The days following that night felt like a blissful blur to Kyra. Between classes, editing sessions, and the initial chaos of settling into her new flat, she found herself thinking about Shubman constantly. 

Every time her phone buzzed, she'd feel a rush of excitement, hoping it was him—and more often than not, it was.

Their conversations had taken on a comfortable rhythm. They'd text about everything from minor annoyances of the day to hilarious memes, and sometimes even deep reflections on life, dreams, and how the world around them seemed to change with each passing day. 

It wasn't always romantic, and yet that, somehow, made it feel more significant.

One evening, as she was unpacking the last of her boxes with Coco running circles around her, Kyra's phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen, and her lips curved into a smile as Shubman's name appeared. She opened his message.

Shubman:
So, you're all settled in, Ms. Future-Filmmaker? Or should I prepare to rescue you from boxes for the next month?

Kyra chuckled, typing back.

Kyra:
Oh, I'd say about 80% there! Coco and I had a full unpacking session today. Though, between us, she's not the most helpful assistant.

A photo popped up on her screen of Shubman sitting on his couch, feet propped up, a cricket bat casually lying on the coffee table next to him.

Shubman:
Well, you have my full moral support! Anytime you need a hand (or two), you know who to call.

Before she could respond, he sent another message.

Shubman:
By the way... any chance you'd want to take Coco for a walk tonight? With some company?

Kyra hesitated, her heart doing that familiar little flip. She glanced at Coco, who was busy nosing around a recently emptied box.

Kyra:
I think Coco would love that. And, uh... so would I.

A little while later, Kyra and Coco met Shubman just outside her building. It was a cool evening, and the city had taken on that golden glow that comes as the sun begins to set. Shubman greeted her with a warm smile, bending down to give Coco a few affectionate pats. Coco, overjoyed, wagged her tail furiously, pawing at him like he was her new best friend.

"You know," Shubman said as they began walking down the quiet sidewalk, "I think Coco likes me more than you do."

Kyra laughed, giving him a playful nudge. "Don't get too ahead of yourself. She's easily won over."

They fell into an easy conversation, weaving through the neighbourhood, talking about everything and nothing at all. It was moments like these that Kyra treasured—the simplicity of being with someone who made her feel at ease. There were no pretences, no performances—just two people, sharing a small piece of their lives.

Eventually, they reached a small park, where they let Coco off her leash to run around. She darted across the grass, chasing invisible critters and pouncing on fallen leaves, her golden fur catching the last rays of sunlight.

"Look at her," Shubman said, smiling as he watched Coco's antics. "She's so full of life. Kind of like you."

Kyra felt a soft blush rising to her cheeks. "I don't know if I'm quite as full of life as Coco," she replied, laughing. "She's in her own league."

Shubman turned to face her, his expression earnest. "You are, though. There's this energy about you. It's different. I can see why you're so passionate about your films—you put all of yourself into everything you do."

For a moment, the weight of his words hung between them, and Kyra felt her breath catch. She wasn't used to being seen so clearly, to having someone understand her with such simplicity.

"Well, I guess that's what happens when you follow what you love," she said softly, her gaze dropping to the ground for a moment before she looked back up. "It's rare to find people who get that. Most of the time, people think I'm just... overdoing it."

"I don't think you're overdoing anything," he said. "I think you're exactly where you need to be."

They were both quiet for a while, the sounds of the city blending into the background as they watched Coco play. Kyra's mind raced, wondering if Shubman felt the same pull she did—this quiet connection that had somehow grown between them, unexpected and undeniable.

Just then, Coco trotted back over, her fur speckled with dirt, looking up at them as if to say she was ready to go home.

"Looks like she's had enough for the night," Kyra said, smiling as she bent down to reattach Coco's leash. 

As she straightened up, she found herself closer to Shubman than she had realized. Their eyes met, and for a second, the world seemed to still around them.

Shubman's gaze softened, and he reached up, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "You know, I didn't expect any of this," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Me neither," Kyra replied, her voice equally soft. "But... I'm glad."

He smiled, his hand lingering near her cheek for a brief moment before he dropped it, stepping back with a sigh. 

"So... coffee again sometime soon?" he asked, an easy grin slipping back onto his face, breaking the intensity of the moment.

Kyra laughed, nodding. "I'd like that."

As they walked back, Kyra couldn't help but feel like something had shifted between them—something unspoken yet undeniable. And in her heart, she knew that whatever this was, it was only just beginning.

The night after their walk lingered in Kyra's thoughts. She replayed every detail—Shubman's hand tucking her hair back, his quiet gaze, the warmth in his voice. 

That unspoken promise of something more had left her feeling both exhilarated and nervous. She tried to distract herself, diving into the mountain of editing work for her latest project, but Shubman's smile kept slipping into her mind.

Meanwhile, across the street in his flat, Shubman was feeling the same pull. Even as he went through his evening routine, his thoughts kept drifting back to Kyra. 

That moment in the park, when he'd brushed back her hair, had felt like crossing a line. He was drawn to her in a way that felt deeper than anything he'd known before.

The next day, as Kyra worked on the last bit of footage for her film, a message from Shubman popped up on her phone.

Shubman:
So... how's the editing going?

Kyra:
Good! Almost finished with the draft. It's been one long day, though.

Shubman:
Then I think it's time for a break. How about I bring over some chai?

Kyra smiled, her exhaustion instantly melting at the thought.

Kyra:
Chai sounds perfect.

An hour later, she heard a soft knock on her door. When she opened it, Shubman was standing there with two cups of steaming chai, grinning like he'd just completed a grand mission.

"Your chai delivery has arrived," he said, handing her a cup with a dramatic bow.

"Why, thank you, kind sir," she replied, playing along with a grin as she took the cup. She stepped back, motioning for him to come in.

The flat was still partially cluttered with unpacked boxes, a testament to Kyra's busy schedule, but Shubman didn't seem to mind. 

He looked around, taking in the array of posters, photos, and film equipment scattered throughout the room, while Coco trotted up to him, sniffing curiously before giving him a warm nudge.

"This place is so you," he said, taking a seat on the couch and giving Coco a few friendly pats. "Feels like I've walked into a mini film studio."

Kyra chuckled, sitting down across from him. "Yeah, I've been trying to make it cozy. It's not perfect yet, but... it's getting there."

They sipped their chai in comfortable silence, and after a few moments, Shubman spoke up. "So, tell me about this project you're working on. Is it one of those artsy, serious films?"

She smiled, sensing the playful challenge in his voice. "Not exactly. It's more of a documentary-style film, about street artists in Mumbai. Their stories, the challenges they face, and what art means to them. It's intense, but... I love it. I get to learn so much from them."

Shubman's eyes softened as he listened. "That sounds amazing. You're bringing their stories to life—showing people a whole world they wouldn't normally see."

Kyra nodded, feeling a surge of pride in her work. "That's the goal. I want people to feel something when they watch it, even if it's just for a moment."

Shubman set his cup down, leaning forward slightly. "I have no doubt they will. You have this... way about you, Kyra. You make people feel like they matter, like they're seen."

Kyra's cheeks warmed at his words, and she looked down, smiling to herself. "Thank you. That means a lot coming from you."

They sat there, cocooned in the warmth of the moment. Coco had settled by Shubman's feet, resting her head on his shoes as though she'd claimed him as her new friend. 

Kyra reached down and gave her a gentle scratch behind the ears.

Shubman looked around the room again, his gaze lingering on the stack of boxes against the wall. "Need any help unpacking those?"

Kyra laughed, shaking her head. "I don't want to put you to work. You've already brought chai."

"Chai delivery and box duty. I'm a multitasking pro," he replied with a smirk.

Before she could protest, he stood up and walked over to the nearest box, lifting the lid to peek inside. 

He held up a tattered, dog-eared copy of Pride and Prejudice, raising an eyebrow at her. "A classic."

Kyra rolled her eyes playfully. "It's one of my favourites, okay? Jane Austen has some wisdom to offer, even if it's from two centuries ago."

"Of course, of course," Shubman said, pretending to examine the book seriously. "And let me guess—Mr. Darcy is the ideal man?"

Kyra burst out laughing. "Not even close! Mr. Darcy is overrated. I'm more about Elizabeth and her resilience. She's the one who keeps everyone grounded."

Shubman chuckled, tucking the book back into the box. "Noted. Strong female leads only for Ms. Mahalakshmi."

They continued unpacking, Shubman occasionally pulling out random items and making up silly backstories for them, much to Kyra's amusement. 

She found herself relaxing, forgetting about the stress of her film and the nerves that came with her move. Being with him felt effortless.

Eventually, they found themselves on the couch again, with Coco curled up between them, fast asleep.

"Thank you," Kyra said quietly, glancing over at Shubman. "For today. For being here."

He looked at her, his expression softening. "Anytime, Kyra. Really."

There was a pause, a quiet moment where they simply looked at each other. It was as if the world had narrowed down to this room, to the shared heartbeat between them.

"You know," Shubman said softly, breaking the silence, "I didn't expect any of this. Meeting you, feeling this... whatever this is." He hesitated, his eyes holding hers. "But I'm glad I did."

Kyra's heart raced, but she smiled, her gaze never wavering. "Me too."

They sat there in silence, the unspoken understanding growing between them.

Neither of them knew where this would lead, but in that moment, it didn't matter. They had each other, and that was enough.

Kyra felt the weight of Shubman's words settle between them, grounding and warming her in a way she hadn't anticipated.

She glanced down at Coco, sleeping peacefully on the couch, and realized she was grateful for every twist that had led her here—to this quiet evening, this newfound comfort, and Shubman's steady presence beside her.

"Okay," she said, breaking the silence with a small laugh, "let's play a game. I need a mental break from editing and unpacking."

Shubman raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Alright, I'm game. What did you have in mind?"

"Rapid-fire questions," Kyra replied, grinning.

"But no thinking—just answer whatever comes to mind first. Deal?"

"Deal," he said, matching her grin.

She leaned back, crossing her arms as she thought of her first question. "Favorite ice cream flavor?"

"Chocolate fudge."

"Favorite movie?"

"Rocky."

"Last time you cried?"

Shubman hesitated for just a split second, then shrugged, "Last week, rewatching Chak De! India."

Kyra laughed. "Okay, okay, I'll let that one slide. Um... last person you texted?"

"You." He smiled, watching as a blush crept up her cheeks.

"Alright, my turn," he said, leaning forward with a mischievous gleam in his eyes.

"What's something you're afraid of?"

Kyra exhaled slowly, caught off guard.

"Hmm... not being good enough," she admitted quietly, surprised by her own honesty.

She hadn't meant to say that out loud.

Shubman's gaze softened, and he nodded in understanding. "I get that. But for what it's worth, I think you're more than enough."

Kyra felt her cheeks flush again, the vulnerability of the moment heavy between them. Before she could respond, he threw out his next question. "First crush?"

"Easy. Hrithik Roshan. Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai era," she answered, laughing.

Shubman groaned, shaking his head. "I can't compete with that guy."

"Oh, please. You're not bad yourself," she teased, nudging his shoulder playfully.

They continued like this, trading questions back and forth, peeling back layers of each other's lives in playful snippets.

They shared childhood stories, embarrassing moments, and dreams for the future.

With each answer, they felt the distance between them shrink, like a veil lifting to reveal an unexpected intimacy.

Hours passed unnoticed, the world outside their little cocoon forgotten.

Finally, they lapsed into a comfortable silence, just listening to the gentle sounds of the city filtering through the window.

"Hey," Shubman murmured after a while, his voice softer than before. "Can I ask you something?"

Kyra turned to him, her eyes searching his. "Anything."

"Why did you move here?" he asked, his tone laced with curiosity and something else—something deeper.

Kyra took a deep breath, her fingers tracing the edge of her mug.

"I needed a change. My old place was... it held a lot of memories, you know? It was like I was living in a constant reminder of things I needed to let go of. Here, I feel like I can start fresh, just me and Coco. And," she added, glancing at him with a shy smile, "I get to be closer to you."

Shubman's heart skipped a beat at her words.

He hadn't expected her to be so direct, but he liked it. More than that, he admired it.

"Well, then," he said, his voice barely a whisper, "I'm really glad you're here."

They stayed like that, leaning closer than before, feeling the pull that had been building between them for weeks.

Shubman reached out, his hand finding hers. Their fingers intertwined effortlessly as if they had always fit together.

"Kyra," he whispered, his voice full of unspoken promises.

She looked up at him, her gaze warm and open, and for a moment, everything else faded away.

He leaned in slowly, giving her every chance to pull back, but she didn't move. Her eyes closed as his lips met hers in a gentle, lingering kiss, one that spoke of all the words they hadn't yet said. 

It was soft, and tentative, but filled with a sense of belonging.

When they finally pulled back, they just smiled at each other, basking in the quiet magic of the moment. 

Coco stirred beside them, as if to remind them of her presence, and they both laughed, breaking the spell in the best possible way.

"Guess I'd better go before she gets jealous," Shubman said, giving Coco a playful scratch behind her ears.

Kyra walked him to the door, her heart feeling impossibly light.

"Thank you, Shubman," she whispered, her voice filled with a mixture of gratitude and something much deeper.

He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, his gaze lingering. "Anytime. I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Definitely," she replied, her smile growing.

As he left, Kyra closed the door, leaning against it with a smile that refused to fade.

She realized, in that moment, that this new chapter—this unexpected, beautifully tangled connection—was exactly the fresh start she'd been searching for.

soup rants!

- hello everyone!

- I hope you guys are having a great day so far, and I also hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!

- they're so cute, i wanna cry!

- also comments on the chapter?

- i hope you guys liked this one!

- with lots of love, supraja 🫶