Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months. Vayra and Abhishek’s relationship grew stronger with each passing day. The two were practically inseparable, finding moments to cherish together despite their demanding schedules. Whether it was Abhishek managing his rigorous cricket practices or Vayra juggling her responsibilities as an ACP, they always carved out time for each other. Their affection was unmissable, radiating in every smile, every touch, and every shared laugh.

However, their love story came with an unavoidable consequence: Shubman and Kinjal. Every date Vayra and Abhishek planned inevitably included the two of them, much to their mutual dismay. Vayra called it “double-dating,” but Shubman and Kinjal knew better. It felt more like a scheme to force them to spend time together under the guise of companionship. Yet neither of them could say no.

Abhishek’s unyielding insistence left Shubman with no escape, while Kinjal’s loyalty to Vayra compelled her to play along. And so, time and again, they found themselves seated across from each other, barely tolerating the arrangement as Abhishek and Vayra lost themselves in their blissful bubble of romance.

One particular evening, the four of them walked toward an upscale restaurant in the heart of the city. The streets were bustling, the air filled with the sounds of distant car horns and laughter from passersby. The glow of the restaurant’s neon sign illuminated the sidewalk as they approached. Abhishek and Vayra led the way, their hands intertwined, moving in sync like they were in their own little world.

Behind them, Shubman and Kinjal followed at a noticeable distance. Kinjal walked briskly, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, while Shubman maintained a casual pace, his hands shoved into his pockets. His eyes flickered toward her occasionally, his smirk barely concealed. The silence between them was thick with tension, neither willing to break it unless absolutely necessary.

When they reached the restaurant, a host greeted them with a warm smile and led them to a corner table by the window. The ambiance was cozy yet refined, the dim lighting casting a soft glow over the polished wooden furniture. The faint hum of quiet conversations and clinking glasses filled the air as they took their seats.

Abhishek, ever the gentleman, pulled out a chair for Vayra before taking his place beside her. Kinjal moved to sit next to her best friend, eager to avoid Shubman’s company. But before she could, Shubman slid into the seat beside her with a swift and deliberate motion, flashing her a brief, mischievous smile as he opened the menu.

Kinjal froze, her irritation flaring. She shot him a glare but reluctantly took the seat across from him. Vayra, seated comfortably beside Abhishek, exchanged an amused glance with him. They didn’t need to say a word to know what the other was thinking—watching Shubman and Kinjal’s dynamic had become their favorite source of entertainment.

As the server approached, they each ordered their meals. Abhishek and Vayra spoke softly, their conversation punctuated with laughter and affectionate glances. Meanwhile, Kinjal focused on the menu with exaggerated determination, refusing to look at the man sitting beside her. Shubman, however, seemed completely at ease, leaning back in his chair as he casually scanned the room.

The tension between them was palpable, but the underlying pattern was familiar now. This wasn’t the first time they’d been dragged into one of Vayra and Abhishek’s outings, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last. Though they’d never admit it, both Shubman and Kinjal had grown accustomed to these situations. The bickering, the subtle jabs, the barely concealed irritation—it was all part of their unspoken routine.

And yet, beneath the constant friction, there was something unacknowledged. Perhaps it was the faintest hint of curiosity, or maybe it was the slow realization that they could endure each other’s company despite their protests. Whatever it was, neither was ready to confront it just yet. For now, the sharp edges of their dynamic remained intact, the hostility a convenient shield against anything deeper.

As the evening wore on, Abhishek and Vayra continued their quiet romance, their happiness lighting up the table. Shubman and Kinjal, on the other hand, maintained their uneasy truce, both secretly counting the minutes until they could escape. But even as they sat there, their shared annoyance simmering under the surface, fate seemed to have other plans for them—plans they were far from prepared to face.