." Meera suggested yet took it back, as she went through the closet. "Well, why are you dramatizing the situation anyway?"

"Is dramatizing even an word, Meera?" Aaradhya replied, "But, Meera, I want to look perfect for him! I want this to be perfect!"

"Well in that case, would you want to wear a kurta or an crop top?" Meera asked, holding out the two dress in both her hands.

"I am feeling like wearing a kurta today." Aaradhya admits, picking the white top.

After wearing the dress, Aaradhya decided to post a picture on Instagram for her followers, to see their reactions.

She took a quick click with help of Meera, and clicked post.

⋆｡

official.aaradhya

Liked by shubmangill, meera.chou and 1,435,089 others

official.aaradhya will be busy for upcoming hours <3

Comments

shubmangill i think i mightve have an idea why 🙃
        ➥ official.aardhya shhh its a secret 🤫

aaditya.kannan be home by 9 or me and mom would be having an heart attack
           ➥ official.aaradhya i am all grown up stfu

meera.chou whoever chose the clothes has my heart!! their taste is so so amazing!! 😍
               ➥ official.aaradhya theyre an certified idiot as well
               ➥ meera.chou i hate u 🙄🎀

⋆｡

Shubman finally arrived at the Kannan's household in his car, he took out his phone to notify Aaradhya about it.

Aaradhya ❤️

Shubman:
i am here at ur door,
can i come in or
is your brother still
angry about this 'date'?

Aaradhya ❤️:
he would tear you
into pieces, shub

i will come out in
2 secs wait

Aaradhya stayed true to her word as she came out of her home in the span of two seconds, after waving bye to someone inside her home.

Seeing her, Shubman immediately stepped out from the car, to hold the car door open for her.

"Such a gentleman, you are, Shubman Gill," Aaradhya teases as she accepted his gesture and went inside the car.

"My pleasure, Aaradhya Kannan." Shubman replied, "A pretty girl like you deserves this,"

Aaradhya felt blood rush into her cheeks as Shubman climbed into the driver's seat. "Why is your brother angry at me, anyway?" Shubman asked.

Aaradhya chuckled at the question, "He's an idiot and an overprotective asshole, please ignore him. Where are we going today, Shubman?"

"I know a café who have the best icecreams and coffees, So, I thought of going there after going to an bookstore, maybe? I heard that you like reading books."

Aaradhya could feel many love songs brewing in her when Shubman said he knew that she liked reading books. Oh lord, is she in a fairytale? Is she finally having the rom-com life she wanted have?

Stop, her brain warns, this is all temporary remember? You're going to get your heart broken again, if you're gonna keep this shit up.

Don't hear the brain, Aaradhya! commands her heart, I believe that he is the one for us, you know?

"Aaradhya? Are you there?" Aaradhya was snapped back to reality, as she turned her head to Shubman.

"What?" She asked, mindlessly.

"I asked that if you were alright? Your cheeks are all heated up, you know?" Shubman asked her with sincere concern in his voice.

"Oh, it's because of your hotness- I meant, the Sun's hotness! You know, the summer and heat and all? The sun is shining too-" Aaradhya paused after she felt herself blabber too much, her cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

Shubman chuckled now realising what the actual reason it might be for, "Fine, I get it it's hot today," Shubman felt that the tension would only increase if he reminded that they were in a well air-conditioned car.

"So, since you're a swiftie, what is your favourite Taylor Swift song?" Shubman asked her, assuming it would distract them.

His assumption was correct, Aaradhya quite literally lit up in the question, answered it with an pure explaination what was her favourite song and why she liked it.

The conversation then shifted into their careers and passions— how they shared their mutual interest in cricket and music, how their efforts turned into success.

Soon, the couple reached the destination. Aaradhya looked in awe at the number of books arranged in the shelves, as she muttered to herself, “How come I didn't know of this piece of heaven?”

“Maybe because it was opened only last weekend?” Shubman, who was standing right next to her, suggested. Aaradhya linked their hands, as she led them to a section where she might find the books she like.

“So, You like romance, huh?” Shubman asked after a couple of minutes as Aaradhya searched for a book to buy.

“We have been spending almost twenty minutes in the romance section, yet you notice it now?” Aaradhya questioned him, yet her eyes stayed on the books in front of her.

“Well, Can I help you buy a book, Miss. Kannan?” Shubman asked, taking the matter in hands. “Is 'Better than the Movies' By Lynn Painter catching your attention?” He suggested, taking the book in his hands.

“Bold of you assume I have not read that piece of masterpiece yet, Mr. Gill,” She replied. “Why don't you try reading that? It may give you tips on how to impress your girl,”

More like impress her. The male protagonist of the book, Wes Bennett, stole her heart the way no other characters did so.

“I have no time for reading romance in my life, Aaradhya.” He joked, “But I can try reading them for you, my fake girlfriend,”

Aaradhya chuckled as she finally picked up two books to read. “I got one for you as well, Shub,” She handed over a book to him.

The Sirens of Titans, the cover read as Shubman traced his long fingers through the pages. “It seems interesting,” He mused, “How did you know I like sci-fi books? But, really thank you, Aaradhya,”

Aaradhya's lips stretched into a smile in victory, glad that Shubman liked a book of her choice. “Glad you liked it,” She spoke, “Shall we pay for our books now..?”

“If you wish to,” Shubman replied back, as he took the remaining books from Aaradhya's hands and added, “I will pay for them,”

“No it's okay, Shub—”

“Nuh-uh, I am not hearing anything, Aaradhya.” Shubman laid his index finger on Aaradhya's lips in order to 'shush' her. “I am paying for the books, and it's the final decision.”

“But—”

“No buts.” He shushed her again and Aaradhya finally gave up. The two left the store after Shubman paid for their books. The two's hands never left the other, as they walked around the not so busy street, laughing at eachother.

The two not gave a single thought about how the pair might end up in the headlines of a gossip magazine next morning, with their thoughts wholely occupied with the thought of the one next to them.

Aaradhya's mind played a thousonds of love songs— the ones she thought she'd never relate to, the ones she always wanted to be related to. Hell, for the first time in her life, she wanted to write a love song as well.

“Hold on, wait a second,” Shubman suddenly said as Aaradhya watched him quickly walk in to an flower shop. Aaradhya stood cluelessly as she waited for Shubman.

Shubman soon came out with a single pink rose in his hand and a smirk glued to his face. “I tried to search for the prettiest flower but I realised she was with me the whole time— so I bought the second prettiest one I could find,” He cheekily said as he handed over the rose and planting a soft kiss on Aaradhya's left cheek.

The delicate touch of your lips,
start of an apolocalypse.

“Oh, I am flattered, Shubman,” She said, with a grinning spreading out in her face. “Thank you so much, I honestly don't know what to say—”

Aaradhya does not how to show her gratefulness for his act of kindness— she was just awestruck by Shubman.

Shubman chuckled at her state, “You don't need to say anything, I am just doing what I am supposed to, darling.”

Blood rushed into her cheeks, “No wonder why they call you the heart throb of the nation,” Aaradhya chuckled.

Shubman's eyebrows raised in question. “They do call me that?”

“Do you ever read articles about you, Shubman Gill?” Aaradhya questioned him back.

“Well, now that you mention it, I might check out reading them tonight,” Shubman said as he opened the door of the café as the pair went in.

Aaradhya took a moment to look at the café, which created an solace environment and warm and inviting ambience with it's wooden furniture, dim lights. “I always wanted to own an café,” Aaradhya felt herself say as they say in an table nearby an window.

She never told this abstract idea of hers to anyone, not even her closest friends. Why did she feel like telling it Shubman, then?

“Well, it's never too late to execute ideas and I would absolutely be your regular customer in the café,” Shubman replied back, as Aaradhya felt a flutter of butterflies in her stomach.

“We will see,” Aaradhya mutters, as an sudden idea sparked in her mind, she looked up to Shubman, grinning like a kid about to do mischief.

“Your face is litreally screaming I am going to do something mischievous, want to join? Right now, Aaradhya,”  Shubman remarked, as he stared at her.

“Well, face is the index of the mind. Now are you interested in making our followers go crazy?” Aaradhya suggested.

⋆｡

official.aaradhya

○ ● ○

○ ○ ●

liked by shubmangill, samiraa, shreyas.iyer and 1,089 others

official.aaradhya  he bought me a pink rose (he is mine forever and ever)

@ official.aaradhaya tagged @ shubmangill in this post!

Comments

anushkasharma @ virat.kohli my darling, can we please adopt them 😊
              ➥ virat.kohli on my way for the adoption papers, love !

samiraa im supposed to working yet these lovesick fools are making me feel single as fuck
                    ➥ notshreyas @shubmantolerant can u please tell her that i would like to be her boyfriend?
                    ➥ shubmantolerant be a man and ask her out urself fool 🙄
                    ➥ ishantolerant u guys realise that she can see this comment, right?

paru.prabha all focus on the fact that they ate icecream without ME!
                     ➥ official.aaradhya i don't want to babysit u on a date parvati

meera.chou i want a boyfriend
                  ➥ evryonesfav u already have one
                  ➥ whatissleep u already have one
                  ➥ wontfixu u have me baby
                  ➥ slutforpoems u already have one stfu
                  ➥ ineedcoffee @ slutforpoems AARADHYA?????

athiyashetty double date next time?
                   ➥ official.aaradhya YESS

ishankishan23 shubman are u cheating on me?
                 ➥ shubmangill it's not what it looks like, my ishan! believe me, my love!

username i am going insane wth is happening

username2 why the hell i AM getting
butterflies

username3 lord when is it my chance

username4 new love album soon guys i just know
              ➥ username1 she just released an album mate chill

⋆｡

Shubman and Aaradhya laughed their hearts out reaction of their friends and their followers going insane. Their laughter echoed through the almost empty café, creating an memory that the walls of this building will remembed.

Sounds of us laughing;
A melody that I'll forever cherish

“I didn't know Shreyas Iyer had a crush on Samira,” Aaradhya  exclaimed, “They would look so cute together!”

“I remember Shreyas talking about meeting her in a party— apparently they talked but never exchanged numbers, thus lost contact, but please don't tell Samira— Shreyas would hunt me down,” Shubman admitted as he studied Aaradhya's face, “You got some icecream in your cheek, right there, Aaradhya,”

Shubman pointed out, but Aaradhya could not seem to rub it off. Impatient, Shubman leaned in and used his thumb to rub the remains of ice cream off.

“There you go,” He whispered, Shubman's eyes lingered on her lips for a moment and wondered whether her lips would taste just as sweet she was— but quickly removed the thought of his head.

“Thank you,” Aaradhya told. The tension flied off, as the two engaged in an conversation. Aaradhya lost the thought of the world when she was with him, she could easily forget all her worries, troubles when she's with him. Their bond was nowhere near just an relationship that was made for public's eyes— it was more.

“I wish this would last forever, Aaradhya,” Shubman mentioned, thus reminding Aaradhya realise that it was all just for show. But hell, she would die for him in secret, if he asked for it.

“I wish so too, Shubman, I am sure we could continue being friends after all this is over, Shubman.” Aaradhya beamed, but Shubman's disappointment at her reply was nearly visible, unfortunately Aaradhya failed to notice it.

When Shubman finally decided to check the time, they decided it was getting late and should head home. Shubman gave an idea of eating dinner together but Aaradhya politely rejected, informing him that she was supposed to have her weekly family dinner with Aaditya and her aunt.

With Shubman convinced, went out to get the car— which stood long forgotten, in a parking area, Aaradhya decided to use this chance to quickly use the restroom and check her phone.

She finally deleted the post from Instagram, knowing that her management might either go crazy or praise her for this post the next day.

Aaradhya, after a quick check in the mirror, left the restroom and stepped out of the café. She finally located Shubman, who was leaning against his car with his back facing her as he seemed to be talking to someone on his phone.

Noticing that Shubman hasn't seen her yet, she slowly made his way towards him.

“I just can't fucking believe it, Ishan. How many times do I have to tell you that I don't want this acting happy shit when I am fucking not?” Shubman snapped, “She's a fucking snake, man, acting like she's the centre of attention and always bragging about that she has the best romance in her life, which she would never have, seeing that she's a narcissistic bitch.”

“I hate her guts— I can't believe I have fake things that I don't want to—” Aaradhya decided she doesn't need to listen to the conversation any longer, with her vision sheeted with salty tears. She quickly stepped back into café, heading to the restroom, hoping no one noticed the tears involuntarily falling off her face at the moment.

Unfortunately, this made Aaradhya could not hear the part when Shubman continued, “I don't care if she's my cousin, Ishan. She cheated on you, for heaven's sake! I don't want to attend the event and put on a smile and act like it never happened!”

ABHI SPEAKS!

hello everyone! hope you guys liked this cute and fluffy chapter with an angst ending 🫶

kind reminder that miscommunication plays an important role in this fic (and it was one of the tropes as well!) thus, we never know what happens next 😁

and this fic is also a slow burn 😄 hope it all connects now

& if it is not clear at all: aaradhya mistook that shubman was badmouthing about her, but in reality,  he was talking about his toxic ass cousin

also im so so sorry if the fluff and wholesome wasn't so fluff and wholesome-ing. i seriously suck at writing those

but on a brighter note we had a (small) samira and shreyas moment!! theyre my fav couple here so more content of them together soon !!!

[also. ishan & shrey deleted their comments so samira never saw their replies:( ]

&&&& if u guys saw some bad ass italized words in middle of the fics, it's my take on writing poetry / awful skill on songwriting(?)

i already started writing the next chapter, soo it might be out soon, so time to get ur tissues baby!

all yours,
abhi 💌