Agastya had an ad shoot lined up with a well-known foreign actress named Ariana. Excited but a bit nervous, he asked Aadhya to join him for support. She agreed, knowing how much these shoots meant to him.

As the shoot began, Aadhya took a seat beside the director, watching closely as Agastya stepped into the spotlight. She observed with interest, noticing how professionally he carried himself in front of the cameras and how easily he adapted to Ariana's lively personality. Aadhya couldn't help but feel a quiet admiration as she watched him confidently deliver his lines, giving his best with each take.

As the shoot progressed, Ariana's behavior grew increasingly flirtatious, her touches lingering on Agastya's arm, and her laughter a little too loud at his jokes. Aadhya's expression darkened each time Ariana leaned in close, her hand resting on his shoulder longer than necessary. Finally, when Ariana playfully tousled Agastya's hair and leaned in to whisper something, Aadhya couldn't take it anymore.

She stood up abruptly, marching over with a pointed look. Clearing her throat, she said, "Excuse me, but I think Agastya is here for the ad, not to be some prop for amusement."

Ariana raised an eyebrow, her lips twisting into a smirk. "Oh, it's just a bit of fun, darling. No harm in that, right, Agastya?" She shot him a coy glance.

But Aadhya stepped between them, crossing her arms. "Fun or not, there's a line. He's here to work, not to entertain... distractions."

Agastya watched the exchange with a mix of surprise and amusement, the edge of a smile tugging at his lips. Seeing Aadhya so fiercely protective, even possessive, was something new—and he had to admit he found it endearing.

Ariana's smirk faded, replaced by a glare as she looked Aadhya up and down. "You know, jealousy isn't a good look, sweetheart," she sneered, tossing her hair over her shoulder.

Aadhya's eyes narrowed. "It's not jealousy. It's called respecting boundaries," she replied sharply. "And maybe you could learn a thing or two about it."

The tension between the two was palpable, drawing curious stares from the crew. Agastya finally intervened, stepping forward and gently placing a hand on Aadhya's shoulder. "Let's take a break," he said, glancing meaningfully at Ariana.

Ariana gave a dramatic sigh and flipped her hair before turning on her heel and walking away. As soon as she was out of earshot, Agastya leaned down, his eyes filled with laughter. "Jealous, huh?"

Aadhya huffed, her cheeks flushing. "I'm not jealous. I just... didn't like the way she was acting around you."

"Right," Agastya replied, teasingly. "But I have to say, it was kind of nice seeing you like that."

She shot him a glare, but a hint of a smile softened her expression.

As the break wrapped up, Aadhya was standing near the set when Ariana returned, her eyes glinting with a mischievous, almost defiant look. She sauntered over, making sure to stand close enough to Aadhya for the tension to be unmistakable.

"You know," Ariana began, her voice dripping with mock innocence, "some people just can't handle a little competition."

Aadhya's jaw clenched, and she straightened up, meeting Ariana's gaze without a hint of backing down. "There's no competition here," Aadhya replied coolly. "I'm not the one throwing myself at someone who's clearly here for work."

Ariana let out a derisive laugh, crossing her arms. "It's cute that you think he's yours to guard. But from where I'm standing, he doesn't seem too opposed to my attention."

The words struck a nerve, and Aadhya took a small step closer, lowering her voice but keeping it firm. "Just because he's polite doesn't mean he's interested. There's a difference."

Ariana raised an eyebrow, smirking. "If you're so sure of that, then why are you acting so territorial?"

Aadhya felt her heart race, but she stood her ground. "Because some people need a reminder of what respect looks like. Agastya is here for his job, and I won't let anyone disrespect that."

Ariana's gaze hardened. "Look, sweetheart, if you're so worried, maybe you're not as secure as you think."

At that moment, Agastya, noticing the rising tension, walked over. Sensing the friction, he glanced between them. "Everything okay here?" he asked, eyebrows raised in mild concern.

Aadhya forced a polite smile, trying to mask the frustration bubbling beneath. "Absolutely," she replied, her tone tight.

Ariana gave Agastya a sweet smile and, without missing a beat, said, "Just a little friendly chat. Isn't that right, Aadhya?"

Aadhya returned the smile, but her eyes held a challenge. "Sure. Friendly chat."

Agastya, feeling the undercurrent of rivalry, decided to change the subject, steering Aadhya away slightly. He leaned closer, whispering, "You're incredible, you know that?"

Aadhya softened, her previous anger fading as she caught the sincerity in his eyes.

As Agastya pulled into Aadhya's driveway, they both stepped out and headed towards the entrance, only to pause when they saw Shubman and Sara in the garden. The couple was nestled under the fairy lights strung along the patio, oblivious to anyone around them. Shubman was brushing a stray lock of hair from Sara's face, his expression tender.

Sara laughed softly, nudging him, "You're supposed to be helping me set up for Diwali, not distracting me."

Shubman grinned, leaning closer. "Oh, really? Maybe I'll just have to keep distracting you." He wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her in with a playful glint in his eyes.

Sara sighed in mock frustration, but her expression softened as she looked up at him. "You're incorrigible."

"Only for you," he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.

Aadhya felt her heart warm at the sight, her own lingering frustrations dissipating. She glanced at Agastya, who was also watching the scene with a faint smile.

"Guess that's what love looks like," Agastya whispered, his eyes soft as he observed the moment between Shubman and Sara.

Aadhya gave a small smile, feeling a sudden rush of affection for her parents. "Yeah, they make it look easy, don't they?"

Agastya looked at her, his gaze lingering a moment longer than necessary. "Maybe it doesn't have to be as hard as we make it," he replied gently.

Aadhya looked away, a blush creeping up her cheeks, as they quietly watched Shubman and Sara, who continued to share soft laughter and whispered words under the soft glow of the lights.

Shubman held Sara a little closer, his fingers brushing along her back as he looked down at her with a fondness that made her cheeks blush under the warm glow of the lights.

"Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever get used to moments like this with you," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "Even after all this time, you still make everything feel brand new."

Sara tilted her head, smiling as she traced a line along his collar. "You still make me feel like the most cherished woman in the world," she replied softly, her voice laced with warmth.

Shubman gently took her hand in his, raising it to his lips and pressing a soft kiss to her fingers. "That's because you are, Sara. I don't think there's anyone who could ever take your place in my heart."

Her gaze softened, and she leaned up to rest her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes as she soaked in the quiet intimacy of the moment. Shubman's arms tightened around her as he placed a light kiss on the top of her head.

"Promise me," she whispered, her voice barely audible, "that we'll keep this feeling alive—no matter how crazy life gets."

Shubman's hand gently lifted her chin so she looked into his eyes, his expression filled with certainty. "That's a promise I intend to keep every single day, Sara."

They stood there, wrapped up in each other as if the world around them didn't exist. The subtle rustling of leaves and the glow of lights only added to the romance of the evening, and for a moment, it was just the two of them, completely lost in each other.

Watching from a distance, Aadhya and Agastya exchanged a glance, touched by the scene. Agastya nudged her lightly. "Your parents are something else, Aadhya," he said with a small smile.

Aadhya nodded, her eyes still on her parents, feeling an immense warmth in her heart. "Yeah, they really are."