Reethu pov

As the evening progressed and the party continued, the warm glow of the string lights intertwined with the vibrant energy of the guests, creating an atmosphere of joy and camaraderie. The scent of delicious food wafted through the air, mingling with the sound of laughter and animated conversations.

Amidst the lively ambiance, I found myself immersed in conversation with Shubman and our friends, sharing anecdotes and laughter over dinner. The clinking of cutlery and the occasional burst of laughter punctuated our conversations, creating a symphony of sounds that filled the night.

When my phone rang, Shubman handed it to me with a curious glance. "Hello," I greeted the caller, exchanging a few brief words before returning my attention to the table.

"Everything okay?" Shubman asked, his concern palpable as he leaned in closer.

"Absolutely," I reassured him with a smile, reaching for my glass of water and taking a refreshing sip.

Should I tell him? Or not?

Surprise him.  My subconscious spoke. Guess I will do that.

"You wanna go for a walk? " he asked after we finished eating. "That sounds good, " I smiled as we started walking. "Oh by the way I'll be designing the indian spider man for the movie, " I spoke as he smiled. "That's great! " he exclaimed.

"Oh by the way you know something?" he asked. "I can't know until you say, " I answered as he wrapped his hands around my waist pulling me close, catching me off guard. "Shub what? " I spoke.

"I'm gonna be voicing your Indian Spiderman in Hindi, " he whispered. "Wait really? " I smiled placing my hands on his shoulder as he nodded smiling.

"I didn't disturb you guys kissing right? "Ishan's voice came from behind making us pull apart.

"Idiot," I muttered. "Hey there you are come on, " Natasha came and pulled me away. 

"What happened? " I asked. "Nothing, I just felt like doing it, " she spoke making me laugh.

We all had exchanged our numbers and honestly, I was tired. How do these people party so much? Shubman was speaking with someone so I didn't disturb him.  I went and sat on the swing which was there in the backyard.

It felt nice. The cold breeze felt soothing on my face and just then I got a text from my old college gc.

Rahul

I know this gc
works only
when we have
the cricket match

Lucky
but Reethu
We can't win this
Finals if you're not
there 😭😭

Sheela
Summoning
our all rounder.

Reethu
Relax guys I'll be
there 😂

Rahul
Bro my wife will
kick me if we didn't win
😭😭😭

Lalitha

Hey when did I say
that

Lucky
Here they go

Kalyan
Bro Reethu
you should
have become a
Cricketer instead of
a designer

Sheela
I second that

Reethu
Arey yaar
Firse ye baath?

Acha mujhe ab
chalna hai.
Badh me baath karthi
hun.

Lost in the comfort of nostalgia, I barely noticed Shubman's approach until he settled beside me, his presence a comforting anchor in the midst of chaos.

"What are you doing here alone?" he inquired, his voice soft and gentle.

"Just needed some air," I replied, leaning into his reassuring embrace as we sat together in companionable silence.

Can you do me a favour? " I asked him as he looked down at me. "Yeah? "

"Tune into the JNU YouTube channel on Monday at 9:30 am, " I smiled. "What? " he asked confused.

"Just do," I shrugged as he nodded. "Okay," he muttered.

As the evening wore on, and the party began to wind down, Shubman and I decided to head home. The familiar routine of the car ride provided a welcome respite from the excitement of the evening, allowing us a moment of quiet reflection."

"Still can't tell me what's on that channel? " he asked his hands around my waist while he leaned against the car, his coat inside. "Nope," I smiled as he smiled shaking his head.

"Do you like me? " he asked out of the blue. "Do you like me? " I asked raising my eyebrows.

"I like you more than anything," he smiled.

"Me too Shub," I replied and saw a smile make its way on his face when I saw a drop of water on his cheek.

"Are you crying? " I asked as his eyebrows knit together in confusion. "What?" he asked. That's when we both realised it started raining. "Oh my god, " I laughed placing my head on his shoulder.

As the rain continued to fall softly around us, casting a romantic ambience over the scene, Shubman's voice broke the tranquil silence.

"Can I kiss you?" he asked, his tone tentative yet filled with longing. His vulnerability tugged at my heartstrings, filling me with a rush of emotion as I met his gaze, my eyes reflecting the depth of my feelings.

"I... I never really..." I began, my words faltering as I struggled to articulate the whirlwind of emotions swirling within me.

But Shubman's reassuring smile, warm and genuine, melted away my hesitation, leaving me with no doubt in my heart. "It's okay," he murmured, his hands cradling my face with gentle reverence. "Just follow my lead."

With a silent nod, I surrendered to the moment, allowing instinct and desire to guide me as I leaned in, drawn inexorably towards him.

As our lips met in a tender embrace, the world around us faded into insignificance, leaving only the sweet intimacy of the present moment.

Time seemed to stand still as we lost ourselves in the gentle rhythm of our shared kiss, a silent testament to the depth of our connection.

When we finally pulled away, breathless and exhilarated, a soft smile played upon Shubman's lips, mirroring the joy that radiated from within me.

"Thank you," he whispered, his voice barely above a whisper, his eyes shimmering with unspoken emotion.

With a contented sigh, I nestled into the warmth of his embrace, allowing myself to revel in the simple pleasure of being with him, here, in this moment, beneath the rain-soaked sky.

As we stood together, wrapped in each other's arms, I felt a profound sense of gratitude for the serendipitous twist of fate that had brought us together, united in our shared journey of love and discovery.

The rain continued its gentle patter around us, casting a soothing backdrop to our shared moment. With our foreheads pressed together, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the depth of emotion coursing through me.

"Our parents could have introduced us to each other when we were 18 at least," I murmured, a hint of playful teasing lacing my words.

Shubman chuckled softly, the sound a melody in the tranquil night air. "Maybe," he conceded, his voice tinged with amusement.

With a sense of contentment settling over us, I brushed a soft kiss against his cheek, savoring the warmth of his embrace.

"Goodnight, Shubman," I whispered, my words a gentle caress against his skin.

"Goodnight, babe," he replied, his voice tender and affectionate.

As we lingered in the embrace of the rain, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the serendipitous turn of events that had brought us together. In Shubman's arms, beneath the canopy of the night sky, I found a sense of belonging I had never known before.

With a final glance exchanged between us, filled with unspoken promises and shared dreams, we reluctantly parted ways, each carrying with us the warmth of the other's presence as we ventured into the night.

As I made my way into my house, the memory of our stolen moment beneath the rain lingered in my mind, a precious treasure to be cherished in the days to come. And with each step, I felt a sense of anticipation building within me, eager to discover what the future held for us, united in our journey of love and possibility.