The night air felt cooler after the ice cream chaos.
Kabir kept teasing Anvi while everyone stood near the bikes.
“Careful, Rutvik,” Kabir smirked. “Your new friend laughs at my jokes more.”
Rutvik shot him a look. “Because your jokes are painfully loud.”
“And your jealousy is painfully visible,” Kabir whispered dramatically.
Anvi tried hiding her smile.
“I’ll drop you,” he said casually.
“I can go myself.”
“At this hour? Not happening.”
Kabir fake-gasped. “Protective already—”
“Get lost, Kabir.”
The boys burst out laughing.
Anvi quietly sat behind Rutvik on the bike.
Not too close. Not too far either.
The city lights blurred around them as soft wind brushed against her hair.
For once, she wasn’t talking.
Rutvik noticed.
“You became silent suddenly.”
“Just tired.”
“Hm.”
And the ride became silent
Meanwhile, Arjun dropped Ishita home.
A warm yellow light glowed from the balcony as the gate opened.
“Finally!” her mother smiled. “Madam remembered she has a home.”
“Maa!”
Her father laughed softly from behind the newspaper. “At least let the guest enter first.”
Arjun folded his hands dramatically. “Namaste, Uncle. Namaste, Aunty.”
Ishita’s mother, Meera, shook her head fondly.
“Beta, you come here more than our own relatives.”
“And still your daughter doesn’t respect me.”
“She shouldn’t,” Ishita replied instantly.
Everyone laughed.
Her father, Rajeev, looked at Arjun carefully. “Late ride again?”
“Sir, blame traffic. Not me.”
“Hm. That means definitely blame you.”
Ishita rolled her eyes while Arjun grinned like he belonged there already.
Because honestly?
He did.
Everyone in the family knew about him except rutvik .
Then he left for his home . And while coming he brought anvi's favourite pastry 🍰
On the other side of town, Rutvik slowed the bike near a quieter lane.
“You live here?”
“Yeah.”
He looked around. “Pretty silent.”
Anvi nodded and got down from the bike.
“Thanks for dropping me.”
Rutvik removed his helmet slightly. “Wait.”
She looked back.
“Your parents don’t mind you coming home late?”
For a second, her expression changed.
Tiny. Almost invisible.
Then she smiled lightly.
“They would if they were here.”
Rutvik frowned a little. “What do you mean?”
Anvi looked toward the apartment building before answering softly.
“I’m an orphan, Rutvik.”
The teasing mood from earlier disappeared instantly.
“Oh I'm sorry ”
“It’s okay,” she said quickly, giving a small smile she clearly practiced too often. “I stay with my brother.”
Rutvik didn’t know why that hurt to hear.
Maybe because she said it like she was used to people reacting awkwardly.
Maybe because suddenly all her “I’m fine” moments made sense.
He looked at her quietly.
And for the first time that evening—
Rutvik had nothing sarcastic to say.
“Goodnight, Anvi.”
Her smile this time was softer. Real.
“Goodnight.”
It was late at night when Arjun reached home. After changing, he quietly went to the kitchen and started making dinner. The soft sound of utensils and the calm atmosphere made the house feel peaceful after the long day.
A little later, Anvi walked in and sat near the counter, talking about random things while Arjun cooked silently.
By the time dinner was ready, she was helping him place the plates on the table when Arjun casually kept a small pastry box beside her.
Anvi stopped mid-step. “Wait… when did you get this?”
“While coming back,” he replied simply.
Her expression softened a little as she opened the box and smiled seeing her favorite pastry inside.
“You actually remembered one random sentence from morning?”
Arjun sat down calmly. “You say random things loudly.”
Anvi laughed quietly while he shook his head, pretending not to care. Still, the small smile on his face gave him away.
Meanwhile, at the Rajveer mansion, Ishita was sitting on the couch trying to watch something peacefully when Rutvik suddenly grabbed the remote.
“Excuse me?” she stared at him.
“My match is more important.”
“Your match can wait.”
“Your drama can wait.”
Ishita threw a cushion at him while Rutvik laughed loudly.
Right then Meera walked in with Rajveer behind her. One look at the siblings fighting over the remote and Meera sighed.
“Every single night.”
Rajveer folded his arms. “Who started it?”
Both immediately pointed at each other.
“He did!”
“She did!”
Rajveer closed his eyes for a second while Meera tried not to laugh at the usual chaos.
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