Noor hugged the hot pad tightly, turning away from Shubman, not wanting to talk. Shubman huffed, flinging his hands in frustration. "Noor, I love you, but you can't just cheat and say I let you win because you're on your period," he said.

Noor stayed quiet, her back still to him, clearly upset.

"If you don't wanna talk, fine," Shubman said, his voice tight with frustration as he began packing up the game angrily. He shoved the pieces into the box with more force than necessary.

Noor didn’t move, still curled up with her back to him, but there was a faint sigh from her direction. Shubman glanced at her for a moment, his anger wavering, but he bit his tongue, deciding not to say anything more.

Mumma Gill entered the room with a sigh. "Why are you two fighting again?" she asked, her voice filled with concern as she looked between Noor and Shubman.

Shubman paused, his hands still holding the game pieces. "We’re not fighting," he muttered, but the frustration in his voice gave him away.

Noor stayed quiet, avoiding eye contact, while Mumma Gill crossed her arms, raising an eyebrow at them both. "It sure looks like you are," she said, waiting for an explanation.

Shubman shoved the game into the cupboard with a loud bang. "Well, she's saying I should let her win just because she's on her period," he said, his voice still brimming with frustration.

Mumma Gill rolled her eyes, grabbing Shubman by the ear and pulling him outside. "You're going to get married soon. You need to learn that some things are better let go of as a husband," she said firmly.

Shubman, widening his eyes, dramatically waved his finger. "No, no, I’m not doing that! She needs to learn sportsmanship. She’s going to be a cricketer’s wife," he insisted, still clearly upset.

Mumma Gill rubbed her temples in frustration and shook her head. "You can never grow up, can you?" she muttered, moving away from him.

Shubman just crossed his arms, still stubborn.

Mumma Gill sighed deeply, shaking her head as she watched her son, still standing there stubbornly, unwilling to back down. Without another word, she turned and walked off, her disappointment clear in every step.

Shubman scowled, still frustrated, and stomped back into the room. He glanced at Noor, who was still curled up on the bed with the hot pad. The silence between them was thick, and for a moment, neither of them said anything.

Shubman took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. "Noor, I didn’t mean to blow up like that," he mumbled, sitting on the edge of the couch. "But you know I don’t believe in letting someone win just because they’re not feeling great."

Noor ignored him, not saying a word, which only made Shubman pout in frustration. With a heavy sigh, he turned away from her and lay down on the other side of the bed, his back facing her.

Noor stood up, locking the door and switching off the lights. She was staying at his house for the night after weeks of not seeing each other. It had been a long time since the “lucky fiasco,” and despite their busy schedules, their reunion had quickly turned into another fight.

Noor turned Shubman around gently, positioning herself so she could cuddle against him. She wrapped her arms around him, seeking comfort and reconnection. However, Shubman remained stiff, not hugging her back. He turned his face away, clearly struggling with his feelings.

Noor felt a pang of sadness but continued to hold him, hoping her closeness would eventually soften his resistance.

Noor narrowed her eyes in frustration as he did not budge. She dipped her face into Shubman’s neck, gently kissing his soft spot.

Shubman’s breath caught for a moment, and though he still didn’t move, a subtle shift in his posture suggested that her affection was reaching him.

When Noor’s kisses reached the corner of Shubman's lips, he finally lost his composure. His emotions overwhelmed him, and he turned fully towards her, pulling her into a tight embrace.

As Shubman’s breathing grew heavy, Noor felt a smirk tug at the corner of her lips. She could sense the shift in his emotions and the way he was slowly letting go of his frustrations.

Noor moved towards Shubman’s ear, kissing his earlobe softly. She whispered playfully, "You can’t resist me, can you?"

Shubman grinned and teased, "But I’m still the game winner, not you."

Noor narrowed her eyes and huffed, ready to move out of his arms. But before she could, Shubman pulled her back, turning her onto her back.

Shubman began placing soft kisses on Noor’s cheeks, his breath warm against her skin. Whispering huskily, he said, "You know, no matter what, you’re still my favorite person to be with."

Noor hid a grin as she spoke, her voice soft and teasing. “Well, if you’re going to be sweet like this, I might just have to forgive you for not letting me win the game.”

Shubman chuckled, his eyes sparkling with affection. “I guess I’m lucky you’re so forgiving,” he replied, his smile widening as he continued to hold her close.

Noor traced her finger gently across Shubman's cheek, her touch tender and deliberate. She pulled him closer, their lips meeting in a deep, passionate kiss. As they kissed, both of them breathed heavily, lost in the intensity of the moment.

Shubman’s lips traveled down to Noor’s neck, and he softly kissed and sucked on the mole at the center of her throat. As he did, he murmured with a possessive tenderness, “My woman.”

Noor’s breath hitched at Shubman’s touch, her skin tingling from the warmth of his lips. She tilted her head slightly, giving him better access, and whispered, “Yes, yours.”

Shubman giggled softly, placing kisses on Noor, hoping for more of a reaction. "My wife," Shubman murmured, continuing to kiss her. Noor hummed contentedly, enjoying the affection, until Shubman added, "The mother of my children." Noor's eyes shot open in surprise as she blushed, realizing what she had just agreed to.

Noor's heart raced as she processed Shubman’s words, her cheeks growing warmer by the second. She playfully pushed him away, her lips curving into a shy smile. “Mother of your children, huh?” she teased, trying to hide her embarrassment.

Shubman chuckled, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “Well, it’s only a matter of time, right?” he said, pulling her back into his arms. Noor tried to protest, but the warmth of his embrace melted away her resistance.

She buried her face in his chest, laughing softly. “You can’t just say things like that!” she scolded him, her voice muffled against his t-shirt.

Shubman pressed his forehead against hers, giving her a playful kiss on the nose. "Why not?" he murmured with a grin. "We're getting married this year, and soon this cute little tummy of yours will be even chubbier—with our kids."

Noor’s eyes widened, and she let out a laugh, her cheeks flushing with a mixture of shyness and amusement. “You’re impossible,” she replied, shaking her head, though a part of her couldn’t help but imagine the future he was painting.

Shubman just chuckled, pulling her closer. "Impossible? Maybe. But I’m serious, Noor. I can't wait to build our life together."

Noor hugged him tighter as he lay beside her, her voice soft with curiosity. "Have you always been like this—flirty and gentle with girls? Or is it just me?" she asked, her gaze searching his face.

Shubman smiled, his fingers gently brushing through her hair. "It’s just you," he whispered, looking deeply into her eyes. "Just a mard with his pasandida aurat."

Noor's heart skipped a beat as he called her his pasandida aurat. Her cheeks warmed as she looked up at him, eyes shimmering with emotion. “You really love me that much?” she asked, her voice soft, almost as if she were afraid to hear the answer.

Shubman's gaze softened even more, his thumb gently caressing her cheek. “More than you’ll ever know,” he whispered. "You’re everything to me, Noor. I’ve never loved anyone like this."

Noor felt tears prickling at the corners of her eyes. "There was a time we used to play the roles of husband and wife just for fun," she whispered, her voice filled with wonder. "And now here we are, about to embrace it for real. I can’t believe it… someone needs to pinch me."

Shubman, with a mischievous grin, pinched Noor on her waist, making her yelp in surprise. She quickly slapped him playfully, laughing. “I swear, you are such a party pooper in emotional moments,” she said, shaking her head with a smile.

Shubman chuckled, rubbing the spot where she slapped him. “Guilty as charged,” he said, pulling her close again. “But I promise, I’ll always be here to keep things lively—even in the most emotional moments.”

Noor smiled and pecked Shubman's lips, but suddenly a sharp pain shot through her stomach. Her face paled, and she winced, pulling away slightly.

Shubman's expression turned to concern immediately. “What’s wrong?

Noor massaged her stomach, biting her lip. "It’s nothing much—just period pain," she said, trying to ease the discomfort. She grinned and added, "And it’s asking for ice cream."

Shubman’s eyes twinkled as he glanced at the clock, which read 12:30 a.m. “Let’s sneak out to our favorite ice cream parlor,” he suggested with a grin.

Noor’s face lit up with excitement. “Really? At this hour?” she asked.

“Yes, yes, at this hour, let’s go!” Shubman said, scooping Noor up in a bridal style. They moved out of the house quietly, making sure not to make any noise. Noor laughed softly, holding onto him as he carried her to the car.

Shubman carefully placed Noor in the passenger seat, then slid into the driver’s side. The car roared to life and they set off into the night.

They reached their favorite ice cream parlour, and Shubman quickly jumped out to grab their treats.

As Shubman ordered at the counter, the man behind it looked up with a smile. “Ah, you two are back again,” he said, his eyes twinkling. “Last time, you seemed like Devdas.”

Shubman chuckled, glancing at Noor with a grin. “That’s right. But tonight, we’re just here for a sweet treat.”

The man laughed and started preparing their order. “Well, I’m glad to see you’re in better spirits. Enjoy your ice cream!”

The man at the counter smiled as he watched Noor’s blue eyes light up with excitement when Shubman brought over the ice cream.

As the man closed up the shop, he hummed to himself, a cheerful tune filling the quiet night. “Young, young love, too sweet,” he sang softly.

He continued, his voice light and playful:

“Love that’s fresh and new,
Brings a sparkle to the view,
Hearts entwined in the moonlight,
Everything feels just right.”

With a final smile at the happy couple, he turned off the lights, the melody lingering in the air as he locked the door and headed out into the night.

Shubman looked at Noor as he ate his ice cream, a mischievous grin on his face. “Noor, give me a bite please.”

Noor rolled her eyes with a playful sigh. “It’s the same flavor, Kaake.”

“But I want to taste it from you,” he said with a wink, holding out his spoon.

Noor turned away, shaking her head . “No, I’m not giving you any. Sorry,” she said.

Shubman narrowed his eyes, knowing how he always enjoyed having a bite from Noor to make his dessert feel complete. With a determined look, he leaned over and deftly scooped a spoonful of ice cream from her bowl.

Noor scowled and whined, “Why do you always want my ice cream?”

“Because it makes my dessert complete,” Shubman said with a grin. “And don’t whine about it. Stop being such a kiddo.”

Noor growled and said, “It’s you who acts like a kid, wanting to have my ice cream even though it’s the same flavor.”

Shubman, holding her fingers gently, replied with a playful grin, “It’s not about the flavor, it’s about sharing it with you. It just makes it more special.”

Noor’s expression softened as she looked at him. “You and your reasons,” she said, though her tone was warmer.

After they finished their ice cream, Shubman and Noor decided to drive around the city. The streets were quiet at this hour, and the city lights cast a soft glow over everything. They rolled down the windows, letting the cool night breeze flow through the car.

They stopped in front of their old school, the building now quiet and still under the night sky. Shubman leaned against the car, his hands tucked into his pockets, while Noor peeked out from the window, gazing at the familiar yet transformed scene.

The school grounds were dimly lit by the occasional streetlight, and the usually bustling hallways were now eerily silent.

Both Noor and Shubman, standing in front of their old school, began to visualize their younger selves. They imagined walking hand in hand into the school premises, just as they used to.

In their minds, they saw the curious glances and whispered doubts from classmates, who often speculated about their relationship. Back then, their close friendship had sparked rumors, but in reality, they were just best friends.

As Noor and Shubman stood in front of their old school, the scene in their minds shifted, pulling them back to a time long past. They visualized their younger selves emerging from the building, clearly in the middle of a heated argument over something trivial.

“Young Noor’s voice rang out in frustration. “I can’t believe you forgot my project! I specifically told you about it!”

Young Shubman, his face reddened with irritation, retorted, “It’s not like it’s the end of the world, Noor. We can fix it later!”

“It was important to me!” Young Noor snapped back, her voice rising. “Why do you always have to act like it doesn’t matter?”

Young Shubman, his face flushed with anger, shouted, “I hate you!” before turning and walking away.

Young Noor stood there, her face a mix of hurt and disbelief. She struggled to hold back tears, her lower lip trembling as she watched him walk off.

In the days that followed the argument, Noor began to distance herself from Shubman. She changed seats in the classroom and started avoiding him, leaving Shubman feeling increasingly frustrated and confused. He watched from the sidelines as Noor chatted and laughed with other friends, while he remained on the outskirts, feeling the sting of her exclusion.

Shubman's anger grew as he saw his best friend interacting with others but deliberately ignoring him.

As the school day ended and students began to leave, Shubman found Noor in the crowded hallway. Determined to end the silence between them, he pulled her into a quiet corner, away from prying eyes. Without waiting for a response, he drew her into his arms, holding her firmly.

“Enough of being ignored,” he said, his voice intense but filled with a mix of frustration and vulnerability. “You’re my best friend, not anyone else. Even if we fight, you don’t get to avoid me.”

Noor’s breath hitched as she felt his embrace, the warmth of his body against hers making her every cell on fire.

Noor chuckled softly as she looked at Shubman in the present, shaking her head with a grin. “You know, with that stunt you pulled back then, my heart was doing somersaults.”

Shubman opened the car door and pulled Noor into his arms, just as he had done that day at school. With a husky voice and a tender gaze, he asked, “Does it still do that? Does your heart still do somersaults when I pull you close?”

Noor looked up at him, her eyes reflecting a mixture of affection and nostalgia. She smiled softly and nodded. “Yes,” she said quietly. “It still does. Even after all this time.”

Shubman gently held up Noor’s hand, his gaze focused on her ring finger. With a tender kiss on the unadorned finger, he sat down in front of her, his heart pounding with anticipation.

From his pocket, he pulled out a small velvet box, revealing the diamond ring he had bought just the week before. The ring shimmered inside the box, catching the light. He had carried it everywhere he went, contemplating the perfect moment to propose, waiting for the feeling to be just right. He opened the box slowly, revealing the ring’s brilliance.

Shubman took a deep breath, gathering his courage, and looked up to find Noor already crying. He could see the depth of her emotion and felt a pang of anxiety.

“I felt it was the right moment today,” he said, his voice faltering slightly, “even if the place isn’t perfect.”

Noor choked out a response, her tears streaming down her face. “I don’t care about the place,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion. “I just care about us.”

Shubman gulped, his eyes searching Noor’s for understanding. “I don’t know what to say,” he admitted, his voice heavy with emotion. “I’m not exactly the romantic you might have dreamed of, but if you remember, years ago, at this very place, our friends made me fake propose to you as part of a dare.”

Noor’s eyes widened with recognition, her tears still flowing. “I remember,” she said softly, a small, nostalgic smile forming on her lips.

Shubman continued, his voice filled with sincerity. “Back then, it was just a silly game. But now, standing here with you, it feels like it’s come full circle. I want this to be real, Noor. I want to be with you, not just for the dares or the memories, but for the rest of our lives.”

Shubman blew out a breath, letting out a nervous laugh as Noor’s tears turned to soft giggles. He looked at her with a warm, loving smile and continued, “I want to grow old with you, Noori. I want us to laugh at each other, even when we’re old and don’t have all our teeth. I want us to make fun of our wrinkled faces and have those moments where we can barely speak properly because we’re laughing so hard.”

He paused, his eyes filled with affection as he added, “I want to be able to sit together with a cup of hot chocolate in bed, reminiscing about our life’s memories. I want to look back on all the little and big moments we’ve shared and feel grateful for every single one.”

“So, Noor Kuljinder Bajwa, my dearest, my beloved best friend, my confidante and partner in crime,” Shubman said with a heartfelt smile, “will you marry your Kaake? Will you be my loving companion, my steadfast partner, and the joy of my life forever?”

Noor nodded, her eyes glistening with tears of joy. “Yes,” she said, her voice choked with emotion. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

As Shubman carefully slid the ring onto Noor's finger, it fit perfectly, sparkling with a promise of their future. With tears of joy streaming down their faces, they wrapped their arms around each other, holding tightly.

As Shubman and Noor embraced, they could almost hear the cheers of their friends from years past, as if their younger selves were there celebrating with them. They looked at each other, smiles broadening as they imagined the joyful scene.

Shubman leaned in and whispered softly, “Welcome to the era of being mine.” His words were filled with love and a touch of mischief.

Noor's eyes sparkled as she responded with a smile. They shared a tender kiss, a sweet moment that seemed to stand still in time, marking the beginning of their new chapter together.

As Shubman and Noor shared their tender kiss, the scene subtly shifted in the background. Younger Noor could be seen in the distance, her face glowing with excitement and joy as she imagined marrying her best friend. Her eyes sparkled with the same enthusiasm and love, reflecting the deep affection she had always felt. The moment beautifully bridged their past dreams with their present reality. she felt in the present moment.

Meanwhile, younger Shubman, though visibly cringing and pretending to be annoyed in a humorous way, was secretly blushing a deep red. His cheeks betrayed the true extent of his feelings, revealing just how much he cared about Noor even back then.