A Love Written In Stars
Fateful Encounter
The Bookstore Café – A Rainy Evening
The soft sound of rain taps against the windows of Chapters & Coffee, a cozy bookstore café tucked in a quiet street. The warm glow of fairy lights illuminates the wooden shelves stacked with books of all genres. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee lingers in the air, mixing with the scent of old pages.
Minakshi Malhotra, a 24-year-old aspiring writer, sits by the window, lost in the world of her book. She tucks a loose strand of hair behind her ear as she turns the page, her cappuccino sitting untouched beside her.
This bookstore café has always been her safe haven—a place where time slows down, and reality blurs into fiction.
At the same time, Abhay Singhania, a 25-year-old musician, enters the café, shaking off the raindrops clinging to his hoodie. His guitar case rests against his back as he glances around, searching for inspiration. He’s been stuck in a creative block for weeks, and bookstores always have a way of helping him find the right melody.
A Not-So-Accidental Meeting
Meenakshi reaches for a book on the top shelf—The Picture of Dorian Gray—but just as her fingers graze the spine, it slips from its place. She gasps, watching helplessly as a small stack of books tumbles down.
Before she can react, a hand shoots out, catching one of the falling books midair.
Abhay Singhania
Whoa, careful
a deep voice says, laced with amusement.
Minakshi looks up to see Abhay, holding the book effortlessly. His dark eyes gleam with mischief as he studies her.
Abhay Singhania
I guess fate wanted us to read the same book
He muses, glancing at The Picture of Dorian Gray in her hand
Minakshi, slightly flustered, tucks a strand of hair behind her ear.
Minakshi Malhotra
Or maybe fate just wanted to embarrass me
Abhay Singhania
Well, if it makes you feel better, I’m a stranger who also happens to appreciate Oscar Wilde
Meenakshi raises an eyebrow
Minakshi Malhotra
You read Wilde?
Abhay Singhania
I have a casual interest of reading. Music isn’t my only language, you know.
She narrows her eyes playfully
Minakshi Malhotra
And what’s your favorite Wilde quote, musician-who-dabbles-in-literature?
Without missing a beat, Abhay recites
Abhay Singhania
To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.
Minakshi’s lips part in surprise
Abhay places a hand on his heart in mock offense
Abhay Singhania
I expected applause at the very least.
She chuckles, shaking her head
Minakshi Malhotra
You’re impossible
Abhay Singhania
(grins) And yet, you’re still talking to me
Both of them walk away smiling
Before either of them quite realizes it, they end up at the café counter together.
Abhay Singhania
Black coffee
Minakshi Malhotra
(right after) Cappuccino
Abhay Singhania
(glancing at Minakshi) You seem like the kind of person who overthinks everything but somehow believes that coffee can solve it
Minakshi Malhotra
And you seem like the kind of person who doesn’t plan anything and just hopes the universe will do it for you.
Abhay Singhania
(laughing) Touché
They carry their drinks to the same corner Meenakshi had been sitting in earlier
Conversation flows easily—books, music, dreams. He tells her about the song he’s been struggling to finish, she tells him about the novel she can’t seem to write
Abhay Singhania
(swirling his coffee) maybe you’re just waiting for the right story
Minakshi Malhotra
(tilts her head) And what if I never find it?
Abhay’s lips curve into a small smile
Abhay Singhania
Then maybe the right story will find you
An hour passes, then two. Neither of them notice the time until the café staff start stacking chairs. The rain outside has stopped, leaving the streets fresh and glistening under the streetlights
As they step out, Minakshi pulls her scarf tighter, shivering slightly in the cool air.
Abhay notices. Without a word, he takes off his hoodie and drapes it over her shoulders.
Minakshi Malhotra
(blinks in surprise) You really don’t have to—
Abhay Singhania
(winks) Consider it a favor from a fellow Wilde fan
She shakes her head but smiles, warmth spreading in her chest
And just like that, in a small bookstore café on a rainy evening, love had begun to write its first chapter.
As they part ways, Meenakshi glances back at him one last time. Something about tonight feels different, like a beginning neither of them can quite define yet
Coffee & Conversations
The next evening,Minakshi finds herself back at Chapters & Coffee, this time intentionally choosing the same corner table by the window.
She tells herself it’s just because the spot is cozy—not because she secretly hopes to run into Abhay again.
She flips through her notebook, trying to work on her novel, but her mind keeps drifting to the stranger with the guitar and easy smile.
Minakshi Malhotra
I’m just sitting in my favorite spot - to sip my coffee, gather my thoughts
Just as she takes a sip of her cappuccino, a familiar voice breaks her thoughts.
Abhay Singhania
we meet again
She looks up to find Abhay standing there, a playful glint in his eyes. He’s holding a coffee cup in one hand and a book in the other—The Great Gatsby.
Minakshi Malhotra
(raises an eyebrow) So, do you always wander into bookstores hoping to rescue falling books and charm strangers?
Abhay Singhania
(chuckles) Only when the stranger is interesting enough to talk to again
Abhay slides into the seat across from her. What starts as small talk quickly turns into something deeper
Abhay Singhania
So, you’re a writer? (noticing her open notebook)
Minakshi Malhotra
(sighs) Trying to be. I’ve started about ten different stories and finished none
Abhay Singhania
Maybe you just haven’t found the right one yet
Minakshi Malhotra
(smiles) And you? What’s your story?
Abhay Singhania
(hesitates for a second before shrugging) I’m a musician. Or, at least, I’d like to be. I write songs, but I haven’t played anything in public for a while
Minakshi Malhotra
That’s amazing! Why not perform?
Abhay takes a slow sip of his coffee
Abhay Singhania
I guess… I’m still waiting for the right song
Minakshi Malhotra
(leans forward, resting her chin on her palm) What inspires you?
Abhay Singhania
(chuckles) Good books. Late-night walks. The sound of rain. And sometimes… interesting conversations in bookstores
Minakshi feels a slight warmth rise to her cheeks
Minakshi Malhotra
I think we’re going to be good friends, Abhay
Abhay Singhania
(grins) Oh? You’re already planning a friendship?
Minakshi Malhotra
Well, you haven’t given me a reason not to (teasing)
Abhay Singhania
(speaking softly looking at her) Then I better make sure I don’t
Their conversation drifts to their favorite books and music.
Minakshi Malhotra
Okay, be honest. What’s one book that changed your life?
Abhay Singhania
The Alchemist. It made me believe in dreams
Minakshi Malhotra
Cliché, but solid choice
Minakshi Malhotra
Anne of Green Gables. Because it made me believe in love
Abhay Singhania
(raises an eyebrow) Love, huh?
Minakshi Malhotra
(shrugs, stirring her coffee) Not just romantic love. The kind of love that makes life beautiful—friendship, dreams, little moments
Abhay watches her for a moment before nodding
Abhay Singhania
That’s the kind of love worth writing songs about
The café starts to close, and they reluctantly gather their things
Abhay Singhania
I have a feeling this won’t be our last coffee conversation (as they step outside)
Minakshi Malhotra
(smirks) That depends. Are you planning on rescuing more books?
Abhay Singhania
Only if you promise to keep dropping them
They share a lingering look before going their separate ways.
As Meenakshi walks home, she realizes she’s smiling for no reason. Or maybe, for one very specific reason
Somewhere in the city, Abhay pulls out his notebook and jots down a lyric
“””Some stories start with a hello, some with a falling book…”””
And so, their story continues
Fateful Dates
It started with a book. A chance encounter at a bookstore café where Meenakshi reached for a novel, only for the shelf to betray her—sending books tumbling down. Abhay, guitar case slung over his shoulder, caught one mid-air, flashing a playful grin.
Fate? Coincidence? Neither of them knew. But from that moment, their paths kept crossing—at the bookstore, the café, and soon, as if the universe had decided they should meet again and again
What began as casual chats about books turned into hours of conversation. First over coffee, then evening walks, and now, late-night texts that neither of them wanted to end
And somewhere along the way, in stolen glances and shared laughter, something changed
Ice Cream & Unexpected Laughter
A warm evening breeze drifts through the park as Minakshi and Abhay sit on a wooden bench, each holding an ice cream cone—hers is chocolate fudge, his is butterscotch
Minakshi Malhotra
(raising her eyebrow) You seriously like butterscotch?🤨
Abhay Singhania
Excuse me! Butterscotch is a classic😌
Minakshi Malhotra
It tastes like nostalgia mixed with regret (jokes, taking a bite of her chocolate scoop)
Abhay Singhania
You just haven’t lived enough to appreciate it😂
Minakshi Malhotra
😏 Says the guy who still orders plain vanilla milkshakes
Abhay Singhania
(grins) Vanilla is reliable. Just like me
They both laugh, the sound easy and warm. As Minakshi wipes a stray drop of ice cream from her fingers, she catches Abhay looking at her—his expression softer, more thoughtful than before
Minakshi Malhotra
What?🤷♀️
Abhay Singhania
Nothing. Just… I like this. Hanging out with you.💫
Minakshi looks down at her ice cream, hiding her smile
Later that night, Minakshi’s phone lights up
Abhay Singhania
💬 Hypothetically speaking… if someone left their guitar at the park, what are the chances they’d get it back?
She chuckles, replying instantly
Minakshi Malhotra
💬About 5% if that person is you. 50% if they know the right people. 100% if I go check for it now
Abhay Singhania
💬I like the way you think. But don’t worry, I already got it back. Just wanted an excuse to text you
Minakshi stares at her screen, her heart flipping a little
Minakshi Malhotra
💬 Smooth, Mr. Butterscotch
Abhay Singhania
💬What can I say? I like keeping in touch with my chocolate fudge friend
She bites her lip, smiling, as another message pops up
Abhay Singhania
💬 So… what’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever done for fun?
Minakshi Malhotra
💬Once, I made my best friend fake a phone call so I could escape a boring date
Abhay Singhania
💬 Legendary. Respect
Minakshi Malhotra
💬😗 stop joking man😂 Do you seriously think that was legendary?
Their conversation stretches into the night, filled with teasing, laughter, and stories that make them feel like they’ve known each other forever
Stolen Glances & Quiet Realizations
Days pass, and their friendship deepens. Every time they meet, there’s a lingering glance, a touch that lasts just a second longer than necessary
At the café, when Meenakshi is reading, Abhay watches her over the rim of his coffee cup
At the park, when Abhay is strumming his guitar, Meenakshi catches herself staring—at his fingers, at the way he loses himself in the music
Neither of them say anything. But they both feel it—something shifting, something growing.
One evening, as they walk side by side under a streetlight, Minakshi stops
Minakshi Malhotra
(quiet voice) You ever wonder when a friendship turns into… something more?
Abhay looks at her for a long moment before replying, softer than usual
Abhay Singhania
I think it happens in the little things. The small moments that start meaning too much
She meets his gaze, and for a second, time slows
But before the moment can stretch into something bigger, she playfully bumps his shoulder
Minakshi Malhotra
Fine. I’ll admit it. Maybe butterscotch isn’t that bad
Abhay Singhania
😏 That’s all I needed to hear
And just like that, the moment passes. But they both know—something is different now
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