The end of 2020 has been a time of romance for Pallavi. While she had been out experiencing mutual dating for the first time, her classmates were already transitioning into marriage. It was painstakingly apparent from the wedding pictures on Instagram.

And Saumya was the next in line to join the married club.

It was on December 2020 when Saumya got engaged to Girish Kumar who she had been courting for the last two months. It was an arranged marriage. If the situation remained safe, they would hold their wedding in February 2021 itself.

The first thing that Pallavi foresaw was a chance. A chance for an overnight stay with Adhvik. She— no— both of them had been wishing for a chance where they would stay together for a longer time, preferably a whole day and night. She already discussed this with Adhvik when they met after lockdown. She was hoping for them to book a room in Delhi for an overnight stay. This way they would roam Delhi as well. Moreover, she wouldn't have to make an excuse to her parents. She could simply say she was staying an extra day. Nothing could be as convenient as this.

On the other hand, Saumya marriage announcement was like a splash of cold reality to Pallavi's twenty-eight years old self. Saumya was two years younger than Pallavi while Aradhana was of the same age. Still Pallavi was elder to Aradhana by a few months. Back in college, they made a bet of who would be hitched first. It was either Pallavi or Aradhana and that Saumya would marry later.

What am I doing? She thought over in distress. She worked in a job she didn't like. Neither did Deepali. All they did was respond to messages of candidates or call them. While her friends were getting settled, she was in a relationship with someone whose parents were already looking for a bride. Her parents, too. One rishta fixed and their relationship would be over in a flash. That's how fickle it was.

“I wish one of us gets married this year. I hope it's you...” Adhvik would often say. He said the same thing last new year, too.

“Someone wants to get married badly.” Pallavi replied with a hint of disdain.

“Hmm, it's just that I'm tired of living alone. My parents will also be relieved of their burden once I get married. Ma has been stressing too much to find a girl for me.”

“I wish I could say that easily,” Pallavi admitted. She couldn't. She wasn't as ready for marriage as he was. She wasn't ready to ditch Adhvik and her world of love for him to be with another man she barely knew. “And what about us, huh?”

“No worries, baby. My wife will gharwali while you'll be baharwali.”

Pallavi feigned her shock. “Cheatercock!”

* * *

The cold winters that stole January away, soon rolled away to welcome February.

If you had been reading this book well enough, you'd already know what February meant to someone like Pallavi Khuranna.

Yup, the infamous Valentine's day.

And now that she was in a romantic relationship with someone, she wouldn't let something like this pass away this time. She could finally celebrate.

Except she couldn't. Not with Saumya's wedding on 16th February preceded by her engagement on 15th and Sangeet on 14th February.

Poor Pallavi. She should have realized, given her track record of her previous Valentine's. We all knew what happened between her and Adhvik in February two years back. When they were still in Mansur. You all hated Adhvik back then. While in 2020, his health fucked him up even before Covid stepped into their country. Obviously they couldn't meet back then, though he called to wish her himself.

“Perhaps we are never meant to spend Valentine's together,” Pallavi expressed her distress on phone with him. “Can we atleast spend a night together? Pretty please.”

“I told you, it's not possible now. Not with all the politics in the office. I'm already being highlighted badly, Pallavi. If I take a leave now, it will reflect poorly on my performance... I- I could be fired. Please try to understand. We'll try to book some other time, okay.”

Long story short, a critical faulty incident happened at the production part of the mobile factory due to an irresponsible blunder by a coworker. Since Adhvik was managing the entire production process, the entire blame was put on him. He was scolded by his manager and the Chinese head of the plant. He even lost some profit points for his yearly bonus because of it. Now everyone was watching his move, almost as if they expected him to make another blunder.

His office affairs just had to cockblock them yet again.

Neither she could celebrate Valentine's with him, neither she could spend an overnight stay with him. A thought of doubt crossed her mind. Was it her or Adhvik just didn't put enough effort for them? Perhaps this time was an exception but what about other times? As far as she knew, guys would be everready to make elaborate plans for their girl. What did Adhvik do? Nothing. Neither did he gift her anything. It was disappointing.

Well, it's not like you'll be with him for life. Just enjoy your relationship for the time being. Harsh but true.

* * *

“I hate this. Kismat hi footi hai behanchod!” Pallavi cussed in agony.  She was so angry she could cry.

It was 10th February today. Just two days before she went to Bangalore to attend her friend's wedding. If only she could meet Adhvik but both had an office to attend to.

“I wish you could come near my house...” She blurted out without thinking.

“Maybe I can.”

She stopped walking.

“Really?”

“Yeah, I'm outside with Arjun actually so I can come over to your society... Unless you think it's risky.”

“No— no risk here. You can come.” She agreed a little too eagerly.

“You sure?”

“Absolutely!” There were butterflies in her stomach now. She shook her head, stopping herself from smiling like a Cheshire cat. “Just give a few minutes to get ready.”

“Sure. It will take time here as well. Just wait for me, senorita. I'll be right there.”

“Can't wait!” She jumped with joy. To be meeting him at such a short notice. This just turned out to be the best phone conversation she had with him.

Pallavi returned home to tidy herself a bit. She told Deepali to inform her if any of their parents stepped out of the house. When Adhvik informed that he was on his way, she sent her Google map location.

“You are going for a walk again?” Her mother enquired just as Pallavi stepped out of the door. Yikes!

“Actually I'm going to have a joint video call with my online friend group. You know the one with Geet? I'll be back before dinner,” She lied through her teeth and dashed away. No worries people, she had done this before. Except this time it was a lie.

As Adhvik took his sweet time to visit, Pallavi took her sweet time to the convenient store. It was Valentine week after all. She waited for a quite a while besides the gate, aching to see a familiar figure amongst the passerby. Her heart lurched as she spotted a bike ridden by two youngsters with one of them wearing a red hoodie.

If only Adhvik was the one riding the bike, he would have looked ten times sexier.

Still, her happiness knew no bounds as she saw him after a month.  Adhvik lowered his hoodie and waved his hand at her direction gleefully.

“Idiot!” She hissed and waved her hand towards their right indicating them to move there instead of parking right in front of her society like a bunch of gundas. She double- checked her surroundings, making sure no one she knew was around. When the road was clear, she exited the gate and scurried over to Adhvik's side. His eyes flickered over her in her pyjamas until it met her twinkling eyes.

“Hello ji.”

“Hello.”

They shared a giddy smile.

* * *

“So when am I meeting my saans, saala and saali? Where's your apartment anyway? Bata,” Adhvik joked, wriggling his brows while she giggled. They teased talked for a while. Pallavi even dared to show her apartment from outside. She wanted to show him the inside of the society but was too scared to be found.

“Oh, I almost forgot,” She took out the contents from her paper bag. It was a diary milk silk chocolate. Tearing open the golden wrapper, she broke two square pieces from the chocolate. “Happy Valentine's Day, jaanu.”

“You had to bring this, didn't you? Here, ladies first,” He lend the chocolate piece in her mouth and smiled from the heart. “Happy Valentine's day, baby.”

She repeated the same gesture toward him. Her heart swelled with love. Two years ago, Adhvik had rejected her from wishing Valentine's day. Two years later, he was feeding chocolate into her mouth. It seemed no less than a miracle.

“No way!” Pallavi exasperated when she received a message from Deepali. When Adhvik questioned the reason behind her reaction, she replied, “Papa is out of the house buying vegetables.”

“Oh, shit! That's my Sasur,” Adhvik pointed out to a passer by.

“Shut up!”

They quickly took the next road, facing the back of the society. They engaged in talks about office and their shitty bosses. While Pallavi's manager wasn't like Tiwari, he was still bad. He aimed for deadlines that were impossible to meet, told his team to engage on calls all day while sitting on the high chair doing nearly nothing. He also engaged on calls but alas they were of his girlfriend outside of his marriage. The whole office knew about his affair. Regardless, the continuous calling were taking a toll on both of the Khuranna sisters. Deepali was already planning on leaving the job next month while Pallavi was trying to look for another.

Adhvik observed Pallavi's eyes crinkle as she complained animatedly. Somewhere in the midst, a car passed by their side with just a foot away from her. He gently positioned her to the grassy side while he began walking at the traffic side of the road. She blinked at his gesture until it registered in her mind. She grabbed his arm for a brief hug.

When their surroundings were clear, she slipped her hand in his. She was literally shitting from inside at the thought of being spotted but she didn't want to care. She couldn't when Adhvik intertwined his fingers with hers, sharing his warmth and smile under the moonlight.

“Your hand is hot...” She voiced out absentmindedly.

“I am feeling hot. I have a fever.”

“Huh?” She stopped walking and placed her hand on his forehead. Indeed his skin was burning. “Why? You should have been resting then.”

“I should have but ‘your highness’ was upset because I ruined our plans. I was outside anyway. The least I could do is pay my respects. I wanted to meet you anyway,” He admitted, gazing at her lovingly. “I was in slumps because of what happened in office but my mood lightened up after meeting you. I'm glad I came here.”

A jubilant smile tugged at her lips. He sure melted her like a puddle at times. “You can meet me whenever you like. I'll always lighten up your mood.”

“Thank you. I'll do the same.”

They walked further away from the society, hand in hand under the starless blanketed sky. Eventually their joined palms were replaced by their linked arms.

Minutes later, they reached a narrow side road, laid with thick  trees and bushes. A streetlight glowed nearby, shedding some light in the dark. Pallavi suggested them to kiss since no one was here but he denied, disappointing her. Just then she recalled something important. “I have something to tell. Promise you won't laugh.”

“I'll definitely laugh then.” He teased but then he glanced at the seriousness of her face and added, “Fine, I won't.”

Pallavi fidgeted with her fingers, embracing herself. “We are being written right now.”

“Means?”

Pallavi explained how she was planning to write a story about the two of them for a while. It was until she found a writer who agreed on writing after listening to their story. She was a good writer who wrote stories on Wattpad. The story would be named ‘More than friends.’

My God, am I finally being mentioned in the story?

“I feel like our story is quite unique and weird so why not? I wanted us to be written even though we won't end up together. It's worth the shot. Is it okay if she writes about you?”

“You do whatever you want, P. I'll support you.” He answered while she side hugged him in return, thanking him. “Share the link. I'll read a few chapters. What's our story names by the way?”

A grin spread across her face as she answered proudly.

“Their names are Adhvik and Pallavi.”

* * *

An hour passed just like that. They  walked in the same direction where they came from until they reached an intersection that was divided three roads— one of which led to the her society. They sat down on the edge of the small platform laid with grass and gazed at the few stars that showed up in the black- blue sky. The cars wheezed by, followed by the sound of their engines while they sat still in silence. It was as if they were in their own space of time.

Adhvik dipped his head on her shoulder, sighing in vain. “Man, I don't wanna go.”

“Me neither.” She whined, resting her head above his. “Time passes so fast when I'm with you. Why can't we stay for a longer time? This sucks!”

“Hmm, how long has it been since
we...” Adhvik trailed off lazily as he smelled her neck until he added, “since we came into this sort of relationship.”

Pallavi's brows knitted in thought until she fished out her smartphone to check their photos while still leaning her chin on top of his head. “See this photo of us? That was the first time I visited your apartment. The day when it all started.”

The photo was dated 8th May 2019.

“So it will be two years to our relationship? Kaise chutiye hai? We didn't even care to celebrate our anniversary last year.”

“I know right!” She clicked her fingers, her eyes liting up. “Lets take a whole day off from office and spend it together in your room. We'll be together for a whole day. No hurries.”

“And order a pastry or something. Good idea. We'll do it!”

May was still far away though. She could barely wait for it.

“Shit, Pallavi!” Adhvik exclaimed, startling her. She followed his line of direction and grew white at a tall sturdy man in white kurta. “Your father...”

She slapped his shoulder as he tittered, “Idiot, don't scare me like that! I really thought he was Papa for a second.”

His eyes flickered over her rounded figure that hugged perfectly in her blue top and white printed pyjamas. He had been doing that for a while now. A mischievous smile built his lips when she zeroed her gaze, “Kya hai?!”

“You look damn hot!” He grabbed her ass for a second, startling her. “I'd have fucked you in those night clothes right away.”

“Heh, really? Thank you,” she looked down, smiling like a creep, then recalled something with a pout, “I look sexy yet you couldn't get me a rose.”

“Honestly speaking, I was hoping to find a rose on the way but couldn't. Arjun says we'll find it on sector apha market. Perhaps we could dine there.”

“It's night time, Adhvik. I don't have enough time,” She reasoned and crossed her arms, grumbling.

“Fiine~” Just then Adhvik pulled her arm, bringing his lips to her ear. “By the way, I love you.”

Her heart skipped at those words as she looked at him in awe. His eyes softened as well. Would she ever get tired of him saying that? Probably never. “I love you too, Adhi.”

“Since you're a little satisfied now, I'll take my leave and—”

“Wait!” She pulled his arm, pouting. “Kiss me on the cheek. Only then I'll let you go.”

He shot a baffled look, “Dalli, there are people around. It's your goddamn society. How come you're not scared?”

“I'm keeping a lookout. No one is here. Chalo, kiss me,” She tapped her cheek.

Adhvik sighed, giving up. After confirming there was no one within five meters of them, he inched near her face.

Only for a random dog to bark out of nowhere.

Upon looking, they spotted a golden retriever being escorted by a young man. Pallavi internally spewed curses both of them appearing right when his lips barely touched her cheek. Regardless, she diverted back to Adhvik to plant a chastise kiss on his cheek, making them both blush.

“You really are something...” He shook his head before approaching her for a brief hug. “Chalo, bye. Have fun at your friend's wedding.”

“I will.” She grinned under his warm embrace. She followed him to where Arjun was with his bike. She had completely forgotten about his existence till now. “Thanks for waiting, Arjun.”

“No problem ji.”

Perhaps he wasn't as bad as she thought him to be.

Pallavi tried to convince Adhvik to take her on a bike for a two minutes but he flat out refused, suggesting to ride with Arjun instead. She had even forgotten he had a fever though in reality he was hesitant to take her as he didn't know how to ride a bike properly.

Soon Adhvik left with Arjun, leaving a trail of happiness and sadness in his wake.

* * *

Eventually it was 14th February.

“Happy Valentine's day, jaan,” Adhvik wished through her phone screen and blew a kiss in her direction.

Pallavi stole a glance at the railway station that wrote Jaipur. She kissed her mobile screen when nobody was looking and wished him the same. They looked into each other's eyes through the screen, confessing their love and their wish to be physically there with each other. It was Valentine's in the truest sense.

“So what are you doing now?” He asked as he noticed her dragging her luggage by the handle at the station.

“Waiting for Aradhana and Saurabh,” Pallavi replied tiredly. Initially she was supposed to be escorted by Saumya's relatives to her hometown. Instead those people shared their location to Saurabh and asked Pallavi to come along with them. Surprisingly Adhvik was also out to attend a friend's wedding.

Pallavi's day was long and exhausting after that. Since she left the station at five in the morning, she hadn't taken a bath either. Basically she had to wait three hours in the station before Aradhana arrived in a SUV. The  only thing that kept her engaged was Adhvik either through video or voice. They even had a virtual breakfast together. It was probably the longest phonic conversation they ever had. Long after, Aradhana and Saurabh arrived in their SUV to take Pallavi away. It was a long ardous day after that. 

* * *

To be continued in the next chapter...

I know, I know, I take forever to post a chapter. Sorry for that. It's just that I keep having a weird push and pull relationship with this story. You might understand after a few chapters. Anyway, how was their Valentine's this time? Pretty simple I'd say. 🍫❤️❤️ It would have been perfect if this was posted on February. How did your valentine's go? Comment below.