Episode 3

...-AADYA'S POV-...

"Then take me for a coffee..." Abir suggested. His tone was casual, but there was an edge to his eyes that made me hesitate. I glanced at my watch-it was almost 4 PM.

Naksh would be on his way to pick me up for our library study session. I couldn't say no to Abir, but I didn't want to disappoint Naksh either.

"You can get me a coffee, right?" Abir asked again, raising an eyebrow, his gaze challenging.

"Um, actually-" I began, but Naksh's voice interrupted me.

"Hey, Aadya!" he called, walking towards us with a cheerful smile. He stopped short when he saw Abir.

"Hi, bro! I didn't know you were joining us," Naksh said, standing beside me, his tone light but with a hint of surprise.

"I didn't know you were coming either," Abir replied, glancing at me. There was a brief, tense silence as he waited for my response.

"I was about to tell you, Abir," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "I can't get coffee now. Naksh and I have plans to go to the library."

Abir's expression shifted, a mix of disappointment and understanding. "Alright, then. I'll be heading out," he said, turning towards his bike. But he stopped when I called his name.

"Abir, wait," I said, taking a step towards him.

"Yeah?" Abir turned back, raising an eyebrow.

"If you have time, why don't you join us? I'll repay you by buying you that coffee," I suggested. He nodded and agreed, and we all headed to the library together.

Inside, Naksh went to return a book while I searched for the one my friend had recommended. "Finally found you!" I exclaimed, spotting it on the top shelf. I stretched, but it was too high for me. After five futile jumps, I glared at the book in frustration and muttered, "Great, just my luck."

Just as I was about to give up, I spotted a stool nearby.

"Seriously, Aadya, how blind can you be?" I muttered to myself, grabbing the stool. Standing on it, I reached for the book.

"Caught you!" I said triumphantly, but it was stuck. I gave it one last tug with all my strength.

"Jai Bajrangbali!" I exclaimed as the book finally came loose. I smiled, victorious, but as I was about to step down, I noticed the shelf wobbling.

"No, no, please don't fall," I whispered in panic, trying to step off the stool.

But before I could react, the shelf came crashing down.

Boom.

Pain shot through my head as the bookshelf fell on me, scattering books everywhere. I struggled to get up, the library staff and a few people rushing over.

"Aadya!" I faintly heard Naksh's voice as everything went black."We don't mind, but be more careful next time," Naksh said, patting my head gently.

I woke up to Naksh's worried face and Abir standing beside him. My head throbbed.

"Aadya! Are you okay?" Naksh asked, relief evident in his voice.

"Yeah, I'm okay," I replied, my voice weak.

"How did you manage to fall and bring the whole bookshelf down?" Abir asked, shaking his head as he sat next to me.

"I was just trying to get a book, and, well, things escalated," I said, giving an awkward smile.

Abir remained silent, his expression unreadable, but I felt a pang of guilt, thinking I might have upset him.

"Hey, let's get out of here!" I said, jumping up with forced enthusiasm, despite the throbbing in my head, and made my way to the exit.

They followed me, and after paying the fine for the mess, we left the library together.

"What do you guys want to drink?" I asked, looking at Naksh and Abir seated beside me. They exchanged glances and then scanned the restaurant, their expressions a mix of surprise and hesitation.

Ever since we arrived, they'd been acting strange, as if the place held some hidden secret. I shook off the feeling and decided to order first.

"Alright, I'll start. I'll have a choco-vanilla shake," I said, peering at the menu.

"Now, what about you two?" I was prompted again. They finally snapped out of their daze.

"I'll take a strawberry shake," Naksh said, offering an awkward smile. I turned to Abir, waiting for his order. He glanced away as soon as our eyes met.

"Um... vanilla shake for me," he muttered, avoiding my gaze.

"Okay, I'll be back in two minutes, or maybe five," I joked, standing up. Naksh quickly intervened.

"You sit down. I'll get them. You've got a bump on your head, remember?" Despite my protests, he headed off to place our orders.

More than ten minutes had passed, and Naksh was still waiting in line. Bored, I decided to strike up a conversation with Abir.

"So... is vanilla your favorite flavor?" I asked, trying to fill the silence.

"No not really I don't prefer shakes like drinks" he replied, catching himself.

"Wait, what?" I stared at him, wide-eyed. Before I could react, he corrected himself.

"I mean, I prefer cold drinks over shakes," he clarified, looking around nervously.

"Oh, thank goodness!" I sighed in relief. He raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued.

"I thought you meant alcoholic drinks. You know they're bad for your health, and I got worried," I explained, laughing awkwardly.

A grin spread across his face, his bunny teeth showing.

Damn, that smile. He rarely smiles, but when he does, I have this urge to pull those squishy cheeks.

Focus, Aadya.

"By the way, is there something wrong with this restaurant?" I asked, noticing Abir's lingering look.

"What do you mean?" he replied, raising an eyebrow.

"I mean, ever since we got here, you and Naksh have been acting weird. Did you not like the place?" I probed further.

"Do you know what this place is called?" he asked, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

"Uh, isn't it just a restaurant?" I said, my curiosity piqued.

"You really don't know why this place is famous, do you?" He leaned in slightly.

"No, can you please tell me?" I requested, intrigued.

"This place is known for being a hotspot for couples. They come here to enjoy each other's company," he explained, watching my reaction.

"With each order, every couple gets a box containing a bracelet and lockets. It's a sweet gesture to celebrate their bond."

I stared at him, finally understanding why they had been acting strange. "And there's a small Krishna temple here.

Couples take blessings, wishing for their unbreakable bonds," he added, finishing his explanation.

"That's so lovely," I murmured, my eyes lighting up at the thought of the Krishna statue.

"Why are you so happy?" he asked, noticing my beaming expression.

"Don't you find that cute?" I said, not being able to control my excitement.

He didn't reply, just kept looking at me with that same soft smile.

...-AUTHOR'S POV-...

They were looking at each other when Naksh returned with the shakes, breaking the spell. "Here you go..." he said, handing them their drinks before sitting down.

"Thanks," Aadya said, taking a sip. "Wow, this is tasty!"

Naksh smiled, his dimples showing. "Glad you like it."

Aadya turned to Abir with an innocent gaze. "Do you like it?"

Yeah, it's good," he replied, a hint of admiration in his eyes as he watched her.

"Isn't it sweet?" she asked again, her expression so endearing that Naksh chuckled.

"Yeah, it's sweet," Abir said, unable to tear his eyes away from her fluffy cheeks.

They finished their shakes, and Naksh and Abir exchanged amused glances. Aadya, unaware, had a little shake still on her face, making her look like an adorable rabbit.

"Why are you two smiling?" she asked, feeling awkward under their gaze.

"Your face..." Naksh said, handing her a tissue.

"Is it okay now?" she asked after wiping her face.

"Yeah, it's fine," Naksh reassured her, trying to stifle a laugh. They all got up to leave when Aadya suddenly remembered, "Hume bhi box mila hoga na?"

("We must have gotten the box too, right?")

The boys looked at her in surprise "Yeah why?" Naksh asked, curious.

"Then why don't we open it?" she suggested, holding out her hand. Naksh handed her the box, and she quickly opened it.

"Wow, this is so cute!" Aadya exclaimed, finding a half-heart locket inside.

The boys opened their boxes too. Abir had the other half of the heart, while Naksh had a set of matching bracelets.

"Umm, Aadya, want to match it with me?" Naksh asked, handing her one of the bracelets. Aadya smiled and extended her hand, and he gently fastened the bracelet on her wrist.

Aadya then turned to Abir. "What did you get?" she asked, peeking into his box.

"Uh, the other half of the heart locket," he replied. She showed him her half, and their pieces fit together perfectly.

"Why don't we take blessings from Krishna for our friendship to last?" Aadya suggested. The boys agreed, and they went to the small Krishna temple inside, offering a silent prayer.

Outside, as they waited for Naksh, Abir noticed something. "Uh, there's something on your face..." he said awkwardly. Aadya tried to wipe her face with the back of her hand.

"Still there?" she asked.

Abir didn't answer immediately. Instead, he bent down to her height and gently wiped above her lips with his handkerchief. Their eyes locked, and she looked away, a blush creeping across her cheeks.

"Uh, it was just... right there," he stammered, his own cheeks reddening.

To break the awkward silence, Aadya asked, "Didn't you like the locket?"

"No, I liked it," he said.

"But you're not wearing it," she pointed out, looking up at him.

"I... don't really know how to put it on. I'll wear it when I get home," he said, making a feeble excuse. She nodded, satisfied.

Naksh finally returned, and they started walking home.

Naksh and Aadya chatted animatedly, while Abir lagged slightly behind, his eyes often drifting to Aadya.

Just as Naksh received a call and had to leave, Abir saw a flower shop and hurriedly asked her to wait.

Aadya waited, feeling a bit awkward as it was getting late. She was about to call Abir when she felt someone behind her. Startled, she spun around.

"Here you go!" Abir said, holding out a tiara made of fresh pink roses, his expression a mix of shyness and hopefulness.

...🌷...

"IT WASN'T A JUST A GIFT ,IT WAS A MEMORY WHICH I WANTED TO KEEP IN THE PAGES OF MY DIARY FOREVER "

...🩶🎀🩶...

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