Happy reading....

Ruhaan's cafe, a cozy little spot with warm lighting and the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, was a haven for many. The steady hum of conversation and the clinking of cups filled the air, creating a relaxing atmosphere. Ruhaan was behind the counter, expertly crafting drinks, when he noticed Raima walk in. Her expression was a mix of frustration and fatigue, clearly out of sorts.

Ruhaan looked up and greeted her with a friendly smile. "Hey Raima, what's up? You seem off today."

Raima gave a half-hearted shrug. "Nothing much. Just needed a coffee."

He could sense there was more to it but decided not to pry. "Duty over early today?"

Raima shook her head. "No, I just took the day off. Felt like I needed a break."

Ruhaan nodded, understanding. He quickly got to work, preparing her favorite coffee blend. As he handed her the steaming cup, Raima took a sip and complimented him. "This is perfect, as always."

Ruhaan blinked in surprise at her sudden praise. "Thanks, Raima. You're making me blush."

Raima's gaze fell to his left arm, which seemed to be moving oddly. "Did you hurt yourself or something?"

Ruhaan winced slightly before admitting, "Yeah, I took a fall last night. Some idiot crashed into me while I was on my bike."

Raima's eyes widened with concern, and she began to scold him. "You need to be more careful! You can't just go around being reckless."

Ruhaan chuckled and gently grabbed her hand, stopping her mid-sentence. "Hold on, let me explain. It wasn't my fault; the guy came from the wrong direction."

Raima's face flushed with embarrassment as she bit her lower lip. She was momentarily at a loss for words. "Oh... well, I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions."

Ruhaan smiled, his eyes warm with appreciation. "Either way, thanks for caring."

Raima tried to hide her blush, rolling her eyes as she played along with his teasing. "Don't think you're off the hook. I'll help you with that arm, but don't expect any sympathy for the pranks you've pulled on me."

Ruhaan laughed, a bit nervous about the idea of her help. "I'm not so sure about that. I remember those pranks pretty well. I don't want you dislocating my shoulder as revenge."

Raima gave him a playful slap on the shoulder. "Stop being childish. I can see it's bothering you, so let me help."

Ruhaan nodded with a smile, appreciating her persistence. He signaled to one of his staff to cover for him and followed Raima to the small room at the back of the café. This space was designed for Ruhaan to take breaks and unwind, but today it was going to serve a different purpose.

Raima gestured to a chair and said firmly, "Sit down. I need you to take off your shirt."

Ruhaan's eyes widened in exaggerated surprise. "Boasting about my handsomeness doesn't mean you get to see me shirtless. Besides, it would look weird with us being best friends."

Raima rolled her eyes. "I've dealt with more handsome men than you. Just shut up and do what I say."

Ruhaan sulked but couldn't ignore the seriousness in her tone. He began to unbutton his shirt slowly, each movement deliberate. Raima watched with a mix of amusement and impatience, clearly unimpressed with his slow pace.

"Come on, Ruhaan," she said, swatting his hand away. "Let me handle this."

Before he could protest further, Raima took over, deftly unbuttoning his shirt with practiced speed. Her hands brushed against his skin as she opened the shirt, and Ruhaan's breath caught in his throat. Her perfume, a subtle yet intoxicating fragrance, enveloped him as she leaned closer. He inhaled deeply, the scent mixing with an unfamiliar but pleasant sensation that made his heart race.

Raima stepped back and turned her attention to his arm. "Sit still," she instructed as she began to examine the area.

Her touch was gentle yet firm, her fingers moving with the precision of someone well-versed in physiotherapy. She palpated his shoulder and upper arm, feeling for any signs of strain or injury. Her touch, though professional, sent shivers down Ruhaan's spine. The heat from her fingers seemed to ignite a sensation he couldn't quite place.

Raima's focus was entirely on her task, but Ruhaan couldn't ignore how her touch made him feel unusually self-conscious. She adjusted his arm carefully, applying pressure in specific areas to relieve tension and assess the extent of the injury.

"Does this hurt?" she asked, pressing lightly on a spot near his shoulder.

Ruhaan flinched slightly but shook his head. "Not too bad. Just sore."

"Good," Raima said, continuing her work. "You need to be more careful. Even if it wasn't your fault, you should have been more cautious."

Ruhaan nodded, his voice a bit strained from both the discomfort and the intensity of his feelings. "I will be. Thanks for helping me out."

Raima finished her examination and gave him a reassuring smile. "All done. I'll give you some exercises to do at home. You'll be fine."

Ruhaan sat there for a moment, processing the unusual combination of relief and discomfort he felt.

He looked at Raima, her face flushed slightly from the close contact, and realized how much he valued her presence and care. He always teased her, pranked her and protective towards her but never once he thought that she could make him feel this kind of feelings.

"Thanks, Raima," he said sincerely. "I really appreciate it."

She gave him a playful nudge. "Oh come on stop thanking me for every little thing. It's so unlike you. What happened to you today?"

He shook his head,"Nothing, i just feel like appreciating you. Trust me, I also feel lonely without you guys and especially Pratham. I don't know where would I have been of it weren't for you. I might look playful, unbothered but I really care for you guys. It's just i think it's not necessary to show off everytime we meet. But now I realised, I should do it more often because It feels good. Vocalising our feelings though we are good friends, It makes the other valued and cherished."

"Oh my god! You just delivered a sensible lecture, I am speechless. I don't know what to say. But let me tell you this, we are also incomplete without you Ruhaan. So never think like that you are ungrateful or something because we love the way you are. Leave this serious guy for others okay?", she patted his shoulder looking at him.

Ruhaan nodded his head with a smile. "You did a good job, my shoulder is not hurting like before."

"Anytime. But don't get used to it. And please, try not to get into more accidents."

Ruhaan laughed, feeling lighter with her teasing and care. "I'll do my best. And I promise not to pull any more pranks on you."

Raima smirked. "We'll see about that. Now, get dressed and let's get back to the café. You owe me a coffee."

Ruhaan grinned and quickly buttoned up his shirt.

Was it just gratitude towards his bestfriend? Or something more?

The unexpected closeness had ringed something in him. Or is it just his delusion?

------

Bela and Anu were sitting in their office, going over the final details for their upcoming event. The room was filled with the quiet hum of the air conditioner and the occasional rustle of papers. Bela couldn't help but notice Anu's uncharacteristic silence. Normally chatty and full of energy, Anu was subdued today, her responses short and her focus seemingly elsewhere.

"Anu, are you okay?" Bela asked gently, looking up from her notes.

Anu glanced at her briefly before turning back to her laptop. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a lot on my mind."

Bela nodded, not wanting to push but making a mental note to keep an eye on her friend. As they continued working, the silence between them grew more pronounced. It wasn't long before they had to head to the conference hall for a meeting about another new event.

In the conference hall, Aditya, their boss, was already seated at the head of the table, reviewing some documents. When Bela and Anu entered, he looked up and smiled warmly, though his expression quickly turned to one of concern when he saw Anu's demeanor.

"Good morning, Ms.Bela, Ms.Anu. Ready to dive into this new project?" Aditya asked, his tone encouraging.

Bela smiled and nodded, but Anu simply offered a polite smile and a quiet "Good morning."

Throughout the meeting, Anu's responses were unusually brief, and she avoided making eye contact with Aditya. This was unlike her usual self, who often lightened the mood with witty remarks and engaging conversation.

"Ms.Anu, could you show us the presentation?" Aditya requested, expecting her usual enthusiasm.

Anu didn't look up from her laptop. "Actually, Bela can do it. She's new, and it's a good learning opportunity for her."

Bela was taken aback but quickly composed herself. "Sure, I'd be happy to," she said, standing up to connect her laptop to the projector.

Aditya frowned slightly, sensing something was off but deciding to let it slide for now. He turned his attention to Bela as she began the presentation. Anu sat back in her chair, her eyes downcast, and her mind clearly elsewhere.

Despite her nerves, Bela handled the presentation well, explaining their ideas and plans with confidence. Aditya nodded approvingly, occasionally glancing at Anu, whose silence and lack of engagement were becoming more noticeable.

Once the presentation was over, Aditya addressed the team. "Great job, Bela. I'm impressed with how quickly you've picked everything up. Now, I know everyone has been working hard, so I thought I'd treat everyone to lunch today."

There was a murmur of appreciation from the team, but Anu remained quiet, her expression unreadable. She was trying hard to keep her emotions in check, but the thought of Aditya being engaged or involved with someone else was tearing her apart. She had always admired him from afar, and the idea of him being with someone else was too painful to bear.

Aditya, still sensing something was wrong, decided to leave it for now.

Aditya stood up at the end of the meeting and announced, "Great work, everyone. As a token of appreciation for all your hard work, lunch is on me today at one of the best places in town-Delish and Delights."

Bela's eyes widened in surprise. DELISH DELIGHTS was one of Pratham's upscale restaurants, known for its elegant ambiance and delicious cuisine. The team buzzed with excitement, except for Anu, who remained unusually quiet.

As the team started packing up, Anu couldn't help but feel the weight of her unspoken feelings. She had fallen for Aditya, but the thought of him possibly being engaged or keeping a relationship secret was too much to handle. She felt foolish for letting herself care so much, and the pain was almost overwhelming.

Bela, noticing Anu's distress, placed a reassuring hand on her arm.

Just as everyone was getting ready to leave, Anu stood up and said, "I'm sorry, but I have some urgent work to finish. I won't be able to join you all for lunch."

Aditya's brows furrowed in confusion. He couldn't understand why Anu was behaving this way. "Ms.Anu, can you stay back for a moment? I need to talk to you."

The team exchanged curious glances but filed out of the room, leaving Anu and Aditya behind. Anu reluctantly followed Aditya to his cabin, her heart pounding in her chest.

Once inside, Aditya leaned back against his desk, his eyes searching her face. "Are you okay? Is something wrong with your health?"

Anu's heart ached at his concern, but she kept her face neutral. "I'm fine, Mr.Aditya. Why would you ask that?"

Aditya's expression was stern. "You were completely zoned out during the meeting. It's not like you."

Anu forced a smile. "You must have misunderstood. I'm always like this."

Aditya raised an eyebrow skeptically. "Really? Because from where I'm standing, you seem different today."

Anu looked away, avoiding his intense gaze. "If that's all, I should get back to work."

"Come closer," Aditya's deep voice commanded.

Anu blinked, unsure if she had heard him correctly. "What?"

"Step forward," Aditya repeated, his tone firm. "You're standing too far away. I can't hear you clearly."

Anu's frustration flared. She took a step forward, her senses immediately flooded by his strong, masculine scent, which both irritated and entranced her. She realized painfully that he wasn't hers, and that thought only deepened her frustration.

Aditya straightened, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her heart race. "You need to join the lunch with the rest of your team. It wouldn't look good if the manager is absent. Do you not respect your boss?"

Anu gulped, her throat dry. "Okay."

Aditya's eyebrow arched. "What okay? Speak clearly."

Anu gritted her teeth. "I will come."

Aditya's lips curved into a smirk. "Are you cursing me in your head right now?"

Anu's mouth fell open in shock. She couldn't understand his odd behavior today. "How could I dare curse at my employer? It could cost me my job."

Aditya chuckled, a deep sound that resonated through the room. "I'm just kidding. Trying to lighten the mood."

Anu's tension eased slightly, though confusion still clouded her thoughts. "You shouldn't joke like that, Mr. Aditya." she muttered, but there was a hint of a smile on her lips.

Aditya's expression softened. "Just come to lunch. It'll do you good to relax a bit."

She nodded reluctantly, feeling a strange mixture of relief and anxiety. As she left his cabin, she couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted between them. She just couldn't figure out what it was.

-----

At the restaurant, everyone settled into their seats and started browsing the menus. Anu noticed an empty seat right beside Aditya. She stood there in a dilemma, unsure whether to sit next to him or not. Sensing her hesitation, Aditya quickly made an excuse about needing to discuss something with Rohan and switched seats with him. For a brief second, his eyes met Anu's, but he quickly looked away and encouraged everyone to order whatever they wanted.

Bela leaned over to Anu and whispered, "I'm going to meet Pratham. It's my first time here, and I really want to see him."

Anu nodded, "Go ahead. I'll catch up with him after lunch. It wouldn't look good if we both disappeared at once."

Bela nodded in agreement and left the table. She approached the receptionist and asked, "Is Pratham here? I'd like to see him."

"Do you have an appointment?" the receptionist asked politely.

Bela hesitated but then confidently said, "No, but I'm a friend of his."

The receptionist smiled and picked up the phone. After a brief conversation, she said, "Mr. Pratham asked me to guide you to his cabin. Please follow me."

As Bela followed the receptionist through the elegantly decorated restaurant, she couldn't help but admire the stylish interiors. They reached Pratham's cabin, and she knocked on the door. A man opened it, revealing Pratham in the midst of a conversation with a young man. Pratham noticed Bela and gestured for her to give him five minutes. She nodded with a smile and stepped towards the balcony to enjoy the view.

After finishing his conversation, Pratham walked over to Bela, a warm smile on his face. "What a surprise! I was about to invite you over when you had some free time, but it looks like fate had other plans."

Bela turned around, smiling as she walked towards him and gave him a side hug. "It's unexpected. My boss Aditya treated us to lunch here."

Pratham chuckled. "Aditya, that rascal. He never tells me when he's coming. If I had known, I could have prepared something special for you all."

Bela nodded, realizing how close Mahir, Aditya and Pratham were. Although they always maintained professionalism in business settings, this camaraderie was new to her.

"It's a surprise for me too," Bela admitted.

Pratham excused himself for a moment to make a call. "Please prepare our restaurant's special dishes: Tandoori Quail, Truffle Butter Lobster Rolls, and Spiced Lamb Shanks, and have them delivered to my cabin."

Bela protested, "You don't need to be so formal with me. I can try them next time."

But Pratham insisted. "No, you came for the first time. I have to give you a taste of our specialties."

Bela smiled, touched by his care. He felt like the big brother she never had. As they sat down, she noticed a beautiful photo frame of a young girl on his table. She recognized her as Pratham's late sister, Harika.

"She's beautiful," Bela mumbled softly.

Pratham nodded, a shadow of sorrow crossing his face.

"If you don't mind," Bela began hesitantly, "can I call you Bhai?"

Pratham was taken aback, a mix of surprise and emotion flashing across his features. "I would be more than happy," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "You remind me so much of my little sister."

Bela felt a lump in her throat and smiled warmly. "Thank you, Bhai. It means a lot to me."

Pratham reached across the table and squeezed her hand gently. "Thank you for bringing a bit of Harika back into my life."

As they sat and talked, sharing stories and memories, a waiter brought in the special dishes Pratham had ordered. The aroma filled the room, and Bela's eyes sparkled with delight.

"These look amazing," she exclaimed.

Pratham smiled. "I hope you like them. This is just a small part of what DELISH DELIGHTS has to offer."

Bela took a bite, savoring the flavors. "It's incredible. Thank you, Bhai."

Pratham watched her enjoy the meal, feeling a warmth in his heart. It had been a long time since he felt this connected to someone. For the first time in years, the restaurant felt like a home again.

Bela and Pratham came down from his office, laughing and chatting as they joined the rest of the team who had just finished their meals. Anu stood up immediately upon seeing them and rushed to give Pratham a hug, saying, "I missed you."

Pratham patted her head affectionately, "Of course you did. That's why you only come to see me when it's about your office treats."

Aditya, walking towards his friend, chimed in, "I'm to blame here. She's been busy with events."

Anu didn't pull back but kept holding onto Pratham. Aditya gestured for her to move away so he could hug Pratham too, but Anu just rolled her eyes and ignored him. Aditya gently grabbed her arm and pulled her aside. "Anu, let go."

Pratham warned Aditya, "Hey, don't manhandle her. You know it wouldn't be good for you."

Aditya gave him a teasing look and said, "Oh really?" He placed his hands on Pratham's shoulders. "You always act like this protective big brother to every woman in our friend circle but never once look at me affectionately or show your care."

Pratham just ignored his remarks. Aditya turned to Bela and said, "See, Bela? His love and care are all for women, not for men. I hate him for that."

Everyone, including Anu, burst into laughter. Bela, who had been observing this entire exchange, was surprised. She had never seen her boss Aditya behave so casually, especially with Anu. In the office, their relationship was strictly professional. Seeing Aditya so comfortable and even physically playful with Anu shocked her greatly.

Aditya complained, "It's not fair. You prepared something special for Bela but nothing for me."

Pratham grabbed Aditya's neck playfully and said, "You always come unannounced like a tsunami. How can I prepare something special for you?"

Aditya feigned hurt, "Ouch, that hurts."

Pratham chuckled, "Next time, give me a heads-up. I'll roll out the red carpet for you."

Bela, still amused by their banter, finally spoke up. "It's fascinating to see you all like this. I had no idea you were all so close."

Pratham smiled at her. "We've been friends for a long time. It's like a big, dysfunctional family."

Anu, still standing close to Pratham, added, "Yeah, and Aditya here is the annoying brother."

Aditya raised an eyebrow. "Annoying? Brother? Me? You wound me, Anu."

Anu finally let go of Pratham and laughed. "You know it's true."

Pratham shook his head, still smiling. "Alright, alright. Enough teasing Aditya. Let's enjoy the rest of our time here."

Aditya nodded. "Yes, let's. And Bela, don't let Pratham fool you. He's just as affectionate with us men, in his own weird way."

Bela laughed, feeling more at ease with the dynamics of their group. She watched as they continued to tease and banter, realizing that this camaraderie was what made their friendship special.

Pratham clapped his hands, "Alright, everyone. Let's take a group photo to remember this lunch."

They all gathered together, squeezing in tight for the picture. Bela stood between Pratham and Anu, feeling a sense of belonging wash over her. As the camera clicked, she knew this was a moment she would cherish.

After the group photo, Pratham noticed Anu deliberately avoided standing next to Aditya. His instincts told him something was wrong. Taking Anu aside to a quiet corner, he gently asked, "Is everything okay? You seem a bit off."

Anu forced a smile and replied, "I'm fine, Pratham. Really, nothing's wrong."

Pratham took her hand, looking deeply into her eyes. "Anu, I can tell when you're fake smiling and lying. We're friends. You can share anything with me, even if it's about me or someone else. I won't mind."

Anu's eyes welled up with tears, and she couldn't hold back any longer. She hugged Pratham tightly and burst into tears, mumbling, "Aditya is so heartless."

Pratham, shocked and confused, gently asked, "What's wrong? Why do you feel that way?"

Through her sobs, Anu revealed, "He's seeing someone and didn't tell me."

Pratham's expression softened as he began to understand what was going on in her heart. He pulled back slightly, holding her by the shoulders. "Anu, he told me yesterday that he went on a matchmaking meet-up to make his mother happy."

Anu frowned, the confusion evident on her face. "So it's true? He's getting engaged then?"

Pratham wiped her tears away with a gentle smile. "No, Anu. He rejected her."

Anu's eyes widened in shock, her mouth falling open. "He did? Why?"

Pratham shrugged. "He didn't go into detail. He just called me to vent his frustration. I didn't pry further. But I did ask him if he's interested in someone."

Anu looked at him with hopeful, expectant eyes. Pratham smiled at her puppy-like expression. "He said he's not interested in anyone right now."

Anu's face fell, disappointment washing over her. She took a deep breath and said, "From now on, I won't think about him. I understand now that he only sees me as a friend."

Pratham squeezed her shoulders reassuringly. "Don't be disheartened, Anu. Just let time flow. Things have a way of working out."

Anu nodded, feeling a bit more at ease with Pratham's comforting words. "Thank you, Pratham. You're right. I'll try to focus on other things."

Pratham gave her a warm smile. "That's the spirit. Now, let's go back before they start wondering where we disappeared to."

They rejoined the group, where the atmosphere was light and filled with laughter. Anu felt a bit more at peace, knowing she had friends like Pratham to support her. As they settled back into the conversation, Aditya's eyes briefly met Anu's, and for a moment, she felt a pang of longing. But she quickly reminded herself of Pratham's advice and decided to take things one day at a time.

Aditya turned to Bela. "So, how do you like Pratham's restaurant?"

Bela smiled. "It's amazing. The food is delicious, and the atmosphere is wonderful."

Pratham beamed. "I'm glad you liked it. You're welcome here anytime, Bela."

Bela felt a warmth in her heart, grateful for this new sense of family and friendship. "Thank you, Bhai. I'll definitely be back."

As they prepared to leave, Pratham made sure to send them off with extra treats from the kitchen, much to Aditya's delight. They walked out of the restaurant, their laughter echoing behind them, a testament to the bonds they shared.

--------

The evening at Mahir's apartment was a cozy retreat from the bustling day. The living room was softly illuminated by a table lamp, casting a warm glow over the space where Mahir sat on the sofa, typing away on his laptop. His focus was solely on the flurry of emails and project details, the occasional sip from his now-cold coffee providing brief moments of distraction.

Bela was in the kitchen, singing loudly as she prepared dinner. Despite the occasional off-key note, her enthusiasm was infectious, and Mahir found himself smiling at the sound of her voice.

Mahir, sitting on the sofa in the living room, was busy with some emails but couldn't help but chuckle at Bela's spirited performance.

"She's too loud," he thought, but there was no annoyance in his mind-just pure enjoyment of her vibrant presence.

Bela came over, her hair slightly tousled from cooking, and announced, "Dinner is ready!"

Mahir looked up from his laptop, his face lighting up at the sight of her. "You've turned dinner into a full-on performance. I almost forgot I was working."

Bela laughed, twirling slightly. "Well, I thought I'd give you a dinner show to go with your meal."

"Great! Smells delicious."

Bela plopped down next to him, sighing as she ran her fingers through her hair. "Let's have dinner on the terrace today," she suggested.

Mahir shook his head. "It's too cold out there, Bela."

"I just thought it would be nice to eat outside and enjoy the fresh night air. It's been so hectic lately, and I miss being out in the open.", Bela pulled a sad face.

Mahir's concern was evident. "It's getting a bit chilly out there. I don't want you catching a cold."

Bela pouted dramatically, her eyes widening with charm. "Oh, come on, Mahir. Just this once? I promise I'll wear a jacket."

Mahir tried to stay firm, but Bela's pleading face was almost too much to resist. He sighed, realizing he was losing the battle. "Alright, fine. But if you start shivering, we're moving back inside."

Bela's face brightened, and she hugged him tightly in gratitude. "Thank you! You're the best."

Mahir patted her back affectionately before standing up. "Let's get everything set up then."

They carried the dishes to the terrace, which was decorated with twinkling fairy lights and a couple of cozy blankets draped over the chairs. The chilly air was noticeable, but the setup was charming and inviting. Mahir placed the food on the table while Bela arranged the blankets with care.

As they sat down to eat, Bela wrapped herself snugly in one of the blankets. She seemed genuinely content as she took a bite of the meal Mahir had prepared.

"This is actually quite nice," Bela admitted, her voice warm with appreciation. "I didn't think it would be this cozy out here."

Mahir smiled, relieved that she was enjoying herself. "I think, It was worth giving in."

Bela nudged him playfully. "See? I told you it would be worth it."

As they ate, the conversation turned more personal.

Bela told him what happened at Pratham restaurant and she even told that Pratham allowed her to adress him as Bhai.

"I am happy for both of you. I wish I was there to witness all that.", Mahir said biting onto his food.

"Well, there is always next time.", Bela smiled.

Then she shared fond memories of her childhood, describing her close relationship with her father. "My dad is incredibly protective but also the best. He was always there for me, even when I wanted to do things on my own. He's the reason I'm so independent now."

Mahir listened attentively, touched by her openness. "That sounds wonderful. My elder brother Vansh is a big supporter of mine. He lives in the USA and calls me regularly, asking me to come over and settle down there with him. It's been a recurring topic in our conversations."

Bela looked surprised, her eyebrows raising slightly. "I knew you wanted to settle abroad, but I didn't realize it might come to the point where you'd actually be living there. That's a big step."

Mahir nodded, a hint of uncertainty in his eyes. "Yeah, it's a big change. Sometimes the idea of moving so far away is daunting, but it's something I've been considering seriously."

Bela offered a supportive smile, though a hint of worry flickered in her eyes. "Well, whatever you decide, I'm sure it'll be the right choice for you. I'm here for you, no matter what."

Mahir appreciated her reassurance. "It means a lot."

He then shared memories of his elder sister,"My sister is married to a soldier, and they're currently in Kashmir. It's such a beautiful place, with mountains and serenity. I've been there a few times, and it's always been breathtaking."

Bela's eyes lit up with excitement. "Kashmir? I've always wanted to visit there! The mountains, the scenery-it all sounds so amazing."

Mahir smiled at her enthusiasm. "It really is something special. If you ever get a chance to go, I'm sure you'll love it."

----

Bela laid down on the terrace, gazing up at the stars scattered across the night sky. The twinkling lights above seemed to mesmerize her, and she felt a sense of peace wash over her. After a moment, she turned her head towards Mahir and called out, "Come on, join me."

Mahir, still concerned about the chill in the air, hesitated. "Bela, it's really getting colder. We should go inside."

Bela pouted, her eyes wide with insistence, and revealed a warm blanket she had brought. "I came prepared," she said, her voice tinged with playful defiance.

Mahir shook his head, a smile spreading across his face. "You're unbelievable, you know that?"

"I know," Bela replied with a grin.

Relenting, Mahir laid down beside her. Bela quickly spread the blanket over them, but the cold air still seeped through. Despite the extra layer, the terrace was far from warm and comfortable.

Seeing her shiver slightly, Mahir decided to take matters into his own hands. He pulled Bela closer, positioning her head over his arm as he wrapped his other arm around her. Bela's eyes widened in surprise at his sudden, intimate gesture.

"Now you're not feeling cold, right?" Mahir asked softly, his voice gentle and reassuring.

Bela, still a bit shocked but undeniably comforted by his warmth, nodded her head. "No, not anymore," she murmured, relaxing into his hold.

For a moment, they lay there in silence, the stars above them providing a serene backdrop. The initial awkwardness melted away, replaced by a comforting sense of closeness. Bela felt a warmth that had nothing to do with the blanket or Mahir's embrace but everything to do with the feeling of being cared for.

Mahir's hold tightened slightly, as if silently promising to protect her from the cold and anything else that might come their way. Bela closed her eyes, savoring the moment, the rhythm of Mahir's steady breathing lulling her into a state of contentment.

"This is nice," Bela whispered, her voice barely audible.

Mahir smiled, pressing his cheek against the top of her head. "Yeah, it is," he agreed softly.

They remained like that, wrapped in each other's warmth, the cold night air no longer a concern. In that simple, quiet moment, surrounded by the night and the stars, they found a deeper connection, a silent understanding that sometimes, the best moments are the ones spent just being close to someone you care about.

*******
5300 words

Them being cozy 🥰

Ruhaan ko pyaar hogaya 😂

Aditya being bossy 😳🔥

Pratham 🎀

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