The next morning dawned softly, with the first light of day gently filtering through the curtains of Thalia's bedroom. Shubman and Thalia were still nestled together in bed, their outfits from the previous day-the elegant black saree and the tailored suit-crumpled slightly from their restful night.

As sunlight streamed into the room, Thalia stirred slowly, her eyes fluttering open. She blinked a few times, the remnants of sleep lingering as she became aware of Shubman's warmth beside her. The softness of the bed and the comforting presence of Shubman made it hard to fully wake up.

She stretched slightly, her saree shifting around her as she moved. The fabric, though still draped gracefully, had become slightly dishevelled overnight.

Thalia's gaze fell on Shubman, who was still deep in sleep, his breathing steady and calm. His suit was rumpled, but he looked relaxed and peaceful.

Thalia smiled softly, taking in the sight of him. Despite the previous day's chaos, it felt comforting to wake up beside him.

She decided to let him sleep a little longer and gently untangled herself from his embrace, being careful not to disturb him.

With a yawn, Thalia sat up and ran her fingers through her hair, which had become slightly tousled.

She glanced at the clock on the bedside table and realized they had slept in later than usual. She needed to get up and start the day, but she didn't want to leave Shubman alone.

Quietly, she slipped out of bed, the saree trailing behind her as she moved. The saree was a beautiful black, adorned with intricate patterns, but after a night of sleep, it was slightly rumpled.

Thalia tried to smooth it out as best as she could while she made her way to the bathroom.

As she entered the bathroom and closed the door behind her, she began to freshen up, removing her makeup from the night before and reapplying a bit of lip gloss to give her a refreshed look.

She loves her lipgloss okay?

She enjoyed the quiet moment alone, reflecting on the events of the previous day and the future they were building together.

After a quick shower and a change into a comfortable but still stylish outfit-a simple pair of joggers and a top-Thalia returned to the bedroom. She was surprised to find Shubman already awake, his eyes open and watching her with a lazy smile.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," Thalia said with a grin, her voice light and cheerful. "I thought I'd let you sleep a bit longer. Looks like you're already up."

Shubman stretched his arms above his head, his suit looking even more rumpled now.

"Morning, gorgeous," he replied, his voice thick with sleep but affectionate. "I was hoping you'd wake me up with a kiss, but I guess I'll just have to settle for your lovely smile."

Thalia laughed softly, walking back to the bed and sitting beside him. "Well, you're lucky you woke up at all. I was trying not to disturb you."

Shubman leaned in, placing a soft kiss on her cheek. "I'm glad you did. I could use a bit of your morning charm."

Thalia's smile widened as she looked at him, her eyes sparkling with affection. "You're such a charmer yourself. But seriously, we need to figure out what we're doing today. We've got to get out of these outfits eventually."

Shubman chuckled, rubbing his eyes and sitting up. "Yeah, these suits are starting to feel a bit too formal for a lazy morning. Maybe we can grab some breakfast and then plan out the rest of our day."

Thalia nodded, her gaze lingering on him as she picked up her phone from the bedside table. "Sounds like a plan. I'm starving, and I bet you are too."

Shubman grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Definitely. Let's get some food and then figure out our next move. And who knows, maybe we'll end up with a fun adventure or two."

They both laughed, the atmosphere in the room light and easy. Shubman got out of bed, his suit looking even more dishevelled now that he was moving around. He quickly made his way to the bathroom to freshen up, leaving Thalia to make a quick call to arrange for breakfast.

As Shubman emerged from the bathroom, now looking slightly more presentable, Thalia had managed to arrange a breakfast delivery.

The aroma of fresh coffee and pastries filled the room, and they both eagerly dug in, enjoying the simple pleasure of a shared meal.

Over breakfast, they chatted about their plans for the day, discussing everything from potential outings to how they wanted to spend their time together.

The previous day's events had brought them even closer, and they both felt a renewed sense of excitement about their future.

As they finished their breakfast, Shubman looked at Thalia with a playful glint in his eyes. "So, what's on the agenda for today, my love? Any grand plans, or are we just going to play it by ear?"

Thalia leaned back in her chair, her eyes thoughtful. "Let's see where the day takes us. We've had a lot of excitement lately, so a bit of spontaneity sounds perfect."

Shubman smiled, his heart full of affection. "Spontaneity it is. Let's make today as memorable as the last few days have been."

Thalia was finishing up in the kitchen, tidying away the breakfast dishes when she remembered that Shubman had left some of his clothes in the guest room the last time he stayed over.

Thinking he might want to change into something more comfortable, she decided to bring them to him. With a small bundle of his clothes in her hands, she made her way to the guest room.

She didn't bother knocking, assuming he was still finishing up his breakfast in the living room. But as she pushed open the door, she stopped dead in her tracks, her breath catching in her throat.

Shubman stood in the middle of the room, his shirt off, revealing the defined muscles of his chest and abs. His belt was unbuckled, and the button of his pants was undone, the fabric hanging low on his hips.

He was in the process of pulling on a fresh shirt when he noticed her standing in the doorway, wide-eyed and frozen.

For a split second, neither of them moved. The room was filled with a charged silence, and then Shubman broke into a slow, mischievous grin, his eyes glinting with amusement.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" he drawled, his voice low and teasing. "Enjoying the view, Lia?"

Thalia's cheeks flushed a deep red as she quickly averted her gaze, her heart pounding in her chest.

"I-uh-I didn't mean to walk in on you like that," she stammered, struggling to find her words. "I just thought I'd bring you your clothes."

Shubman chuckled, the sound deep and rich, as he sauntered over to her, shirt still in hand. "No need to apologize, sweetheart. You're welcome to walk in on me anytime."

He winked at her, his tone playful but with an underlying heat that made her stomach flutter.

Thalia tried to focus on anything other than the fact that he was standing so close to her, half-dressed and ridiculously attractive.

She shoved the bundle of clothes into his chest, her gaze still pointedly avoiding his. "Here," she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

He took the clothes from her, but instead of stepping back, he leaned in closer, his warm breath fanning across her cheek.

"You know, if you keep blushing like that, I might start to think you like what you see," he teased, his tone dripping with flirtation.

Thalia finally managed to look up at him, her eyes locking onto his. She swallowed hard, trying to ignore the way her pulse raced at his proximity.

"You wish," she shot back, trying to sound more confident than she felt.

Shubman's grin widened, clearly enjoying her flustered state. "Oh, I know you do, babe," he said, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. "And don't worry, the feeling's mutual."

Her eyes widened at his boldness, her mind momentarily blank. Before she could muster a response, he stepped back, giving her space to breathe.

He pulled on the shirt, the muscles of his back flexing as he did, but he didn't bother buttoning it up. Instead, he leaned against the doorframe, watching her with a mixture of amusement and something more intense.

"You know," he began, his tone more serious but still warm, "we're going to be engaged soon. You're going to have to get used to seeing me like this."

Thalia's heart skipped a beat at the mention of their upcoming engagement.

It was a topic they had only recently started discussing seriously, but the idea of spending the rest of her life with Shubman had already taken root in her heart.

The thought of being his fiancée, and eventually his wife, made her feel both excited and nervous.

She bit her lip, trying to gather her thoughts. "I guess I'll have to," she finally replied, her voice softening. "But you could at least give me a warning next time."

Shubman chuckled, pushing himself off the doorframe and stepping closer to her again.

"Where's the fun in that?" he murmured, reaching out to tuck a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered on her skin, sending a shiver down her spine.

"Besides, I like catching you off guard. You're even cuter when you're flustered."

Thalia rolled her eyes, trying to play it cool, but the warmth in his gaze made it difficult. "You're impossible," she muttered, though there was no real annoyance in her tone.

"And you love it," he countered smoothly, his lips curling into that signature smirk that always made her heart skip a beat.

She shook her head, unable to keep the smile off her face. "I guess I do," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Shubman's expression softened, and he reached out to take her hand, pulling her closer to him. "I mean it, Thalia," he said, his voice low and earnest now.

"I'm really looking forward to us being together-officially, I mean. You and me, starting a new chapter. It feels right."

Thalia looked up at him, her heart swelling with affection. She squeezed his hand, stepping closer until there was barely any space between them.

"It does," she agreed softly. "And as much as you drive me crazy, I wouldn't want it any other way."

Shubman's eyes sparkled with affection and a hint of something deeper. He leaned in, his lips brushing against her forehead in a gentle kiss.

"Good," he murmured against her skin. "Because I plan on driving you crazy for the rest of our lives."

Thalia laughed softly, the sound filled with both joy and contentment. She wrapped her arms around his waist, leaning into him as she pressed her cheek against his chest.

"You're such an idiot," she said, her voice muffled by his shirt.

"But I'm your idiot," he replied, his tone playful yet sincere.

"I should call Ridhanya," she muttered, more to herself than to him. "She's going to freak out when I tell her about all this."

Before she could make a move to grab her phone, Shubman tightened his grip on her waist, smirking as he looked down at her. "Hold on a second, babe," he said, his tone a mix of amusement and something more serious. "Before you do that, there's something you should know."

Thalia raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "What is it?" she asked, tilting her head to the side.

Shubman sighed, his smirk fading into a more thoughtful expression. "So, I was scrolling through my phone earlier, and I saw an article about us," he explained, his eyes locking onto hers. "Apparently, there's already talk about our engagement."

Thalia's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, what? Already?" she exclaimed, her mind racing. "But we haven't even officially announced anything yet!"

Shubman nodded, a slight frown creasing his forehead. "Yeah, I know. It's crazy how fast these things spread. The article was full of speculation, but they seem pretty convinced that we're going to make it official soon."

Thalia blinked, processing the information. "Did they mention anything else?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Shubman hesitated for a moment before answering. "They talked about how close we've always been, how we're practically inseparable," he said, his tone softening.

"And, of course, they threw in a few pictures of us together-nothing too invasive, but still, it's out there."

Thalia sighed, feeling a mix of emotions. "I guess it was only a matter of time before people started talking," she murmured, leaning back into his embrace. "But it still feels a bit surreal, you know?"

Shubman nodded, resting his chin on top of her head. "Yeah, it does," he agreed quietly. "But honestly, I'm not too bothered by it. If anything, it just makes me more sure that we're doing the right thing."

Thalia looked up at him, a small smile playing on her lips. "You're not worried about the attention?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

He shook his head, his eyes warm and steady. "Not really," he replied, his voice calm and reassuring.

"As long as we're on the same page, that's all that matters to me. Let them talk-it won't change how I feel about you."

Thalia's heart swelled with affection, and she couldn't help but smile. "You always know what to say, don't you?" she teased lightly, feeling a sense of peace settle over her.

Shubman chuckled, leaning down to press a soft kiss to her forehead. "Only when it comes to you, Lia," he murmured, his voice filled with affection.

"Now, go ahead and call Ridhanya. I'm sure she's dying to hear all the juicy details."

Thalia laughed, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "Alright, alright," she said, pulling away from him just enough to reach for her phone.

"But don't think you're off the hook, mister. We still have a lot to talk about."

Shubman raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eyes. "Oh? Like what?" he asked, clearly intrigued.

Thalia shot him a mock-serious look as she dialled Ridhanya's number. "Like how you're going to survive meeting my family during Diwali now that they're all going to be buzzing about our 'engagement'," she teased, her tone light and teasing.

Shubman laughed, the sound rich and warm. "Bring it on, babe," he said confidently. "I'm ready for whatever comes our way."

Thalia couldn't help but grin as she held the phone to her ear, waiting for Ridhanya to pick up. As the phone rang, she glanced back at Shubman, feeling a sense of excitement and anticipation building within her.

In her chic office in the heart of the city, Ridhanya Shekar was knee-deep in work, her sleek desk cluttered with fabric swatches, sketches, and a half-finished cup of coffee.

As a successful fashion entrepreneur, she was used to juggling multiple tasks and deadlines, but today, her attention was momentarily diverted by the buzzing of her phone.

The screen lit up with Thalia's name, and Ridhanya's eyes widened with excitement. She quickly swiped to answer, her fingers flying over the screen as she took a sip of her coffee.

"Hey, Thalia!" she said cheerfully. "What's up? You better have some juicy gossip for me."

On the other end, Thalia's voice came through with an undertone of nervous excitement. "Ridhanya, you're not going to believe this-I'm getting engaged to Shubman soon!"

The words hit Ridhanya like a splash of cold water, and she nearly choked on her coffee. She scrambled to set the cup down before it could spill all over her desk.

"What the actual fuck?!" she exclaimed, her voice a mix of disbelief and elation. "Are you serious right now?"

Thalia chuckled at Ridhanya's reaction. "Yeah, I'm serious. It's been decided. We're going to get engaged soon."

Ridhanya's brain seemed to short-circuit for a moment, her thoughts racing as she tried to process the news.

"Oh my god, Thalia! This is insane! I can't believe it! We're going to have a wedding to plan!" she yelled, her voice rising in excitement. "Let's go wedding!"

"Wait, hold up," Ridhanya continued, her tone shifting to one of incredulity. "You two were dating and didn't tell me? I mean, I'm supposed to be your best friend! What the hell?"

Thalia laughed, clearly amused by Ridhanya's over-the-top reaction. "We weren't actually dating, Ridhanya. It's more like we've decided to get engaged based on the fact that our families are pushing for it and we've known each other forever. It's... complicated."

Ridhanya's mouth dropped open in shock, her eyes wide as she tried to piece together the information.

"Wait, so you're telling me you're getting engaged to Shubman, who I thought was just your childhood friend, and you weren't even dating before this?!"

Her voice was a mixture of astonishment and frustration. "What the hell, Thalia?"

"Yep," Thalia replied, trying to keep her tone light despite the whirlwind of emotions. "It's kind of a crazy situation. We agreed to it after talking things over, and now it's all happening."

Ridhanya ran a hand through her hair, looking both bewildered and thrilled. "I need a fucking drink," she muttered to herself before speaking into the phone again.

"This is just... wow. I need to process this. Aditya and I are planning on coming over to visit you guys this weekend, but now this changes everything!"

"Oh, tell Aditya too!" Thalia said, her voice tinged with laughter. "He's going to be just as shocked as you are. Maybe even more."

Ridhanya's mind was racing, trying to shift gears from shock to planning. "You know what?" she said, a new determination in her voice.

"Forget about the weekend visit. We need to get together ASAP. I need to see you both and start planning this shit."

Thalia laughed, her voice filled with warmth. "I'm looking forward to it. And don't worry, we'll fill you in on all the details."

Ridhanya took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure. "Alright, alright," she said, her voice steadier now.

"I'm gonna need all the details. And don't think I'm letting you off the hook for not telling me sooner. We have some serious catching up to do."

Thalia chuckled, her mood light and happy. "Deal. I'll talk to you soon. And try not to spill any more coffee in your excitement."

Ridhanya laughed, her stress from work momentarily forgotten. "Will do. And congrats, by the way. This is going to be one hell of a ride."

As they said their goodbyes and ended the call, Ridhanya sat back in her chair, her mind already racing with thoughts. She glanced at her phone screen, still showing Thalia's contact information, and shook her head with a smile.

"Shubman and Thalia," she murmured to herself. "This is going to be one crazy, fabulous engagement."

With that, Ridhanya stood up, grabbed her coffee cup, and walked out of her office, ready to share the shocking news with Aditya and start planning the engagement of the year.

Ridhanya was deep in thought, her mind swirling with the whirlwind of Thalia and Shubman's engagement news, when the office door swung open. She looked up, momentarily startled, as Aditya Roy walked in with a warm, knowing smile.

Aditya was the epitome of effortless charm in his crisp, navy-blue blazer and tailored dark jeans, with a casual white shirt underneath that clung just enough to hint at the muscles beneath.

His sharp eyes and confident stride made him instantly recognizable, and the bouquet of white tulips and a bowl of Tibetan chicken thukpa in his hands only added to his commanding presence.

"Hey, beautiful," Aditya greeted, his voice deep and smooth as he approached her desk. "I thought I'd surprise you with your favourite lunch."

Ridhanya's eyes widened as she took in the sight of the bowl of thukpa and the delicate bouquet of tulips. Her jaw nearly dropped as she sprang from her chair, a mixture of excitement and disbelief dancing across her face.

"Aditya! What are you doing here?" she exclaimed, her voice a blend of surprise and joy. "You know how much I love thukpa!"

Aditya grinned, his eyes twinkling with affection. "I know," he said, placing the bowl and bouquet on her desk with a flourish.

"I figured you could use a little pick-me-up, especially with all the craziness going on."

Ridhanya's gaze shifted from the food to the bouquet, her heart fluttering. "Oh my god, these tulips are gorgeous," she said, reaching out to touch the flowers. "You really know how to make a girl feel special."

Aditya chuckled, his voice rich with warmth. "Anything for you, my love," he said, leaning in to kiss her on the cheek.

"Now, tell me what's got you all worked up. You sounded like you were on the verge of a meltdown when you called."

Ridhanya bit her lip, her mind racing as she tried to find the right words. "You won't believe it," she said, her voice a mix of excitement and disbelief. "Thalia just called me. She's getting engaged to Shubman!"

Aditya's eyebrows shot up in surprise, his expression shifting from casual amusement to genuine shock. "Wait, what?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. "Shubman? As in the same Shubman we know?"

"The very same," Ridhanya confirmed, her hands waving animatedly. "Apparently, they're not even dating but decided to get engaged because of family pressure. It's insane."

Aditya shook his head, clearly amused and slightly bewildered. "Well, that's certainly a twist," he said, chuckling. "I didn't see that coming. But hey, if they're happy and it works for them, I'm all for it."

"Yeah, it's just-" Ridhanya began, her excitement spilling over. "I need to start planning. I mean, this is huge! We need to throw an engagement party, make sure everything is perfect. I've got so many ideas!"

Aditya's eyes softened as he watched her, clearly enjoying her enthusiasm.

"You're going to be amazing at it, as always," he said, reaching out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"And don't worry about a thing. We'll make sure this is the most unforgettable engagement ever."

Ridhanya looked at him, her heart swelling with affection. "You're the best, Aditya," she said, her voice filled with gratitude. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Aditya grinned, his expression mischievous. "Well, I'm not going anywhere," he said, his tone playful. "Now, how about we dig into this thukpa before it gets cold?"

Ridhanya's stomach rumbled at the thought, and she eagerly nodded.

"Yes, please! I'm starving," she said, grabbing a spoon and sitting down at her desk.

As they began to enjoy the lunch, the office buzzed with a renewed energy. Aditya's presence brought a much-needed distraction from the whirlwind of engagement planning, and Ridhanya was grateful for the grounding normalcy he provided.

"So, what's next?" Aditya asked between bites of thukpa, his tone casual but curious.

"Are you going to start drafting wedding plans or should I expect to see you elbow-deep in fabric swatches soon?"

Ridhanya laughed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Both, probably," she admitted her voice light and teasing. "I've got a list a mile long. But first, I need to call Thalia and make sure she's not getting overwhelmed."

Aditya raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk on his lips.

"And here I thought you'd be the one to get overwhelmed first," he teased. "You're always so calm and collected."

"Oh, trust me," Ridhanya replied, her tone dramatic. "I'm a bundle of nerves inside. But don't worry, I'll handle it. Just you wait."

As they continued their meal, the conversation flowed easily, filled with laughter and lighthearted teasing.

Aditya's surprise visit had brought a much-needed dose of normalcy and joy into Ridhanya's hectic day, and she couldn't help but feel grateful for his support.

By the time they finished their lunch, Ridhanya was buzzing with energy and ideas. "Thanks for the amazing lunch and the tulips," she said, leaning over to give Aditya a quick kiss.

"You really made my day."

Aditya smiled, his eyes warm and affectionate. "Anytime, love," he said, standing up and helping her clean up.

"Now go on and tackle that wedding planning. I'll be here to support you every step of the way."

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

- adi and ridha are so precious

- I thought, this chapter, might make up for the angst in the previous chapter

- also comments on the chapter?

- I hope you guys liked this one!

- with lots of love, supraja 🫶