London was huge, and Noor's heart was pounding as she took in the beauty of the city. It was her first time out of the country, and the city's beauty left her in awe.

Pulling her closer by the waist, Shubman whispered, "Do you like it?"

Noor smiled, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "It's amazing," she replied, barely able to contain her enthusiasm. "I've never seen anything like it."

Shubman grinned, happy to see her so delighted. "There's so much to explore," he said. "Where do you want to go first?"

Noor glanced around, trying to decide. "I want to see everything," she said. "The museums, the parks, the famous landmarks... all of it!"

"Then let's get started," Shubman said, taking her hand. "We've got a whole city to discover."

Resting her head on his biceps, Noor squinted her eyes, considering. "How about museums first? I want to get some ideas for designs."

Shubman nodded eagerly. "Yes, I even want to see some paintings, and ideas for our new home."

Noor raised her eyebrows, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Our home?"

Shubman shrugged, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Yes, our home. If we're going to marry, it's going to be our home."

Noor chuckled and playfully hit his arm. "Calm down, Kaake. We're still not married; we're just exploring the relationship."

Shubman's expression shifted, a slight frown appearing as he pouted. "Don't you believe it will turn into marriage?"

Noor sighed, her tone gentle but firm. "It's not that, Shubman. Let's not jump to conclusions too soon. We should take it slow and enjoy each step as it comes."

Shubman's expression softened as he nodded, not wanting to ruin the mood. "Fine, Kudiye." But despite his agreement, his mind was occupied with a nagging thought: didn't she believe in them?

Noor sensed his uncertainty and reached for his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I believe in us, Shubman," she said softly. "Let's just focus on building something beautiful together, one day at a time."

Leaning down, Shubman kissed her forehead, letting his lips linger there for a moment before pulling back slightly. "You know how to set my mood right, Noori," he whispered, a smile playing on his lips.

With a mischievous glint in her eye, Noor reached up and gently flicked Shubman's nose. "And you," she teased, "know how to make me smile, even on the cloudiest days."

Shubman chuckled and caught her finger in his hand, bringing it to his lips for a soft kiss. "Let's go," he said with a grin, "we've got so much to explore."

Noor was completely captivated by each creation, entering a trance-like state as she observed every piece of art. Shubman had to hold her hand tightly, or else she might have gotten lost in the crowd. With her tongue poking out of her mouth in concentration, she tried to commit the paintings to memory, hoping to draw inspiration for something unique. Shubman couldn't help but laugh as he watched her focused expression, amused by her determination to absorb every detail.

As Noor immersed herself in the world of art, Shubman couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration for her passion and creativity. He leaned in close, whispering in her ear, "You know, Noor, you're just like those paintings – unique, captivating, and full of beauty."

Noor rolled her eyes at him, her attention still fixed on the painting in front of her. "You gotta stop with the flirting," she said, a hint of exasperation in her voice. "It makes me feel weird. I love those small, sweet gestures of love, but flirting just feels strange, especially since you're my best friend."

Shubman huffed, feeling a tad offended. He gently turned her around to face him. "Girls usually love my flirting," he insisted, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "But here you are, busy admiring the artwork when there's me, who's an artwork in himself."

Noor smirked, teasingly taunting, "Then let's keep you here for everyone to see."

Shubman narrowed his eyes, a hint of frustration in his voice. "If we're done here, let's go. We've got a lot of places to explore."

Noor smirked in response, her tone teasing. "Sure, grumpy pants," she replied, making him whine. During further exploration, Shubman wore a pout on his lips, still slightly miffed by Noor's teasing.

As they continued exploring, Noor noticed Shubman's pout gradually giving way to a warm smile. He seemed eager to show her around, pointing out interesting landmarks and sharing anecdotes about the city's history. Noor couldn't help but be touched by his enthusiasm, realizing that despite his initial annoyance, he was genuinely enjoying their time together.

At one point, they stumbled upon a quaint café tucked away in a quiet alley. Shubman's eyes lit up as he suggested they stop for a cup of coffee. Noor agreed, and as they sat sipping their drinks, she couldn't help but marvel at how effortlessly they complemented each other.

Noor noticed a faint moustache forming on Shubman's lips. She instinctively turned around and, using her thumb, gently wiped it away. Unbeknownst to her, the simple act had a profound effect on Gill. He closed his eyes, savouring the softness of her touch against his skin.

Noor watched as Shubman leaned in closer, her heart skipping a beat as their lips hovered mere inches apart. As he opened his eyes, their gaze locked, his brown ones meeting her blue ones with an intensity that sent shivers down her spine.

His gaze then drifted down, and Noor felt a rush of self-consciousness as she realized he was observing her attire. She hadn't noticed earlier, but she was clad in blue shorts and a black shirt, a departure from her usual attire in Chandigarh. It was a rare sight for him to see her in Western clothing since they had grown up.

Her eyes, blue like the ocean, held a depth that seemed to draw him in, their captivating allure entrancing him like a sailor lost at sea. Meanwhile, his lips felt dry, like a wanderer in a desert yearning for permission to quench his thirst in the oasis of her lips.

With a feather-light touch, she caressed his cheek, her fingertip tracing a path of tenderness along his skin. Leaning forward, she captured his lips in a kiss that was more than just a meeting of mouths—it was a convergence of souls.

In that instant, it was as if the universe held its breath, the air crackling with an electric energy that pulsed between them. Their kiss was a symphony of contrasts: her softness against his strength, her warmth against his coolness. It was a moment suspended in time, where the boundaries between them dissolved, and they became one.

He gently pulled her onto his lap, their bodies seeking solace in the closeness of each other. As they parted, both gasping for breath, she kept her eyes closed, lost in the aftermath of their intimate moment. He watched her intently, his own heartbeat echoing the rhythm of hers, as her forehead rested against his cheek, her breath coming in heavy, uneven gasps.

Biting her lip, she hesitated before asking, "Would it be embarrassing if I admit that I've never been kissed before?"

Shubman's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, what? You haven't?" Noor, feeling embarrassed, nodded silently, unable to meet his gaze as she played with the hem of her shirt.

Pulling her chin up gently, Shubman met Noor's eyes with tenderness. "So, I was the lucky one to explore those lips," he murmured, a warm smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Noor looked at him, a rosy hue forming on her cheeks, as she voiced out in a small, breathy voice, "Yes." It was almost a whisper, filled with a mix of nervousness and anticipation.

Shubman's heart skipped a beat at her admission, his gaze softening even more as he leaned in closer. "Well then," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, "let me make sure it's a kiss worth remembering." With that, he closed the distance between them, pressing his lips gently against hers in a kiss filled with tenderness and promise.

As their lips met, it was as if the world around them faded into oblivion. Instead, they found themselves immersed in a swirling vortex of colours and sensations. Each touch of their lips ignited a spark, sending ripples of electricity coursing through their bodies.

At that moment, they weren't just exchanging a kiss; they were exchanging pieces of their souls. It was a dance of energies, a merging of two beings into one. As they pulled away, breathless and exhilarated, they realized that they had just embarked on a journey beyond the confines of time and space—a journey into the depths of their connection, where every kiss was a gateway to infinity.

Shubman brushed his nose against hers, a tender gesture that conveyed more than words ever could. "I don't know what will happen to our relationship in a year," he began softly, "but right now, I know one thing for certain. I don't want to let go of my Noori, my entire childhood, and possibly my future."

Noor, holding the nape of his neck, touched her forehead to his. "If this is the fruit of my patience," she whispered, "then I'm glad I turned down all the others before."

"Rejected?" he asked, raising his eyebrows. Smiling, she finally mustered the courage to speak her heart. "Guess what? I was in love with my best friend so much that I had to turn down all those proposals," she confessed. Shubman widened his eyes in surprise. "And you were ready to let me go to Ghazal, even if you loved me?"

"I loved you, and I still do. I always will," Noor admitted, her voice soft but resolute. "I could see a different sort of happiness in your eyes when you talked about her. How could I be selfish and keep you to myself, even if you weren't happy? If letting you go to her brought you happiness, then I was ready to love you from afar, just like I had been doing all these years."

Shubman took Noor's hands and kissed her palm tenderly. "And I was so blinded by the idea of the perfect woman by my side that I never realized until now that while I was chasing stars, I had my moon beside me all along," he confessed, his voice filled with sincerity and regret.

Circling her arms around his neck, she whispered softly, "Moon... why this reference?" Her voice held a curious and gentle tone as she sought to understand the significance behind his metaphor.

"Because," he replied, his voice tender, "it's imperfectly perfect and is constantly in the night sky, just like you have been."

Noor chuckled and gently patted his cheeks. "Smooth, smooth," she teased. "That was quite smooth."

With a mischievous glint in his eye, he buried his face in her neck and pressed a kiss against her skin, causing her to shudder. "So, Noori, what do you say? Shall we take one more step?" he whispered teasingly.

In response, she slapped his back playfully. "Stop it, you pervert," she laughed, pulling his face back from her neck.

Shubman whined and pouted, causing Noor to narrow her eyes playfully while smiling. "We can't jump there, but at least one more kiss won't hurt," she remarked, cupping his cheeks gently as she leaned in, ready to savour his lips.

But just as their lips were about to meet, his ringtone interrupted with an annoying buzz, making him groan in frustration.

With a sigh of disappointment, Shubman reached into his pocket to check his phone. He swiped right to pick up the call, his expression shifting to one of resignation as he muttered a series of "sure," "yes," and "okay" responses, clearly not thrilled about the interruption to their moment together.

.As he kept his phone back, Noor questioned, "Who was it?" Shubman, placing the phone on the table, answered with a mischievous grin, "Your sautan." Noor's eyes widened in surprise, almost shouting, "What?" Shubman chuckled and clarified, "It was just Ishan."

Noor, her hands resting on her chest, let out a dramatic breath of relief. "The only sautan I approve of," she exclaimed.

*******

ᴄʜᴀᴘʟɪɴ ꜱᴘᴇᴀᴋꜱ

Hey there! 🌟 So, what did you think of the story? Did it keep you entertained? I'd love to hear your thoughts! What parts did you enjoy the most? Was there anything that stood out to you? Feel free to share your feedback – I'm all ears! 📚😊

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